Hey everyone, I am new to posting, not following (been lerking for about two years). Sitting in the stand and finally decided to take the plunge and post something. It's day 5 in MN and going after this guy. Good luck to everyone. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
I’m going to try to throw these deer a curve ball tonight. After I got down this morning I took my my other climber and put it within bow range of the transition from thick cover to open woods on the neighbor’s property I got permission to hunt. I didn’t stomp around too much, but I did find a lot of clumped together deer droppings and another good trail. This trail angles out from the major trail that follows the transition line and goes downhill at an angle across a point heading into a valley. Looking at the lay of the land I’d bet if I see deer they’ll be the same deer I’ve been seeing across the road. I have a feeling I’ve located their bedroom exit door. Fingers are crossed.
I hope so, but I might have to adjust based on movement or lack thereof. I do have a tingly feeling about this place though.
Finally set up for the pm hunt. Actually I was almost totally set up earlier. I was cooling down before I put my gloves on and went to get a drink. I fumbled the water bottle and the stupid bottle hit everything between my hands and the ground. My first thought was screw it. I don’t need it. Then I realized it’s a regular water bottle and the sun hitting it is going to be very visible. Okay, fine. Back down I went, got the bottle and back up, a tad more sweaty than before.
It felt good to be in the tree even thou, I did not hunt, I could smell fall in the air. It was awesome minute or two to climb up and get my bow holder.
Here you go. Climbing position, hunting position and how I put my hand on the climber for added security. No bothering with screwing in a holder, pull up ropes or the bow swinging in the wind. (Yes, CLS, I’m aware there’s no arrow nocked this time) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you, pictures help a lot. I was thinking you were climbing up with the bow in the vertical position like it is when you are hunting I can totally see how it would work now.
Three does downwind doing the Ozonics shuffle. They walked by at 10 yards. Had another big doe at 25 yards just before that.
Nope, I wasn't going to shoot a doe this evening. I've not hunted that spot before and there's no way I'd shoot a doe just before dark when there's a chance the bucks might show up.
I'm back at the house now. At about 7:00 I caught a glimpse of movement. It was a doe, but it was a huge doe and it was alone. She was so big I actually glassed her carefully to make sure she was a she. She did exactly what I expected them to do: Came out of the thick cover and walk the transition line between thick and open woods. I ranged her at 25 yards and it was tempting, especially since I actually bought an HME Digital Scale. I decided nah, I don't want to mess this spot up tonight. She kept feeding and then her eyes locked onto something behind me. I'm thinking "Crap, it's behind me and I have to try to turn around with a big, mature doe wide open. Fortunately she took a few steps forward just as I heard footsteps getting closer. I turned very slowly and saw another big doe. She was behind a leafy limb for a minute and then she started walking into a clearing 10 yards away. Talk about a slam dunk shot. The second doe trotted in and then so did a fawn. They kept walking and hit where I'd walked in. The lead doe paused for a minute, sniffed, and kept walking. The second doe, however, put her nose to the ground and started tracking me to my tree. I though "Aw, heck no!" and grabbed my bow. I was going to kill her before she could blow my cover. She got to about five yards and looked around. That's when I saw the 3" spikes. He finally lost interested and joined the other two and they proceeded right into my scent stream. It's a lot of fun to watch deer react to the Ozonics. Sometimes they ignore it. Sometimes they take off. Most of the time they fidget and wander around and try to figure out why they can't smell anything. The Ozonics Shuffle. No bucks were sighted, but it was a good sit. I sure could have killed a big old doe. I'll be back there in the morning and see if the does make another appearance. Different rules in the AM.