Finally laid eyes on my top OH buck
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Pat Lefemine
29-Nov-20
As some of you know I bought a farm in Ohio last March. It’s always nerve racking when you buy a hunk of ground since you never really know the trophy potential, surrounding pressure, and quantity of mature deer. To complicate the decision, I bought this farm from an Amish family so no trail cam pics!
I spent the spring putting in over 30 acres of crops/plots including 18 acres of beans. By mid summer I had 5 mature bucks/shooters (all would make PY) and at least 25 rack bucks on trail cam. One buck was my favorite, a giant 8 with great mass. Needless to say I was happy to confirm the quality of the deer here.
The buck vanished for five weeks and just appeared again last week. And last night I saw him for the first time. I Had him at 75 yards after watching him for an hour. Never got closer and eventually he ran another buck off.
Nothing better than seeing the top buck in daylight in the flesh after months of trail cam photos. He did not disappoint!
From: Treeline
29-Nov-20
And???
Did you get a shot?
From: bowboy
29-Nov-20
Sounded like he didn’t get a shot. Hopefully you were able to be right back in the stand today Pat!
From: greg simon
29-Nov-20
Pat posted a picture from his stand today on the Bino thread. So it’s a safe bet he’s after that big guy!!!
From: Dennis Razza
29-Nov-20
Hope you get a crack at him. Best of luck!
From: Habitat for Wildlife
29-Nov-20
Been waiting for this Pat! KS has nothing on OH;-)
From: t-roy
29-Nov-20
Any hard horn pics of him? Definitely gets the ticker going when those big guys are visible during daylight, especially when they’re getting close to coming into shooting range. I’d liked to have heard the conversation you had with yourself, for that hour that you watched him ;-)
From: Hawkeye
29-Nov-20
Should only become more consistent with his patterns going forward and if you play the odds and are patient I bet you get an opportunity. Your commitment to food will pay off over the next few weeks. Good luck!
From: Bou'bound
29-Nov-20
gun season opens tomorrow. Good luck with someone pushing something your way.
From: deerhunter72
29-Nov-20
Wow! More pics please.
From: deerhunter72
29-Nov-20
Hey Pat, this is off topic, but you mentioned that your ground is in Amish country. I know a couple different people that own ground in Amish communities here in Illinois and Kentucky. They both have trouble with the Amish not minding property lines or seasons. My friends say that they don’t recognize local laws and the authorities don’t seem to attempt to enforce much of anything. I know that you’re just getting started there in Ohio, but I wonder if you’ve had any issues? Sure hope that you haven’t and don’t ever have any problems.
From: map1
29-Nov-20
Amish don’t recognize property boundaries or game laws.
From: Pat Lefemine
29-Nov-20
I’ve only got one Amish farm that borders me and I had a chat with their kids. Gun opens tomorrow so we’ll see. They don’t seem like they’re big on deer hunting, they seemed respectful and I was clear that I would be too. It helps that I’m living here full time too. If I was absentee I’m sure the temptation would be stronger.
Also, all my neighbors hunt and they have zero tolerance as well. I’ve got good neighbors so far.
From: kakiatkids
29-Nov-20
Pat, are you permanently out of Ct?
From: Pat Lefemine
29-Nov-20
Unfortunately no.
From: Zbone
29-Nov-20
"75 yards", he'll be within gun range tomorrow morning...8^)
Just joking Pat, just joking...8^)
From: 4nolz@work
29-Nov-20
I've heard that about the Amish too I've never dealt with them.Seems counter to the whole religious beliefs thing.
From: t-roy
29-Nov-20
Can you hunt with a bow during Ohio’s gun season?
From: Pat Lefemine
29-Nov-20
Yes, and I’ll be hunting every day. I have to wear that ridiculous orange stuff. In NY it’s not required. I bet it’s been 10 years since I had to wear orange.
From: bowboy
29-Nov-20
Never seen you in that color pat. You might post a selfie in it.
