Need2hunt's 2004-05 Journal

[need2hunt]

Should be an interesting year... probably be the last year at my normal hunting spot as the land owner has passed away... still have permission to hunt it until the family decides what will happen to the property... will be hunting a new piece of property around Macomb, IL that looks pretty promising... will be hunting in greene county with Tominator, Ohiobucks and LLBUX... and then will be heading to Johnson county for shotgun season and possibly a little bow hunting...all in all it's going to be a busy season

[need2hunt]

Started off the season sitting in the buddy stand... this guy came out at 7:30... right after I set my bow down LOL... I got the video camera out and taped him munching on some leaves and he had a friend join him... I figured I'ld let her walk seeing as how I was videoing at the time... she got a little jittery when she stepped on the trail i had come in on... they ended up wandering away but a little while later the buck found my scent trail and followed it back to my stand... I put down the video camera to take a shot at the doe but I hit a branch and went under her... thats good... got my miss out of the way early so I don't have to worry about it the rest of the year http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.techgraphics.biz/hunt/pass1.jpg
http://www.techgraphics.biz/hunt/pass2.jpg

[need2hunt]

Sat in the buddy stand... did not see anything

[need2hunt]

Sue sat in the buddy stand, I set my climber back behind it to run video... had 2 does come in right at 7:00... Sue got busted http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... the one doe stared at her for like 10 minutes without moving... She only needed them to come in another 5-10 yards... oh well, there will be a next time

[need2hunt]

Sue sat in her stand in the back... i took the climber up to the top of the woods... good sign on top... even have a good early scrape under the cedar tree and one started by the apple trees... neither of us saw anything

[need2hunt]

Nothing sighted again http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[need2hunt]

Once again nothing sighted... I sat in a tree on the front end of the woods over by the cornfield

[need2hunt]

Took Jack out to hunt with me tonight... he sat in the stand in the front of the property by the cornfield... he saw a doe with a fawn but they didn't come close enough for shot... I sat in the buddy stand... fixed a squeeking problem with it... ended up seeing zero

[need2hunt]

Got a late start and didn't get to the stand until almost 7:00... had a coyote sneak in on me, he spotted me before I could get a shot off at himhttp://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif... didn't see anything else... other than squirrels!!!... as i was getting ready to leave this little noise maker gave me a 20 yard shot... WHAMO!!!

http://www.techgraphics.biz/hunt/squirrel1.jpg

[need2hunt]

Sat in the buddy stand again... saw this guy in the woods and called him out using the Primos Can Call... 8:45, 30 yards... I'll let him grow up a little bit http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... at least there getting bigger

http://www.techgraphics.biz/hunt/pass3.jpg

[huntinsonovagun]

Nice little 2.5 yr. old. I am afraid I couldn't have restrained from shooting him. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif He will be awesome in a few years.....too bad you might not get to hunt the property anymore. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[need2hunt]

Woke up at 4:00 am to get ready and take the long walk in with my climber... get settled in and starts to get light...I then realize this is NOT the draw I wanted to be sitting in, I wanted the next draw over http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif... heard a young buck grunt behind me on the neighbors property so gave it a little time... nothing going... it rained the night before and everything was wet and relatively quiet... so I got down and sneaked over the hill down to where I wanted to set up originally... alost there and catch movement off to my right... basically a horse with antlers... he was only 50 yards or so, I don't think he saw me or smelled me... I think he just caught some movement or heard me snap a twig... he decided to leave and took a couple bounds and trotted off... body wise he was HUGE, antler wise he had a TON of mass, but couldn't tell a whole lot else about him, looked to be a 10 pointer...

Sue had a doe come in and bed down 40 yards from her stand...

