Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: osage outlaw on October 01, 2017, 10:27:06 am
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I thought I would start a post for all of us to post pictures from our stands/blinds this hunting season.
Today was our opening day of bow season. I went to a stand close to the house. It's a pinch point between my house and my sisters house/goat pen. I saw 9 does and fawns in the first hour but never got a shot. My stand set up is not good. I'm on the downhill side of the road crossing. I'm looking the deer eye to eye level at 20 yards. Not good! I need to move to the other side of the road and get above them. It was nice to sit in the woods and relax. Maybe I'll have better luck tonight.
(https://i.imgur.com/rRAWGby.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IBz2sdL.jpg)
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Clint, will you post pics of your blind?
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Pat, that was from a hang on stand 15' up a hackberry tree. I didn't make any ground blinds this year.
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you gonna get a close shot, that looks nice there,,
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This evening I went to a stand that's below a small pond in a valley. It's been very dry lately. I thought I might catch one going for a drink.
(https://i.imgur.com/QaFHKQ8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4KF2la7.jpg)
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I didn't get as much time as I'd have liked but did still have a good hunt. I had a benefit breakfast first thing in the morning so couldn't get out early. About 11:00 I sat in one of my new tree stands. There's a lot of stuff meeting up at this spot. Several trails from woods behind and goldenrods to the left all meet up with the turn in corner of lane. I could only sit till 2:30, then I had to attend a wake services for a elderly friend. Did get to see some turkeys though. They got about 20 yards from me but I didn't get pictures till they were a little further away.
Bjrogg
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Forgot pictures here's from new stand
Bjrogg
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Here's the turkeys
Bjrogg
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Awesome pictures guy's!
Im still hoping it cools down some here. I took a shot at a nice little buck the other day but he ducked my arrow. My shot was a little high but you would have thought I was shooting at something 40 yards away instead of less than 20.
Patrick
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I got back out about 4:30. It was supposed to be light wind from south east. It was blowing harder then I cared for to sit in a tree. I was thinking like Clint and sat by my stump blind by my small pond. Nobody cooperated though. A doe came from downwind just before sunset. She was almost there just another ten yards when she caught my swirling scent. She wasn't sure so she circled a little more downwind until, yup tail up and away she went. All in all a busy but good day.
Bjrogg
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One more picture. If you look close through the trees, maybe you can see Lake Huron. It's a much bigger pond then the one I'm sitting by.
Bjrogg
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Here's picture
Bjrogg
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Nice looking set ups BJ. Hope one walks in front of you.
Aim a tad lower next time Patrick ;D
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Thanks Clint same to you. Patrick that's one of the reasons I only take the super close shots. That and I can't make the long ones even if they don't jump the string on me.
Bjrogg
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Thanks fellas, it was one of those things. Probably shouldn't have shot but the range was a Chip shoot for me. The buck was a little on the skiddish side but he didn't bust me. I think it was his sixth sense kicking in.
Oh well, live and learn I guess. He didn't spook bad and I got a pic of him the next day.
Patrick
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Haven't had as much time to hunt as I'd like if there is such a thing. Did sneak out this morning for a little bit. Decided to hunt by the big pond this time. Before the water level came back up in Lake Huron and the neighbor to the south cleared his property this would have been a great bow hunting spot. This was the original old lakeshore road bed. Until about 30 years ago it was left as a pull off spot. Myself and many others fished here from shore. I always thought the county owned it but one day the owners put up gates and planted some trees to keep people out. I can't blame them they where tired of picking up other people's trash. A couple years ago it and the farm attached to mine came up for sale. The good lord must have wanted us to get it because an unbelievable amount of coincidences came together and my brothers and I own it now
Didn't see any deer but this is why we call it the sunrise side of the thumb here. It's also why this is my favorite time of day. Alway good to be on the right side of the sod to enjoy another one.
Bjrogg
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One more
Bjrogg
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I am hoping to go friday to Coleman Texas,, I will take my camera and load some photos of where I hunt,,,
its pretty hot there and the rattlers are out,, but I love hunting there, I thought I wasn going to get to go this year,, but things worked out in a positive way ,, I am more than excited,, )P(
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Real nice pictures, beautiful country! Good luck to all :-D (SH)
Hawkdancer
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That's a beautiful area BJ. That's a much nicer view than I have from my stands. Since I have one in the freezer I didn't go out Monday. My puppy let me know the deer were in the yard. I heard her growling at the sliding door.
