Antler Assasins

[Tom2008]

Looks like are topic was dead for to long. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Here is a new one for us to chat on.

[Canuck2]

Alright then, let's get the game chatter going here! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We have to acquire some more venison; rut's coming up and I'm certain we're all waiting to take full advantage of that.

I got back from moose hunting 2 weekends ago with nothing to show for it. Then it was back to work for the past week before I could get out after whitetails again.

Friday morning I hunkered down behind my favorite huge boulder where several deer trails criss cross, but nothing came by. So I wandered a bit to do some scouting; found a bunch of 8 does & fawns using another trail and watched from about 300 yards.

Sunday morning I was set up close to where Friday's does travelled. Three bucks took another trail about 200 yards back toward my big rock blind, so skulked after them to try and cut them off. However, a rifle hunter across the valley sent a volley after something and that got every deer on the mountain heading for cover.

Figure to grunt and rattle this weekend to put the moves on a lovestruck buck. Rifle season ends Nov 24 and there will still be some rut left, so after that I'll try some decoying. It will be much fun. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

No luck here either... been seeing small bucks on the move so hopefully the big bucks will be follow soon. I may try the decoy this weekend.

[Tom2008]

Saw a 6 pointer 2 weekends ago with a doe then saw a bigger buck with 3 does, another one with 2, and another with 3. So it looks like we have 4 diff. bucks on are property this year. Hope to get one this weekend.

[Rhino]

I'll make this sort of short since I just walked in the door from my Missouri trip and I'm pretty worn out. In a nutshell the hunt was a great bowhunt unfortunately, I didn't come home with a nice buck but sure have some great memories from this hunt. In 6 days of bowhunting I saw 106 deer from a stand with 28 of them being rack bucks. Of those bucks, 4 were P&Y class bucks including a huge 8 point that would score in the mid 150's. Didn't have a shot at him but the 3rd biggest buck I saw on the trip (actually saw him twice) was also a nice 8 point with great mass that I estimated would go in the mid 130's. I took a 35 yard shot at him but hit shoulder blade and didn't get penetration into the vitals. About 2 inches of my arrow was snapped off excluding the broadhead. No blood on the part of the arrow I recovered or on the trail where he took off with my arrow sticking out of his shoulder. A long search confirmed the hit was not vital. That buck will probably be running does again real soon. Gotta get some sleep and recouperate.

[Tom2008]

WOW thats a lot of deer Rhino. You'll get that big one. Just keep tryin buddy. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tom2008]

Well our team has 19 points so far.

[snapper]

Yep...I'm still working on that roll of film...lol. Went out last Sat. for a doe...was going to go out for fall turkey...but figured it would be a good day for a doe hunt.
Long story short...seen 6 different bucks...2 real good shooters (only aloud 1 in PA). And seen about 40 turkeys...only doe I seen was about 50 yards away and heading away from me!
Good luck everyone...still time to score.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

Just my luck… I couldn’t hunt tonight because I had to help my dad. I let my buddy who’s parents own the land I hunt use my tree stand… His first time out and he misses a booner… shot underneath of it. He said it had 10 points on one side for sure and 7 or 8 on the other. Some people are just luckier than others I guess. Buck fever got the best of him as he was still shaking when he told me the story. Hope it stays in the area.

[Tom2008]

Kick him out of there and you go get that big one! lol. j/k. Good Luck though. Hope you see him when you go out there.

[Tom2008]

Correction we actually have 24 points.
smallmunster's doe
rhino's doe
snapper's 9 pointer

[Rhino]

Sorry guys but I've been catching up and regrouping for Iowa. I'll be hunting with a video and still shot camera up there since I didn't draw a tag this year. My business partner drew a tag so I'm going along to try to capture some footage and still shots of some of those big midwesten monsters. I'll be gone from the 5th through the 13th. It's just too much fun to miss out on going to Iowa even if I can't carry a weapon. Hopefully I'll get some pics of some big ol' boys to share with you. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

When I get back, I'll get back to hunting with a weapon again but I'll be chasing these wary, pressured Mississippi deer. They don't measure up to the quality of the midwestern bucks but they are still a lot of fun to hunt. Our rut in Mississippi doesn't really start getting cranked up until around the middle of December and starts winding down toward the end of the 1st week of January. That's when I'll have my best chance of upgrading my score since I'm sort of choosy on what age of bucks I'll consider killing. Last year it was early January before I bagged a mature buck in MS. He was a real nice 9 point for this area that aged as a 4 year old buck. For the last 2 years we've also had a distinctive secondary rut kicking in from mid to late January too. I missed an opportunity on a nice MS 8 point chasing a doe during the last week of January 2 years ago. Our season runs through the end of January.