[need2hunt]

Picked a couple different spots for the evening hunt... Sue was hunting a grass field down by the creek... I was hunting a been field next to the woods... 15-20 minutes after Sue leaves I see her walking back across the field toward my stand... she had went to trim a branch with the saw and ended up cutting her hand good enough to need stitches... so I got down and we took a trip to the emergency room... they got her stitched up and we still had a little time so we hustled back to the field... she busted a 6-pointer and three unidentified deer on the way to her stand and had 2 does come by later but not within range... I had deer coming into the bean field about 5 minutes after I got in the stand... 8 does in total... some of them got within 20 yards but would not get into the clearing where I could get a shot

[need2hunt]

I headed back to where i had seen the big buck the day before... got in early and set up... had sevaral deer moving by while it was still dark but nothing happening once it got light enough to shoot... when I got down I took the long way out... ended up getting with 5 feet (yes feet) of a young doe... I was on the VERY back corner of the property and didn't feel like dragging here up and down all the hills so I passed on her... saw 4-5 other unidentified deer on my way back to the house...

Sue hunted the same spot from the previous evening, only had one young doe come through, not close enough for a shot.

Next time we get back to this property the rut should be in full swing and all the crops will be out... should be a ton of fun http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[need2hunt]

Took my 2 girls out with me for the first time... we fit real nice into the buddy stand... busted an unidentified deer as we made our way in... then just a little after 5:00 I had a young doe come in... Katie had just fallen asleep so I got Kestrels attention and got katie woke up... by the time I turned back around the doe was about 5 yards right in front of the stand... tried to get katie in a better position to see and we ended up spooking her... we left a little on the early side and ended up bumping a couple more deer... corn is being picked really hard in the area and the deer are starting to move better... I'll be heading back out Wednesday night and will put Jack in that stand, hopefully one of those does or a buck will wander by in front of him

[need2hunt]

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/40962004deer1.jpg

Jack came over about 3:00 and we headed out to the property... we had a North Northwest wind and I set him up in the buddy stand... once he was set I went and pulled one of my rut stands and took it and the climbing sticks to the top of the woods... Theres a clearing up there and i had hunted out of a cedar tree up there last year but always had a south south west wind and I always got busted...

So got up there put up the climbing sticks and hung the stand and did some quick trimming... there was 2 small scrapes under the cedar i was in and before I got in the tree i poured some of the doe estrus that i got from my friend Jim at Ridge Runner Scents in the scrape...got settled in the stand and about a half hour later here came 2 does out of the woods... when I saw them they were already within 15 yards of me, theres an apple tree RIGHT next to me and it blocks the view from that side... the younger doe started grazing right in front of me and the older doe came in behind her... I didn't think I was going to get to draw back because they were so close... but the older doe got a wiff and headed straight for the scrape...she is now directly underneath me... she sniffed the scrape for about a minute and then finally must have got a small wiff of me because she turned and took a quick little jump... she's about 7 yards in front of me giving me no shot... I grew back and waited for her to turn... she finally turned to the right giving me a good quartering away shot and I let the arrow go... perfect shot (I thought)...

Had another doe come in on me about 10 minutes before quitting time... she got in behind me however and started getting spooky... she was only 5 yards away and finally stepped into the opening... I tried to draw back slowly but the arrow going across the rest was enough to get her to bust out of there... went down and met up with Jack, he had only seen one small deer right about quitting time... he asked if there are any albinos out there because he swears she looked white...

Anyway got permission to drive through the neighbors field that butts up against the woods so we wouldn't have to drag her the half mile out http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Found my arrow, complete pass through with good red blood from tip to knock... however the start of the blood trail was dismal we went approx 50-60 yards before it started picking up... she took us through some of the thickest briar patches and thickets in the woods but we found her approx 100-150 yards from the tree I shot her in...

I shot for her heart which due to the angle gave me a high entry wound... the exit wound was just a touch high and right of her heart... getting one lung and an artery... the exit was through the brisket in front of the leg...

I tell you what I'm good until I release that arrow and then the adrenaline just surges!!! Then it's time to sit down for a bit... I didn't get to release on the second doe that came in before quitting time but as she bound away and I let down I got the rush again... that was awesome!!

[need2hunt]

Got everything packed up and was on the road by 10:00 a.m. heading down to meet up with Chris, Tom, Shawn and Arnie... got in about 2:00 and was greeted by Arnie... Arnie showed me the map of the place and we discussed some of the possibilities... took a quick walk in to look at a couple spots... came back and met the guys and then it was pretty much time to get the camo on and go...I was hunting a valley and the wind was swirling pretty good... ended up not seeing anything and headed back to camp for some of Tominators famous chili

[need2hunt]

Walked approximately a mile in, almost to the back side of the property... took a break approximately half way in due to Tominators famous chili from the night before http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... set up where several draws came together... wind was still gusting pretty good... sat until 9 without seeing anything, got down and packed up the climber, turn around and theres a 2.5 year old buck standing 90 yards away watching me... he had just come off of one of the ridges behind me... decent buck but I would have passed on him... got back to camp and had little breakfast, talked a bit with the guys and shot the bows a bit.

[need2hunt]

Packed the stand back to the end of an old logging road back in the woods... several scrapes along the road and had some good rubs close to where I set up... 5:30 had a doe with 2 yearlings come out at about 100 yards, they grazed around a little bit and then headed off... got down at quitting time... ended up bumping a few deer on my way out...

Tom had shot a doe so all of us went in and helped with the blood trail and the dragging... real nice doe she didn't go to far from where he shot her.

[need2hunt]

Hunted the same spot as the night before... saw 1 coyote at 7:30 am... got down about 9:30 and did a little scouting farther back... plenty of scrapes and rubs... on the way back out it looked like several of the scrapes on the logging road had been freshened up during the night... got back to camp and shot the bows a bit... went up on the top of the ridge behind the road and found a couple good spots to hunt... every one of the guys saw coyotes this morning... there are a ton of them rascals down there!!

[need2hunt]

Arnie and I drove back to the far end of the property... I went down and set up in a flat along a creek between several ridges... 6:30 had two 6 pointers come out... had my choice at 15 yards but they were still pretty young so I let them go...

[need2hunt]

We woke up to a downpour... decided to catch up on some sleep instead of going out and getting wet... after we got up we headed to town to get Tom's doe checked in and catch some breakfast at the Wagon Wheel... they definitely know how to cook breakfast there... put some gas in the truck and headed back to camp... ran Shaun's 4 wheeler back so I could pull my stand... got back, packed up the truck, said goodbye to three of the nicest people from Ohio that someone could ever meet and took off for up North

[need2hunt]

pulled in to Sterling right at 4:00 so i skipped the house and headed up to Carroll county to get a couple hours in the stand... weather wasn't that much different than Greene county... pretty much cold overcst and wet the whole trip... anyway I had set out 3 of my trail cams Thursday night before I left for Greene county so I pulled the film as I went up to the stand... didn't see anything and actually got down a little early to pull the film out of the last camera... out of the pic I ended up with 11 different bucks... most of them 1.5 - 2.5 year olds but I did get a couple 3.5 year olds that we had pics of earlier in the year... heres the couple bigger ones... I know there are bigger deer here still, I can't wait for the big boys to start to roam... hopefully gett some pics of what is REALLY out there and hopefully catch up to one with my bow.

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096tcambuck1c-med.jpg
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096tcambuck2c-med.jpg

[need2hunt]

Me and Kestrel went out and sat in the buddy stand tonight... was a good night... at 5:30 had this 7 point wander out 50 yards behind us...

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096huntpic1020-med.jpg

While we were watching him this 3 pointer came out of the woods to our right, came in to about 30 yards and then filtered back into the woods...

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096huntpic1020b-med.jpg

About 5:55 we heard what sounded like a brief fight back in the woods... 5 minutes later a different 3 point came out followed by a small 8 point... the 3 point walked within 10 yards of the stand while the 8 point stood back and snort wheezed at him a couple times... shortly after a bigger 8 point came out he and the smaller 8 stayed about 45 yards out and after about 10 minutes headed back into the woods...

Looks like the younger bucks are starting to cruise a little bit... should be about a week and some of the big boys will be getting on the stupid side

http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[need2hunt]

Sue and I headed out and hunted the buddy stand... way to windy and a little bit of rain... saw nothing

[need2hunt]

Sue and i headed back out tonight... we were set up in the scrub brush in front of the woods... the deer never quite filtered out of the main woods in time... could hear several moving around that definitely weren't squirrels and... saw one flipping it's tail but couldn't tell if it was a doe or buck... the deer started moving around 5:30... got a new lens for my camera and was hoping to get to use it tonight but none showed... hopefully tomorrow night with Jack will work out better...

[huntinsonovagun]

Man, I love your journal!!! Pics really help...May I ask what camera you're using?? Get the biggin'!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[need2hunt]

Thanks HS... some of its off of a video camera which os a sony handycam (i think thats the name of it)... the other shots have been from a Nikon D70 digital, it's got a 1 gig memeory stick in it so I can take like 500 pics with just the one card... I have a 18-70 zoom which came with the camera and I just picked up a 70-300 zoom so hopefully the pics are even going to get better!! Taking the camera out has made my hunts even more fun... still get to "shoot" the ones that I pass on.

[huntinsonovagun]

[ QUOTE ]
Taking the camera out has made my hunts even more fun... still get to "shoot" the ones that I pass on.

[/ QUOTE ]


That's exactly why I want one......one day, I will be rich and famous. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[need2hunt]

Jack couldn't make it tonight so I headed out early and set up a new stand in a cedar tree right where the deer are crossing into a standing corn field... it needs a few more shooting lanes trimmed but the one where they cross is open for a good shot... went ahead and sat in that stand, saw lots of birds and squirrels... it was pretty warm, I just had a long sleeve t-shirt and my Primos bow vest on and I wasn't cold... I think thats why the deer didn't move until it was almost to dark... had a doe enter the cornfield from the draw on the other side of the property... she was only about 20 yards but not on my property... shortly after she arrived I heard another deer come out of the draw but couldn't see it... I waited a little while in the tree to let them get a ways from my stand before i started to get ready to get down... as i was getting ready i could hear 3-5 deer coming up behind me going to the cornfield... I could make out the black blobs as they filtered arounf my stand... I gave them some time and then tried to sneak out as quit as i could... looks like it's going to be a nice spot... deer just need to start moving a little earlier, if all goes well Jack will be sitting there Wednsday night.

[need2hunt]

Took Jack out tonight... I sat overlooking the cornfield and saw ZERO http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif... Jack had a young 8 point come out of the woods about 60 yards away... Jack gave him a couple doe bleats but the buck had no interest... headed back into the woods to bed down again...

Things can only get better with the cold front coming in early next week... I can't wait!!

[need2hunt]

I just HAD to hop back on here to let you guys know about this... I had pumpkin duty tonight plus some other stuff so i couldn't get out tonight... Sue wanted to go tonight but because I couldn't go to she just went out to her dad's... I had told her to hunt out of the stand I shot my big archery buck last year...

Anyway got a call a little while ago... she's sitting in the stand and it's like 5:45 when she hears a noise behind her... she turns to see antlers sticking out from both sides of a tree behind her... HE'S ONLY 15 YARDS AWAY... with his head behind the tree she tries to stand up and turn around... as she gets up he takes a couple steps out... HE'S HUGE!... she tries to get her bow up but he either caught her sent or heard a noise he didn't like and takes to big bounds and stops right at 30 yards... only problem is his body is behind brush and he doesn't offer a shot as he stands there for 5 minutes looking around... and then he just quietly slipped away

I have got her to pay attention to deer body and antler size over this last year... he was a clean symetrical 10 point... 4+" G1's, 12" G2's, 10" G3's, 5" G4's... From the description main beams are around 25"... Mass wise there would have been no way to wrap your hands around the bases or even most of the antlers... spread is as wide if not wider than my 16 point... if you add it up your looking at a typical 10-pooint that would be in the 200" range...WOW... body wise he was huge... chest and neck just kinda ran together, kinda making him look like he didn't have a neck... this tells me he's at least 5.5 years old... weight wise well over 200 lbs on the hoof...

She did say that if she did get drawn on him she didn't know if she could have shot him because her legs were shaking so bad

WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE... he wasn't spooked, he just knew something wasn't quite right... hopefully he'll be back and she can get him...AWESOME!!

I'm paraphrasing our discussion on the phone but will have her look at this later to make sure I'm accurate... anyway I just wanted to share

[need2hunt]

Hunted the stand on top of the woods... had a doe come out of the woods about 15 minutes before quitting time... she was about 60 yards out and i gave her a bleat on the can call... she looked in my direction for a little while and then looked back the way she was going... gave her one more bleat and she looked again... then she looked back the way she was going, tucked her tail, spun and ran back into the woods like a scalded dog...

This may sound bad, but it's actually good news... what it means is the boys are ready to go... probably mostly the young ones, but the big boys will be close behind... but the girls aren't ready yet... basically the girls are hiding out and don't want to be around ANY deer they don't know... if I'm right things are going to start happening next week...

I bumped 4 deer on the way out and in areas that they are usually not in unless there moving... also the other guy that hunts out there saw a 4-point and a doe... also he told me that last time he was there he had 2 young bucks chasing/bumping 6 does around in the front end of the property... like I said sounds like the time is close http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[need2hunt]

sue went to her "hidden" stand in the front and I headed back to the buddy stand... there was a deer right inside the woods by my stand as i arrived... past that I was watching nuthatches and squirrels until 9:00... thats when i had a young doe come in... I had the decoy out and she spotted it... bobbed her head up in down and stomped at it trying to get it to move... she finally started to walk away and I couldn't resist, I turned over my can call and she spun around to see what the decoy was saying to her... she ended up coming back in offering a 15 yard shot but I let her go... about 9:30 I had another doe come in behind me, she was about 30 yards behind some brush eating some leaves, she never came out to where I could get a shot... Sue was going to come back and help me pull a stand around 9:30... she must have kicked up a nice 6-7 point on her way in without knowing... I saw him coming down a path through the briars and I tried to call at him to get him to come in... he got to almost 30 yards and then headed up into the woods... this is the 5th buck I;ve seen take this particular trial and I'll be moving a stand in there next weekend to fix that problem http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... I have a couple trail cam pics of this buck, here he is...

http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096tcambuck3.jpg

I would have passed on him if he had come in but he's a good one for Sue or Jack if he sticks around...

Sue said she saw Kelly (the other guy that hunts there) loading a deer into his truck... I'm really happy for him, he's a nice guy.

Only thing I was torqued about today was that I took my camera and then forgot it in the truck... I ended up seeing some pheasants and a few other odds and ends critters i would have liked to take some pics of... oh well I guess i won't forget next time

[need2hunt]

I'll put a disclaimer for this section of hunts... I was pretty wore out by the time i got home so I might get some of the hunts on the wrong days, but it will all work out http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Overall the changes in the scenery was immense I would say 80-90% of the leaves are off the trees and you can see a ton better in the woods... the deer were also moving a whole lot better, mornings there was good movement until 9:00 and in the evenings the deer started moving once the valleys filled up with shadows so there was good movement for 1.5 -2 hours.

Hunted on the Ridge east of Toms Bowl... saw plenty of turkeys but no deer... on the way out i walked into a flock of about 20 toms... took a shot at one but ended up centering a 3 inch sappling http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[need2hunt]

Hunted the Alfalfa field tonight, had North wind which was perfect... had been drivling on and off through the day and was overcast...I had set up on the Northeast corner of the field where it looked like the deer liked to cross the fence.

Deer were moving earlier than I had expected, probably due to the overcast skies... I wasn't in the stand all that long when I saw a buck coming in from the pumpkin patch, he was a nice 9 point I would guess 130ish however he looked to be only 2.5 years old... he came right down the trail offering a 25 yard broadside shot but I decided to pass on him, he has alot of potential for next year... he went on past me and then cut to the east going down the fenceline around the hill...

later had 2 does come down the runway that wraps around the hill and empties out into the middle of the alfalfa field... not close enough for a shot... they messed around out in the field until one of them finally caught my scent, snorted, stomped and then left the field...

With about 45 minutes of shooting time left i had 2 does and a yearling come in from the Northeast, following the contour of the hill... I decided to fill my doe tag and it was working out perfect... they came right up the trail and the first doe came to the fence... a simple 10 yard shot... I drew back, set the pin and let it fly... I HATE TREES... I hit a small branch which deflected my arrow forward, hitting her in the shoulder... she took off with almost all of my arrow hanging out of her... I ended up getting down early to llok for some sign... found the arrow minus about 4-5 inches... that's all the penatration I got, with the angle the arrow went in I'm sure that it was not a fatal hit and she will just have a limp for a while... there was no blood on the arrow and no blood on the ground... I looked for about an hour without finding any sign and then had a major downpour... if there was any blood anywhere it was now definitely gone... I did go back the next day and look the area over good but as I expected, found nothing... This is only the second deer I have lost with my bow and third overall... still makes me sick

[need2hunt]

Hunted the ridges North of the Buffalo Wallow...

Had 5 does come over the neighbors ridge and headed down around the creek to bed down... about 1/2 hour later had another doe come down the same ride except she was heading South and looked to be in a hurry... 15 minutes later a BIG buck came over the ridge following the same trail... I don't know exactly how big he was but I knew when I saw him that I'ld shoot him if given the chance... grabbed my grunt call and gave him a grunt... unfortunately I had 2 does that had just sneaked in behind me and where approx 20 yards... they caught my movement and snorts, stomps and flags time... when I finally got down I ended up bumping another doe that was coming in behind me.

[need2hunt]

Hunted the Quarry tonight... short story saw zero.

[need2hunt]

Hunted the end of the logging road... had rained almost all night and was supposed to be drizzling until around 9:00... i was hoping that i'ld catch a buck freshening scrapes after the rain... no luck... only saw a fawn which came out of the pasture, down through the creek and then up the ridge beside me.

[need2hunt]

Hunted the Ridges North of the Buffalo Wallow...

My plan was to catch the deer coming out of the bottoms heading for the green field... once the shadow filled up the valleys the deer started to move... had 5 does get up on the ridge behind me... they started to mull around a bit and I wasn't sure if they would come my way or not... finally they started mulling in my direction... I got my rangefinder out and checked a couple spots that i thought they might come through when they got to my ridge... as I'm putting the rangefinder back in my pocket i look up and there is already a doe standing there watching me... busted again...

About a half hour later i see antlers coming down the ridge toward me... DEFINITELY a shooter, a perfect typical 10 point with LONG tines he's probably 160-170 class... I had the decoy set out and i gave him a bleat with the can call... he looked down and saw the decoy and slowly started coming in... he's only about 40 yards away and is starting to look like he's getting a little antsy... I give him another bleat and he looks... then he starts to slowly turn... I then went to the grunt call to make him think there was another buck down there that would take his doe... well evidently the antlers got in the way... as I never saw the doe that he was following... she was approx 20 yards right above me and that buck grunt got her wound like a tight rubberband... WHAM! she's off to the races... he looks around and says C'ya and takes off after his doe...
Had one more doe come through but nothing close enough for a shot...

just seems like I can't do anything right...

[need2hunt]

Once again went to the Buffalo Wallow...

Had 2 does come in from the west... they where being chased by a couple young bucks... small 6 and 8 pointer... does headed south and the young guys lost interest and mulled around for a while and then dissapeared over the neighbors ridge... a while later caught movement in the pasture... borderline P&Y 8 pointer... I gave him a call and he came in... once again nice buck that would probably be 130ish still to young though so I let him walk... he ended up going down and finding the does and started chasing... right at 9:00 I had a couple more does come in and ended up bedding 50 yards behind me... I stayed till 11:30 with no more excitement and was getting hungry so I ended up bumping them so I could go get something to eat.