(https://i.imgur.com/qKg7v1J.jpg)
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The end of an exciting hunt.
Bjrogg
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Warning long winded but must read.
Can't wait to see the pictures Brad
Thanks Hawkdancer
Thanks Clint, when I was younger I didn't realize how blessed I was to have this view. It was taken for granted. Not anymore. I fact sometimes I get distracted by it and it costs me. Today I got distracted. The big lake really mess's with our wind. It was blowing about 9mph out of the west when I picked my hunting spot. I decided to sneak up the hill from the lake side and hunt a new brush blind that actually a stump blind. There were already deer out in the field about 200 yard away. The soybeans next to me have ripened and lost their appeal compared to the sugarbeets 200 yards away. The sun is beating down and I'm trying to stand up and hide in the shade of the stump. I need to take a step closer to the saplings next to the stump to have the benefit of the shade. Suddenly I hear thump. It's sounds like a Apple falling from a tree. I realize it must be a Black Walnut and I hear it again. Thump. Thump, Thump. I look into a huge Black Walnut tree and see a small squirrel scampering around from limb to limb shacking them until the walnuts fall. Then I see another squirrel coming down the lane, he stops several times to stand and look around. I decided I'm going to try take his picture with my phone. I slowly get out my phone, put in its password and turn on its camera just as the squirrel passes my stump. I slowly turn my head trying to see him come out from behind other side of stump. He never does and I slowly turn my head back as I turn off phone and start to put it away. As I almost have phone back in pocket and not quite totally turned around a small four point just materializes like magic from a hole in a cedar tree. I see him before he sees me but he is standing less than 6 yards from me right broadside. I'm screwed, I can't move. He doesn't see me but he is at the edge of cover and looking all around. I can't move. I can't draw my bow. I couldn't shoot even if I could because I'm standing to close to the saplings to be in the shade. I'm still holding my phone and can't decide if I should put it in my pocket or try to get a picture with it. I slowly put it in my pocket. The buck is still standing there looking all around. Finally he stares right at me. I can see the puzzled look on his face. He's not really spooked but he doesn't remember that stump " me" standing there before. He turns and pops back out the hole in the cedar tree. Dang, you idiot that's what you get for playing with the squirrel. I decided to sit down after awhile. The buck wasn't really spooked and I'm thinking maybe he might even let curiosity get the best of him. After about 45 minutes I'm pretty sure he's not coming back. I forgot to mention that before he came out the wind had started changing. It was very feckle. One minute blowing straight out of the west and seconds later switching straight out of the east off the lake. The buck had come from what would have been down wind when I originally set up. Anyway I'm sitting ready and on high alert. Suddenly a spike horn steps out from behind the same cedar tree. I can see his head and neck but not his body. He also is at the edge of cover and looking all around. I very slowly try to stand but he seems to sense me. I sit back down. He moves a little further out of the cover and now I can't see him behind the log of the stump. Again I try to stand nope he's looking right my way now. I watch him from under the log as he take several more steps away until he catches a wiff of my scent. He's confused because the feckle wind is not giving him my full scent and he moves around some to try to find it. Finally he just decides to leave and again I'm left hold my bow without being able to draw it. This is a good spot but I see a few things I need to change. It really was a very exciting hunt though. Although I didn't get a shot or wasn't even able to draw my bow it was one of the most memorable hunts I've ever had. I kept waiting till dark for the big one to come out, but he never did. I made my way back to my pickup parked by the lake by the light of the hunters moon. I stood and watched it for awhile. As Pappy says "life is good". I guess those two bucks might be saying it to.
Bjrogg
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I love those pictures and reports ! :OK :OK
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Sounds like a good time, BJ. Hope one of those cooperates for you.
Kyle
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Good hunters story BJ!!Things are rather damp around me now here even with dead leaves on the ground so the deer can appear like smoke from out of nowhere.Exciting and can keep you on the ball.....lol.Keeps you coming back for more....lol.
Yesterday evening I actually heard a few grunts in the distance and tried to entice a challenge fight but no dice/a pair of a mother and fawn just out of range/2 turkeys with one almost getting skewred but let him go.Just a little too much out of my comfort zone.None were aware of my presence so I'll be back as Arnie Shwarzinpickle would say....lol.It's raining today though.
I'll try to remember my camera next time.
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I love these threads! I haven't made it out yet, but I'll get some pictures when I do.
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Thanks everyone and Good Luck to all you hunters out there. Yep Ed, they are so quite here right now I just can't believe I didn't hear them they were so close. The squirrel sure made a lot more noise but that's what makes it so exciting. Hours of nothing and seconds of pure adrenaline.
