Huntin'sonovagun's 2004 Journal [Archive]

huntinsonovagun

05-20-2004, 10:26 PM

I shot a fun round of 3D yesterday, just to get out and all. It was fun, but very hot. When I was putting my bow up last night, I noticed the botton limb had a small "splinter" on the outside edge of the limb. Now I am worried I will have to buy new limbs or something. Maybe even a new bow. Just as soon as I get new strings for it. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Scott finally got his gunkill back today. I will get to see it tomorrow. I am thinking it will go 140"+ Not a bad Okie deer for sure. I just want to see it in person.

Tomorrow is graduation.....yep, it is already here. Everything I have worked for for the past 12 years is finally coming tomorrow night. I used to look forward to the day I would get out of school, but now that it's here, it really makes you think about all those years. Don't get me wrong, I am ready to move on, but I will have to admit I will miss high school a little. Now I just wish RSU would get that stupid letter of acceptance to me!!!! It is driving me crazy!!! I am looking forward to that letter more than graduation "gifts" (money).....and the sad part is I'M NOT JOKING!!!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I just want to get all this college-picking stuff out of the way!!

Anyway, back to the hunting stuff....after graduation practice in the morning, Scott and I are going to go get my trail cam out of the woods and set it up on this hog wallow I found during turkey season. Hopefully we can find out when they are going in there and then sneak in with a couple bows and a camera some time. Guess I better go.

huntinsonovagun

05-21-2004, 03:52 PM

Well, went to graduation practice this morning and found out that I got some scholarship offers from RSU!!!!! I still haven't got a letter of acceptance though, so that is a little weird.

I got to see Scott's deer.....one nice deer!!!

After grad. practice, I went to move my trail cam. There were only 4 pics on it, but a tree blew down (or got struck by lightning) right in front of it, so I think that's why there aren't more pics....could be an interesting roll of film though. I moved the cam to the hog wallow I found about a month ago. I'll probably check it in a week. Maybe sooner because I think there might be a lot of action there with this hot weather we're getting.

Need to get ready for graduation in a few hours so I'm gonna run.

The_Kat

05-23-2004, 09:37 AM

60 miles.......to far to drive to hunt????? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif NO WAY MAN! Drive down on the weekends and be a weekend warrior. I drive 300+ miles to hunt lol.

huntinsonovagun

05-24-2004, 08:24 PM

I will sure be hunting on probably every other weekend, but there aren't many big bucks around home, but I'm sure you're drivine 300 miles for some freaking huge 150 class deer!! I will do a little hunting around home, just not as much as last year........ http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Maybe they have bigger deer in Claremore......................................... ..... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The_Kat

05-24-2004, 10:44 PM

Hey Ryan,
Let me share some words of wisdom from my uncle. There are big deer everywhere you go. Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. I thought he was full of crap until this past season when I saw three different 140+ deer on my property alone. I don't know if this is true or not, but he says that close to 20% of Oklahoma's deer population has never encountered a person, nor have they been seen. Thats the ones that get big, and you see once in a lifetime. What I am saying, is have faith in your property, he's there, just give him some time to screw up.
YB15

huntinsonovagun

05-28-2004, 10:31 PM

Went and got my cam today....they had the gate locked, so I had to walk a mile in to where I normally park, and then get my camera which only had 3 new pics. I guess the hogs quit using that wallow because there aren't any trails leading to it. Maybe it is all the tall weeds and grass http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I am going to drop off the film tomorrow, even though I only have 7 pics. I will try to set that cam out where I saw those bucks on Easter on my turkey hunt. Sure wish we would get a little rain....we need it pretty bad now.

huntinsonovagun

05-31-2004, 10:20 PM

Brush-hogged most of the day....man we need cows on here more than ever. If only we could only get the rest of the fence done. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Dog found another rattlesnake so I drove over to it and chopped it up with the brush hog....kinda wish I had shot it and mounted it, but I didn't want the dog to get bit again....he sure gets sick from those dang things.

I am a little crispy now and would probably stop traffic if I walked into the road, as red as I am. Now I am gonna get a shower and hit the sack because I have to pay for school in the morning. I really need to get out and see if I can find some deer.

huntinsonovagun

06-02-2004, 09:36 PM

YESTERDAY
Scott and I went to Ft. Gibson WMA just to look for deer....man did we see the deer. We barely got in the gate and I saw a deer, turned out to be a real young buck....that was at 7:24pm!!! It was like the middle of the day. Not sure if it was the full moon or what that had them out that early. We ended up seeing somewhere around 20 deer, probably 5-8 were bucks, none very big though http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I thought for sure they would be branched out to their G2's at least. Maybe they were all young bucks...let's hope. These were all about the size of the one's I saw 1 1/2 months ago on Easter, so I am sure the deer we saw had to be pretty young.

TODAY Picked up my cam pics today....I guess the hogs quit using that wallow because I just got a couple pics of deer moving through. No hogs http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I moved my cam to the area where I killed my buck last year and I also trimmed a few limbs since it rained and was very cool this evening. I will probably wait a couple weeks to check the cam again, seems to take about a month for a roll to fill up anyway. Scott called and I think we are going spotlighting on his place this Saturday, not to shoot, just to see what is there. Guess that is all for now....I hope!!

huntinsonovagun

06-06-2004, 03:53 PM

Last night me and Scott went to their place in Warner to spotlight, just to see if we could see anything. We saw a few, but it definatly made the trip worthwhile when I called in a doe with my mouth!!

We spotted this doe at least 500 yards away on a tree line and she just kept feeding in the headlights. I bleated with my mouth and she took off running, I though I scared her off, then the next thing you know she is 60 yards from the truck!! We killed the truck and walked 50 yards behind the truck and I did it again....she came within 25 yards of us, that's when we chased her. Man it was hilarious, turned her inside-out!!lol I did it again and she came back for more, only downwind this time, then she snorted and ran off. One of the coolest things I have seen. Must've had her fawn around there somewhere or it could've gotten killed earlier. Didn't see any that were for sure bucks though. I am ready for Oct. 1.

huntinsonovagun

06-09-2004, 04:14 PM

Found a place to keep in mind for this fall. We delivered to this house off of I40 at the Pierce Rd. exit 255 (for future ref.) and it was kinda in the country so I asked them if they ever saw any deer. They sais they see a lot of deer, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, panthers, and bears. The last 3 species are rare to OK!!!!! This is one heck of a funnel. I40 on one side of the woods and Lake Eufala on the other side. I looked in my public lands book and found that this area is part of public land, so I should be able to hunt. Might ask those people if I can park around there though. Only bad part is that it is probably 1 hour from home, which is longer than I have ever driven to hunt. It would be 2+ hours from college. May be a good spot with a bow when everyone else is gun hunting and also during Christmas break. Sounds/looks like an awesome spot!!!! Hope I get to hunt it someday...........

huntinsonovagun

06-10-2004, 10:15 PM

Saw a doe getting chased by dogs this morning on the way to work (around 7:40). When she crossed the road I stopped between her and the dogs....looked like they quit chasing her after that.

