Went out for about 3 hours today, found around 4 fresh rubs (like this morning fresh)...and also found some blood from suspected from sheddin action. Found no sheds, but did find this dead head. I was after this buck all season, last I saw of him was November 4th. A buck I named "Heavy"..
It ends today, but with pictures of shed bucks on the trail cameras, and after seeing one [shed buck] last night I couldn't help myself. I whiffed on a doe a couple nights ago, and couldn't get drawn back on a couple more. Been a long, hard season. So I ended it a day early, to get out sheddin'.
I hear ya on the shed bucks. I saw 24 deer Sunday and 4 of the 6 bucks had dropped both sides. I've found 2 sheds already and my nephew 3.....we haven't even started looking yet. If season was closed I would get out and look some more. The freshly melted snow would be good to look in.
He sure does, thanks Duke. I'm going to put a tape to him tonight, or tomorrow just for the heck of it. My buddy and I were walking and stumbled upon a deer leg picked clean [around 40yrds from the "kill" site] We both new it must have been a buck from the size of the hoof and just picked up on the coyote tracks that led us to him. He had a sticker on his Right G3 that got broken off as well.
Do you have wolves in your area Kyle? It looks like a wolf kill with the rib bones eaten and the nose chewed off. I may be wrong, but I've never seen coyotes eat rib bones like that.
The MNDNR tells us "NO". But I know, for a fact that there are wolves within 5 miles of the farm. I've never seen (track or wolf) nor heard wolves around the farm. I'm going to go check the carcass pile and see what the rib bones look like out of curiosity. I know that on the carcass pile there were 40+ crows pecking on the bones and 2-3 eagles as well. (I have no idea if birds actually "gnaw" on the bones like that though).
I wouldn't be surprised if it was wolves. Birds will only chew the meat off. Every wolf kill I have found in Ontario looked exactly like that. The spine is seperated, the back legs attached, the nose eaten off and the ribs chewed up. Wolves will actually chew the ribs up and swallow them. Every pile of wolf **** is usually full of bones.
I really hope you're wrong. I have no "hands on" experience with Wolves, but I don't think I've ever heard one good thing about them from people who have, over forums etc..
Tough find man. Its bitter sweet, you were after him, wanted to find sheds and found your tarket buck... dead. Good luck this season . Dave
Real nice buck Kyle, sorry he ended up that way, but glad you found him. Little closure for you since you really put some time into hunting him this season. Good luck shedding!
That's gotta be the worst way to get your target buck. BUT...at least you found him and won't helplessly be hunting him next year.
To bad about the buck Kyle, I have had several big ones just disappear over the years that I would love to know what happend .
The WI DNR claims no wolves in West Central area either. But, I have family there who've stated otherwise. I need to get out this weekend for some shed hunting as well. The new snow today and tomorrow hopefully won't hinder that too much.
Found a little dink, yesterday. A sign of the things to come! He's still holding on to one of them! A few bucks are still packing, seen a buck I call the "JFGP" buck the other night crossing the road with 2 sides...and I FINALLY got a picture of this boy, "J.R." to confirm he's still alive and well....excited to see what he'll look like next year if he makes it! J.R. little shed buck: Pesky Turkeys