Bjrogg
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Hope I'm not going to regret this. I probably should have shot a doe but I didn't want to screw up this spot. It's the first time I actually got to sit in this stand except for a couple hours in the middle of opening day. Only problem here is a lot of stuff to keep track of. At one point I had eleven deer within 5 to fifty yards of me. Most of them within twenty. There also was a group of turkeys that came in Range. I passed on multiple chances at does fawns and button bucks. There was a nice six point that was slowly grazing his way closer but he got distracted about 50 yards away changed course. He went out to the soybeans and laid down about 140 yards away. It must have been to much for this little button buck. He decided to lay down about ten yards from my stand. He stayed there for at least a half hour. I couldn't take any pictures when everybody was close but here's four I took after they moved farther away. These pictures were all taken in about ten seconds.
Bjrogg
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Pictures
Bjrogg
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Sounds like a great hunt bj! Looks like an amazing stand location.
Patrick
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Now that's entertainment!!!Your rut must not be in full swing yet if they are'nt chasing each other.Looks like they're getting ready though.I don't blame you for waiting.The rut has'nt started here yet I know.
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Way cool BJ ! Are You anywhere close to Harbor Beach ? I used to spend a lot of time there Fishing - LOVE the "Sunrise Coast" :OK - Bob.
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Thanks Patrick, yes this is a amazing spot. Maybe a little busy. I was actually glad when they moved a little further away so I could scratch my nose.
Bob yes I have a HB address. I'm about 9 miles south. PM me if you make it over this way sometime.
Ed our rut usually doesn't start for a couple weeks yet. Usually we're in full blown harvest mode with sugarbeets then. There were two smaller bucks sparring but not real seriously. The six point would chase them away every time they started. In fact that's what distracted him and changed his course. There was one doe that seemed to be flirting with him and they walked off and laid down in the soybeans. It's like you told me last year when I was starting out. Get on the board. I guess I got on the board last year with my four point. I've got nothing against shooting a doe, I'm thinking I should go buy a doe tag. I'd really like to save my buck tags but could sure use the meat. I really don't want to do it when there's eleven other deer in sight in a brand new stand. I do need meat though so hope this doesn't come back to haunt me. As far as hunting goes though, even though I haven't gotten out as much as I'd like. Man I've had some really fantastic close incounters. That's what I really love about this. It's all about the hunt. Good Luck everyone hope you all have some close incounters of your own.
Happy Hunting
Bjrogg
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Hope I'm not hogging up all the space on this thread, I'd love to see someone else's pictures and stories here. Just trying to share some of the most exciting hunting I've ever experienced.
Afraid this isn't all that exciting but it is a bit of a promising sign of possible things to come. I hunted my new tree stand again yesterday afternoon and evening. I got there early about 2:30pm. The deer come out here pretty early. I think it's because they feel safe and comfortable in the afternoon shade from the woods at the field edge. When I got there the first thing I noticed is that there where two brand new fresh rubs both within my comfort zone range. The wind was SE and supposedly going to calm down and turn east. Perfect. Evidently Mother Nature didn't read the same weather report. I can deal with a ESE wind here but that's not what happened. The wind just kept picking up stronger and turning less from the East. It was pretty much straight out of the South slightly East. It was fine for anything that came from the east or even north but the old tractor trail ramp coming up out of the woods was right downwind. I'm thinking they probably caught my scent. Nobody snorted or bolted, but they almost all came out to the field edge about 30 yards further east than usual. That puts them about 45 yards away from my stand. I still watched lots of deer. The nice six point was back and about 20 minutes before sunset and real nice eight point came out.
The only shot anyone presented was a dandy quartering away from a raccoon. He's luckily I didn't have a steel broadhead. I didn't want to use my best stone point arrow on him.
Walking home the coyotes were howling and got pretty close to me. There was a wide sliver of sky left but to dark to see them.
Bjrogg
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Yes animals seem to be gathering here too like they know what's coming.A doe was within 7 to 8 yards of me last night but behind the stand of course.Not all that many leaves on the ground yet so a noiseless appearance happens making a person stay on their toes.Turkeys roosting by every stand I'm in.They are my clock and half hour after they roost I head out if the coast is clear.
