Went on my first dove hunt in about 5 years. Killed 2, missed many. But had a blast. Got permission to come back anytime. Gonna go again after it get colder up north and brings down some birds.
The area is set over a valley, the bridge is about 20ft high that they cross under from the bedding area in blue heading to the farm in the west side. There is a big game trail heading from the bridge to where I was planning on setting up my stand along the river bank, looks like its mainly used by moose though, the deer look like they use the pathway between the road heading diagonally east-west and the river. The red dot is kind of in between both pathways with lots of shooting lanes. Kind thinking's of putting my camera up here if there isn't much at the other spot but Im not sure what the human traffics like this far in. As far as I know not many people know about the mule deer here and I haven't told anyone. Good to hear, maybe you'll be the one to pop the teams cherry with points.
Today I'm going to work on hunting stuff. Gotta check the jon boat for leaks, check a camera, shoot my bow, wash all my hunting clothes, and de-scent my scrape drippers. I'll probably bleach an old skull and hang a couple others in the living room. The wife is requesting for me to hang them up in either the living room or dining room so that they will be off the shelf. I won't argue with a wife that wants deer skulls hanging up in the house.
I am in the process of washing all my clothes right now. Trying a new regimen this year, so we'll see how it pays off. Trying out Carbon Synergy products. Heard nothing but great things about them. I am washing all my clothes in their detergent, then going to use the Carbon Synergy powder to finish them off, along with my pack and boots. Carbon Synergy
Checked all my cams yesterday. Nothing to exciting to report and hung my final set ups and even set up my ground blind where I'll have my buddy hopefully harvest his first deer. Should be a great spot for him, short easy shots! Got a lot of rain last night so hopefully washed out whatever scent I left in the woods. Now it's just a waitin game till this Saturday!
Had a great cam check. One of the bucks I'm after named mr. clean was on the camera and another buck I haven't had pics of in awhile showed up hard horned and in daylight. I was really pleased with the quality of the pics from my new camera.
These are pics of pics, so they are a little blurry. The one buck in daylight I don't think that I would shoot. I'm pretty sure he's only 3.5. The other buck is 4.5 for sure. I have his sheds from the past 2 years. He needs an arrow thru him.
Yeah, it is tough passing on deer like that, but it makes it a lot easier when I have other mature deer on the place that I have a decent chance to shoot. He should be pretty nice next year. That other buck needs to be shot. He isn't very much bigger now than when he was a 2 year old.
Dealing with a similar dilemma as you Snake. Really not sure if I should/would/will shoot this guy Initially, I thought he was a 4 1/2 but I'm starting to think he is only 3
All this talk about killing only certain bucks, but I've yet to kill a buck with a bow. So first set of horns that comes by me are going down. Plus with two daughters and a wife I only get so many days to hunt. Good luck to you guys holding out, but don't be surprised if the buck I turn in gets the 50point minimum.
Aubowhunter man if you are happy with it shoot it. My family all does qdm and we have taken some great deer over the years but it's still a rule in family shoot what makes you happy no matter what! If you're happy that's all that matters!
If you're happy, then we're happy. And as far as winning this contest, more depends on quantity of deer taken, than quality, although the quality doesn't hurt
Just my opinion, your buck looks 3 to me, and has a lot of potential. He is the kind of buck that you hate to have run up on you in the rut and have to make a snap decision. I've had that happen before and had some ground shrinkage. Even if you do decide to shoot him he's a really nice buck.
Take whatever makes you happy. I'll just speak for myself, but I hope everybody on the team shoots whatever makes them happy. Doesn't matter to me whether somebody shoots a spike or a booner, just make sure you take pics!
well next weekend we open. Better get the clothes outside to air out and start shootin a little bit. Have to really get out and check my cameras & see what's been happening near my stands. Leg is finally starting to heal up and starting to walk normal. Sure in the hell aint runnin for awhile. I'll let you all know soon as i get my trail cams brought in.
Found out I'll be good to go hunting behind my house, going to go scouting the new area tomorrow. It was 2°C this morning so about 35°F hopefully that will be an end to the mosquitoes. Weird looking at maps of places to scout I wasn't allowed to hunt before even though its so close to home. Part of the area I can now hunt is where I practice shooting from 15'. Had a few does stand about 40 yards from me while I put my bow in the vehicle after shooting just watching me do it. Also had an 8 pointer watch us from about 80 yards away while we were shooting. Think I might keep a broad head in my quiver from now on while practicing now that I can legally shot them there.
