2018 Success
Contributors to this thread:Indiana
From: patience2spare
14-Jan-18
Have been getting out after the honkers here around Fort Wayne. Figured I'd post up a pic. No Bowtech in the layout blind with me... just the autoloader :) Killed these 3 this morning before Grace's basketball game. Looking forward to seeing all of your success photos this year!!! Pete
From: sticksender
15-Jan-18
Good times! Do you have a good recipe for goose?
From: patience2spare
15-Jan-18
I typically cook the breasts with sliced onion & peppercini's in a crockpot with a dark beer like Killian's or Honey Brown for about 8hrs. Then shred and mix with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. Add a slice of PepperJack cheese and you've got a really great sandwich!
I will also make jalepeno goose poppers. Wrap strips of goose breast meat around a slice of jalepeno and some cream cheese then wrap with 1/3 slice of bacon and skewer with a toothpick. Cook just until the bacon is done.
From: sticksender
16-Jan-18
Those recipes sound great....makes me want to go bust a few!
From: Nimrod90
18-Jan-18
1-4-2018 , Indiana 11 pt. I killed with a crossbow. Missed a dandy the evening before with my bow because my release was frozen and misfired. Pulled the Barnett off the wall, sighted it in and got him that night. Great feed pattern with dozens of deer going by every night to feed. It was 3 degrees when I shot him. Brrrr!
From: INbowdude
19-Jan-18
Great buck!
From: patience2spare
19-Jan-18
Congrats on a really nice buck! Love the split brows! It has been COLD - you definitely earned that one! Pete
From: stick slinger
28-Jan-18
Excellent!! I hunted to the bitter end and didn’t connect. It was cold and I enjoyed being out. That is a great deer.
From: sticksender
20-Feb-18
No luck on the Coues deer in Mexico. I did get this Javelina. Posted a few pictures from the trip over on hh.com:
http://www.hoosierhunting.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/10/300.html
From: INbowdude
20-Feb-18
Nice javi! Congrats!
From: pav
21-Feb-18
Congats Greg! That area sure looks like a huge upgrade from typical February weather in Indiana!
From: KDC
26-Feb-18
Nice shot Greg
From: Yttails
26-Feb-18
Congrats Greg!
From: sticksender
27-Feb-18
Thanks guys.As a goodwill gesture to the ranch owner, the outfitter requests all meat be given to the cowboys who work there. But it surprised me that they were all over that Javelina, and quickly had him skinned out and hung up that evening. They claim the meat is excellent, in spite of a general reputation to the contrary.I can easily see how a guy could get addicted to this wintertime hunting down south in the desert!
From: JTV
27-Feb-18
No coyotes this day, but this crow landed on a cut corn stalk 150 yds out ... the 22-250 dusted it ...
From: INbowdude
07-Mar-18
Porkapalooza 12 success!
From: pav
08-Mar-18
Atta boy Mike! Followed your semi-live hunt thread on the main forum. Looked like a good time was had by all! Congrats!
From: sticksender
08-Mar-18
Nice, congrats on the big ol' porkers!
From: INbowdude
08-Mar-18
Thanks guys. Pictures are too kind but the hunting was fun. Porkapalooza was a good time. Good thing Shiloh isn't closer or I'd be broke. BTW, the pork tastes great.
From: Nimrod90
10-Mar-18
Nice hogs! that looks like a blast!
From: patience2spare
12-Mar-18
Glad you had a good time at Pork 12, Mike! How's the rehab on the leg going? Feeling back to 100%? Pete
From: INbowdude
13-Mar-18
Thanks guys. Hey Pete. On the flat and climbing ladders no problem. Going up hills and squatting repeatedly, I can still feel the pull. Those doctors weren't kidding when they said it will take about a year. Thanks for asking.
From: patience2spare
14-Mar-18
Mike, Glad you're on the mend! From a guy who also tore a hammy in the past, stay on your stretches and exercise routine once back to normal or the tightness and pain can come back. Good luck with the gobblers in April/May! Pete
From: INbowdude
14-Mar-18
Thanks Pete!
From: pav
28-Apr-18
This morning was my 1st chance to get out to the turkey woods. Had a gobbler hang up at 35-40 yards right after fly down. Two more made an appearance shortly after 10:00am. One of them got the shaft. :^)
From: sticksender
29-Apr-18
Way to go Paul....that didn't take long!
From: INbowdude
29-Apr-18
Great job Paul!
From: Yttails
29-Apr-18
Congrats Paul!!