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Raining to beat the band here.Good to have it really from the hot dry summer.Did get out in the stand the afternoon before though.8 does and 1 small eight point buck entertained me 50 to 60 yards away.The 8 point went to beating up on a small tree for some time by himself.Very preoccupied.There were trees and brush within 20 yards of him down wind too yet.Almost came down from the stand to try to put the sneak on him.
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Just got back from Texas and have a few photos,, no meat,, this is my last day hunt, ,, from ground blind,,
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That shot makes me arm tremble.. (SH)
DBar
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yep me too,, one more,,
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Looks plenty dry there too.Nice looking young buck though.
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Nice stories Ed. Thanks for the little glimpse into your hunting stand.
Brad those look like some really close pictures. Darn nice buck and some nice property to hunt.
I haven't been able to get out lately and it's really bugging me. I've been waiting for a north wind. We finally got one for the last to days but I couldn't get out.
My cousin I made the "Deep Roots" bow for got a shot at 4 point a couple nights ago. He has tonight and maybe tomorrow morning to hunt yet. He went from starting to get a little down on hunting to totally hooked in the blink of a eye. He didn't get his four point but he does realize now that this isn't impossible and it's very thrilling. Pure adrenaline. It's raining here now. It's was a cool wet spring and summer here. But it's been hot dry fall. Funny how it always seems to average out.
Bjrogg
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my camera had a zoom,,the deer was about 40 yards,,
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Brad...I kind of thought that.I can see his hair coat is'nt near as thick as ours are here farther north.You got other hunting plans in your home area?
BJ....The weather your getting we just had.Here it's cooled off nicely with a north wind & stopped raining.It's a coming your way soon.I know what you mean.My stands are set up a lot for that north wind.Have others set up for south wind too majority are for the north wind.14 stands altogether.A person just never knows for sure what direction that deer will come from.I expect things to pick up even more soon.
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I didnt draw any more for hunting here,,
I can hunt turkey in Nov,,here in New Mexico,,
I probably wont have time or budget to go to texas till spring turkey hunt,,,
so I may not get to shoot at any more deer,,,,
I had a good close shot a a buck in texas, but things went crazy at full draw with another buck behind me I did not see,,,long story short,, I hit the buck in front of me in the horns,, it was not an effective shot,, and my arrow went in 10 different directions,, thrilling but unproductive in the meat department,, (SH)
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I finally made it into a stand this evening. That's the first time since opening day. This was my view looking down from a big split trunk osage tree. We keep the field mowed short. Next year we plan on seeding it with clover.
(https://i.imgur.com/jifhT4n.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/J5vNcqU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/e5vYdAY.jpg)
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Yesterday evening, I was in a lock on overlooking a green plot I planted. I have a perfect tree for my stand that grew behind a big hackberry tree that provides cover and makes me invisible to deer.
(https://i.imgur.com/bUI01E7.jpg)
To my front;
(https://i.imgur.com/5Nv0NFP.jpg)
The only way into the field from my left is a road through a double gate that I bush hogged and cleaned up so the deer would use it. The main field is about 50 acres of grown up pasture that the owner let go.
(https://i.imgur.com/v5pYeLr.jpg)
Two does came out of the grown up field at dusk and fed at about 30 yards and across the plot, a swirling wind gave them a whiff of me and off they went.
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yes that swirling wind is the deer friend,,,, nice stand, you will get one there for sure
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I hunted the stand overlooking a white oak that was dropping acorns like rain this evening, got blown out 4 times with deer either coming in down wind or crossing where I walked in. A big doe came in up wind and fed around at about 10 yards, I passed on a perfect shot opportunity, wide open broadside. I didn't bring my four wheeler (back surgery made long uphill deer drags impossible) and the way she was facing she would be off the ridge top into the thick bottom field if I put an arrow into her. The truth is, I didn't want to fool with a deer and wanted to see if big boy might come in for dinner. She finally looked up, saw me, and left.
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yes that swirling wind is the deer friend,,,, nice stand, you will get one there for sure
Sure got that right Brad.
Nice spot Eric. Those smart does are real trouble makers. They just seem like they have a sixth sense and even if they don't see or smell you they still jump or run at every noise or thing they don't "like". I had my wife drop me off at my favorite stand last night. The deer are less threatened by my pickup than me walking in. When I got out I had a coffee can full of corn I hand shelled I spread out on the ground. There was a garden squash in my truck and I tossed it out in the field. Big mistake, they might get use to it but every animal that came by started to nibble at the corn. Then immediately saw the squash. They all did the same thing. They quick ran a little ways away. Then they cautiously approached the dangerous squash. They would get about three feet from it neck stretched out. Nose and eyes concentrating on the very scary squash until the fear built up inside them and they turned and ran away not to return. One of the animals was as they say on all the outdoor shows a "Shooter Buck". He was at about 17 yards quartering towards me. I just never got him to turn before he saw the terrible squash. Pretty sure if the squash wasn't there he would have hung around long enough to give me the shot I was looking for.
