It's really funny when you consider the fact that I was 33 years old when I killed my first deer, a little basket rack 6 point. I killed him with a borrowed Winchester 30/30 with iron sights. I didn't kill my second deer until 2005 when I was 42 years old. I bought my first bow, a Mathews Drenalin, 10 years ago in 2007 at 44 years old and some kind of switch was flipped. Deer started dying on a regular basis. I suppose that's why I never got caught up in the need to kill big antlered deer. I haven't been killing deer long enough and I just enjoy killing deer and filling my freezer. /
I get that. It was no big deal to kill 2 or 3 deer in the same evening at my in-laws place. I finally started working on killing big mature bucks. It has become much more involved than just "shooting deer". I actually like the challenge even more, and I only bow hunt. Keep piling them up, Chief! Sent from my SM-N900V using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
It got em moving alright! I didn't have a chance to update "live", because I had deer around me pretty much all evening. I counted 7 in front of me and think another 3-4 were off to my left. One of the does apparently spotted me, and spent an incredible amount of time staring at me, stomping and blowing but not running off. I was so angry at that deer. The thing that chased em off was a very deep grunt and this buck that I never could actually see chased some of the does around and down the hill. It had gotten pretty much dark at that point and I used that moment to essentially sprint out of the area. I would love to think that the spot isn't completely blown, but I may be kidding myself. Overall it was one of the coolest encounters out of a tree stand I have ever had, despite not getting a shot. Hind sight moment: I set up for a shot down hill as I heard them coming in and had stepped back away from the tree. I have one window of opportunity that direction. Uphill from me is wide open. Had I tucked in tight to the tree and not exposed myself as much and waited till they were uphill, things may have turned out different. Plus I didn't anticipate having at least 7 sets of eyes on me. What a game we play....
This is awesome. I'm still hunting with my Drenalin, and it has dropped a lot of does...just no bucks. I'm trying really hard to change that.
I have nothing but respect for those of you who hold out for mature bucks. You guys (young and old) consistently impress me and sometimes even make me just a bit jealous. I may get there someday if I don't keel over first, but for the time being I'll just stick to Virginiashadow's credo and go with "KILL". Besides, by the time I've spent over $1250 on tags to hunt in four states I feel a need to put a lot of venison in the freezer to make it at least somewhat equitable. (Don't tell my wife that price tag doesn't include gas, food, gas, broadheads, gas, cartridges, gas, propane for the camper, etc).
That spot isn't blown. Get back in there when you can, especially with these cold temps that are going to be arriving.
Yeah, I will be in that spot in the morning for a short sit. Hell with work. I mean they'll get over it.
We are right in the middle of rifle season here. It's typical to not see much. But I'm going to keep trying!
You're only 7 years older than I am. I only hunt in MO currently. I may do a little sniffing around in IA. I started hunting with a gun but quickly changed over to bow only, and have hunted that way for 20 years. I won't tell your wife, if you won't tell mine how much nonresident tags are in IA. Sent from my SM-N900V using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
I didn't kill my first until Nov. 16, 2007. 33 years old as well. I was skinny and a lot less grey lmao. Same non smiling stare though
I'm not sure. I'm still looking in to that. Sent from my SM-N900V using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Guessing when you get up from the computer your wife will read it herself and say "you definitely ain't getting any tonight" lmao
Good Lord have mercy! That was your first deer? I've never seen a buck with antlers that big with my own eyes. Is this one of those "location, location, location" things? My family wouldn't have been able to live with me if I'd killed something like that back then. Heck, my wife wouldn't be able to live with me if I killed one like that now.
I asked that question because I have two standing invitations to hunt Iowa, but I know it takes forever to get drawn for a tag. I was just curious.