From: KDC
30-Apr-18
Nice job Paul! Great bird
From: patience2spare
02-May-18
Dad and I doubled this past Saturday. Was a fun hunt... 1-2-3: powwowditty! Dad likes to turkey hunt with the 12ga, so not bow kills. Hoping to post up a bird for Grace soon but she has been so busy with tennis! Good luck to all of you still chasing a big gobbler! Pete
From: pav
02-May-18
Congrats to you both Pete! Father/Son double....special memory right there!
From: patience2spare
02-May-18
Paul, your bird looks to be a good one: congrats! What were the weight, beard and spur details?
From: bas
02-May-18
Congrats on the nice tom Paul! I heard the whole story from my dad. Sounds like it was quite an adventure finding it. Also, I heard you have some good-natured ribbing in store for me regarding me killing before my wife did...lol.
From: pav
03-May-18
Hey Pete. Just an average tom....22lbs, 27mm spurs and a 10-1/2" beard. The spurs were sharp and curved...so I'm assuming a 3 year old bird.
Yes Brent, I have to ask....why is it, when you take Andrea turkey hunting....you shoot the bird....and when your Dad takes Andrea hunting....she shoots the bird? :^)
Finding my bird was an adventure. He really didn't go that far, but he did double back on me in the woods and I had no blood to follow. That makes two turkeys in a row I've shot with fixed blade heads and both recoveries made me nervous. Both arrows pretty much hit where I was aiming and had complete penetration. Both birds were dead on their feet, it just took longer for them to go down. You know I'm not a fan of shooting big game with mechanical broadheads....but I've pretty much made up my mind to switch back to big cutting diameter mechanicals for turkeys next season.
From: bas
03-May-18
Well the bird came in on Andrea's side first but decided it didn't feel comfortable and circled back behind us leaving. She was frustrated and said "don't let it get away!" So I made sure it didn't get away, lol. As far as Dad taking her, that was because I was commissioned to watch 3 kids the next day (a.k.a. the doghouse for shooting her turkey!). I guess Dad didn't want to end up with the same result so he let her shoot... Lesson learned: always do what your wife says but don't always do what she says...confusing I know. On the plus side we found twelve nice morels when we were walking out!
From: pav
04-May-18
"Listen to the woman." - by Wesley Snipes in the movie "White Men Can't Jump"
From: INbowdude
02-Aug-18
Ran down to Shiloh Ranch in Oklahoma to get my hog fix before I go back to teaching.
From: INbowdude
09-Sep-18
Opening day of teal season. Rained all day but the birds didn't seem to mind. Doubled on one group.
From: sticksender
13-Sep-18
Nice! Looking forward to more hunt reports coming up soon!
From: patience2spare
13-Sep-18
Nice shooting on some very fast birds, Mike!
From: patience2spare
30-Sep-18
Had a great trip to WY with Dad last week! Will post some details and more pics once I get caught up with school work. Pete
From: patience2spare
30-Sep-18
shot these 2 does 20 minutes apart on Tuesday after finding a waterhole that was well off the beaten path and far from other water.
From: patience2spare
30-Sep-18
Dad got in on the action as well. Was hard to get him to hold out as the unit was target rich for his 270!
From: patience2spare
30-Sep-18
Dad's buck. We stalked to within 87yards of this buck which turned out to be the closest we got all trip on any stalk. After 3 trips to WY, I am fairly convinced that antelope see color...
From: patience2spare
30-Sep-18
Dad's second doe tag filled with a really big, dry doe
From: bas
02-Oct-18
Congrats to you and your dad, Pete!
From: pav
03-Oct-18
Nice job! Congrats to you and your dad Pete!
From: sticksender
04-Oct-18
Outstanding......congrats to you guys!!!
From: INbowdude
05-Oct-18
Great hunt there Pete. DIY or guide? Any preference points needed to get a tag?
From: patience2spare
08-Oct-18
Mike, sent you a PM. We went DIY and the unit took 5 points to draw and even then was not 100% odds to be drawn. There was no shortage of animals even with going out a full week after the rifle opener.
From: stick slinger
16-Oct-18
I’ll throw out the first deer on here. First trad deer. Spot and stalk. Little doe, but I was happy
From: bas
16-Oct-18
Nice job!
From: pav
17-Oct-18
Congrats on your first traditional whitetail!
From: stick slinger
18-Oct-18
Photo didn’t want to rotate. I’ll try here.
From: sticksender
19-Oct-18
Real nice. That'll be some tender venison.
