ArcheryFool's Notes

[ArcheryFool]

Starting a journal today 10/1/08, Im going to try and keep track of my sightings and scouting reports.

Went back in the swamp today to check out a couple stand sites. We had bad wind a couple weeks ago. I just wanted to make sure the stands are still standing. All stand's were standing, but a large pine fell in front of one stand blocking most of the shooting lanes. I did notice several rubs around the area. I'm going to have to go back in with the saw this weekend and do some cutting and move that tree out of the way.

I saw 3 deer 1 doe, 2 fawn on my way in to the stands. I also saw 1 coyote under one of my stands when I was walking in. Reminder to myself, bring rifle next time.

[ArcheryFool]

Went out to another stand site today. 157 pictures on the camera for the last 2 weeks. Some nice young bucks, lots of doe and fawn. Nothing real big. Farmer said he see a couple of VERY big bucks out in the clover field a couple nights ago. I see lots of large tracks, and lots of rubs on trees, but no photos of the big bucks.

I didn't see any deer in my travels today.

[ArcheryFool]

No scouting trips this weekend. I have to work in order to get opening day of bow and rifle season off.

[ArcheryFool]

12 days remain until our archery opener. I was out shooting my bow this afternoon, since the Bill's game wasn't worth watching. Nice groups at 15, 20, and 25. At 30 -35 Im still wandering a bit, 95% of my shots are in a 3 inch circle. I would like to tighten that up a bit. 40 yard shot is ok, approx, 4-5 inch circle. Im not comfortable with shots over 35 right now so Im going to take that pin off my bow.

The nights have been in the 30s lately. Im hoping this gets the deer moving on hunt days. Did I already say 12 more days ! !!

[ArcheryFool]

Well, I was driving by our swamp tuesday evening, infront of the swamp is a large field of clover, about 60 acres or so. In that field were 2 young 8 point bucks fighting like all get out. Boy was that fierce. I had never seen that before. I thought they were going to kill each other. They fought like mad for about 15 minutes then just split up and each walked their own way. Each looking over their shoulder at the other. So cool.

[ArcheryFool]

Another day, no scouting, I have decreased the number of times I visit my hunting area. I don't want to contaminate the area too much with human scent before I get a chance to hunt. I have started going only every 2 weeks to check my cams and replace cards and batteries. Lots of pics coming, mostly young stuff with some real nice does. Lots and lots of young bucks 8 points or less. No real bruisers yet, although the land owner see a couple of them regularly right before dark. They are apparently coming out to the field about a hundred yards or so from where my stand is. Just something to keep in mind.

[ArcheryFool]

Its been a couple weeks since my last log. I have been in the tree a few times now. Took a 2 year old doe first morning here in western ny. I have been seeing a lot of nice bucks, all are coming in behind me. I can't shoot in that direction from my tree stand, tree is too wide, too many limbs etc. I decided to set up a ground blind only a few yards from my tree stand. This blind gives me a clear shot behind my tree stand, but also in all other directions. Hope to hunt the blind this coming friday.

Lots of rubs have popped up over the last couple of weeks. I see 7 scrapes all within 30 yards of my stand site. Quite a few pics of young bucks on the trail cams, a couple of real nice 8 points, going probably 120-140.