From: Rupe
29-Nov-20
I basically like the Amish, usually very good people, but when it comes to hunting they will kill anything. I know a wealthy guy that bought nearly 700 acres of land in Iowa and he wanted to put a high fence up. One of the conditions was he could not have any native deer within the fence. The DNR suggested he let the Amish hunt it and they came in and wiped out the entire population. They were happy for the opportunity, but the guy said they were all business and didn’t stop until signed off by the DNR as being free of native deer. I was shocked at the DNR’s solution, but not surprised with the result.
From: Huntcell
29-Nov-20
Pat living da DREAM! <——-<<<< €
From: sitO
29-Nov-20
There are good oranges
From: Shug
29-Nov-20
Good luck getting on him
From: drycreek
29-Nov-20
Good luck Pat !
From: BigOk
29-Nov-20
Good luck
From: altitude sick
30-Nov-20
Cheer up Pat, I’m sure a decent deer will eventually show up :^/) Maybe next year.
I wear orange while bow hunting gun season also. and a headlamp in twilight.
From: midwest
30-Nov-20
At least you can bowhunt during gun season. We don't get that option in Iowa.
From: njbuck
30-Nov-20
Best of luck with him!
From: Pat Lefemine
30-Nov-20
I feel like I should be working at a parking lot
I feel like I should be working at a parking lot
My wife says this color makes me look thinner
From: CAS_HNTR
30-Nov-20
Looking good Pat.......count shots today, I'd be curious to know how many you end up hearing. I'll be out tomorrow and Wednesday. Too many meeting today to swing it unfortunately.
From: Pat Lefemine
30-Nov-20
8 so far all off in the distance. Weather is miserable!
From: CAS_HNTR
30-Nov-20
Welcome to winter in Ohio. Dreary and wet......some snow, but mostly just crappy weather and no sun!
From: altitude sick
30-Nov-20
That Sitka pattern works well in a leaf less, grey sky, tree stand
From: Ambush
30-Nov-20
I’m betting we’ll have a Blood Trail Challenge courtesy of the first buck Pat kills on the new property.
From: Treeline
30-Nov-20
I’m sure the deer just assume that’s a pumpkin from the last pumpkin chunkin’ contest up in that tree...
Good luck! Hope you get a shot!
From: t-roy
30-Nov-20
Were you holding a yield sign along the shoulder on I 80, a couple weeks back? Could have sworn that was you. Maybe Walmart ;-)
Like Midwest pointed out, at least you can bowhunt during the gun season. Good luck.
From: Zbone
30-Nov-20
"Welcome to winter in Ohio. Dreary and wet......some snow, but mostly just crappy weather and no sun!"
Yeah, and the DOW will censure the low gun kill numbers on the weather like they do every year, yet the weather is the same dreary weather every year...8^) That's the truth though, that is their defense of the declining deer herd...
Best of luck Pat, hang in there... Great thing about owning your property, deer from surrounding hills may seek your property this week for security, you may be over whelmed with deer...8^)
From: Ace
30-Nov-20
Good luck Pat! It's good to know that even with all the gun hunters (and "if it's brown it's down" guys) around that your area still grows and holds nice deer.
I was so tempted to make a comment like: "well, with a crossbow that 75-yard shot would be a piece of cake" but Embry told me I have to cut back on the sarcasm, so I'm trying hard to behave.
From: deerhunter72
30-Nov-20
Orange is very slimming! Looks good on you;)
From: Meat Grinder
30-Nov-20
If this Bowsite gig doesn't work out, at least you already have the uniform for that new career in parking lot management. ;-)
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
01-Dec-20
In Iowa our bow season closes during our shotgun seasons in December. I do pick up a gun for that week and have to wear orange. I don't think the color jumps out at deer as long as you sit still, movement is what typically gives us away (Fred Bear killed a pile of critters in Red Buffalo Plaid flannels). Pat, my concern with your vest choice would be the reflective tape. I would think that would really stand out in the woods and be very noticeable to the deer. Have you found yourself getting picked off by deer in the trees? Just a curious observation. Good luck!!
From: Brian M.
01-Dec-20
^^^ this. I'd definitely get rid of the reflective strips, unless it's a requirement.
From: KY EyeBow
01-Dec-20
+2 BOWNIRDHNTR!!!!!!!!!
