Not much new to report. Went in yesterday during the rain to setup a ladder stand down by the creek ridge. I also setup another camera. Trying everything I can to pin down these bucks on this small property. I need to be careful and not pressure them to much. Rain Monday and Tuesday, may make it to the woods Wednesday after work. Anyways, you guys be safe. Dave
That's a pretty solid deer Scott. Good length on his tines. He doesn't have a huge spread but it's not bad either. I couldn't tell what size brow tines he had... You're the best judge of your time and the farm's potential. I have faith in you! Good luck Dave!
Tough break Will. Scott its your farm and you know the potential that is out there man, you will get it done. Sun am was a bust for me, one spike come strolling thru about 9am, wind decided to do a total 180 degree flip on me. Scott....try acme mapper/google earth. The topo end of it is crap but at least you can see the layout. I have a cam up on the trail to the east of those co'ords. Best of luck out there guys!!
What a great weekend, most fun I've had in the stand in a long time. Saturday afternoon I was finally able to get out with my 14 year old son, left my bow at home and picked up the video camera for the first time. This wasn't his first hunt but it was his first hunt this year and honestly probably the first time that I felt he had a legitimate chance of taking an animal. We got in around 3:45 and I hung a "filming" stand just above another that has been in place for several years. We were able to talk out how to handle some different scenarios for deer moving through the area and how they could or should be handled. Around 5:30 we had our first set of does and fawns move through the area, all within 15-30 yards. That got his blood pumping and told me we should have a good hunt. We ended up seeing 3 sets of does transitioning from bedding areas to the standing corn. He had a close call with one set as they came in directly in front of us but as he started to draw on one he spooked another in the group, he handled it well and they walked away without busting us. Right at sun down we had a good basket rack 8 come from behind the stand, I watched him pop up out of the creek downwind of us and start feeding our way. I gave my son the heads up that a good little buck was coming in, the surge of adrenaline was obvious. The little buck slowly fed our way and ended up directly under us at the base of the tree. My son was patient and waited till the buck had passed before raising his bow, as the buck passed behind a tree he drew back and readied for the shot. The little buck played his cards right and walked parallel with a large branch blocking any shot. By the time the buck had cleared the branch he had been at full draw for about a minute, I gave him the yardage but he didn't feel like he could make the shot at that point and let down as the buck turned away. I was VERY proud of how he was able to handle his first real buck encounter. I have no doubt that I can now let him sit by himself and he'll make good and ethical decisions. Sunday morning I went out with a buddy and had a great morning in the stand. Had a nice 2 1/2 year old broadside at 20 yards but he needed a couple more years. Only shot I had at a doe was a yearling and I hesitated long enough for her to feed off into the trees. Next time she won't be so lucky.
Too cool Matt, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had a blast in the woods this past weekend! I'm taking Scott to Gering to hunt this coming weekend.
Very cool story Matt. Sounds like you guys were on some deer too! Will and Reese, the farm has produced some dandy bucks over the years, so there are definantly bruisers walking around. That buck probably gets a free pass this early, but in another month it might be a different story.
Will, Will, Will... that's not what happened at all. It was the voo-doo hex I threw on you in CO! Bummer man but I guess you learned that lesson. Sometimes less is more (at least that's what I keep telling the ladies!) Better luck next time brother!
Good luck out there, hopefully you guys can get on a couple good ones. I'm planning on getting out 2-3 times this week, the crops should be coming out hot and heavy and should have deer on their feet. Might catch a big boy off his game.
Funny Rob, in your case the ladies say, "less is still less" and you know it! LOL...yeah, hit me with a brick though. I keep asking myself, "how stupid was that? It's time to set up an exclusive treestand bow. That way I won't have to mess around with adjustments later. PSE has a new 2011 model coming out called the "Evo". Here are the specs: 6" Brace height Axel- 32.5 Ibo- 345 camo- infinitity mossy oak, skull, camo on limbs Combination limbs standard will be black riser and camo limbs. I think I'll get a 60 pound version...
I've been saying for a couple years that I need a 60 lb., deer exclusive bow. Blowing an arrow meant for a mountain goat 15 yards through a deer like it wasn't even there is a bit excessive. I like everything about that PSE except the brace height. I'll see what Elite is offering come October 8th.
Had a doe at about 10 yards tonight.... She came into the yard while I was grilling up some supper. I'm surrounded by about 2000 acres of public land, and when season opens up, deer will often retreat from the woods when spooked by hunters and into our yard since there is no hunting within 200 yards of the yard.
3 months??? I couldn't even imagine. I hunted/scouted out the public land here by the house tonight. I grew up exploring this land, so I know it pretty good. I found a few good rub lines last winter while scouting, but wanted to see if I could get a glimpse of a buck tonight and move in from there. I sat up high on a ridge, where I could see a good distance in every direction. I saw a few does filtering down into an oak flat throughout the night. Hopefully I can get out there Friday night. It's a lot easier to hunt here after work, than making the drive to the farm.
one week from Saturday ..... I am switching to a 4 day work week and I will be taking 3 weeks off as well .... I am looking at the last week of October and the first week of November for 2 of them..
I was reading the thread a few days ago about how late your season opens, I don't believe I could handle that. However, your going to be picking a great time to be out there. Your going to connect this year, no doubt in my mind. I am allowed 5 days off in November to hunt, and I always use 1 for the gun opener. I'm thinking Nov. 5, 8, 9, 10 for the rest. That would give me 6 straight days of hunting with the weekend thrown in there.
Lastnight I had what I guestimated at 105-110 basket 8 walk in at last light. I know there are bigger bucks on this small property so he got a pass. My sister and brother-in-law say they have seen a big ten several times this year...........hope to get a crack at him. Will try to hit the woods again either Thursday or Friday..............be safe guys. Dave
Good luck Dave...be safe too! Scott, I'm flying into Springfield on the 5th and will hunt the 6th thru the 9th. Hopes are running high. I will be hunting Nebraska this coming weekend...cannot wait. The spot I'm hunting is loaded with sloughs and wood ducks. The camera will be sizzling more than the bow (praying for just one shot with the bow). I ordered a PSE Axe 7 on Monday. This sixty pounder is going to be my new deer treestand bow. I'm eager to set her up! PT, keep the faith brother! It's your year! Best wishes everyone...stay after it. Can't kill'em from the couch!
Heading out this afternoon, hoping that the field that I'm going to sit is freshly cut. The freezer is bare, if it's brown its down.
Good luck Dave!! I am going to sneak out tonite with my better half tonite as she wants to film a hunt. Got a ton of doe/fawn pics off my one cam. Saw a 150 plus on way out there last nite. Repositioned cam to the ridge to see if I can get a pattern of him. I have my ground blind set up on a WELL used trail and a doe tag burning a hole in my pocket. LOL
