We've got Mark's "scarface" deke out here, and I gave Mike some PBR for his set up.
Geese sitting on the river behind us, and they're making me think about gettin after'm soon! Wind is virtually non-existent, but should be light out of the S...was around 20° when we left the truck...let the games begin!
Everyone is having action...Mike had a borderline shooter cruising NW of him but wouldn't respond to grunt/rattlin.
We had a small buck chase a doe right behind our set, and then another harassing a couple doe's with a fawn out front...not interested in Scarface
We've got a doe pinned down by two bucks about 300yds S of us, neither are very big but a hot doe sammich for breakfast might bring in some others...
Mike just rattled in a 120'ish 8pt as well
I just rattled in this 1/16 class buck...so I'm officially 1 for 25 now...no Mark NO...put down that bow!
We also had two doe's and two fawns come running down the trail behind us half an hour ago but nothin chasing
Mike's gonna pull the "all day" but Mark and I are gonna go check a couple cameras and eat...pretty slow...maybe the evening will bring more movement
We're back up a tree, pulled two cards at lunch and this was the biggest "Buck" on either...look at the schnooz on that'n!
Mike ain't seen nothin and was salivating thinking about our pizza! By the way, I don't promote any products(hunting) except the HUD decoy and that's because they work, are KS made, and Garrett is one helluva nice guy...but if you're in Harper you need to try D'Marios Pizza...trust me I'm a "pizza boy" right Jason?
Back to task at hand...wind has picked up a bit SSE at around 10 or less, almost 40° now...go...
Had a doe mid morning about 40yds, but wrong side of fence.
And the afternoon lul..one young 8pt at 2pm. Hoping for something mature this evening.
Thanks James, Norman, and Mark! They've put in some time...its gonna happen!
This fella just snuck down the trail behind us, young buck, Mark had a small window but not what he's after.
Also, I swear you rattled one in earlier, Kyle. You were 1 for 9 or 10.
lol... I'm pretty sure I'd have remembered that! However, Mark just rattled this guy "back in" he's been by twice now...theyre getting a little bigger each time...
Huge bodied 6pt with some weird little points just spent 10min putting on a show for scarface, but didn't want to fight
After much contemplation...Mark and I went right back into the same stand as yesterday. He can only hunt half day today, and with a S wind this is a good choice. Mike picked the "roots" stand where he had the encounter with a good one last week at some point...I kinda lose track of days ;?)
Tried uploading some footage of the "big 6" last night, but YouTube sucks...its just sitting there spinning? I'll try again later, but here's another pic of him anyway.
Light S wind switching to SW and all the way around to NW by evening...or so they say...26° at the Prius...go
Mike's already inamongst'm
Mike just layed eyes on the bigger buck from last week...hoping he can get him to come try some PBR!
Mark just rattled in this "forward thinking" spike...he's pretty good at rattling ;?)
We've got a few doe's out front too...good start
This little fella just swung by, but he didn't want to mess with scarface
Wondered if anyone would catch that Kyler...I HATE those damn things!
Text from Mike above...close...
Was drawn on a 130ish 9 pt who came in grunting at the decoy. Just did not give me the angle while drawn.
Moments later I saw the awesome 10pt about 130 yds out i so nearly had last week. He was scoping out the decoy hard. Tried to let him come in on his own but he's smart. He seems to remember almost getting my arrow a week ago. No grunt or snort wheeze would change his mind. About 10 minutes I got to watch him. Awesome deer. Wish I had a camera worth a darn. Took a few pix, buy can't make out any detail.
Awesome buddy, hoping he comes back!
We finally had a good buck in view...200yds W. Mark grunted at him but not interested...grabbed the horns and started, immediately a little 6pt came in from behind but the bigger buck just wasn't playing.
Then we hear movement behind us and another good buck is going along the river scent checking all those blowdowns...good day!
Here's a couple pics Mike sent me
Mark decided he wanted to get on the ground and go after the bigger buck we'd seen. He's a 10+/- with a split G2 on his left...i think I have a pic but will look when I get home.