From: INbowdude
19-Oct-18
Congrats! I got lucky and found a doe that needed a freezer home.
From: patience2spare
21-Oct-18
Nice shot, Mike!!!
From: INbowdude
23-Oct-18
Thanks Pete!
From: sticksender
24-Oct-18
I'll bet she didn't go far, congrats!
From: INbowdude
24-Oct-18
Thanks Greg, Yep, she didn't go far at all. I heard her fall. Bounced off a few trees on the way down.
From: INbowdude
31-Oct-18
Shot this buck 10/30 and the blood trail was sparse. Backed out and came back Halloween morning and found it. Got very lucky as there was little to no blood.
From: patience2spare
31-Oct-18
Good job on the blood trail! I like how dark his antlers are! What do you think lead to the weak blood trail was it a fluke or placement? Try a new broadhead?
From: pav
01-Nov-18
Congrats Mike. Good job on the decision to back out and successful follow up!
From: INbowdude
01-Nov-18
Autopsy revealed I hit the bottom of the onside lung and liver. Only one lung, Magnus Stinger 125 with the bleeders. I think a combo of low shot and lots of fat kept the bleeding internal. Broadhead passed through, found the fletch end still in the body. The next morning I was on the trail at first light. Found my initial spot of blood on a sapling (rain started in the early am). Crossed a small creek and on the opposite bank I found a spot that was about the size of 2 dinner plates with blood that looked more muscle than lung. That was the last of the blood. Started to follow the most logical path a wounded deer would take. Crossed into a corn field and then the end of the property. Turned back to take the next trail. Mother nature beckoned and right after I answered her call, I noticed the right side of the rack and the white throat patch in the woods. I had walked passed the buck by 15 yards but was looking in the opposite direction. Felt like divine intervention or Karma. Coyotes did a number on the backside. Got it hung up and to school before my first class started.
From: bas
01-Nov-18
Congrats Mike! Good job staying after it!
From: sticksender
01-Nov-18
Great looking buck, congrats!
From: bas
04-Nov-18
My dad had success last night. He had to switch to a crossbow this year due to shoulder issues so this is his first deer with it. Shot was liver so we backed out and came back to find it this morning. It went about 400 yards before expiring.
From: INbowdude
04-Nov-18
Congrats to your Papa Bas. How was the blood trail? Did it bed up or stay moving?
From: bas
04-Nov-18
The blood trail was not the greatest. It bedded once at about 100 yards then bedded the second and final time at about 400 yards. The last 200 yards was across a picked bean field and he died just off the edge of the field. Trailed him across the field mainly by his tracks instead of by blood.
From: bas
11-Nov-18
My cousin Fred Gill got a buck on the 8th and I got my buck today!
From: INbowdude
12-Nov-18
Congrats Brent!
From: sticksender
12-Nov-18
Very nice.....some cool character on that one.
From: pav
13-Nov-18
Congrats to all!
Ended my season last Saturday. Not the biggest buck on the farm, but I'm a sucker for 8pts and this one gave me a slam dunk opportunity.
From: sticksender
13-Nov-18
Congrats on the sweet 8-pointer pav! Looks to be a good solid mature deer.
From: KDC
13-Nov-18
Congrats guys. Great deer
From: INbowdude
13-Nov-18
Great job PAV!
From: sticksender
14-Nov-18
I'll add my buck to the meat pole. Shot this one yesterday. Got lucky when he decided to do some cruising in the early afternoon. Heart shot him and he traveled about 30 yards before tipping over. I think those are his rubs in the background. I had a few trail cam pics of this buck, but this was my first live encounter with him. I felt very fortunate to be able to take advantage of it.
From: pav
14-Nov-18
Congrats Greg!
Like I said, I'm a sucker for 8pt whitetails....and that one is definitely a beaut!
From: KDC
14-Nov-18
Congrats Greg! Great buck
From: bas
14-Nov-18
Congrats to all! This year and last have been some of the best weather for rut hunting that I remember. Couple that with the later gun opener and it has been a perfect scenario for Indiana archers.
From: bas
14-Nov-18
Sorry for the repost but when I tried to edit the one picture that was upside down in my previous post, I deleted all the pictures and they would not let me add them again. Here are the pics from my post on the 11th above.
From: INbowdude
14-Nov-18
Atta boy Greg! Really great buck and story. Congrats.
From: patience2spare
14-Nov-18
Man, that is what I'm talking about!!!! Congrats Paul, Greg & Brent! Seems I can always count on your three and Mike to shoot nice deer every season!