From: greg simon
01-Dec-20
That looks like a DOT vest. You are aware that there are companies (Sitka) that make orange hunting vests!
From: GhostBird
01-Dec-20
I think the reflective stripes are to protect Pat while walking in & out in the dark... you know, those evil Amish spot lighters and all.
From: Keith
01-Dec-20
Don't knock orange. It has saved countless lives.
From: Pat Lefemine
01-Dec-20
I’m not really hunting now, it’s more about being visible and letting others know I’m here. Hunting a very visible stand on my north border where a hunting club leases it. The crossing guard vest was the only cheap thing I can find in blaze. Had five deer within 50 and not even a glance. Only one shot in the distance today. Crazy low pressure here.
From: Poppy
01-Dec-20
It’s not the weekend yet
From: deerhunter72
01-Dec-20
I have one of those crossing guard vests and my kids have killed several deer with it on. They sure do stand out, but the deer don't mind it.
From: Bake
01-Dec-20
Your wife sounds funny! :) Bring her to the next P&Y Bowsite Meet and Greet and we can listen to her roast you :)
From: Medicinemann
01-Dec-20
"Pat, just put a mannequin from the BIG and TALL store to match your “Size” in the stand."
MurphyGSP, Associating Pat with "tall" in any way, shape, or form; is like putting a screen door on a submarine.....completely inappropriate.
From: Habitat
01-Dec-20
I think they see the new bright orange or at least the brightners that come in the fabric.I always wash mine to reduce brightness and have even rubbed in dirt.It just seemed like if I was leaning up against a tree with out alot of front cover a deer would walk in the field and look straight at me
From: DonVathome
01-Dec-20
Tough time of year now. Right before a storm at a food source can be very consistent late season in Ohio, but a very small window of time.
From: Pat Lefemine
01-Dec-20
Hey, enough with the jokes you two. I’m 5’9 and 165. Same dimensions as Jason Statham! Just sayin’
From: Shiras42
01-Dec-20
And the same hair...just sayin. :)
From: Bou'bound
01-Dec-20
Heck you’re not a parking lot attendant you are a traffic cone
From: t-roy
01-Dec-20
What is the law in Ohio, concerning tracking wounded game onto another’s property?
From: PK
01-Dec-20
^^^^^ need to have permission to trespass.
From: Zbone
02-Dec-20
PK is correct, must have permission to trespass to pursue wounded game in Ohio... It happens a lot too especially in urban zones and smaller properties...
From: Bou'bound
05-Dec-20
has anything of interest shown up lately
From: Pat Lefemine
05-Dec-20
Yes, last night my #3 showed up in my beans but only after dark. I stopped hunting after opening day. My only goal was to patrol the property and maintain visibility. Given the 'almost' non-existent hunting pressure here, I decided that was unnecessary and it was better to stay off the land and provide sanctuary for whatever deer did get bumped onto my ground. Rifle ends tomorrow, and it's extremely likely that none of my target bucks were killed so far. Nobody appears to be hunting the big property to my north, and I am in contact with all my neighboring farms. Nobody has killed a good buck that I know of. It's looking really good here.
From: Treeline
05-Dec-20
Good luck, Pat! Hopefully you get a good one!
From: t-roy
05-Dec-20
It will be nice once your gun season is over. Our $hit $how started this morning for, basically, the next 16 days :-(
From: T Mac
05-Dec-20
That’s good news Pat. I’m glad it’s working out as I can only imagine the anxiousness one must feel when deciding whether it’s the right property. I know you did your due diligence but you never truly know what goes on until you are there to see it for yourself.
From: deerhunter72
05-Dec-20
Glad to hear the good news Pat.
From: goyt
05-Dec-20
We certainly had more pressure than that. Heard maybe 50 shots a day Wednesday through Friday. Some close enough to be trespassers but hopefully not. Nice to hear that it is going well for you. Do you think that you need to remove some does at this time?
From: Rupe
05-Dec-20
Thanks for the update Pat. Will you be hunting again in Ohio or are you done for the season?
From: Pat Lefemine
05-Dec-20
I’m living at my Ohio place until I tag a buck or the season ends.