Good luck to all while I'm playing in Iowa and I'll check in when I get back.

[Canuck2]

Got me a rotten cold, so haven't been out this weekend. I'm nursing it so I'll be back in shape for the thick of the rut, which should start heating up within a week.

[Tom2008]

Got 7 points for us team.
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/11/c436b6996wj.jpg
Story is here.
http://www.realtree.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=804532&an=0&page=0#80453 2

[Tom2008]

We're at 31 points.
smallmunster's doe(5 points)
rhino's doe(5 points)
snapper's 9 pointer(14 points)
Tom2008's Spike(7 points)

[Canuck2]

Yeehaw! Nicely done, Tom. What a great team we have - what? who me? Oh ya, I'm going hunting and I'll be back real soon with a buck. Honest. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

Congrats Tom!!! I hope to close on one sometime soon... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Tom2008]

Hey Snapper did you get the picts of your tag yet? It says your deer hasn't been added to our score yet.

[Canuck2]

Hey Tom, I just noticed your location - Kettle River MN. I live on the Kettle River here in Grand Forks, British Columbia. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tom2008]

Ha Ha. I never knew it went up that far lol.

[Canuck2]

Actually from near here the Kettle River flows south into Washington state and into the Columbia River about 25 miles from the border. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Tom2008]

Well then maybe there is 2 lol.

[bucknut]

hey everyone,sorry for the late appearance..i havent had much chance to get out yet this year but i should be heading out for 3 days before the bow season ends in my area. Rifle season starts on November 14th and i have a doe and either sex tag so hopefully i can contribute to our teams victory http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[snapper]

I took the pictures of the tag...but I haven't finished the roll of film yet. If it isn't done before the end of the contest....I'll manually rewind it and get it developed. With Thanksgiving coming up...should be taking alot of pics. I know there is no points for my buck...need2hunt said as soon as the pic. is there...he'll add the points.
BTW...congrats on your spike!

[Tom2008]

Thanks snapper just was wonderin what was goin on lol.

[Canuck2]

Pretty nifty morning here. First off, we had our first snowfall of the year overnight, about 2 inches. Sure made things stand out against the white background.

Just before first light, I got to my favorite rock. Shortly, a doe and fawn passed by about 200 yards away. Next up was a lone doe and she came past me inside comfortable shooting range, but does don't open until Nov 25. And THEN - a set of antlers appears from the other side of the rock at less than 10 yards. This nice 3x4 steps out and passes me 7 yards away while I have to look like a piece of granite. Once he's 20 yards out, I get a nice quartering away pose from him and am about to draw when a second buck pops out from behind the boulder. This is a spike and I can't move as he moseys past. Meanwhile, the bigger buck is wandering into the bushes and I never do get a shot. Close but no cigar.

The bucks are beginning to show themselves now and soon all he** will be breaking loose. Gonna get funner and funner. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tom2008]

Awsome Canuck hope to see a buck for are team soon. Good Luck Buddy!

[Rhino]

Congrats Tom.

I got back from Iowa last night. Great trip but like I said before I was behind a video camera. Got quite a few awesome bucks on video including a 180 class 6X7 buck along with I don't know how many bucks in the 120 to 145 class range. My buddy that I went with missed a monster 8 point that he said was a 160 class buck with great mass, wide, and very long tines. He also saw a B&C class 10 point with about a 25" spread two days later on what was supposed to be our last day so we stayed 2 extra days. Even though he came home empty handed he said it was one of the greatest hunts he's ever had in his entire life and he's 60 years old. After what I saw running around in Iowa I sure can't wait until next year. Since I have 2 perference points going into next year, I'm virtually certain I'll draw a tag to bowhunt there next year.

