How many days did you go bowhunting so far? I got 7 full days, and two afternoon hunts. Our bow season ends Friday. And it's suppose to rain hard, I was going to take off but not now..Just doesn't seem like I get to do it much.. I used to be able to hunt 3-5 times a week when I had hunting land close by, but it's all developed now. my hunting land is 50 mins away. I can't make it there in time to hunt in the afternoons and as single dad with two boys 5 days a week it's just impossible.. I did manage one doe. no other shots were taken, 7th year in a row with no buck. don't want to shoot young bucks and can't by rules of the club. So, I guess I have to wait until next year... I may get a day or two during general firearms when the club is not having an organized deer dog day. we shall see..I always end the season wishing I had more chances...
I have hunted 12 days so far this season. Only 3 of those days were dark to dark hunts, with several in the 5 to 7 hour range. I'll be in the woods tomorrow and Saturday as well. There's a wide 8pt out there with tall brow tines that wants to hang on my wall!
I've been out only twice for whitetail, but this weekend scrapes should start appearing and I'll be out as much as possible starting this weekend. I have the week of Thanksgiving off too. Archery elk I hunted 11 days...sh*t, so lucky #13 archery hunts right now.
Branch out to some hardwood public land spots that dont allow dogs to be run. Be aggressive early and burn up the spots if needed. Do that til muzzloader season opens.....
I bow hunt all the way through to dog season..No ML for me.. My boys love the dog action more than I do so I take them dog hunting. But,there are some days hopefully during my christmas break that the club isn't hunting and I will bow hunt then. I also have a brother that farms about 3000 acres in Loudoun county and there are no deer dogs there.. may take that trip this year.
I have buddy who owns hundreds of acres in Loudoun mountains. I guarantee I could see more good bucks in one day there than I do all season where I hunt. Primetime hunting.
That's a decent amount for all that you have going on . Having kids throws a wrench in it all and especially as a single parent.. My boys are with me 5 days/nights a week. They both hunt. The oldest began his bowhunting journey this year so that was cool..
If you ever want to scout some public around Richmond ( I think thats your general area-not sure) Let me know! My in laws are there and my wife loves to visit them and they love to see the grandbaby- I know nothing about the WMA's and I have no problem (obviously) shooting smaller bucks On public it is nice to just be able to get out! I love being able to hunt less than an half hour away.
My hunt club used to lease 12,000 acres. the state bought 4400 acres about 9 years ago.It is Now the Big Woods WMA. so this public land is smack dab in the middle of our 7K acres of private land. There is no public land near Richmond. Im about 20 mins south of Richmond. The closet is The Big Woods, which is 50 mins and I hunt private land next to it, and there is FT Pickett about an hour and 15 mins from me.. The Big Woods WMA is a train wreck.. too many hunters, and its dangerous. Fire arms season is crazy, glad I don't hunt in there. Game Wardens are always there writing tickets..
I’m filling out my bow hunters survey for WV. I’ve got 4 days marked down. I remember when I was younger with no responsibilities I would have all the lines filled out. Then came life, job, wife, kids. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro