Geez the deer were moving this morning. I saw close to 30 does and fawns. 5 bucks with 3 going in the 125 -135 range. I was hoping to see something bigger. They are still cruising a little. They moved until 10 this morning before most bedded down. Snow is starting to get deep in the CRP. Most is over a foot to knee deep now. I put on about 3 miles of walking ( getting in and out ). Only a mile was going though the CRP. It is getting to be a workout for this fat guy. Deer are bedding more on the edges of the CRP on account of the snow which sucks cause I like hunting the edges. Getting real tough to get in and out with that many does watching the perimeter of the CRP. The does/fawns are really starting to herd up. I will be heading back out before 1 PM. I think they will move early with this cold weather moving in tonight. Going back to the Doe Parade spot. Hopefully a bigger buck comes by. Oh I should add... this was more of a scouting trip then a hunt. I haven't been back in there since early November so I was curious to see how the deer were moving through the area and bedding with the deeper snow. I didn't have 30 some deer walk by. I am hoping for that this afternoon.
Good luck!! I'm on doe patrol now for the 1st time this year. I'm getting sick of the bitter cold. Like you said a cold front is coming in AGAIN.
The walk in was interesting this afternoon. I almost step on a sharp tail grouse who was buried in the snow in the cattail slough. Damn that gets the ticker going !! It then flew out by some thick, tall grass and landed. I stepped out of the slough to cut across to another slough to get into my spot. It took off again so I froze. A little buck popped it's head out of the tall grass. Waited for him to lay back down which didn't happen. He started feeding. Had to ninja by him the rest of the way. Ended up setting up about 60 yards from him. He wasn't the wiser. Saw a few does and fawns. About 45 minutes before quitting time... 2 does came out of the pigweed strip. They browsed for a bit when both snapped their heads up and were staring at something coming up behind me. They didn't get nervous so I figured it was a deer. They headed out towards where they were looking. Once they got by me... I stood up ever so quietly and peeked over the cattails. Nice buck about 60 yards away and coming my way. I sat back down and waited and waited. Finally I couldn't stand it and had to look. He was still in the same spot and was watching the does which had walked past him. I thought he was going to head my way but he had skanks on his mind and headed after the does. I wouldn't have shot him anyways ( mid - upper 120's 4x4 ) but still it is always funnier when they walk by you. Ended up seeing 11 does/fawns and 2 bucks. 2 does and 2 fawns in bow range. Wind had a nasty bite to it on the walk out.
Good luck Steve. It is suppose to warm up a little next week. How long does your season go ?? I am holding out for a big one yet. If I haven't killed something by the end of next week... the little one I ninja-d by will be looking awful good !!
Our season goes to the end of the year. Up till 3 days ago and I hadn't hunted for almost 3 weeks. I dislocated my ring finger on my draw hand. For a finger shooter it was impossible to draw my bow back. Its 60% now and I can get my bow back all the way but man it still hurts yet. I can hunt maybe 4 more days the rest of the year. I'll be working a lot the next 2 weeks. So its doe mode for me unfortunately. I usually wait till the last 4 days of the season otherwise to doe hunt. Its so Frustrating hunting in a one tag area. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
That's cool Tim, that you still get so much action late season. I haven't been out since I killed that freak. Not a lot of food at my spots, so action is slim. I was also burnt out and it got damn cold (becoming a wuss in my old age) :0 Having to travel 4-6 hours to hunt doesn't help either. I'm so jealous of you guys that hunt in your backyards! Good luck out there! And Steve, I can't imagine only getting one deer tag. That's gotta be rough.
That would be tough driving that far to hunt. Yesterday morning I put on almost as many miles walking as I did to drive to the area. Usually I don't have to drive more then 10 miles to my spots. The deer are really starting to herd up. I am just lucky I have access to where they like to winter. There is a lot of food for them right now. Harvest conditions were tough this fall with all the wind,rain, snow and cold. That will benefit the deer and grouse. I should have went out this morning but it is 7 below... 31 below wind chill and I would have a 1.5 mile walk in, going against the wind. It just didn't sound like fun. Will go out this afternoon though. It is suppose to hit zero and the wind will be light.
Steve I had two tags this year. I shouldn't have been so picky for the one tag that was good for only 2.5 weeks. Britney still has a tag and I am hoping it warms up enough to get her out some more once she is on Xmas break. She filled her youth tag so if we can get a couple more deer... it would be a good season for us. Hope your finger heals fast. Good luck filling your tag.
Just wanted to wish you both good luck and stay warm!!! Looking forward to reading all about your adventures!!! Again good luck my friends!!! Merry Christmas!!!!
I don't like the title of this thread. It makes me think you're about to drop dead or go in the clink for awhile. Good luck!!
It was supposed to be Late Season Hunt. Oops. I never noticed it until you mentioned it. So much for my proof reading. Course if the snow gets any deeper or it gets any colder... it just may be titled right. I am getting too old for this late season stuff.
