I CANNOT get a good buck within range. hahaha! I have passed shots on at least 10, 1.5 year old bucks and 5, 2.5 year old bucks on public land. I just cannot bring myself to kill even a 2.5 year old because around here they do not even break 80-90 inches. I had a 2.5 year old at 5 yards today but could not drop the string on him. I just couldn't do it. I have a goal and that is a 3.5 year old buck or better. Most all of the places I scouted in the off-season were closed down on the days I was available to hunt them. It has been hard not to be able to hunt the places I scouted so hard, but it has made me a better hunter because I was forced to overcome and adapt on the fly. I might not be a better big buck hunter because I cannot target bucks I cannot even hunt, but I am a better overall hunter because of all of the work involved in hunting the place I do every day. It is not easy. At least 80% of my hunts I have gotten deer within bow range. My set-ups have never been better thanks to many people and THIS website. I cannot remember anytime in the past where I have gotten deer within bow range 80% of my sits. I literally can grab a topo map and set up blind in the morning or afternoon and get deer within range on most days. It is friggin crazy that I have progressed this far within the last few years inparticularly. THANKS guys. I am going to keep at it hunting as much as I can even though my hunting time will be limited starting Monday. I am not giving up until the fat lady sings! Brett
Hey brother, you will get it soon man. I'm gonna shoot u a message. My bow broke btw, It will be about a week and a half before I get my new limbs back.
Nice hearing someone progress as a hunter and not complaining when things dont go quite their way. Im sure you'll get the oppurntunity your looking for in the near future. I hope to be able to read topo's and translate it into success like you have. Congrads on the progression.
I'm with ya, Brett. I'm seeing a lot of deer. And, I'm seeing bucks. It's just not happened where I had the right one under me (with enough light to shoot). In the past, I'd be pressing, about now. Don't feel that way, though. I've even sat 2X with a ML. Believe that? I couldn't pull the trigger on the 1st buck I saw.....and he was a 3.5yr old. I'm gonna rifle hunt the opener with my son. I can't wait (and it has nothing to do with the weapon). Hang in there, buddy.
Hang in there, I couldn't shoot a decent buck a couple weeks ago during ML season because it was doe only that week. I hunted a field today and a very, very nice buck showed himself but he was 150 yards out. I could have at least 5 deer so far if I was gun hunting. All the deer I'm seeing have not been in bow range. I starting to get a little frustrated, but hey, that's hunting. At least your *choosing* to pass up deer. I would like to just have one in range.
Thanks Jeff, you SHOULD be pumped to hunt the rifle opener. That is really awesome to do with your son. I really hope my son will want to hunt with me one day. At 1:30 today I heard crunch crunch crunch coming right down the ravine. I got up and got ready and saw a good spread coming toward me at 40 yards. I thought it was my time. The smaller 6 point then materialized. Ughhhhhhhh. Oh well he was a healthy nice looking buck that should be a good 100 inch or so deer next year if he survives. I could have drilled him. I saw a bigger buck in the thicket at 40 yards but not sure how big, I just know a lot bigger than the 6 point. I am going to keep at it, I might even head into the backyard Monday....LOL. I promised my family my time this weekend so no hunting for me until the kiddos hit school on Monday.
Keep at it Brett. The one day you don't expect it to happen it will. I hope you get to test out those slick tricks soon.
I thought it was going to happen yesterday. As I switched my set-up at 12:30 and was climbing my tree I heard a snort and saw a beauty of a buck stand up along with a doe. The doe bolted but the buck started walking toward me! I unhooked my bow, leaned back and nocked an arrow. I got ready to kill the buck. I thought I was going to get a shot but I just could not get him close enough before he saw me and bolted. I was ready under pressure. Thats all I can do is keep plugging away and realize the situation of where I hunt. It is what it is and I am thankful to at least be able pursue my hunting passion on some pretty decent land.
I'm sure you will put your tag on a nice one. Your patience will have to pay off and putting yourself in areas where deer are will only help. That's how I got my mule deer. Just kept plugging away and got lucky.