Bjrogg
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I think the only place I've hunted where the wind didn't swirl was in the mountains of Colorado. In the sun, the air went up, in the shade, down. Even in these mountains here where I live the wind goes where it wants and changes directions at the least appropriate time. ::)
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That darn wind....I keep my hunting clothes in a plastic barrel with fresh cut golden rod and other plants growing here for a cover scent.I dress up and give it the Robin test sniff.Seems to work most times but not always.
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The first four pictures are from a tree stand in my east fence row. It's in a pine tree I planted about 25 years ago. I'm hoping to get a little time to use I tonight. Took these about a week ago. I should probably trim a few more shooting lanes. I have good cover though.
Bjrogg
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Beautiful location. I think your pine is a spruce or fir tree. :-\
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Your probably right Pat. I guess I thought spruce and fir where types of pine. I think the AFCS just called them pine trees. They were only about a foot tall when they were planted. It doesn't look like I'm going to get a chance to sit in them tonight.
The next four are from the other night when ylee coyotes showed up. I was just in the edge of the corn waiting for them to come out in the soybeans. No blind or seat even just stood here.
Bjrogg
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Those beans look like regular soybeans are'nt they?I know you raise edilble ones too right?Looks like good shooting lanes there though.They've just begun a little taking soybeans out here.Letting the corn dry down yet.I think it's really ready though.
Things were a stirring this morning.Lost count how many deer around.Somewhere's of 12 to 15.Had 7 or 8 under the stand within 30' of the tree.Half does and half 2 to 7 point bucks.Almost let loose on the 7.Seen a bigger 8 a ways off and waited on him.Trouble was he found 2 does over by him to chase.Never did get a shot.Better luck next time!!!!
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Your right Ed. Those are soybeans not edibles. We usually plant soybeans on our sugarbeets fields headlands and wedge rows. I'm actually finding it a real nice hunting combination. A regular smorgasbord for the deer that gets them in range. We do it because without self propelled harvester it a lot easier to combine soybeans than dig beets. Also we are in a cooperative with the beets and only allowed so many acres to plant. Might as well plant them where their not getting run over turning around. This was one of the few actual fields of soybeans we planted.
I messed up a really good shot at a spike horn last night. He walked under my stand. He came around the tree in front of me and stopped quartering away, head up looking out into the field. I concentrated on my spot, drew to full draw and watched my arrow go right over his back. Dang messed that one up. Usually I lean and square myself up to angle I'm shooting at and I can shoot the same as if I was on ground. If I don't do that I always shoot way high. I didn't do that. Oh well, I'm still trying to figure this hunting from trees stuff out yet. A lot of things I like but a few I don't.
Bjrogg
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when I shoot out of a stand, and Im a bit excited about the shot,, if I shoot right at the bottom of the deer I do best,,
its hard to make myself aim low,, but it makes more meat,, give it a try next time,,
then the fun starts,, I love to track the deer, ,,,,,,, and I like to processs them too,, and I love to eat venison,, you gonna get him next shot,,,,
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Brad....Bummer man.Know what you mean though.Even with all the practicing from a stand at short range it can happen.I've taken field tipped arrows with into the stand then shoot a couple first too.Kind of a confidence builder.I shot over a small eight last night too at 10 yards.Don't feel bad though there are a lot bigger ones out there.Awfully windy from the north this morning.Just like a winter storm.Hard to stay warm up in a stand then and I think deer don't like it that terrible windy either.Makes them nervous hearing noises everywhere.Keep at it bud....I will!!!
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I'm bowhunting seriously for the first time this year. Spending most of my time on small public tracts within a few miles of home. They are mainly crop fields with fencerows that act as travel lanes. I bumped two deer on the way out my first night. Saw two deer feeding in the alfalfa on the second night. Bumped a single deer on the way out the third night, she was only about 5 yards behind where I was standing 5 minutes earlier. Last night I saw nothing, but found a line of rubs. I am getting a lot of practice standing still, with hundreds of chipmunks it seems, you have to be still, otherwise they will all start chirping. I have also seen several rabbits and turkeys. I know if I keep at it, I will more than likely at least get an opportunity. Maybe with the weather finally cooling down things will pick up a bit.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4484/24047807388_8b9db991fc_k.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4486/24047807428_dccd0c0914_k.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4471/37868787332_8262bf738a_k.jpg)
Kyle
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Good luck Kyle. I hope you get some shot opportunities.