Now this surprized me....on the way home right as I was getting home, there was a doe alongside the railroad tracks. Makes you wonder if it is the same deer. Not more than 2 miles from the places I saw them. Probably less than that. That was around 3:50. First time I have seen one cross tracks before, which is good to know....I always wondered if they hesitated or anything, but I guess they don't. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

There is something coming close to the house every night around 11:00-11:30 and the dogs go crazy. I think I will hang a stand in the yard and see if I can't spotlight it and kill whatever it is. It has to be pretty good size because they always kill opposums, skunks, armadillos, etc. but they won't attack this. Whatever it is will be dead if I ever see it, I don't care if it is on the endangered species list....it is driving me crazy!!!!

huntinsonovagun

06-12-2004, 10:51 PM

Saw a deer cross in front of me tonight after work at 5:00 right before I turn on the dirt road to my house. I am guessing it was a doe since I saw a fawn behind it http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Killed another rattler today....the dog was barking at something and we just thought it was another rat or rabbit or something, then I hear this distinctive buzz, so we take off over there and I grabbed the post-hole diggers outta the barn and my brother killed it while I held the dog back. I told my brother I should mount it before he killed it, but then I said go ahead because I didn't want to rist it getting away or biting the dog or one of us.

huntinsonovagun

07-18-2004, 04:40 PM

Wow....it's been a while since I've been in here.

On the 16, we went to the WMA to look for deer. We saw some hogs which completely caught us off guard. They were pretty good size. I would say 150-200 lb range.

We also saw some good bucks. There were 4-5 and one was at least a good solid 8 pt. Not too sure about the others....they didn't stick around too long. But I am getting excited with deer season on its way. The bucks are sure getting bigger.

huntinsonovagun

08-06-2004, 09:36 PM

Set the Stealth cam out yesterday on a pretty good trail between the slew and the river. I will probably leave it there for several weeks because I never seem to get too many pics on it. I think I am going to make a PVC pipe feeder for the deer within the next few days...just to put on the property so I will always have a place for my cam.

Also jumped up a doe and a fawn on my way back to the house.

huntinsonovagun

08-10-2004, 10:05 PM

Made a PVC feeder and put it up today in the back pasture. Put some cut up apples in and around it, hopefully it won't take the deer long to find/get used to it.

huntinsonovagun

08-14-2004, 10:02 PM

Yesterday before I left for Bass Pro, I looked down by my feeder and saw a deer real close to it. Hope it found my feeder and leads its friends to it http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Do not plan on hunting over it though. FYI

JB- I better see more than 2 deer this year or I am quiting hunting http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif naw, I am really looking forward to season this year. Learned a lot last year and hope to bag a wallhanger, I just want to get one big enough to get mounted. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif But I guess I could stay a scrubmaster forever. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Good luck to you too, sir. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

huntinsonovagun

08-16-2004, 09:37 PM

I rigged up my bow to hunt with yesterday and shot a few arrows. My quiver really makes my bow lean, so I may look into getting a new quiver. The one I have is older and is really heavy. Some say to shoot without the quiver, but I like the ease of having arrows right there ALL the time.

Tomorrow I am going to Okbwhtr's to count deer with the spotlights. Always a lot of fun. Hope to see the huge 14 ptr. he has told me about for the past couple years. I would sure love to get a chance at him, since he lives on the public property I hunt (across the road). I will have a report on our findings on Wed. hopefully. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

huntinsonovagun

08-18-2004, 09:14 AM

Don't tell me those used to be your pets!!?!?!? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't know anything about them. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Does Bass Pro have them?

We went spotlighting at Dan's ranch last night and we saw some awesome bucks. 2 that I will have to remember. They crossed the highway, where I hunt, into the pasture on the ranch, I know they had to have, not other cover around. One was a huge basket-rack that had kickers and trash everywhere. My dream buck there. He was with a "smaller" buck that looked like he had an extra main beam. Couldn't get a point-count on either one because they were so big. Absolute monsters. Also saw several other good bucks, including a 140 class 10 pt. at 60 yards. Counted a total of 13 bucks and close to 20 does.

Those bucks I saw were on the west end of the ranch right by the big "construction" sign (or somekind of sign) and I will be looking around there to hunt http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I still haven't seen the monster 14 ptr that the ranch manager and Dan have seen for the past 3-4 years. I would really like to see him. They are having a count again on Sat, so I'll see if I can make it.

huntinsonovagun

08-22-2004, 11:19 PM

Yesterday I went and got the film from my cam. Only 7 pics in 2 1/2 weeks!!! Anyway, I am antsy to get the pics, so I pulled them out. I moved it too. I was walking back home and I stopped to figure out where I was and then I heard a big stick break and what sounds like a horse running through the woods (although not quite that big, still the same effect)

I was only yards from whatever I scared off, so I think it was a deer, probably a buck. It was in some thick vines and stuff and there were a couple trails leading to it. I put my cam on one of those trails. I followed the trails out and found a good open spot with perfect trees for a stand. I think it will be a good early season spot (hopefully)

Anyway, I hope there are some bucks on my cam http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The_Kat

08-29-2004, 05:12 PM

Hey Boy,

Did you get your film back yet????????

huntinsonovagun

08-29-2004, 08:20 PM

Yeah....check photo room http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Only got one deer and it chopped off "his" head. I bet money it was a buck too. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I will try again though. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

huntinsonovagun

09-03-2004, 08:41 PM

One the way home from school this afternoon, I stopped by where I killed last year's 4 ptr. Man, there are some weeds in there that are a little over waist high, and it is not any type of grass....they are like tall stems with little "leaves" all the way up the whole "plant" but they do not branch out or anything. Anyway, I don't know if deer will be using that clearing with all that tall crap in there. I did walk back into the woods and as soon as I got in there, a deer snorted at me. I just don't know if I should hunt there or not. I need to go by there after a good rain and see if there are any tracks.

The_Kat

09-03-2004, 09:16 PM

Is it more like a tall fern type plant Ryan? We are getting overrun with that crap too! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

huntinsonovagun

09-06-2004, 09:04 PM

No Kyle, it is just one tall stem with little leaves (about the size of a squirrel's ear) all over it. I dunno what it is.

I went scouting this morning. I started at the east end and moved west. I started at Scout Mountain and looked down where I killed last year's doe. May be productive later, but I don't feel real confident about it right now. Did see a little flat that was about 1/2 an acre that I could just see a buck chasing a doe around though. I will keep this whole area in mind. I may move a stand there in time.

I worked my was west and found one tree with a decent amount of acorns. It is on a little road thingy (no gravel....just clear of trees, etc) I will also keep this in mind. On my way out, I caught a glimpse of a bare tree....I think the deer are starting to rub. I "investigated" and this little sapling just got harassed. There were little limbs with leaves on them at the base of this sapling and they were just starting to wilt, so I think this rubbing occured just a day or 2 ago. I may hang a stand in this area because they may go through this area in the evenings on their way to 3 Forks Ranch. (note to self)--Rub was nearly straight back a couple hundred yards in a little clearing straight back from the "right arrow curve" sign.

I then went to the area that curves back west, where I saw some deer on my way to do a count at the ranch. I walked back in, at the curve, and there is a big field just on the other side of the treeline from the highway. There were some old tracks (it rained last night) and some crap, so I think this may be a spot to catch them late in the evening. I should probably find a place to sit on this field and observe where they are coming from. Will most likely be an early-season spot only.

I then went down to where my buddy Scott hunts....not to take his spot, just to see what is there since I have never been down there. This is by the green gate. I followed another little "road" all the way back into the bottoms (saw a doe and a fawn just around the 1st or 2nd curve by a dead tree aroung 9:00-9:15am) and I walked all the way back and just passed some pump station, I saw a big field and I went to check it out. I caught movement and there was a doe. She starts walking right to me and at 40 yards, she veers off and I whistle and grunt at her, but she never comes closer or never runs off....just walks away. I go ahead and walk into the field and I see 4 turkeys out there. One had a colorful head, but I couldn't see a beard. I will keep this in mind, since I can kill one with a bow legally.

After looking around there a while, I decide to follow the "road" farther. I found some orange tape, and later find out that it was Scott's, so I was indeed close to his area. I then saw a doe and a fawn cross the road farther in front of me....they never saw me either.

Now, for the bad news. I went to get my scouting camera, and well, someone stole it http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Man I am ticked. Poor college student, trying to pay for a car, school, and have a little fun occasionally, and someone comes and steals my cam like it's nothing. I just don't know how they found it!!! It was hidden good, and it only happened withing the last 2 weeks!! I was mad, so I went and talked to the neighbors. They said they had been down there, but didn't see it. I talked to the other neighbors, they said the same thing, but they told me about a guy that drives a white Toyota and steals stuff all the time. I know who they are talking about, so I went and talked to him. This guy, I already knew, is a compulsive liar. He told me about this rattlesnake he killed with 27 buttons....bull crap. Then today, he said he doesn't know what a 'trail camera' is. He said he doesn't go down there because there are 18' anacondas. Holy crap!! You think I buy that??? Anacondas in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma!!!!! He said he would go down there and look for it though and let my parents know if he found anything. I know it is gone for good, but man, people have no respect these days. I will not be getting another trail cam though http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I guess that is all of today's "adventures" http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

huntinsonovagun

09-19-2004, 07:55 PM

Went out on Sat. morning with Scott to do some scouting on the Bowhunting Only area. We looked where he hunted last year and tried to find a spot for me. The deer are so hard to hunt around here because they can literally be anywhere!!

We walked South of his stand (up the hill) and found a small flat that was kinda open. No sign on it, but Scott hunts areas only by what the "look" like and he thinks it would be a good spot. I have to have cold hard sign. I will keep it in mind, but I am just not sure.

I did hang a stand in the tree I killed last year's fork-horn, but I don't know if the deer will be using that little clearing, it is so grown-up this year with those weeds I explained earlier. I was thinking about getting one of those "weed-wacker" thingys, the one on the pole you swing back and forth to cut weeds, but I haven't yet. I may do it this week, I dunno.

Steve, my Sunday School teacher, is a big-time bowhunter and he now hunts private land, but he told me to get hold of him this week and he will show me a tree that is in a natural funnel, where he and his buddy used to kill deer on opening day every year. I may take him up on that. I would like to see what a funnel in thick woods looks like, that way I can keep my eye open for a similar spot in other areas. I guess that is all for now, less than 2 weeks now.............

huntinsonovagun

09-21-2004, 07:00 PM

I went home yesterday, to get my tennishoes http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif and to hang a stand. Well, a family friend came over and told me that he has deer in his yard every night and he said he has seen a 12 ptr!!!! I am going straight from school to this guys house on Friday, so I can sit on his porch and see where these deer are coming from, so maybe I can hang a stand and smoke this dude!!

This guy told me to put some corn under my stand, but I am not one to hunt over bait. Now, I would hunt over a food plot, just not over bait. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Don't ask why, cause I don't know.lol

Hopefully I can at least stick an 8 ptr......that is all I want http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif This guys lives in the middle of town, but anymore, these are some of the best places to hunt. Hope something connects......like my arrow......

huntinsonovagun

09-26-2004, 10:17 PM

I went to see the "12 ptr" but I didn't see a single deer. This was on Friday.

Saturday, I got my broadheads flying like field points http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I can't miss a deer............

Today, I went and hung one more stand by the trail where I killed my '03 doe. I also heard what sounded like a bunch of deer running off behind where I hung this stand (probably around 5:00 pm). I think there is a bedding area down there, because I also jumped up a few deer last year when I was blood trailing that doe. Hopefully this stand will produce. I also made a mock scrape with my pee and some of last year's EXCITE. When I was hanging the stand, I heard what sounded like a deer grunting, but there is no way to tell for sure. I think this will be a good "morning" stand, and possibly an evening stand http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I am excited and can't wait for Friday!!!!!!!!!!

huntinsonovagun

09-30-2004, 12:57 PM

Yesterday, I met Jeramie at Love's in Choteau and he took me around to show me public land.....man, talk about a crap-load!!! I definately want to remember the Choteau Hills area, behind the Marvins.

We also went by the GRDA plant and there were a couple does that crossed the road at 5:30 in the evening!!!! Looked fat too! I need to bring a couple stands and get them hung.

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for since January 16th. I plan on hunting the same stand I hunted opening day last year. Hope I at least see something................

I decided I will shoot a doe if that is the first thing I see and then sit until dark, hoping a buck might come by. I can always trail a deer at night..........

MCH

09-30-2004, 01:09 PM

Good luck bud. As long as you can pretend the deer are just 3-D targets, you should be A-OK... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Look forward to reading about your harvest(s).

Jeramie

09-30-2004, 01:16 PM

Good luck this weekend Ryan!

One word of advice. Im not sure how many people travel those woods on a daily basis. I would seriously think about a climber. Honestly if you cammo up the stand you probably wont have problems with leaving one/ some out there but on public land you may be taking a chance..... Just my $.02

huntinsonovagun

09-30-2004, 01:26 PM

Yeah, I just saw the post about using zip ties.....I am gonna get some for all my stands. Good idea!! I definately need to buy a climber. Thanks guys....good luck yourselves!!!!

huntinsonovagun

10-01-2004, 10:30 PM

Went hunting tonight....didn't see any deer. I had to hunt a different stand then I had planned due to wind. Was still cool thinking about where I was and exactly what time I drew my first blood an exact year ago. Saw a ton of squirrels, an armadillo (sp??), and then something that I thought, at first, was 2 skunks, but it was just one something http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif It looked like it was about 3 feet long, had a little white on its head and a little white on its tail, the rest was solid black. I dunno what the heck that thing was!!!

I stopped at Scott's truck and waited for him to come out of the woods. He said someone hung a stand within 20 yards of his within the past 2 days!!! He also said 30 minutes before it was dark, he heard what he thought was that guy going to his stand, but the heard grunts!!!! He said it sounded like it was making a rub and grunting, but he never did see it. He grunted at "it" but it never came in.

I don't think today was a real good day.....real windy and kinda stormy. I will be out tomorrow early in the stand near where I shot my '03 doe. Hope something happens!! Good to be back in a tree again................

huntinsonovagun

10-02-2004, 12:27 PM

I don't have an alarm clock in my room at home, so I set a cell phone for 4:30, but it didn't go off!!!! I woke up on my own at 6:40 and hurried!! I was so mad the whole time driving http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I got on my way to the stand and spooked a couple doe in a field by the road!! I instantly dropped and grunted. I happened to be upwind of them. I used my "Can" call and they calmed down a little. I tried crawling and they would looke up. They were about 45 yards away and there were trees and tall grass. I had to sit on my knees for a while because I couldn't get back down without getting seen. When they finally dropped their heads back down, I tried crawling and then I hear a snort directly to my left, and close!!!! Turns out my calling made a little buck curious and he finally knew I wasn't a deer once he got close enough!! This was shortly after 7:00, so I am wondering how long would they have been there had I not spooked them!!!

I got in my stand and saw a 'coon and then I grunted and then I heard something back to my right and saw something through the trees!!!! Heart is pounding, and turns out to be a cow http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I am sitting on stand and grunting quite a bit. I hear something walking up to my left, I look, it is another "bowhunter". He looks around, and finally sees me. He asks if I saw a buck run through, I tell him no. Turns out he shot one in the shoulder. He shows me his arrows and the tip of his friggin' broadhead is bent as well as the arrow!!!! He told me it was walking towards him and would be right under him if he didn't shoot, so I take it he took a "quartering towards" shot http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif What an idiot!!!!!!!

I moved this stand, 1 because I don't think it was in the best spot, 2 this guy knows where it is now, 3 I know where a couple does and a young buck are feeding around 7 am. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I will be at it again tonight and again in the morning. Mom is getting an alarm clock today for me too. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Oh yeah, I called Scott and asked if he got anything.....he shot a doe!!!! He said he passed up a small 6 pt and shot a doe!!! I was so proud because I was the one who got him thinking and passing up young bucks and harvesting does!!!!!! He said those mechanical NAP Spitfires made a huge hole!!!!!

Pretty productive day, in a way.....hey, at least I saw some deer!!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

huntinsonovagun

10-02-2004, 09:55 PM

Hunted the stand where I killed my '03 buck....didn't see crap!!!!

I will hunt the stand I hung today where I spooked the does and the little buck. Hope they were feeding on acorns or something and will be back in the morning!! they should be there early or not at all. I plan on getting out around 8:00 because it is so close to the road. They don't have a reason to be around there any later than that. I will probably take that stand down too, and take it to school with me so I can hang it around there somewhere and so someone doesn't find it where it is now.

Went to Scott's after I hunted and had some smoked doe!!!! Man it was awesome!!! Had baked potatoes with cheese, deer meat that you could eat with plastic forks actually, in the outdoors.....man it tasted great!! Really makes me want to get one now. His weighed 85 lbs. dressed.....not too shabby for a doe around here.

Anyway, wish me luck in the morning!!!

huntinsonovagun

10-05-2004, 10:23 AM

Internet has been down http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

On Sunday, Oct. 3, I hunted in the morning where I hung the new stand....didn't see anything. I pulled it again. I plan on hunting some new public land tonight, but I have not even scouted, so I will scout and hunt it today. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Hope I see some deer at least......

huntinsonovagun

10-05-2004, 09:27 PM

Went tonight to a place Jeramie showed me in Choteau hills.....I swear, I can see literally every kind of animal BUT a deer!!!! Tonight, saw turkeys and wood ducks!!!! Amazing!! I would have shot one of the turkeys, but they never offered a shot. I "scouted" and hung a stand by a creek, I think it may be Choteau Creek (I will check later) at a spot where there were tracks where they cross. Real good looking area. Around 7:00, (I call this "Happy Hour" because I have killed all of my deer around 7:00 (am & pm!!!) +/- 1 hr) I heard a deer snort behind me. Guess it caught wind of me or something http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif There was no wind then, so it must have just caught a whiff of me. I grunted and used my "CAN" and then I hear branches and stuff breaking, at which point I begin thinking "this is a big buck and I just ticked him off!!!" Well, it never came in, so I thought it ran off. It was about too dark to shoot, so I shot a field point-tipped arrow at a leaf, as I have started doing, to "keep in shape" and as soon as I release, I hear it snort again! A little closer, but still not in sight. I pulled my stand, but I do think this area may be productive if I go a little further in there. I had an awesome evening, got to see some pretty ducks, and also some turkeys, which got my heart beating faster, and also I got a little closer to a deer I guess http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif and I got a shot of adreneline when I heard those branches breaking!!!! Had a little twitch in my knee for a few minutes!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Can't complain about hunts like that, very relaxing and just plain fun!!

The_Kat

10-06-2004, 10:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
There was no wind then, so it must have just caught a whiff of me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome to the wonderful world of warm rising thermals of the early season!!! They'll getcha from time to time! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

huntinsonovagun

10-10-2004, 09:47 PM

Well, Friday Oct. 8, I drove home and hung a stand way down in the bottoms across from the ranch. I saw a couple good looking funnels on an aerial map and thought those would be the best places. I got down there and it was SO thick down there!!! I just hung it in a halfway-open area, and I find out that is only like 80 yards off the main trail used to get down in the bottoms. Anyway, I didn't want to pull the stand again, so I went back up and hunted the stand where I killed the '03 buck for about an hour and a half (yeah, I got there late, but tried anyway) and of course did not see anything!!

Sat. Oct 9, Scott and I walked to the bottoms and I hunted the stand I hung the night before. Didn't see crap. Scott said he rattled in like a spike or something to 60 yards out. Man, he gets on the deer!!!

Later in the afternoon, I decided to go behind my house between the slough and the river. Tracks everywhere in the mud, so I try to hang a stand, but everything is going wrong, can't get the stupid thing hung, I am sweating like a mo-fo, tired, and I just threw my stand down and walked out. I did bust a bedded deer in a little field where I have seen deer before. I think this might have been a buck!!! It let me get close, it was by itself, and there was a rub nearby!! I looked around for some decent trees, but there weren't any. When I think it can't get worse, it starts raining.....I just head to the house. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Well, I thought that was the worst of it.....I wake up this morning covered in poison ivy all over my face and on my wrists.

Man, haven't seen a deer on stand all year....which is not all out of the norm, but it sure gets frustrating!!! I can't figure deer out at all!!!! People say you can't ever figure them out, but I don't even see does!!!! I don't know what to do different!!!!! I am moving stands like crazy, but I do not have any confidence in my spots! I feel like giving up, but I can't. I am born to be a hunter, but man I feel really stupid because I haven't even see a freaking doe this year. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Ok, I am done venting now...........

The_Kat

10-10-2004, 10:34 PM

find a spot and stick with it more than 2 or 3 times. I have hunted the same stand for 5 and 6 days morning and evening without a deer, and then I'd go 4 days straight to where I have seen 10+ deer a hunt. Musical chairs may not be the key in your area. Good luck.

huntinsonovagun

10-17-2004, 07:33 PM

I have not been hunting in over a week now. Had poison ivy last week and a lot of homework. It is getting cool here, so I think the deer will be moving more now.

Scott went to Honobia and hunted this weekend. Saw a couple good bucks, but no shots. Said one was chasing a doe.

I bought some Code Blue tonight, so it is going with me next time. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I need to spend some time in the woods!!

huntinsonovagun

10-24-2004, 08:12 PM

Well, we had Fall Break this past week. I ended up buying a new CD player for my truck and installing it on Thursday. Friday morning, I went out early behind the house with some Code Blue and hung a stand on the small field where I saw a doe and fawn in late summer scouting. Mosquitoes killed me!!! I only "hunted" for an hour and headed back. It was HOT too!! This weather is killing me! I later ended up with poison ivy again, same places on my face. Think it was on my face mask.

Friday, I was going to go in the morning, but decided not too because I wanted the poison ivy to heal up.

Sat. morning.....not sure what I did, but I didn't go hunting for some reason. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Maybe because of the poison ivy still???

On Sat. evening, I went to the stand where I killed my '03 buck. Nothing again. I may be pulling that stand soon. On the way home, I see 2 does on the side of the road, right where I almost placed a stand before season!!! Right next to the roadsign mentioned earlier, close to where I found the first rub. I am thinking of hunting this area next weekend some evening.

Sunday morning, I am going to the stand behind the house I hung on Fri.....I jumped something up, sounded big, but did not snort. I suspect it was a deer. I got to stand and sat until 9:00 without seeing anything, but I did rattle, use the CAN, and grunt, to no avail. Heard a few gunshots though. Seemed like a good morning, cool, foggy, no wind. Would have stayed longer, but went to church. I pulled that stand, so I could bring it to school with me, and I think someone might find it and steal it there.

Scott went to Honobia this week and saw an 8 ptr and a bear!!!! He went with 5 of his relatives and they all passed on small deer chasing does. He said the have never passed on deer like that before. I convinced him to pass small deer, and now it looks like he is convincing them!!!!!!!!!!

He also said his uncle SAID he passed on a 12-13 ptr. chasing a doe. I said I doubt that, but Scott said if I had seen the deer his uncle has on the wall, I would believe it......so I really don't know. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif There are definately some good deer down there though..........

Will see how goes this week....hopefully I will see a deer!!! Have not seen one on stand yet!

huntinsonovagun

10-31-2004, 08:11 PM

Ok, Friday, Oct. 29, I went left school and headed for the place where I saw the 2 "does" at the sign across from the ranch the week before. I went in, scouted around in that area. Found some rubs and finally what I though might be a good tree. I never thought I would see any deer because I was in there scouting for quite a while (sweating with this 80 degree weather) and then hanging a stand, which really "warmed me up." Finally got settled at 4:00pm. At 4:30, I hear some leaves rustle behind me, I know it is not a squirrel, too loud. I grunt and use my "CAN" (the call by Primos...not my butt http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) and I still couldn't see anything behind me. Then after a while I hear it below me to my right, so I look back there and there is a deer beside my tree!! Turns out to be a button buck....no shooting this guy....

He feeds around and starts wandering off, downwind of me (winds had to be 10-15 mph that day....another reason I didn't think I would see anything) and I was afraid he would bust me, but he never did. He is finally gone after 20-30 minutes, but then he is coming back. This time there is another deer with him!! I stand up thinking it is momma, but it turns out to be another button buck. Darn!! They come in and feed in front of me for another 1 hr and 45 min.!!!! Longest I have EVER had deer in front of me!!! They then bed down and I think this is the coolest!!! After a while they get up and start walking and feeding closer to me. One comes right below my stand almost and I pour some vanilla in the lid and pour it on this deer.....LOL sucker jumped!! Then he smelled it and licked it. He then came right below me. I was literally looking through the platform of my stand at him!!!! Very cool!!!! I have had deer close before, but not this close!!!!!

They finally leave around 6:15 and then I see another deer coming in to my right in front of me. I check 2 or 3 times to make sure it was not one of the buttons. It is a doe. She is coming into a shooting lane, I figure is right at 30 yards. I draw when her head is behind a tree, pick a spot and aim, I did not rush the shot (I was proud of myself) and I fired!! Instantly I hear the sound of what sounds to be my arrow hitting a stick. She ducks and I think I see the arrow hit her high and somewhere behind the last rib. I watched her run, then she started walking, I though she was going to fall over, but she put her head down and walked off. I try to see where I hit her through my binos, but I am shaking so bad, but never saw anything. I saw my arrow 30 yards out, fletchings still white as snow and the fletching is kicked off to the left of the front of the arrow. I am wondering what happened because I made sure to pick a spot.

I then think I just missed her, thinking my arrow ended up going over her back, so I nock another arrow and continue hunting. I see another deer off to my left (wasn't sure if this is the one I shot at or not at the time) so I use my "CAN" call, to no avail, but I see 2 deer in front running looking for me. I keep calling them, turns out to be the button bucks again....they came running!!!

I then got down, just to make sure I didn't hit the deer, but there is hair and some "meat" on my arrow, no blood!!! I smell it to see if it was a gut shot, no smell, no blood at the scene. I then go get my flashlight from the truck to see if I can find her trail. After searching a LONG time of where I thought she went, I found some dark, watery-looking blood. I keep searching and find a spec of bright blood and every so often I would find a little more. Really tough to follow. Then, the unthinkable.....RAIN!!!! NO!!!! I am trying to search fantically, follow it a few more yards and then can't find any. I decide to head out, due to lightning and can't find any more blood. I feel like crap. That shot was going through my head all night. I kept wondering what happened, then I remembered the sound of the "stick." There was a limb nearby, but I though I could clear it, I think my fishtailing arrow slapped it, causing it to go to the left, making the arrow enter her farther back and also expaining the cockeyed arrow in the ground.

Anyway, I go back in the morning (jumping up another deer in the same area I was hunting!!) and do a body search, but come up with nothing. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I just lost my first deer. The whole equation was just wrong. Bad shot (or unlucky http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif), dark, and then rain.

I never heard any crows or saw any buzzards, so I hope she is still alive. Everyone says all bowhunters will lose a deer, but I never thought I would. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif This shot is carved in my memory forever, I would just feel better if I knew she was still alive.

On Saturday evening, I jumped a deer walking in to the same stand, never saw anything, and then picking up my scent bombs on the way out, I scared something that I would have swore was a buck, just because of its size and actions, but there is no way of knowing. He was infront of my stand. Then driving home, I saw a spike crossing the road in front of me.

The deer are really going after the acorns right now. Wish I lived closer to home, because this is the ONE TIME I know what the deer are doing and a pretty good idea of where they are. Such is life. Looking forward to deer camp next week. My hair is getting shaggy, because I made a deal with myself, no haircut until I get a deer. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I still feel like crap about wounding that other one though........

huntinsonovagun

11-08-2004, 03:38 PM

Well, the Oklahoma Deer Camp was this past Friday-Sunday.

I skipped 3 classes so Scott and I could get a good start down there, hoping to get there in time to scout a little. At my house, Scott sees a flat on the trailer....We changed it and then got a new tire put on the spare, in case we did need it. That burned up some expensive time.

After that, everything went OK, until we get in McCurtain County. We top a hill and Scott is going 78 mph in a 65.....sheriff going up the hill turns around and gets us. Scott gets out, shakes his hand, and SOMEHOW gets out of the ticket!!! Not even a written warning!! He said he'll usually ticket for 10 over, but he said he would let Scott go for 12 over (any rocket scientest knows 78-65 is 13 though.....we got a laugh out of that!!!)

We finally got to camp around 6pm or so and sat around camp talking and having a good time. We got up at 5 the next morning, Scott and I didn't leave until well after daylight to scout. Found a couple spots to hunt on Saturday and headed back for lunch.

We went hunting that evening, I felt good about my spot, but never saw anything. I would have left the stand there for a morning hunt, but every move I made the tree rocked violently!! I didn't know what I was going to do in the morning.

It was well after shooting light when I got back to the 4-wheeler, and Scott was not there yet. I waited...and waited. Finally, I decided to check on him because he had a couple (or 5) http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif beers before and I knew he wasn't "on his toes." I thought he might have fallen out of his stand or passed out in there. Anyway, I got down there and I saw a light shine at me. I whistled at "him" and never heard anything back, so I called his name. Finally got a whistle. By then, I didn't know what the heck was going on....I thought he might be tracking a deer.

I went ahead and walked down there and start talking to him....apparently there were 2 monsters under him and he didn't wan to spook them. He said one was in the woods behind me and then I hear it walking!!! Not more than 20 yards away!!

He finally came down and we went back to camp and had an AWESOME supper!! Backstraps, deer chili, baked potatoes.....man it was good!! Griz can cook now!!!!

Sunday morning, I am feeling a little down, didn't know exactly what I was going to do, but as I was getting ready, Griz told me that Roadkill10 wasn't feeling well and I could hunt his stand since they knew deer were going through there. We get the truck parked and I realize I forgot my pack....oh well....only my "CAN", watch and part of my safety belt are in there.

I climb up Mike's new Gorilla ladder stand (which is EXTREMELY comfortable) and get ready. I rigged up my safety belt so it would still keep me in the tree, just not like it was made to be used.

I am sitting there, enjoying the scenery, when I hear something to my right....it's a deer!! I hadn't been on stand for 30 min. yet!! I notice the thick neck and knew it was a good buck! I stood while I had some decent cover. He began walking across the "road" I was sitting on and going into the other side of the woods. I almost grunted at him, but decided not to, there might be a chance he is coming my way. As luck would have it, he did turn and walk across right in front of me at about 18 yards....I am shaking about now!! I drew my bow as he was browsing on some plants and hold for a few seconds. He finally walks farther....I can't believe it, I am going to get a shot!! I get him in my pin, think about stopping him or shooting him on the walk....I voice grunt, he looks my way, I release!! He drops like a rock, I spined him. I the excitement, I didn't hold my pin low and pick a good spot, once again http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif He is still kicking, I get another arrow and shoot again....I miss!! Just hurried too much I guess...... I grab another as he is crawling away, I hit him this time, but it was bad. This had to happen sometime around 7am.

I got out of the stand quickly and was going to get closer for another shot (he was getting into some thick stuff) but he crawled more when I got closer. I wasn't going to jump on him because I have heard of too many guys getting tore up like that.lol I decided to back off and let him die, even though I hate seeing him suffer. I was still shaking!! I didn't know what to do know, I sat by the stand, then climbed back up to try and see where he went. I took a few pics of the beautiful country from the stand and waited about 20 minutes (remember....I forgot my watch http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) I then got to thinking when I could think....I looked in my quiver, the 3rd shot I took that I hit him with was with my stupid practice arrow!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I was so mad at myself. I will not carry a practice arrow any more. At least it was behind the spine shot, so he couldn't feel it, but I was still mad at what I had done.

Finally I got down and went to him, going slow to make sure he was dead. He is and 8 pt....my biggest bowkill yet!!! (Or gun for that matter....not much of a gun hunter....) He got bigger and bigger! I took some pics of him and then drug him up the hill he crawled down. A few minuted later, here come Griz, he asked if I got one, then he saw it! We high-fived and then he took some pics of me with the deer.

We got it to the road and gutted and loaded him up. Mike took me to the check station and he dressed 122lbs. Everyone in camp was so happy for me, which was awesome. I felt bad for Roadkill, since he would have gotten that deer, had he been feeling better, but he was an awesome sport and was also happy for me!

This deer is going on the was for sure.

Special thanks to McCurtainCountyhunter for letting us hunt on his family's area, to Griz and Roadkill10 for putting that stand in a good spot and letting me hunt it, and also for helping drag, cape, and quarter my deer.

The trip home was not so great.....long trip anyway pulling a trailer. A couple hours from home, Scott had to slam on him brakes and the ice chest with my meat and rack fly out of the trailer onto the road. I couldn't see it, but when Scott started yelling profanities, I knew something wasn't right. I run over to the chest and everything looked OK, but there were only a couple scratches on the rack that are not noticible....at least it didn't break!! We weren't sure how it came off, but we strapped it down good after that!! Anyway, we finally made it home safe, and had a great time this weekend...even though I didn't wake up in time this morning for my first class http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

huntinsonovagun

11-09-2004, 07:42 PM

The bucks are definatly on the move!! Dan killed an 8 ptr the same day I got mine. (Nov. 7)

Scott called today (Nov.9) and said he missed a good one!! Said it was chasing a doe and he stopped it at what he thought was 35 yards....he checked and it turned out to be 45 yards. I am hoping to get in a tree this weekend. It is gonna be tough making myself do it now that I have gotten a deer, but I would still like to get a couple does for the freezer, and I would shoot another nice buck if I happened to be that lucky!

huntinsonovagun

11-14-2004, 09:28 PM

Went to the stand where I had the button bucks on me and got a doe!!!

Was in stand before light on Sat. Nov. 13, little before 7am, saw 2 deer coming my way, I stood up, lost sight of them and before I knew it they were ~10 yards away and the doe looked at me, but didn't spook. I was afraid to draw then because I figured she would spot me for sure!! Looked like a momma doe with a yearling doe. Could have shot the "yearling," but she just looked small. I tried calling them back with the "CAN" but they wouldn't come back. Then, here comes another deer! It's a spike, he noses the does and they run off, the spike is now feeding behind me.

I am watching him for a while, he then comes up offering me a shot, but I passed on him. He had a real dark face, so I will look for him next year http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Took a picture of him, not sure how good it will turn out, but he ran after that!!! Must have been camera shy.

Anyway, before I took the pic of that spike, I turned around and saw some deer in fron of me about 45 yards!! They walked in while I was turned around. I looked at them, it was the 2 button bucks and looked like Mom was with them this time!!

I just let them work their way towards me, but the doe was keeping in the thick stuff to my left. She then works her way to 3-4 yards to the left of my tree, I have a shot, but don't want to take a shot at that angle, especially with a bow. She smells something she doesn't like and runs back where the buttons are 20 yards out. I knew where she would come out is right at 20 yards, so I moved my pin (I am shooting a single, moveable sight) and got ready. I drew as she had her head covered, she feeds a little longer, finally steps out, as she does, she turns directly away from me. I wanted her to turn towards me so I whistle, she looks over her shoulder at me, I grunt, she then picks me out I think (probably because I am shaking from having the bow back so long) Finally, she steps so I have a HARD quartering away shot. I took it and she ran off with all the other deer.

I was expecting to see her go down, but I didn't I finally calmed down a little and saw my arrow coverd in blood, 22 yards away!! After a couple minutes, I remembered to look at my watch. 7:10am

I wait for a while, then here comes one of the button bucks, he looks around then walks off, then here comes the second one, I got his picture BTW, and he walks around, then sniffs the arrow! I felt bad about that. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif After he left, I finaly got to get down after ~40 minutes after the shot. I look and look for blood, but there is none!!! I went to the place I last saw her, no blood. I am used to no blood for the first 20 yards or so, but there was NO blood!! I am worried at this point. My arrow didn't have any stomach matter in it or stink, it was covered in blood though.

I went back to the last place I saw her and smelled something that reminded me of deer, but thought it was just the cow crap not far from me. I backtracked, looking for blood, and then came back....I smelled it again. I then figured it had to be a dead deer I was smelling. I walked a little father and there was the white belly sticking up!!! YES!!!!

My arrow entered her right where I was aiming, just in front of the rear right leg and exited out her left shoulder!!! I smoked her bacon!!!!! Hit her perfect, for a quartering-away shot.

She weighed 98 lbs. on the hoof. (didn't gut her because it was such a short drag....but I should have. The processor is charging me $10 to gut it!!!!!!)

This makes 2 kills in 2 hunts!!! I was feelin' good! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I went this morning, Sunday, Nov. 14, and got there before light again, spooking one on the way in. The squirrels were everywhere this morning!! It was unbelievable. I did see a bobtail squirrel, and thought about shooting him, but I didn't. It was funny watching him hop through the woods....most squirrels look graceful hoppin through the woods, not this guy, he looked like a broken teeter-totter. It was pretty funny looking.

I did see the button bucks again, probably 70 yards away. I really didn't want to kill anything today, just take it easy and enjoy the woods. One was rubbing on an already established rub....hope to see him in a couple years. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I had a slow start this year, but just in the last few weeks I have seen more deer than ever!! Really getting excited.

Next week is gun season. I probably won't gun hunt, but maybe go to the bow-only to see if I can get one seeking a refuge. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Might take my bro out to see if I can get him a deer w/ a gun behind the house. I did know where a deer was bedding (I think it was a good buck, by looking at the rubs), but I am not sure I we can get him. Guess it's worth a shot (pun wasn't really intended. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) Until next time...............

huntinsonovagun

11-21-2004, 07:27 PM

Well....ready for another long one......... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

On Friday, Nov. 19, I skipped class early and headed home for a little hunting. At 10:45am, I had a buck cross the road in front of me!! I see several more dead deer along the hwy. Deer must really be moving!! I get home and head out to hunt at 1:30. Around 1:50, I am walking in to my stand very quietly and slowly, so I wouldn't spook anyting....well, I hear something jump up and then I see it was a buck!! A decent one, from what I could tell. I grunted, and he stopped, but I never got a real good look at him. From what I could tell, he was a giant fork on one side, so I am guessing he is a 7 ptr, and maybe the one the hunter told me he shot in the shoulder on Oct. 2 http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Anyway, get in the stand and ready for him to come back for a shot. Well, nothing shows, except the 2 button bucks again. Then it starts raining, but I can't get down because of the deer under me. The rain doesn't bother me, I just don't want to try trailing a deer in the rain....blood and rain don't mix. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I climb down after they leave and get ready for Sat. morning.