From: Nimrod90
18-Nov-18
Great bucks Fellas! Dang good year in Indiana for big bucks getting killed during bow season.
From: stick slinger
20-Nov-18
Nice bucks guys. I had great action with numerous big bucks chasing, but couldn’t get anything in range. I knocked over this guy which I thought was a doe so this is my biggest buck of the year. :)
From: bas
21-Nov-18
Congrats Kendall! Success with a bow is often underappreciated. An archery harvest is a trophy regardless of the size of the deer in my book.
From: JTV
24-Nov-18
11-9-18- Fish and Wildlife Area ... 2.5 yr old/164lbs .. called in from 100 yds out/22 yd shot. full pass thru, ran 60 yds and watched him go down ... been a crappy season up to that point with no deer movement, and very few seen, hell, very few Does seen ....
From: INbowdude
24-Nov-18
Congrats Jeff! Yep, after Oct. 30th, I've not seen a deer on the land I am hunting on. Very weird year. On the plus side, you got a lot of great meat right there. Way to go.
From: sticksender
25-Nov-18
Nice shot, congrats!
From: NY Bowman
26-Nov-18
Sorry for the tailgate photo. I already loaded him into the truck twice by myself and just didn't want to do it again. Not a giant, but he was the biggest to give me a shot in over a solid week of hunting during my annual IN deer hunt.
Sorry for the tailgate photo. I already loaded him into the truck twice by myself and just didn't want to do it again. Not a giant, but he was the biggest to give me a shot in over a solid week of hunting during my annual IN deer hunt.
I don't own a trail camera but my buddy does and he caught the buck on camera.
I don't own a trail camera but my buddy does and he caught the buck on camera.
From: pav
27-Nov-18
Congrats to all the successful bowhunters!
No worries Terry.....that beautiful takedown in the photo trumps the tailgate!
From: bas
29-Nov-18
Nice one Terry!
From: INbowdude
29-Nov-18
Way to go Terry!
From: sticksender
30-Nov-18
Nice buck & a sharp looking bow!
From: INbowdude
10-Dec-18
Well the deer hunting has been slow so I picked up the shotgun and some buddies and put a dent in the local mallard population. I can only claim a pair of drakes and half a goose.
From: patience2spare
11-Dec-18
Nice! I recently tried a new recipe you might enjoy:
Pluck the breast, then working from the wing area up and across the breast plate to the other wing area take the breast meat off in one piece with skin. Marinade in zesty Italian for 4 hours. Salt, pepper, minced garlic, paprika and drizzle with a little honey all on skin side while cold (so honey doesn't just run off). Sear the skin side first then the other side. I seared them both for about 2 minutes (a little longer for geese). Then finish by baking in oven for about 15minutes at 300 or until finished to your liking. This allows you to get the meat to temp without overcooking - which is the death of any waterfowl dish.
From: INbowdude
11-Dec-18
Thanks Pete! Sounds pretty good. Might have to give that a go with the next batch of birds.
From: DEC
19-Dec-18
2018 has been pretty good. Here is a sampling in one photo. Missing a turkey in the photo and many more geese. Lots of fun and memories with friends and family.
Congrats to everyone else on a successful year.
From: INbowdude
19-Dec-18
Wow Dec, that's pretty impressive. Congrats on your season!
From: patience2spare
23-Dec-18
Great Year, DEC!!! Congrats.
From: patience2spare
23-Dec-18
Shot this hen yesterday. First fall turkey - possibly the dumbest turkey in the woods as I skipped the first arrow off her back :) She then proceeded to walk on up the trail and give me another shot. After seeing the damage a rocket steelhead XL will do to a turkey, I honestly prefer to shoot them with my Benelli! Phone died so no field pics...
Still trying to kill a mature buck this season. Was close yesterday morning at first light for the first time this season - different deer season for me this year but enjoying the time in the woods for sure! Pete
From: INbowdude
24-Dec-18
Way to go Pete! Congrats. Good luck on getting that buck.
From: INbowdude
24-Dec-18
Ran down to Shiloh Ranch in Oklahoma with a couple of buddies and a few Bowsiters (Boothill from Kansas and Bad Karma from Colorado). 17 yard broadside shot and spined the sow.
From: sticksender
25-Dec-18
Congrats on the fall bird Pete....not easy to do. I'll bet that one will eat good too!Nice one Mike....you guys seem to get 'er done out there every time!
