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Hunt how you want as long as it is legal and with the right tags. It is just another level when you hunt from the ground and make it happen. It's an intensity thing with a huge shot of adrenaline which to me makes it a hell of a lot more fun. I think what Sito is saying most of the time is "guys you don't know what your missing"

Pretty sure I recognize that Kansas "mountain" . :)

Charlie you've got one helluva memory...that's the deke.

Cheaters gonna cheat...I just hope they get to actually hunt someday, cause I'm betting they'd like it.

Words cannot describe the pit in my stomach from what could be my biggest bow-hunting blunder to date. Four years ago, I would have cared less, or thought I couldn't get that worked up about a shot at a pronghorn. Well, let's just say I missed a slam dunk opportunity at what I believe to be a once in a lifetime chance at an absolute monster on Sunday evening. I thought I shot a good one last year, and I am still ecstatic about that experience, but there is probably only one other pronghorn that I have seen in the four years of being out there, that was bigger than the one I am about to tell about.

We had trouble finding lone bucks out seeking and we luckily found this giant headed for a familiar drainage. He was angling to us, so a buddy and I tried to figure out exactly where he might enter the small winding creek. He was not on the line to end up where I had a hunch he might, so I trusted my gut and made a bold move as my buddy hung back to where it appeared he was headed. As soon as I got low enough into the drainage, I sprinted over 200 yards below his vision in a creek drainage just trying to cut him off. I guessed right as he crossed into the perfect funnel in the creek where it turned and had a dream setup of yuccas and a bank cut to hide in. He dropped straight in where I had hoped. I now kick myself because I could have taken a shot as he drank from that small creek for what seemed like an eternity as I drew my bow and contemplated. I made the tough decision to be patient and let him come to the pre-ranged trail I had in front of me at 40 yards. As he drank, I was guessing he was 50 and quartered away perfectly, but I just didn't want to kick myself if I missed him, knowing he was probably about to be on that trail I had ranged.

He left the water on that perfect cattle trail and as I shifted my bow, I realized my riser was stuck in the edge of a yucca bush that had me concealed. When I was able to break it free, he heard it and didn't stop, he actually flinched/jumped and darted off the trail he was on and took a higher route out of the drainage. It all happened in a blur but I had to mouth grunt at him loudly, due to the wind, as he started into a trot that I was sure was about to be a run. He finally stopped and I had to make a quick range adjustment.

I was absolutely sick as that arrow left the bow, as I somehow didn't account for the gusting winds and I helplessly watched my arrow drift just right of the magnificent buck. Many things can get you panicked and frantic but this cuts deep after you practice relentlessly every night all summer preparing for that one shot, but you all know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm definitely glad that error in judgement didn't end with a wounded buck, so it definitely could be worse.

I was later consoled by the buddies out with me, and maybe a stiff drink, but they reminded me of all of the different scenarios that you just can't control. They are correct in the fact that a lot of different variables come into play when bow hunting. That's why we all do what we do. It's tough to explain to those that don't feel the defeat and have the drive to conquer a challenge. I respect every harvest photo I see of these guys. It's crazy how you can be so deflated and worn out and here it is the day after being home and I wish I could be out there for another chance. Congrats to all and good luck to everyone this year.

sitO - I enjoyed your season-long hunt journal in years past. Please don't tag out too soon this year.

Best of luck to all

It’s OK to separate ourselves in sub groups to better our knowledge and fun of how we, as individuals, prefer to hunt. A good example is th traditional forum on Bowsite. However...it is not OK for any of us to attack a fellow “legal hunter” on how he/she prefers to hunt. It is critical that we all stick together! Spear, stick & string, compound, X-gun, air gun, black powder, rifle or running dogs...if it is legal in that state ir province we MUST support each other! If a person as an individual doesn’t like it, then simply don’t use that method. But please...let’s respect all legal hunters and make 2018 and beyond a little more enjoyable for everyone! Good hunting to all of you!!!

That’s a bummer Dylan! Your buck last year was a dream buck, so I can’t imagine what this guy looked like. One of my first years out there a buddy and I decoyed one in to 30. I drew and settled in only to realize I didn’t have an arrow on. The yucca I was tucked into had pulled it off the string when I drew. So I know your pain!