We snuck into the area where we lost sight of him and sure enough he was down in a bowl, out of sight, with a doe.
Mark got to within 70yds, buck was grunting and following her around...but eventually they moved off to the NW.
It was a cool stalk, and we found a couple spots for new treestand/groundblinds on a heavy trail to bedding.
We're gonna stay on the ground in here for a bit, hoping they may return...or another comes looking for that doe
We had a spike come down the trail we were on but that was that. Mike's spot went dead too.
Mark can't hunt this afternoon, so Mike and I will look at wind changes and find a spot for the evening.
Lots of action this morning for sure, but hey it's the RUT!
Just dropped Mike at a stand W of Argonia, I may go call for predators...or I might just take a long winters nap
I'm set up in the stand I shot my buck out of this evening. Neighbor said he's been seeing/hearing bunches of Coyotes...and there once was a gutpile...so...
Mike's already had a doe and small buck come by...let the arrows fly!
So I've got a buddy, my dad's friend and mine, who's a retired school teacher. He was in the lounge one day several years ago and one of the other teachers, a female, and he were talking about hunting.
She told him that she and her husband always take the same day off each year for "the RUT". He said well "just one day"...and she said "yes, that's the day of the RUT" her husband had explained to her. I'm not really sure what day it was they always took off...but he just nodded his head and said "good luck" ...
People are special ;?)
We three bowhunters of Kansas are...headed back out to refreeze and thaw...
Not sure which stands the "boys" will choose this morning, updates later, but here's a little footage of my encounter at last light last night...
Mark chose to sit the ground this morning, on the trail where we put the stalk on the buck yesterday. Mike picked the "fingertip" stand hoping he can draw something in from the heavy travel route to the East. He's killed bucks the last three years on the 13th, then the 14th, and then the 15th of November...so today has to be the day right?
I'm way back in the river bed, W of the Chikaskia, going to try for a bobcat and then yotes...but I've still got a doe tag too.
Forgot to mention that when I killed my buck, I cut the tarsals off and gave each of them one. They've been hangin them on the back end of the decoys and I think it really helps!
Have a good feeling about today...let-r-rip
Mike's already seen two bigger bucks, but quite a bit West on some wheat...not interested in his grunt call. Haven't heard from Mark...
I rang the "in heat" track for 30min hoping to draw in a cat but no such luck. Ran a rabbit distress several minutes later for about 10min...nothin
They RUT twice a year James...once on April 1st, and then again on your birthday ;?)
Pretty slow over here after first light, Mark did have a young 7 come down the trail but that was it.
Mark has to go to a wedding rehearsal...who gets married in November? Mike and I will be back at it somewhere this evening.
Two years ago a giant walked right past one of our stands, on camera, while we were at my bro-in-law's wedding rehearsal, we then dubbed the buck "bachelor". He's still kicking, meaning the buck, and my bro-in-law too I guess, although I felt like ending it for him when I found out the date of his wedding 11-12-16!
Pulled into the spot at Caldwell and the old truck was overheating. Lost a hose connection at the firewall(heater). Mike and I got it back on and I ran down to the nearest farmhouse and got it full of water again.
He's in the "hook" stand, I'm gonna take a short nap and then go in and film...hopefully theyll be out sunbathing this afternoon...and hopefully I can this this ol'girl home!
2 doe's and a spike...sadface
Here's "Meatwitch"...the 6pt from the other night...look at the girth!
Got the band back together this morning...Mike's in the "fingertip" stand hoping to catch a traveler, and Mark's at my Attica spot really looking for a buck or a doe. I'm gonna sit the ground S of Milan, too dang cold for me in a tree ;?)
Both M&M start back to work tomorrow after their "deercations"...really hoping they can seal the deal today!
