I headed to one of my favorite places this weekend, where the deer are everywhere. The buck to doe ratio is probably 1:10. We do a LOT of nanny whacking which is fun and there is always the opportunity for big deer as well. They flock to the alfalfa as it's really the only viable food source in the area, no acors and very very little browse. You can see why from these photos. Saturday provided lots of deer sightings and shot opportunities but I passed awaiting a shooter buck. My buddy and I found a great shed that taped out at 65 4/8 without any width figured. The main beams are over 24"... a stud of an 8pt if his other side matches. This morning I set a stand in a big cottonwood grove that the deer travel through to get back to the bedding area (thousands of acres of sandy sage hills). During the early season this hunt usually lasts only an hour after daylight as the deer don't hang out, just pass through. 3 does came through early and this one offered at 26 yard shot so I let the Allegiance loose and tallied up the fourth nanny of the year. It's kind of cool eating deer meat every day for lunch, we run out quick . She ran about 70 yards and I watched her fall from the tree. I climbed down a little while later and headed to the truck as there weren't any more deer in the alfalfa. I had heard some quail early and grabbed Hoyt (my wirehair pup) and went to see if I could get him a nose full of bird. That venture was unsuccessful so I took him to where I shot the doe. I put him on the blood trail at the crime scene, nose down and tail waggin', it didn't take long and he covered the 70 yards to my doe. I was pretty happy to say the least and he repeated the feat 30 minutes later on my buddy's doe. All in all it was a good time, some great deer were spotted and I eagerly await the late season!!
Congrats on the doe !!! Neat area from what I can see in your picture. Looks like a good shed hunting spot with the alflafa nearby. Tim
It is pretty cool and the shed hunting is about as easy as it gets. I think we found 6 sheds this weekend just going to/from stands and hanging new stands. :D
Great story and weekend Dubbya. I am strongly considering a pup myself. Nothing like watching them hunt.