Now that I'm home, I'll get back to hunting these Mississippi bucks. Our rut will start getting cranked up in about 3 or 4 weeks. I'll start getting back after them this weekend and I'll be spending a lot of time in the woods between now and the end of January. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Tom2008]

Good to hear you had a fun and safe trip Rhino. Good Luck with those bucks in Mississippi. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Canuck2]

OK youse guise, I've got a little something to add to our team total.

I went out early this morning with the bow and watched as many does and fawns picked their way up the hills. The only bucks I saw were a spike and a decent racked buck that I couldn't count the points on. Finally I headed for home and when I was almost there, I spied a nice buck more than half a mile away that I knew would be impossible to get close enough to for a bow shot. So I made a dash for the gun and lit out to intercept him. The shot was about 250 yards and that is the end of my hunting until does open Nov 25.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/Canuck2/IMGP1342.jpg

He's got a total of 13 points and lots of character. I'll enter him a little later; still have to get a shot with the tag and I'm going to skin him out now.

[Tom2008]

[ QUOTE ]
WTG Canuck you da man.http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Our Team Total is:
We're at 44 points.
smallmunster's doe(5 points)
rhino's doe(5 points)
snapper's 9 pointer(14 points)
Tom2008's Spike(7 points)
Canuck2's 13 pointer(18 points)

[/ QUOTE ]
That was me someone cleared the cookies on my comp. without me knowing it lol. Once again congrats Canuck! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tom2008]

My bad 49 points lol. We will as soon as snapper gets his tag pictures in. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Canuck2]

smallmunster, getting a doe for the team is commendable - but I just saw your trail cam pictures! Wow! Get out there and bag one of them bad boys! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[snapper]

Took some more pics...roll about 1/2 done. Mon. is our first day of rifle season and I'm sure I'll be taking some more pics. of deer. I'll get that roll done soon and post the pic. of my tag for the points.

Good luck to everyone still trying to tag on a deer!

[Tom2008]

Sweet deal snapper. Good Luck with rifle season. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Rhino]

Congrats Canuck2. You sure look happy! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The rut around here hasn't gotten cranked up good yet. Usually it doesn't start getting good until the middle of this month. I've still been after these Mississippi deer though except I had 3 hogs get in my way between Friday and Saturday. 2 of them didn't make it. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Basically I was delayed getting to my stand Friday morning helping out 2 other hunters with directions to some places to hunt. It was already getting daylight by the time I was walking to my stand. About 200 yards before I got to my stand I saw this old boar so I put a stalk on him and folded him up like a duck with a 40 yard shot.
http://www.realtree.com/img/511/medium/Big_Boar_12_2_Reduced.JPG

The following morning I decided to hunt a different area about a mile and a half from where I killed the 1st hog. About 10 minutes after daylight 2 hogs tried to pass by. One made it back to where they came from and the other didn't. This one was a nice sow so she will be much better on the dinner table. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
http://www.realtree.com/img/511/medium/Big_Sow_12_3_Reduced.JPG

[Tom2008]

Congrats on the hogs! Good Luck with the rut bud. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Canuck2]

Rhino, what a nice bunch of pork! I have a question which I hope doesn't make me look too ignorant. With those pigs, would you scald and scrape the hair off the hides before gutting, like is done to domestic pigs?

Yesterday was the last day of our late archery season here, so that's it for another year. So here's what I ran into today. I told him, "Just wait until next year!"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/Canuck2/IMGP1402.jpg

[Rhino]

[ QUOTE ]
Rhino, what a nice bunch of pork! I have a question which I hope doesn't make me look too ignorant. With those pigs, would you scald and scrape the hair off the hides before gutting, like is done to domestic pigs?





Canuck 2 we just skin them and butcher them similar to a deer. None of that scraping junk.



I took a few days off from hunting to try to finish up Xmas shopping. I'll be back hard after them from this Friday through Xmas Eve morning and then from Xmas afternoon through New Years.