Wind is HAMMERING from the N, gusting to 25...its 27° at the truck as I contemplate staying here and "resting" lol
This young 6,faith his left side broken off, just came to the HUD...got to less than 10yds
Young 8 came out being followed by a smaller buck...couldnt see what he was. They had a little stand off, the 8 worked several scrapes and "snort-wheezed" at least 5 times
They never fought, and both took off in opposite directions
Just shot under a coyote...guessed him at 60...dang it!
I had to bail...out front at the Argonia mart drinkin cocoa and killin mini donuts. Marks over there in his truck drinking hot tea and nibbling crumpets...Mike is a MAN...ice cold water and elm bark for him.
Both saw a little action early, but it died, like this dillo around 8am on all three spots.
Dropped Mike at his truck, he's done til Wednesday...had some close calls but no "cigar".
Mark and I are set up on the other side of the property he hunted this morning. Had a good buck out on the wheat where he sat this morning, at 3pm while we were gearing up. Pushed another small buck walking in...not awesome.
I'm just going to video tonight, hope something comes down this here trail!
Either way, we'll be hunting...some have no idea what that's even about ;?)
Thanks Mike, we've already had three pass along the creek West of us...small buck, doe, and fawn.
Wind has completely died, quite a change from this morning's hunt. Got a Kingfisher workin the creek and some mallards on the slew behind us...its a good night already
This just happened ;?)
I'll let him tell the story from his perspective when he has time.
It’s been a rollercoaster season, highs and lows. I shot over my #1 buck Oct 5th, and don’t remember seeing him again. Some other close encounters, but couldn’t seal the deal left me feeling like my chances were over. Heading back to work tomorrow makes it worse.
Leaving the truck we saw a nice 8 walking by a stand I chose not to hunt. Walked a little further, spotted another buck. Looked promising, they’re on their feet.
As we crossed the creek, we jumped a doe bedded by the stand. Now I’m not feeling great...cont
I wasn’t as optimistic. We sat maybe an hour, I was day dreaming, wondering if I’d chosen the right stand.
While I was in my own world I Kyle whisper “get up, get up, get up!” I stood up, grabbed my bow and saw a doe dart into the thicket.
Then before I could blink the buck came crashing through and stopped broadside right in front of me. I didnt have time to evaluate, it was go time. I settled my single pin and let it fly.
The buck kicked and ran into the thicket and stopped. It looked good, but I could see him still standing.
A few seconds later he crashed. 20yrds or less from the shot.
I told Kyle “I didn’t look at the rack, I hope he’s not a pencil horn 6.”
He wasn’t.
Glad I got to be a part of it sir, and thank you again for protecting us and our freedoms the last 17yrs of your young life...we are all in debt to folks like you!
Enjoy the "fruits"!
I can’t thank Kyle enough. Literally wouldn’t have been possible without him.
We met last year after I got home from Afghanistan and he extended an open invite.
I’d followed his live hunts and jumped at the chance. What I though would be a one time hunt turned into a friendship that I didn’t expect.
Thanks for everything Kyle.
Gotta say it...might be time to hire a new camera man though ;p
For now, here's a picture of a heart...feel free to use this on Valentine's
Looks like all that time you've spent on Kyle's lap while duck hunting has really helped your shooting...
Shot through the heart and you're to blame you give hunting a good name.
Thanks for taking us along and thanks for your service to our country.
On to waterfowl!
This is from my sit yesterday morning...I think it's pretty cool. The 8 in front is looking for a fight...you'll see another buck in the background he's "posturing" for. I had no idea what that buck was, until I watched the footage on a bigger screen...he's a good'n!
Thanks Mark, Mike and I will be back out after'm tomorrow...and I hope he gets a shot at a good'n!
I decided to come down to my spot East of Attica and see if I can get this cat to "play". I've picked him up twice now on the edge of this field here...both times in the early morning headed the same direction. I can only assume his den is over there, so I'm set up downwind with my caller(buried in the pile of grass 2nd pic) and I put a wet-wipe on a stick to try and attract him. Gonna use a woodpecker distress and see what happens.