Now, as for you Slate...we had a "gentlemen's agreement" and I knew you were no gentleman, but I also now see that you have no honor, surprised? Not really, but considering your profession I must say I'm disapointed.

You may be the least intelligent person I've dealt with in my years on this site, and that's saying something! You kinda remind me of one of my ex-girlfriend's except she was full grown, and her frontal cortex had developed properly...you're both whiners so maybe that's it?

If you or any of the others here aren't smart enough to tell the difference between a decoy, call, blind, scent, bow, camo, etc...and a 50# sack of failure well I may not be able to help. I'll offer you the same deal I've made here before: Take a trail camera and put it on one of each of the aforementioned items...if the sack of failure doesn't get the most pics I'll give you a shiny $100 bill...wanna try me?

Of course you don't, you and all the others know the answer and that's why people bait...it's easy and it trains animals to come to a pre-determined spot on a consistent basis. It's not hunting in any sense of the word, and you and all of the others know this as well...but you continue to do it because it's easy. None of the other methods involve sustenance and there is no other drive for a wild animal that outweighs the need to eat. Now I'll give you a few minutes to go and look up some of those words so that you can follow along.

Got it? Ok, so as for "sticking together", well that's a load of you know what. I stand up for actual hunting in any situation or forum I take part in...but only actual hunting. There are sound reasons as to why baiting has been banned in so many states and on KS public lands. Slate definitely isn't smart enough to know anything about that, but many here are, and have studied these reasonings. Ask some folks who don't hunt, not "anti's" just folks who don't hunt, how they feel about taking an animal at a feed pile and get back to me with your results. Then ask the same people how they feel about a spot & stalk hunt, or decoy hunt, or rattling antlers, or calls/scents, and listen to the difference...do you think you can you remember the questions?

I'm fighting to preserve something I care deeply about, you may not agree with me or my tactics but that makes me no difference...I will continue fighting. I want you, and all of the other cheaters to realize full well that when they look up on the wall at that buck they shot over a failure pile, or at a sadness spreader, it had nothing to do with hunting. I want them to feel it... and I want them to actually go hunting the next time, cause I really think they'd enjoy it!

Mullins, where's your goat?

We may have to rent another room at the Convention just for goats ;?)

Bodyman to answer your question. When ground hunting i follow tracks, after a good rain it's like tracking in the snow. On a new spot tracks matter. Alot of tracks are a good thing. One track is not always a good thing. This deer was shot twenty yards from where a j turn started.

Again great job KB.

Eventful November so far. Hosted an Alaska buddy for the first two weeks and he took his best buck on the 6th (originally a Michigan guy). Then we spent a week shooting yotes and roosters. After he left another friend and I headed for eastern Colorado. He took his first buck and I got it done on the one I was after the next morning! We spent a couple days looking over some friend’s ground on the way home and found two legitimate giants. So I get to go play guide for the rifle opener next week.

Going into the fall, I knew my whitetail season could be a grind as I did not have a lot in the upper age group to hunt. Trail cameras continued to run and the endless projects and work kept me plenty busy. The mock scrapes proved highly effective as every buck roaming the properties I could hunt visited them regularly. The real issue was that there were just not many bucks to hunt that were fully mature. I passed 5 1/2 yr. old buck in early November that I began to regret passing. I only gave him the free pass because he made a substantial jump from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2. The number of bucks I passed was higher than normal and a few I would have released an arrow in prior years. The future looks bright though and this hunt was one of a couple firsts for me.

This was the first time I had ever taken a buck on Thanksgiving and also a first while using a decoy. I have always been a bit hesitant of using a decoy, but this season was such a grind, I was willing to try just about anything. After enduring multiple days of brutal cold weather and endless west winds, then very strong winds, I was ready for an encounter with a target buck. This buck was one of two that I was willing to put my tag on and only after I had to make a very tough decision to pass what I believe will be an exceptional deer in 2019, if that buck can survive. I had decided to swing for the fences on an ancient buck in this same area, who was not a local, so I knew it was a real gamble that could end in heartache. The only security was this buck was a resident in the area and I knew, if given the opportunity, that I would be glad to try for him.

