Boys. Been freezing my nuts off up here. We were -28 yesterday. Cold as hell. Tons of snow too. Seen tons of little deer looking to stay warm. Nothing over 100". Gonna keep at it. Nothing impressive yet though. Lock down should start soon. So I might give it a week off. Then get on it again.
That is crazy. Heard it’s supposed to be a bad winter here in Illinois. How do u even stay warm when it is that cold. I went coyote one time when it was -20 and it sucked. Hopefully gonna head out Saturday morning. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Lots of layers, whiskey and good ole fashioned Canadian cold weather toughness lol. Honestly, typically when it's that cold. It has to be very dry. So dry means no humidity and no clouds. So believe it or not th sun baking on you really doesn't make it feel that cold. As long as there is no wind and no exposed skin. All kidding aside I find it colder when we have those days around freezing point, but cloudy and damp.
So far only one buck before shooting light. Let’s hope it picks up soon Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Depends if it’s hot. If i keep seeing deer I’m not moving. Otherwise usually just one day the alternate. I have 9 stands on 3 different properties plus 1 climber. So I’m usually bouncing around.
If the wind is good for the stand and I’m seeing action from it, I’ll hunt it a couple sits in a row. I have a tendency to move around too much looking for “greener pastures “ when I prop should stay in the same area.
Went to the same stand this morning as i did yesterday. Seen four and one was a big one about 75 yards. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I'm with the others. If I'm seeing deer and the wind is good. I'm not worried about counting. But if wind is wrong. I think you've killed the spot for a while.
Ground scent is always a concern too. No matter what you are leaving it. Good access in and out is huge advantage but not always perfect or possible. Deer in my neck of the woods are nocturnal especially with full moon. They are walking around sniffing the ground all night. Everything you touch in the woods leaves a clue you were there. When I start to notice a decline in deer sightings I’m moving but this usually equates to a couple sits in one spot. I generally get bored in same scenery too so I like to at least switch trees if I’m hunting same general area. This keeps the deer guessing too if they pinned you to a tree. We just dealt with this when we looked for my doe. Left a lot of ground scent but saw a great buck from the stand so my buddy hunted that spot 2 days later and didn’t see a single deer. I was covered up in deer 2 days earlier. Coincidence? Maybe.
On another note I had a couple close encounters yesterday. 2 real nice bucks barely escaped death lol. I was drawn back on one while hanging off side of tree from lineman belt. Just couldn’t let an arrow fly with my confidence at those distances. One was 52 yds the other I didn’t know distance but was at least 40. Been a rough year for me
Sorry guys been busy. Shot this guy last Tuesday! First buck with a bow! He isn’t a giant by any means but i am pumped and proud of him! Will get it posted with the score in the next couple days! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Is everyone still hunting pretty hard? I’m still trying to tag a Pa buck, been seeing a lot of movement (young bucks and doe). And still some chasing, a lot of does around with no followers too. Haven’t laid eyes on any mature bucks in Pa, gonna keep at it clear till the end! Good luck fellas.
Nice buck Justin. Gun season started here so I’ve been out with that. Archery comes back around December 8th I think for a week. So I’ll be back out with the bow or crossbow then.
I’m headed down for 4 days shotgun season here in illinois. The season is only 3 days but you can hunt w a bow. I’ll be bringing bow and gun. If a big buck comes in bow range I’ll let him have it. But I’m telling you what, if a big buck comes within 70yds he’s gonna get a slug in his rug lol.
Shocker can you take bow and gun in the same stand. I didn’t think you could Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Well CLS got ahold of conservation officer and screenshot the convo. According to the officer you can. I’ll see if I can get a copy of it