Bobcats are notoriously slow to come in, my last one took over 45min of straight calling...and these calls can make you go a little insane!
Good thing I brought this game along to pass the time
No cat yet, but I've seen 14 deer...only three were bucks, all small
We're set...West side of Chikaskia near Argonia in the "cedar" stand. We brought PBR and snacks so we can hang all day, or switch to another spot if it's not happening here.
Mike let his wife choose the stand this morning and I guarantee she's WAY smarter than any of us...so we should be done by sunrise ;?)
Good luck if you're out today...seems like everyone had good action yesterday...it's on!
We've got a "half rack" out front...looks like he was a 6, and a doe a couple hundred yds W of him. Several deer up by the farmhouse and my truck lol.
This young man just paid us a visit...he did not fist bump PBR?
8 doe's up by my truck now as well...I think they know us
I just brought strips of dead deer and cheese ;?)
We had a lull...and then Mike spotted a doe being followed by this guy and another smaller buck. Hard to see him here, but we're pretty sure he's the 10pt I filmed the other night on the other side of the river.
The bucks followed her into some really thick grass about 350yds SW of us. I don't have access to that farm...yet
This just happened...
The wind...thats what. Was supposed to only get to 10-12mph but it's been gusting well above 20...we're moving.
Just dropped Mike off here near Caldwell...puttin him in the "kill" stand that's never had a deer killed out of it lol.
It's a great spot and deer should funnel through from both legs of the creek to the SW. Wheat in front of it is up plenty good...just need travelers.
I'm going to sit another stand and try again for predators...right after a nap ;?)
Wind is S at 10-15...it's already 56°
Mike hasn't seen anything yet, I just wobbled to my stand and got set about 20min ago...gonna spend the evening with a woodpecker again.
I had 6 deer...doe's, fawns, young bucks and zero predators...Mike drew a blank dangit.
We aren't huntin tomorrow...hope y'all get fat and sleepy with your families, give thanks!
Nice work Logan! I had a doe and a couple of young bucks come to the "whacky woodpecker" call Wednesday night, strangely enough. The button was laying his ears back, and gettin all bristled up...they actually rubbed heads off camera for a few...perty neat!
Mike and I got in here early...cedar stand on W side of Chikaskia again. Had a tall basket rack 8 cross the road 1/2mi before pulling in, and at least 10 doe's out around the farm taking advantage of the moonlight.
We brought PBR again, hoping maybe that big 10 is still lurking...he's what would be considered a "shooter" lol.
Took this pic at the folks house over the Holiday. It's a buck my dad shot down near Attica a few years ago, looks a lot like mine from this year...crab claws and all. I did the Euro, not great but good enough.
Wind is a little dicey today here, very light and from the W-NW right now... but will switch to the S-SE. It was 36° at the truck but it's gonna get warm...like 65+.
Mike can hunt today & tomorrow, but that's it before the "lead starts flyin" we need a bit of luck ;?)
We've had eight doe's at 100yds +/- for the last 20min...can see forever in this moonlight. We need something to come check them out!
Good to hear MP, and we know this is a great time for an encounter with a bruiser.
We had a ton of deer in sight for the first 30-45min...20+ doe's, and two bucks. I think one may have been the 10, but he was over 400yds out and going away. I tried grunting at him and he looked, but not buying it. The other had a big frame but right side broken off.
I was gonna drop Mike at the stand this morning and hunt geese but glad I didn't...have only heard/seen two birds?
Greg
Oh, and the videos you all have posted are awesome. I can’t believe the quality of the footage.
Things have gone still here. I feel like I should get Mike into another stand but we've seen so many deer...maybe just spoiled.
Part of the dilemma is that I saw a young doe being tended by what I think is a good buck...about an hour ago...100yds SE of us.
You can see a little draw in the upper right of this pic, that's where I saw them and they haven't gone N, E, or W. If they went South we'd never know...too thick to see down there. In the lower left of the pic you can see the trail along the river bank that runs behind us...thought for sure she'd bring him down that trail...
It's totally his call, and again with so many deer sightings that first hour it would make sense to stay put I reckon?
Bodie, I think you'll see some movement towards the beginning of your trip. The "fairweather's" will be done after that first 5 days, for the most part. WIHA will be a challenge unless you can either find a remote small piece, or get WAY back in on a big piece. Rifle hunters aren't gonna be far from the truck in my experience...good luck and enjoy the time with your people!
Any given moment bud!
We got down and tried to stalk up to where I thought they may have bedded...nope.
Will try another spot this afternoon.
Mike went into one of my stands here near Attica at 1:30...havent heard any reports but it could be due to the fact I was in a "pizza induced coma"?
I can't decide if I should call for that bobcat again here, or go in and sit with him to video any action...I'm thinking the latter.
Kyler you certainly have had a TON of action over S there lately! Wish you had some trail cams or a hand held camera...I like seein those dudes!
I'm going to stay out of there and sit the edge, calling for the cat...hope one of those bucks gives him another chance!
Sorry, I had a good cell down there the other night but couldn't post for some reason tonight.
No dead deer or cats...may try same spot tomorrow since it was hot for a few...not 100% yet.
Pretty sure the deer will be fine. I knew the hit was low. Had hoped for heart, but evidence says a glancing blow off the brisket. A little meat and hair, but nothing on the blades. Little blood on the shaft, some white hair, and no blood trail.
Bummer...Lots of hours, and awesome opportunities on some great ground. May give it one last go tomorrow, may not.
Kyle, most of the spots that I hunt are so thick, that I don’t get much opportunity for a picture. I need to try and take a few though. I really enjoy looking through everyone else’s. Nothing big has given me a shot yet, but there’s certainly been enough action to keep things exciting.
Noteworthy only because I have not had a positive response to a rattle in about a week.
I was sceptical anything good could happen this late in the year..boy was I wrong.
As I said Mike, it happens to each and everyone of us...and those who say otherwise are liars. It's obvious that you care a great deal about the hunt and the shot...you can't teach people to care! Hoping you can break away tomorrow for another hunt, but if not we'll get after them late season brother!
I came down early this morning to call for predators again...stayed on the West edge of the property so I wouldn't screw it up. The East wind was perfect for the stand, but after running the call for 50min I decided I was going to go hunt geese. Looked at my phone and it was 7:45am...so I thought what the heck I'll give it 15min more.
I'd been running a "nutty nuthatch" call...switched it to the "ranting redbird" and in about 5min I heard something running in from the SW. It was a cat. It stopped about 10' from the caller...and then charged it! I reached up and flipped on my camera and it started to move around the caller. I drew...he looked like he was getting ready to take off, so I settled the pin but I rushed it. I'll upload the footage later...you can see a faint red dot behind him in the second photo...thats the arrow on its way.
No blood on arrow, just hair and fat...no blood on trail either. Searched for an hour and a half and found no sign. Not really sure where I hit it...I knew it was bad but maybe the video will reveal just how bad? Pretty pathetic.
Mike just pulled in so we'll be live from a tree shortly.
We're set...definitely my tallest stand here! It's a 20' ladder with a hang on behind it so maybe 23'...but add in the creek bank behind and we're pushing 35'.
All of the action started around 3:40 the last time Mike sat here and had the three different bucks come by...I'm predicting 3:45 today ;?)
Thanks James, nothing moving here yet...maybe the action starts at 4:45 instead?
One lone doe. .
Good luck if you're out in orange the next 10 days!
Back out here this morning, caller's been going for 45min so far...all I've called in is a Kestrel, and this guy. He's been sitting 5' above the caller for the last 25min...i think the sound is like a lullaby to him?
sitO's Link
Normally they are very skittish Mike, this one literally hung around over half an hour...jumping from branch to branch above the caller. It stayed above it as I climbed down from the stand 20yds away...and didn't fly until I got to 10yds walking towards it...nutz!
Just wanted you to see it here first...