[need2hunt]

Woke Kestrel up early and me and her headed for the woods... sat in the buddy stand... had this buck come in behind us but he caught our wind... there starting to get stupid because he skirted us by about 40 yards...
We got the camera out and shot a few pics...
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck1a.jpg
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck1b.jpg

About 45 minutes later i look to my right and here this 7 pointer is coming out in a trance heading for my doe decoy... this was SO much fun to share with Kestrel... as it's the first time she was able to see a deer interact with a decoy and try to figure it out... he was around for about 5 minutes... most of the time within 20 yards and the closest he got was 10 yards... we were talking in the "hunter's voice" a mere 10 yards away and he was oblivious... got some nice shots of him too... he'll be nice next year... the last pic I couldn't resist... it's of him leaving, I gave him one doe bleat and he snapped his head around at the decoy that was talking to him... one more year and he would have been dead so many times over in that 5 minutes LOL
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck2a.jpg
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck2b.jpg
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck2c.jpg
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/409611-7buck2d.jpg

I really enjoy the new zoom lens that i got, you can get pretty up close and personal with it!

Lastly I had to put this in here too, got a trailcam pic of the deer I was chasing last year (or it's his younger brother)... he's a beautiful 12 point typical, that resembles my 16 point very well, you can definitely tell there related.
http://www.realtree.com/img/2/4096dreamdeer.jpg

[need2hunt]

Got out later than I wanted... bumped a decent 8 on the way to the stand, other than that i saw a buck moving through the woods going to the cornfield... have been seeing a good deal of movement on that trail... I'll hunt in the morning over the cornfield and then throw a stand up on the trail there using... I'll have Jack hunt that stand tomorrow evening... hopefully it will work out for him.

[need2hunt]

The excitement started literally right after I got out of the truck!!! I pulled down to the bottom of the hill as i was running a little later than i wanted... got out and grabbed my stuff and walked 20 yards to the creek... go down the bank and starts wading across when I hear a grunt from behind me to my left... I turned in time to see a doe come launching off the bank and down to the creek... it's about a 10 foot drop and I don't even know if she touched anything in between... she passed me at about 5 yards... well i knew what was next so i kept looking back and here came a 2.5 year old tearing through right behind her... could have reached out with my bow and touched either one of them as they came by doing Mach 10...waited a minute to make sure there was no other traffic coming and then headed to the stand... hunted above the corn field... can't beleive they have still not picked it... saw 1 young buck work the ridge behind me... heard 2 deer jump the fence just up the trail from me... about 8:00 I was bored and headed over to the buddy stand... at 8:15 had a doe come down through the woods...shortly after a 2.5 year old 7 point came down after her... I called at him and he headed over toward me... he stayed around for a few minutes and offered me a 20 yard shot a couple different times but he just isn't what I'm looking for... about a half our later had a doe come through but not close enough for a shot... about 15 minutes later had a yearling doe come through...

Got down at 10:00 and moved a stand to where I've been seeing several of the deer come from... I'll set jack up there tomorrow night if he can make it.

[need2hunt]

Sat in the buddy stand again tonight... only saw a 1 young buck, he came in behind me right at 3:30... he ended up walking right by Sues stand... I'm starting to get aggrivated (like every year it seems)... I have seen a ton of bucks, however my sightings have been all 2.5 year olds or younger... haven't seen any of the older deer yet and I'm growing impatient... I mean when you have seen 20 some different bucks on one property you would think that at least one would be old enough to shoot... I know I shouldn't complain, but i always seem to come this time of year http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[need2hunt]

Took Jack out tonight and put him by a crossing over the corn field... he had a doe come in through the cornfield and shortly after a young buck followed the same trail in... to far for a shot plus not on our property... approximately 4:00 he saw a huge buck coming down the trail towards him... he said he didn't get a real good look at it... all he said was huge body and the antlers were wide with lots of mass... could be the 12 pointer but not for sure... the deer didn't stay on the trail all the way to him but I know where he went... I'll set up a stand for him tomorrow afternoon and hopefully can get him by Monday morning before I have to leave...

I sat along the creek in the front and saw nothing...