November 22nd was a very calm and bright morning with the full moon overhead. I pulled in to my spot and immediately heard a train approaching. I often use these to cover my entrance noise and this particular morning was going to absolutely require it due to the calm South winds. I scrambled to finish getting dressed, grabbed my bow, and assembled the decoy. The train was barreling down the tracks and I knew I only had about 5-10 minutes of cover noise and I had about 3/4 of a mile to cover, so the race was on. Luckily it wasn't near as cold and I wasn't overdressed. Regardless, a sweat was unavoidable, but I knew the stealthy entry was much more important than a load of laundry after the hunt. I knew the wind would be calm to start but would be in my favor. I got in very clean and the train noise faded as my camera gear was setup and the bow pulled up to the stand.

It was a beautiful morning and it's always magical watching the woods come to life. I had just gotten enough light to pan the camera and do a quick intro when I heard heavy footsteps approaching from the trail I had entered. I quickly turned the camera on while scrambling to pull up my binoculars for a confirmation. It was indeed a buck and what appeared to be a good one. I only knew of two 10 pointers in this particular area and when I confirmed it was the buck I thought it was, I went into auto-pilot and attempted to setup the video camera and appropriate setting. Unfortunately the lighting was pretty low, so the footage isn't as good as it would have been even 5 minutes later, but watching that buck approach the decoy bristled up and stiff-legged was something I will never forget. Shockingly, he approached from behind the decoy and that caught me off guard as they will typically approach to the head side and downwind, which would have put him between me and the decoy. I was a bit nervous as he circled the decoy and immediately faced towards me just a few feet from the decoy. I came to full draw after positioning the camera where I thought he would swing. Unfortunately he did not continue his wide swing and he was ready to charge the decoy as he slowly postured and turned his body more broadside. I knew it was now or never as he exposed his vitals and I settled the pin and released. It was a relief to watch that arrow bury in the perfect angle just in front of the shoulder angling behind the off shoulder. He quickly retreated and did not make it out of the field.

It was a great moment, just soaking in the struggles of the season. I am a firm believer that the only way to find success is to work through the tough times. It was truly a Thanksgiving with plenty to be thankful for. I have a very understanding wife, who puts up with the marathon that a season can be, year in and year out. I hope to get Lane out going forward and the timing couldn't have been better. Happy Thanksgiving and best of luck to everyone still afield.

Roughcountry, your buddy's daughter 's buck may be the best one on here! Congrats to her that's awesome!

I just can't see baiting where we hunt and would never want to. We have have 50,000+ acres of standing corn that's just now getting cut. How do you compete with that?

Love the bait free meat pole thanks Sito.

;)

Edit: the post below me won't make sense.

Guess you missed my “jack humor” so we will leave it at that.

Oh, I’m not worried too much about your list.

Nice buck all the same. Savor it.

Dislike is a better term. The other thread you popped off and lumped me in with the “young guys have no Woodsmanship mafia”

In which I replied with the following

“I am anti-cam, but I don't think I've ever said anything about "young guys and lack of woodsman-ship". On the contrary. Just look at many of the photos posted by guys on here, they don't have a gray hair on their chin. I'd saying they're doing well and I too would take offense to the "Young guy/woodsmanship" crap. Especially since there are some personalities on this site that talk a good game, but are so full of excuses on why tags don't get punched it's hard to keep a straight face yet they're resident experts. If you can't see through their smoke, well, you're not reading the sign. I will stand by my attitude that cameras are not fair chase. If that makes me "Anti-Cam" so be it, but I'm young enough to know better.“

Enjoy your year and success. You earned it.

Got to be someone else you're thinking of. I've only had issues with your "dislike" of cams. We even exchanged PMs over it. But, I've also slept since then and could be that I let it roll right off my back. No worries though, I'm beginning to dislike trailcams too. Because they suck in quality.

Anyhoo... come to Oklahoma and I'll let you kill some pigs, no corn, no fence and no cams. We can drink some soy milk too. :)

Have a good season. :)

Congratulations

I'm still surprised there aren't more designated meat pole threads.

"One of these things is not like the other things"

Kinda like wrapping Christmas presents with cellophane to me.However,if others want to that’s fine .