Aim a tad lower next time BJ. I hit high on close shots. I took a shot at a small spike the other day. He was just a few feet from my stand. It was a bad angle. I shouldn't have taken the shot. We tracked small drops of blood for a while before it dried up. We saw it take off up a hill and it was running fine. I will learn from it and not take any more shots at that steep of angle.
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That sucks Osage. Its amazing how small the vitals become when the angle increases like that. I am determined to limit myself to high percentage shots.
Kyle
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Ed I think you meant to say bj not Brad. I practiced a lot from a tree stand in my back yard this year. If i shoot the way my wheelie bow shooting brother showed me I'm right on at any distance. If I don't I'm way high. I also shot from every stand I put up. I might start another thread on this but I just plain guffed up on this one. It was all my bad.
That's great news Kyle. I was really hoping you'd give it a go. It's fun even if you don't shoot and you really can learn a lot from watching and getting close to these animals. I know exactly what you mean about those chipmunks. They are quite the alarm system. I always figure if the chipmunks, crows and turkeys don't spot me I've got a pretty good chance the deer won't either.
Osage I think I'm going to start another thread on shooting from elevated stands. I'd like to pick a few people brains. I know what you mean at that poor angle. I did that last year.
Bjrogg
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If it was easy everybody would be doing it.It takes more talent/time/and patience to get them this way and sometimes it just plain won't work out,but when it does it's pretty darn satisfying.
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shooting from a stand is not that far off topic I dont think anyone would mind a few thougths on that,,is is different ,, but you do have a great advantage of being able to draw without being seen,, not always,, but sometimes,,, :)
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I haven't shot from a elevated tree stand in a long time. But when I did I would concentrate bending at the waist and not just moving your arms down. the angle between your head and arms/shoulders need to be consistent with standing on the ground.
JIMO.....
DBar
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I haven't shot from a elevated tree stand in a long time. But when I did I would concentrate bending at the waist and not just moving your arms down. the angle between your head and arms/shoulders need to be consistent with standing on the ground.
JIMO.....
DBar
Bill that's the way my brother showed me to. If I bend at waist to square up with angle I'm shooting at I can look at same spot as if I'm on ground. That's what I didn't do this time. I was just curious if that's how everyone else does it or if they just look at a lower spot.
Bjrogg
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I try to keep my alignment the same,,,you can draw your bow level and then bend to make the shot,,take practice arrows to shoot from your stands,,
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Thanks Brad I guess that's how I usually do it. I am going to start taking a practice arrow.
Bjrogg
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I try to put my stands where I will have lower angled shots. On the 2 I got this year they were probably less than 8' below my level.
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Thanks Clint I do the same. All of my stands are 10' or less high. My anticipated shots are around the nine to ten yard range. That seems like a pretty doable angle. I have shot at all these stands this summer but now that season has started I haven't shot from a stand since. I always set my target out every night when I get in from hunting and shot several shots at deferent ranges and have been shooting really well from the ground. I like the idea of taking a few practice arrows in the stand. I know what I did wrong but I just have to make it second nature. I'm much more comfortable shooting and hunting from a tree this year but I obviously screwed up this shot. It wasn't lack of patience or buck fever. Just a problem with my form and I knew better.
Thanks for the help and suggestions, it's cooling down here now. I'm getting busier, not sure I'll get much if any time to sit in a tree for awhile now. May be gun season by my next hunt.
Good Luck everyone
Bjrogg
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I shoot from 15' stands.Most times standing up.Angles are pretty important like said.Broadside quartered away the best.I tend to aim a little lower then especially if it's closer than 15 yards.Bent over some then too like said.Hitting consistently in a 6" circle at 15 yards needs to happen but sometimes it don't....lol.In a good scenario though the arrow goes right through and sticks out the bottom.Arrow almost needs to go in to the fletching then.That's a dead deer....lol.
Lot of action again this morning again.Just too far away for comfort.I'd take pics while deer are there but I'm just plain too busy waiting and getting the right position for me and the deer.I don't own a camera phone but can see how that makes it easier.
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odd are getting they gonna make a mistake,,then take a pic ok,,
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This was my view over looking a rye planting on state forest land. We did a 5 day bow camp last week.