The young bucks starting getting into it the end of last week. I saw a few young bucks rutting Friday and Saturday. The big boys should be into it next week and the following week. Time for me to start camping out in the woods now. I'll give y'all an update when I take my short Xmas break and then again after my holiday hunt period. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Tom2008]

Sounds good Rhino gl bud. Thats a nice buck canuck should be a brute next year.

[snapper]

Well, been pretty busy around my house the last few weeks...but here's an update. Season is done, filled my 2 doe tags in rifle season...got a baby on the way...my dog just had his spleen removed (hoping that it wasn't cancer)...and trying to get my basement finished up before christmas.
The roll of film turned out to be a 36 exposure...so I have a few more pics to take. Good thing the contest doesn't end for a little while yet.
I now own a digital camera...but haven't had the time really to figure out how to use it.

Good luck to those still hunting and congrats to those who filled their tags...I'll be in and out for a bit.

[Tom2008]

Congrats on the end of your season snapper sry to hear aboutyour dog hope he's doin ok. GL with your basement and gl with figurin out the camera. Well I think I got everything lol.

[Canuck2]

Snapper, you're a busy guy. Congrats on the expected family member, hope your dog is doing well, and enjoy the basement. BTW, nothing like a digital camera to make you take lots of pictures. I've taken over 400 in the last 2 months and have turfed about 380 of them. Anyway, go ahead and waste the rest of that roll - we want to see pictures! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

Canuck2 pm'ed me on my season so I though I'd let the rest of the team know how it's going... I've been bowhunting several nights a week and on the weekends as much as possible. I passed on plenty of does and small bucks this year but am now trying to put some meat in the freezer. The bigger bucks just don't want to cooperate. Next week we have a 4 day ML season so hopefully I'll have some success during the two days I have off. Our bow season ends on Jan. 31 so I still have some time. I'll keep the team posted if something happens. Congrats to the rest of the team who's been successfull so far...

[Canuck2]

Whiskeyswamp, great to see your news update here. It sounds as if you're having about as much fun as you can stand with the bowhunting. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I had such a good time this season but found it really tough to get out of my nice warm bed that last few days. Fingers crossed for you on your ML season, and then some more during late archery. Looking forward to some pictures. Cheers.

[Canuck2]

Tom, what the heck is that banner you have up now????? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tom2008]

Its for the squirrel hunting contest.

[snapper]

Ok...finished the roll of film on some turkeys today. So, I will get the roll to town and should have some pictures by the weekend or beging of next week. I can then post the picture of the tag and the points will be added for the team.
I will also have some other pictures posted in prob. the deer and turkey room!

[Tom2008]

Sweet Snapper that should get us up there a bit more. Are team is havin a pretty good season! Good Job Everyone.

[KTMMIKE]

Hi guys,

I thought I would check in. I finally got a buck last weekend. He was a 6 pointer with one tine broke off. So not a lot of points for the team but some. I've seen him for the last couple years & he needed to be culled. Before that I shot a really nice deer but we couldn't find him. I was sick. He was around a 14 pointer. Actually it was the deer I use in my avatar. I have many game cam pics of him.

I passed a lot of nicer deer than the one I ended up with but they all had great potential for the future.

Here's the buck. This was my first archery deer. It was pretty exciting.
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/17367IMG_0161.JPG

Good luck to everyone & Merry Christmas!

[Rhino]

Congrats Mike. Sorry to hear about the big one you couldn't find.

Looks like our rut is kicking in a little later than normal. Young bucks are into it down here right now but the mature bucks are still laying low. I'll get back after them right after Christmas and hang in there chasing those suckers until right after New Years. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Merry Christmas to everyone and have a Happy New Year.

[Tom2008]

Congrats mike thats still 10 points for the team! Glad you got somethin this season. Sucks to see you couldn't find that buck! I was really hopin you'd get that one this season. Well hopefully he is still alive and makes it to next year so you can get another chance at him. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gifLike I said are team is doin great! Keep up the good work guys.
OH and hope everyone has a great Xmas and New years. I already submitted a deer for our team, but I still have an archery tag that I can use on a doe. Ill be hunting from tuesday to Sunday. Maybe Ill have some luck.

