Stayed a few times at Harvey's Circle B campground. Nothing like bathing in a 45 degree river at 6am after a night of drinking. Wakes you up real fast, probably stop my heart at this age
As it turned out you were spot on correct. It was a very eventful sit. It started with the big spike I saw. It went north and then circled back to where Greg was hunting. He texted me and said "I see him". I jokingly texted back Virginiashadow's mantra, "KILL!". It didn't occur to me until later that he's not familiar with that. About 5 minutes later I heard "ShhhWHACK!" I texted Greg and said, you just shot him, didn't you? He texted back "Yeah, but I think I missed him". He didn't miss. Brett and I examined the arrow and based on what Greg said he saw it looks like it was a low gut shot. We have no choice but to wait until morning to start tracking, but the temps aren't going to be good. Based on shot placement I'm thinking if it's a fatal shot the deer won't die until sometime between midnight and first light. My wife is going to bring Elly May tomorrow morning to track. I put Brett in a good spot, but it's a better morning spot. He did see a single doe which is a good sign. Now for my part of the story. After seeing the doe at the pond and almost killing her and seeing the spike that Greg shot, I ended up seeing three more bucks and 8 more does. I did have a brief 40 yard shot at a mature doe, but I didn't like the feel of it. I could have shot a doe fawn multiple times but I didn't want to do that. About 25 minutes before dark I heard deer coming. The first one was an 8 point that was probably about 115-ish. With him was a basket rack 6. I had so many shot opportunities at the 8 point, but I CAN'T SHOOT A BUCK. He and the other little fellow fed within 20 yards for about 10 minutes. About 10 minutes before dark, while I was still watching the bucks does started coming out of the cut-over out of range. Then I heard a loud grunt north of the 8 point and it was close. I glassed and saw him. If it wasn't the same big 10 point I saw a couple of days ago it was another like him. He grunted like that three times. It was getting dark fast and I managed to text Greg and told him "I need you to walk over here when you get down because I'm covered up in deer". He walked in making all kinds of noise and when he did there were three bucks and five does that busted out of there. Anyway, I just thought I'd update you all.
Good luck on the track @Ridgerunner3 and please tell me @virginiashadow brought you a bag of hitch hikers to curb your appetite while on stand.
alarm set 0330. November 4th, 2022 will be known as Judgement Day. Tomorrow we unleash hell and paint the forest with blood and fill the air with the smell of death....... This guy is gonna be busy tomorrow
He shot a spike? Please tell me “big spike” is still under 3” and qualifies as antlerless. I hate for him to come all that way and burn his buck tag on that for the next week.
Ugh, just now hit me after seeing @foodplot19 posted that @Ridgerunner3 is Eric, not Greg. Apologies to both
Good for now, follow up in 3 months Accepted a promotion at work to which I just ended my first, mostly, week. Went from CNC machine operator to supervisor without any transition. Mentally drained and have the next 10 days off to let myself process what I've learned thus far. Mostly computer navigation and all and not getting a whole lot of shadow training as discussed. All good though.
No worries at all Clint. Greg is my son by the way. He just wants to kill deer. He's kind of like me in that regard.
Oh, by the way Adam. Remember that tree I put you in west of the pond? That's where I was this afternoon.
Sorry, yes I'm Greg, I haven't been on much. I got orders to move and life has me busy. Just glad I got to camp this year. Didn't get to hunt last year.
That it is, now I just have to clear work mode and switch to commence kill mode. Have to remind myself I'm in a new game and scoring is different. No longer in a sit and wait mode, take the field goal when afforded and work for the TD. 4 tags in hand, 2 good for bucks all 4 for antlerless. Fill the freezer, learn and have fun. Private land brought out the rant in me, public is going to bring out the optimism. I can see it now...... "Uh oh, Clint is being optimistic again, going to shoot a Booner any minute"......