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Looks like money Pearl Drums. Gotta love this state.
Bjrogg
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Looks like a perfect spot Chris......
Wish my hunting area had more green fields. It tends to concentrate the critters.
Big woods is always tough to hunt because you need to know .... just what oak is dropping acorns?
@ Pearl.... Kim says "A Corns" sorry everyone inside joke with Chris..... :);)
DBar
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thats a beautiful spot, is that your arrow sticking in the dirt,,, (SH) looks like blood on it,,
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Brad
Are you talking @ Pearl??? You should know he only kills deer with muzzle loaders....Definitely must be talking about someone else. :)
DBar
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Now wait a second Kim, is it a-corns or akerns? Ya'll got my towards off!
No bloody arrow Brad. I had one button fawn get close enough last week, but I'm not a fawn killer. Wish I was at times.
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Nice looking alley way for those deer Chris.I mow trails in my small set of woods too.They like to follow that for sure.
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Really nice terrain and shooting lanes, wish we had some like that! Real nice sunrise/sunset pics, too - out here that much cover with those lanes would be about 100 yards or more! Winds we got this year! Trying to hunt cow elk in a new area (rifle), haven't seen sign at all, did see some does about 260 yards out, but the wind shifted and they left. Didn't get pictures, but the brush was about knee high with some scrub oak and sagebrush, some bunch grass, and a narrow canyon. Too old for tree stands and it's hard to find a tree to mount a stand on >:D! Ground blinds next year, I hope!
Hawkdancer
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Now wait a second Kim, is it a-corns or akerns? Ya'll got my towards off!
No bloody arrow Brad. I had one button fawn get close enough last week, but I'm not a fawn killer. Wish I was at times.
They ain't fawns if they ain't got no spots! I like to get me one on dem wonse ina wile. There so gud and tender.
Ya'll think I'm kidden, if its brown its daowwn!
Patrick
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These are the only deer I've been able to get close to lately. Still have about three good days of corn. We have to switch gears today and get ready for beets tomorrow. It's a very grueling two weeks minimum in the beets. Don't think I'll get back hunting with bow till gun season now.
Good luck everyone keep up the pictures and stories I love sneaking a peak when I can.
Bjrogg
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That's ok.Priorities.It's fun making money too....lol.
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My gut told me not to go out during very windy weather[NW 30 to 40 mph] but I did anyway in a stand that is set up for the direction and shooting lanes.That does'nt stop deer from coming the wrong direction though and the wind from swirling also.A nice enough 3.5 year old 8 point buck came within 30 yards of me I probably would of shot at but meandered around unaware till it hit my scent down wind.Gone in a flash.It's what they call BUSTED!!!It's been mentioned before by many.Being selective on your days counts a bunch.
I tell these happenings because it is'nt always that easy and just showing the kill can involve a lot of time and effort.The weather has become nice and brisk now though which is the way I like it for good deer movement.Good luck to others trying.
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Well I head to my property in IL in a week for a week. Hopefully this year I won't sink my phone in water and lose all my pics. I will have to see what is on the trail cams, we have two out, and post some of those pics. No electric or computer connection on the property. All primitive so all post will be post trip. I did put a small plot in at the end of August. It was still a dust bowl until end of September. We were there the first week of October and no growth but have gotten over 4" of rain since. It will be neat to see if it grew at all. I have passed/been shut out for 3 years so we will see how this year goes. Not shooting any deer in three years has kind gotten me an itch and I think I will scratch it this year regardless of sex or size. Have 4 tags and son has 2 non resident so hope its a good week.
Been out 4 times here in Southern MN with not much to show for it. Did have a nice fork horn get to with in 12 yards. But wouldn't you know I knew where they would come from but had to see where those squirrels went which was the other direction. Yea sitting on the ground the pick up movement rather easy. And had a doe at 15 yards took a shot, it was perfect except for the dead fall branch lying parallel to the ground 3 feet in front. Dang 1 higher and perfect. But it was a perfect center punch on the dead branch. Not sure how to cook at or what the limit is on them though.
God luck to all and may your arrows fly strait and true.