Sat. Nov. 20, Opening day rifle, and I have the bow....I know I am in a good spot, seeing does, and with all the bucks I saw the day before, I know they are chasing the does. Around 7:40 or so, I hear something behind me....I can tell it is deer. I turn around and see a couple does (3 http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) and then a NICE buck!! I thought he was the size of my 8, but the more I looked, the bigger he got, then here comes another!! This is a nice basket rack, either deer would make the wall!! The basket rack reminded me of the "nontypical" we spotlighted back in the summer, but I am not sure. I didn't look at him real well once I saw that the 9 point was the dominant buck of the 2 (he had 5 on his right side and 4 on the left). The does lead them away from me and I never got a chance for a shot. That 9 ptr was not stupid, he knew I was there and something was not right, but he could not figure it out. He never spooked, but he knew I was there for sure! Not sure if it was my blaze orange hat (due to it being rifle season) or what. He is the first deer that has spotted me out of that tree. He then went 80 yards or so and I could see he was making a rub, but I never found it when I got down. I hunted for 5 hours that day!!

Saw the dark spike again and figured out why he looked different....he has no facial markings!! I would love to see him in a year or 2, would make a great trophy. I then saw another spike that had one side busted off. Got his picture as well.

After all this, I got down at 10:45 and looked around the area to see why the deer are using this area. Looks to be some type of a funnel, but I don't know how I never found it before. The deer definatly use it every day!! I am thinking about hanging another stand north of mine, so I can see what they are doing up that direction. I would only be 100 yards from where my stand is, but it is thick once you get 25 feet up. Also found a little scrape around this area. Not very big, but it is a scrape no doubt. Looking forward to the week off to get a little bowhunting in and hopefully tag another good one.

Oh yeah.....this just so happened to be the 5 year anniversery of the kill of my first deer ever!!! That would have been awesome to tag one of the monsters on the anniversary, but hey, I had a great hunt either way!!

Sunday Nov. 21 Could not sleep (I wonder why?? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) and I got up and showered and ready to hunt, walk outside and it is raining!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Not afraid to hunt in the rain, and would have if I had been rifle hunting, but I do not want to try trailing a deer in the rain. I'll let the area rest anyway. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Hope to have pics of a giant by this time next week!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am having a great season now!!

huntinsonovagun

11-28-2004, 05:32 PM

I am back.....I bowhunted this week (gunseason)

Monday....didn't hunt due to school.

Tuesday, Nov. 23-
Hunted that same stand again and saw the 7 ptr. I jumped up on friday!!!! It was the one the guy wounded on Oct. 2, he had a limp. His shoulder was all busted up on the left. He was a pretty weak 3 on the left and a STRONG 4 on his right. He will be a crappy buck next year because of the wound, it will mess up his good side. He fed for 2 hours, but never gave me a shot. He got within 40 yards, but no shot!!! I grunted and everything! I moved that stand to where he was feeding, and where the other big bucks walked through. This is only 60 yards from where I was hunting.

Wed. Nov. 24-
Was raining or something....didn't hunt.

Thurs. Nov. 25, Thanksgiving-
Had both spikes come through the new stand, and maybe a doe http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif, and then a NEW buck! A busted fork-horn. He fed 12 yards from me for over an hour. cool. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif No shooters..........

Friday......really windy, got out to my spot, waited in the truck to see if the wind would die, then drove home. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Sat. Nov. 27-
Same story, really windy, but having to go back to school soon, I stuck it out, didn't see a thing. Scott called and told me he shot a MONSTER 18 ptr. in Alva!!! (I went and saw it today....what a monster!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) I took a ton of pics of it. He shot it at 330 yards!!! Anyway, I got excited and went hunting, saw a doe, but too far for a shot.

Sun. Nov. 28-
It was cold and still, jumped 2 deer up walking in, but they never snorted or ran a long way so I thought I was good....ended up not seeing any deer. I did get the crap scared out of me at 6:24am though.....some HUGE bird tried to eat me!!! I felt a "hand" grab my shoulder and I'd have like to crap all over myself!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Must have seen my beanie and thought it was a meal, I moved my head at the right second I guess. I never heard it, just saw it fly on in front of me. WOW!! Also saw the bobtail squirrel again, and also a black squirrel I saw on Thanksgiving. Guess that's all for now.....hope to get another deer or 2.......I think the rut is slowing down........ http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

MCH

11-29-2004, 08:49 AM

Tell Scott I asked what kind of spotlight did he use.... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, hurry up and get those pics on here. I'd like to see them.

Also tell him that his head will have shrink a little bit before he can come camping with us again.... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

huntinsonovagun

11-29-2004, 12:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Also tell him that his head will have shrink a little bit before he can come camping with us again.... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You ain't kiddin' about that!!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I am wondering if it has gone to his head a little. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Seriously though, 2 okie deer over 140 in 2 years?!?!?! I think this 18 will gross 180+ http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Probably will never beat it, but heck, it is a cool looking deer......

MCH

11-29-2004, 12:50 PM

A guy from Eagletown harvested one the other day that green scored 182 and some change.

Are the deer getting bigger or the hunters getting luckier??? For Scott, I'm guessing a little of both... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

huntinsonovagun

12-05-2004, 07:08 PM

Went hunting Sat. morning Dec. 4. Saw the 2 button bucks and they had a yearling doe feeding with them. They look to be getting bigger!! One actually looks like his "rack" is getting bigger than since the last time I saw him!! Anyway, something spooked and they ran off. Not 20 minutes later I hear a dog barking, then come a couple deer running in front of me and here come the dogs. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Oh, I was hot! I was whistling, making squeaking noises, anything to stop them for a shot. One had a collar, but I might have shot. 515 acres of public bowhunting land should not have any dogs on it. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

After that, I shot at a squirrel. I judged him at 22 yards, he must have been 21 1/2 because I barely missed him!!! I swear his life had to flash before his eyes though!lol

I pulled that stand....wasn't getting enough shot opportunities. Was just going to move it 30-40 yards, but ended moving it to a TOTALLY different area. This is along a ridge (below it) and there was some fresh poop and some old rubs. There is a creek about 60 yards below the ridge, so I am thinking the deer will funnel through this area. I sure hope so!!

Sunday- Supposed to be rain, I got up anyway, just in case. Opened the window, no rain...I am good to go hunting! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Shower, get dressed, walk into the garage....it is now pouring!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Back to bed I went...... http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Hopefully next week!!