From: t-roy
05-Dec-20
When does the season close? You’re definitely getting to get a lot of “boots in the tree” information this year, on the new farm, for sure!
From: Zbone
05-Dec-20
Glad to hear Pat...
t-roy - The first statewide gun season ends tomorrow, then a 2-day statewide weekend gun season Dec 19-20, then a 4-day statewide muzzleloader Jan 2-5, with bowseason ending Feb 7th...
From: t-roy
05-Dec-20
Thanks Zbone!
From: Charlie Rehor
05-Dec-20
So two months to go... Should be enough time.
From: Bowboy
05-Dec-20
Good luck!
From: Scooby-doo
06-Dec-20
Shoot one soon or ya may go grab an antler for a trophy shot and it comes off in your hand. Had a friend shoot a huge 8pt last year during late season ML in Ohio and thats just what happened. Best of luck Pat! Shawn
From: Rupe
07-Dec-20
If you get some really cold weather then the best hunting is still ahead of you. I think I prefer bitter cold with a good food source versus the Rut.
From: Pat Lefemine
07-Dec-20
I'm hoping you're right. The gun season ended yesterday and I am very confident that most of my top 5 survived. The guys who lease the 1000 acres to my north did show up, but as of Saturday afternoon they had wounded 1 buck. My immediate neighbors didn't shoot any bucks, just a couple of does. Also, not one shot was heard yesterday - the last day of gun season. How crazy is that? And I was outside all day.
I am amazed at how little gun pressure there was around my farm. I was expecting far worse. I know two of my top 5 survived because I got pics of them last night. I'll be anxiously watching to see if the other 3 show up. One thing I found very interesting is that not one 'new' mature buck beyond the 5 that I've known about since July appeared either during the rut, or during rifle season. I expected to see a couple good bucks move in and that never happened. Hopefully it still may, with the late season food source.
From: Shawn
07-Dec-20
If you have the food and cover they will come, ecsp as you know if you get snow on the ground. Should be good!! Shawn
From: goyt
07-Dec-20
My experience with new bucks showing up is fairly similar to yours. last year we did have a real good buck show up for the first time in January. He hung around until season ended and antlers were shed. So far he is a no show this year. We lose more bucks because we have an outfitter with about 8 stands or blinds within 250 yards plus hunting pressure is higher. Not sure what made it through this year but I saw 2 on Friday and the neighbor got the biggest on camera last night. I am very interested in hearing how you do late season. Good luck,
From: Rupe
08-Dec-20
Don’t be discouraged or disappointed with not seeing any new bucks on camera. 2 years ago I had a 170 plus deer show up early December. I put my cameras back out but never got a picture of him. I stopped seeing him mid January . It was uncanny how he avoided trail cams.
I had the only standing beans for miles and I saw a ton of deer. So if you have food and you get some brutal weather you will have an opportunity . I also only hunt evenings in late season and bitter cold. Helps when you only have to tolerate the cold for 3 hrs or so in the afternoon.
From: Saphead
11-Dec-20
January a great time to kill a big buck in Ohio
From: Valley Vire
18-Dec-21
pat lefmine, I came across a forum a while back where you were discussing land purchases in Ohio Would like to pick your brain about this if I may Think I sent message on Facebook but reached your son If you have time would like to speak to you since close to retirement Thanks
From: Keadog
18-Dec-21
Perfect weather here this morning in Ohio for 2nd gun. 34 and raining. I've seen the 3 biggest deer that I know of on my property in the last couple days. All 3.5 and one right around 150. Really hope they make it through the season.
From: ND String Puller
18-Dec-21
This reminds me of what my wife said during gun season. “You remember on the movie Hunger Games, when someone dies, a hologram appears in the sky of who died? Well too bad we couldn’t have that when the neighbors kill a deer! “ Yes hun that would be nice. SMH
This year it looks as though 3 of the biggest died from EHD, haven’t seen them since August. Good luck Pat !
From: Hunts_with_stick
18-Dec-21
What part of Ohio are you in? I am hoping the Amish stay out of where I hunt.
