Congrats Heartstopper! Well it's been an interesting season. Bow was pretty decent with deer movement, and got a doe. Gun started on the 15th of November and decided i would take the ol shotgun out and really didn't see much opening day. Monday the 16th i saw some deer at first light, and missed a buck at 100 yards. Sat all week morning and night, not seeing much but a few does. Friday the 20th came and finally had a good buck come in. 50 yard shot and he went down right away. I know it doesn't count toward the contest, but i'm happy to get a buck on the ground. Now to get the bow back out and try for a late season archery buck!
congrats! how many buck tags do you guys get up there? PA we only get one buck tag and lottery for one doe tag.
We get 2 buck tags, and right now basically as many doe tags as we want. I really want to see it changed as our deer population is down over recent years.
well i think I will get the bow back out and head to the safety zone I have permission to hunt. one thing nice is while waiting for deer I can actually watch the landowners tv from my stand.
I have done it a few times already in years past. this spot is only a five acre chunk of woods but it is thick bedding and surrounded by crops. deer from all around get pushed in here during rifle season for safety. guess what it isn't as safe as they think! today is my last day for recovery after surgery then I will get at it again.
I drove by today where I hunt and looks like some has been driving around there in the woods might go tomorrow to check my stands
nice doe! well I did a scouting hunt last night with the rifle at the safety zone area and seen 6 does. this morning I am going in and hanging a stand and hunting it tonight. lots of feed in the field with tons of rubs on the edge. hopefully there is a buck harboring up in there. regardless I will take a doe. I'm dragging the rifle along as well just incase a bruiser is just out of range.
Well, I finally scored last night. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, our Rut is typically Nov 20th-Dec 10th time-frame. This year was no exception. I have been hunting for a much larger and specific 10pt that is in the area, but with time running out and the season getting shorter, I took advantage of the shot opportunity afforded by this guy. Shot a little forward and hit shoulder and didn't get pass through although I did get in lungs. I knew I made a marginal shot when I only found half my arrow and not fully penetrated, so I backed out for a few hours. Once, I went back, it was only about a 125 yard tracking job but with a sparse blood trail, it took me about 2 hours. Patience was key as there were several times I lost the trail completely. As is usually the case, he didn't go where I would have expected and the experience reiterated the need to stay on the blood trail as long as possible as opposed to a grid search. Made for a long night, but that is what is satisfying about bowhunting for me.....what you do after the shot. will try to score him tomorrow. DSC_4964 DSC_4963
