The 2010 bow season ended for me. I've been after a big, heavy buck that has haunted me since October. I've got trailcam pics from multiple days(and nights)(not the one above..bigger than that). I sat maybe 150hrs with no success.
This year I rethought my strategies. I put up more trailcams, I worked with a friend who has been a guide and killed multiple big deer. I've scouted, trimmed lanes, moved and located stands with his help and the new knowledge of how big deer move differently than average deer. I did my homework, I put in the hours...I was meticulous about scent control, how I entered the stands, the wind direction. I didn't hunt stands multiple days in a row...I practiced shooting to be ready for the moment of truth.
As the season came down to the wire, I took a break during the gun seasons...and waited. I found the deer on another adjacent farm I gained access to and had multiple trailcam photos of him, and what is likely his son. The last week of season, I pulled all of the stops, and snuck into the middle of his house, and during the last week, laid in the snow on the cold ground under a cedar tree for the last 2-3hrs of daylight.
On my last available hunt the last week of bow season...I stalked 3/4mile to the honey hole...the last ditch effort spot...I laid on the ground motionless. I felt the cold of the ground seep through my cloths, I could taste the winter air and feel the bite of the 10mph North wind I'd been waiting on for this very hunt.
An hour before sunset, 4 turkeys approached, and came within 5yards of where I lay. 20 minutes later, bucks began to enter the small staging area...2 small, then 2 larger, then 2 130ish bucks...all within 20 yards. I waited, and within minutes, I saw a flash of antler in the treeline and the bucks take notice...in came a bruiser to 25 yards...but it was the son of buckzilla. He battered the younger bucks, pushing 1 within 15 yards of where I lay hunkered under that tree on the ground. I felt the ground tremble...It was awesome. But I waited. Within 20 minutes time, I found myself surrounded by 11 different bucks...2 likely over 150 and 160"...the most shooters I'd had in range since October....but I waited for the grand poobah....who never came.
My season is ended and I have nothing to do but find the sheds and figure out how to remove this bruiser from the gene pool of that area next October-November. I am on a mission to get that deer next year.
I did take an old warhorse, with a very unique rack, a scarred up face and a missing eye in gun season and sent it to the taxidermist.....but the taste of disappointment is strong this year. [Reply]
You sir, are a bad ass. No way I would have the time or patience to do all that work, and then to sit there surrounded by all those great bucks, waiting for the one Buckzilla. I really really hope you get this guy, and I look forward to the pictures, because I'm firmly convinced you'll bag him.
Though these were taken far, far away from where I live and there is no reason to try and find me or these animals....I thought I'd share my some of my favorite trailcam pics from this year, and maybe a photo or two of the boogie man.
I'm starting to think Iowanian is an old Indian word for "shitty hunter".
This is the 3rd bow season In a row I've zero'd...not that I couldn't have taken a deer, but waiting on a true prize. People all around me bag very nice deer most every year...and you hear of 15 year old kids on their first bow hunt taking a 180" whale their first day out.....I've been at this for more years than I'd care to say, and still have never taken an animal that makes a guy say "wow".
I enjoy hunting. I enjoy talking about it, I enjoy anticipation, I enjoy shooting 3D outdoors a few times starting about now...I enjoy bouncing around bad roads with my brothers, scouting, trying to figure out HOW to make this happen. Hunting is about more than something on the wall. I enjoy the time with my brothers and nephews and the anticipation and excitement between the time you pull the card on a trailcam and get to see the photos..... For me, its the time of year when I clear my mind of the stress, I work through and solve a lot of problems during those 8hr sits in a tree. I'm just ready for the payoff.
This year, I'm more motivated to shed hunt than I've ever been. I need the exercise but not as bad as i NEED to find the sheds of the boogie man, so that I'll have them when I get him. If someone else gets him first, I just hope it's one of my guys and I'll be happy for them too.
There is no better tasting beer than one taken from a box that sits next to the animal you or a friend has just taken or found. It's the moment Miller Highlife commercials wish they could duplicate.
I've got some more trailcam pics, including buck fights, bobcats and some other deer you might find interesting, including one I've named "jay leno" because of his giant chin and another named slingblade for the corn knife like antler he wields. i'll try to find time to post them. [Reply]
I have three male pups left out of a litter of seven. I really just want to sell two of them.
Big John
Frekles
Hoss
Here's a quote from Skyview Setters website where I got the Dam of this litter.
(Jetsetter X Iron)--Same breeding as Skyview High N' Tight, Skyview Iron Will, Skyview's Hard to Guard, Jack(to be named) All of these pups will win in a range of venues. More suited for horseback yet handle for walking stakes. Feb./Mar. 2011
I would love for a Planeteer to have one of these dogs. $250.00 a pup...that's a deal!
I know you have linked them before...I would love to have one of those to help the quail get going again. Used to hunt them every weekend...it's been close to ten years since I have shot my limit...miss it! [Reply]
Originally Posted by btlook1:
I know you have linked them before...I would love to have one of those to help the quail get going again. Used to hunt them every weekend...it's been close to ten years since I have shot my limit...miss it!
I don't own any land/property but I would go in with a land owner to surrogate some birds. Of course I'd want hunting rights but in respect to establishing a huntable population of quail I would sit out a year on that property. It's more about getting those birds to repro.
Originally Posted by philfree:
I don't own any land/property but I would go in with a land owner to surrogate some birds. Of course I'd want hunting rights but in respect to establishing a huntable population of quail I would sit out a year on that property. It's more about getting those birds to repro.
Originally Posted by Buehler445:
How many acres do you need?
The habitat has to be right but 20-30 acres for a covey range. We want several coveys so a couple hundred acres might do. The more the better!
Depending on the climate of the location one could do up to three hatches in a year.
If I new how I'd write a research grant to buy a farm and put down the habitat, buy the surragator and the quail chicks. It be your tax dollars at work!