[Canuck2]

Mike, way to go in the buck! The first with a bow is very exciting and you will surely be hooked now. Well done.

[snapper]

Congrats Mike on a fine archery harvest...it looks like a mature buck and a good one to take.

I finally posted the picture of my tag for the team points...I assume Gary (need2hunt) will get mine and Mikes points up this weekend.

[Canuck2]

Horseknuckles! The post above says 'anonymous', but I was sure I logged in. Oh well, it's me, should you have an overwhelming desire to know. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[smallmunster]

I managed this one during our shotgun season in mid december. It wasn't the big one I hoped for but it is my best buck since 2001.

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/medium/chris_buck.jpg

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/chris_buck_upclose.jpg

17 3/4" inside, 8 points.

[snapper]

Good deal Chris...good looking buck!

[KTMMIKE]

Way to go Chris. That's a nice deer.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

good show!!! I'd be happy with anything right now...

[Tom2008]

WTG Chris thats a great lookin buck and an extra 8 points added onto our score!

[Canuck2]

Chris, excellent! He's a good 'un.

I've replaced your doe with him on our group mosaic:

www.angelfire.com/bc/canuck2/realtree.html (http://www.angelfire.com/bc/canuck2/realtree.html)

[Tom2008]

Hey Canuck not stealing your idea or anything just thought I would spruce it up a bit what ya think?
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3859/antlerassasinsbgr5ri.jpg

[Canuck2]

Tom, that looks just fine. You're a handy guy with a computer. Do you suppose you could add one more 's' to 'assassins'? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I took my buck's antlers to the local big buck contest today and took 2nd with a 140 1/8 score. We don't quite have the big bruisers here that they do in Saskatchewan.

Hey, I just noticed that you traded out your pic for another angle. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tom2008]

I could put that in there Canuck. Yeah I took a few pics of my buck. I like that pic better. Just post that pic up here and ill do somethin with it. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Canuck2]

Hey Tom, not quite sure what you meant. Post what picture up here?

BTW, I got a phone call tonight and there was a slight scoring error at yesterday's contest. My buck is now the winner, since the original first place was added incorrectly.http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Rhino]

Congrats Chris. Nice buck.

I'm still hunting but our season is winding down pretty quick. We still have until the end of this month to go. I've seen quite a few bucks but almost all have been fairly young bucks. I did get a quick look at a 130 class buck on the morning of Jan. 5th but didn't get a clear shot at him. I still have about 2 weeks to go but I can't spend the amount of time deer hunting like I was. All in all it's been a great and memorable year even though I haven't bagged a nice buck...yet. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Nice touch on the mosaic guys. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Canuck2]

WHISKEYSWAMP, any luck? Is your season done now?

Rhino, I think this is your last weekend, right?

[Tom2008]

lOL oops i didn't read that one post right nvm what i said. Now i see the spelling error lol.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

Today is our last day and I can't make it out... I've had some close opportunities the last couple weeks but couldn't score... Looks like I'll be eating a couple of tags... Sorry I let the team down and congrats to all who were successful.

[Canuck2]

Whiskeyswamp, you didn't let anybody down. This was all for fun and I think all who participated had a fine time. Glad you were able to get out for whatever time you did.

At the risk of being politically incorrect, I would say I'm disappointed in the people on various teams who signed up and never showed their faces again. I guess sometimes there may be a good reason to disappear but in most cases I think it's just inconsiderate. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

To the active participants of the Antler Assassins - good job, guys. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Tom2008]

We did an awsome Job though. 12th out of 29. WTG everyone. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[KTMMIKE]

Good job everyone! It was fun!

[Rhino]

Our season closed at the end of the day Tuesday the 31st. I spent that morning in a tree stand but the deer have gone under cover. Didn't see anything but squirrels.

Well I tried my best but didn't bring a big one in this year. I probably spent more time in the woods this fall than I ever have too. Hey, that's hunting. It sure was an enjoyable and memorable season though.

Good effort teammates.