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Well we finished harvesting sugarbeets the day before yesterday. Did tillage almost all night. Almost caught up now. Still have about three days left in the corn if all goes well. It was 17 degrees yesterday morning so we got the sugarbeets off just in time. I probably shouldn't have but I went out to my favorite stand last night. Sorry didn't take any pictures but if you just imagine the soybeans and sugarbeets gone and a thin coating of snow you'd get the picture. Was a bit on the chilly side and I was very tired but it still felt good to carry my bow out for another hunt. I didn't see nearly as many deer now and they were very nervous. Of course the coyote howling in the woods probably didn't help. I probably shouldn't have but I passed on a real nice shot at a button buck. I just couldn't make myself do it. Sorry guys it's just the way I've been raised I guess. I don't have any problems with someone else shooting them but I just can't seem to make myself do it. I was ready to shoot if it was a doe. It really was a very nice sized button buck. They must have had good eating this year. Maybe he'll give me that shot next year. The rutt was on heavy last week. Saw lots of bucks paired up with doe while we were digging sugarbeets. I haven't put the bow away yet but it's already feeling like gun season here and probably will be by the next time I get out.
Good Luck Everyone and Happy Hunting
Bjrogg
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I shot a button one time, ,I thought it was a doe,, but no regrets, it was very tasty,, thats my main incentive ,, I love to eat veneson,,
just shoot what feels right,, you are there to have fun,, so do so,,,,glad you had a close encounter
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Thanks Brad, I basically feel the same way about hunting as you described. I'm more of a meat hunter and certainly not a trophy hunter. I think part of my reason I'm passing on button bucks is that I've never even been a bow hunter of any kind until last year when I hunted bow for my first time ever. I grew up with one tag and it had to have antlers. It was that way for many years for me. Eventually we were allowed doe permits for a extra fee and now a buck combo also for a extra fee. It just seems to be harder than I thought for me to break this selective type of hunting. I doubt I'd have any regrets and I'm positive they would be very tasty. I am very much enjoying my close encounters and hunting this year. I really don't want it to end. I am really starting to crave some fresh venison though. It's hard to say for sure but the next button might not be so lucky. At any rate it's been fun and like you said that's what it suppose to be.
Bjrogg
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I'm no fawn killer myself, BJ. I have no issue with it whatsoever, I'm just not one.
Friday morning was the coldest bow hunt I've been on. My truck read 14 when I parked. Brrrr......no deer moved either.
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Well yesterday the wind finally died down and 17 degrees felt like we were living in the banana belt. The deer seemed to be out. About 3:00pm I couldn't take it any longer. The wind was still probably six mph but after a month of 15mph that seemed undetectable. I strung my new Osage bow. The first I've ever made. It's so new I don't even have it sealed. I bundled up good grabbed my mink quiver and backpack and headed for my west fencerow. I figured if I was going to sit in a tree it was going to be a pine tree. I drove across my worked field following the trail from before. It seems the deer are less afraid of a vehicle and I don't get sweated up and then cold getting a ride. I also don't spread near as much scent around. I noticed a half dozen deer in the nieghbors hay field and they ran to the woods. The plan was for me to get out and my wife to stealthy drive the pickup out of the field to the road home. She didn't really like this plan and claimed not to like driving across the field. After watching her drive past the end of the fence row half way across the nieghbors field then across the nieghbors field to the road end of the field but right past the drive into it. Then turned back south to our field stopping by our field drive she must have decided it was so much fun she continued across our field all the way back to the house. I told her she'd like it, I just didn't realize how much. So much for the stealthy exit. The deer probably got tired of watching her after awhile and I'm sure thought she was just having a good old time driving around in the worked field.
It must have worked because within half an hour there where 11 deer in the nieghbors hay field grazing their way towards me. They crossed my fence row about 70 yards south of me and went to the sand ridge where the most sugarbeets had gotten knocked out of the rows by the topper. I watched them for about 20 minutes and then we all heard a muzzle loader blast that scared them and they ran back to the nieghbors hay field. As I watched them slowly graze towards me again my eyes caught movement further south down the fence row. A coyote was working his way across my field towards me. The wind was right I was hoping for a shot. When the coyote crossed the path the deer had just used he angled across my field to the road and hunted there for several minutes. Then he backtracked towards me again. He basically followed his earlier path and came about 50 yards from me. He got to the fence row and headed back south. Shorty after it was turning dark and fearing if I waited for my wife to find me in the dark I my freeze to death I decided to walk across the frozen field home. Once again no shots but still a very enjoyable hunt. the swans and geese flights were passing through low level in the falling snow. Even in the dark the fresh white snow brightened up the way home. My new Osage bow felt very good in my hand as I unbraced it and carried it home. Not sure if I'll get another hunt yet this year but they've all been enjoyable.
Happy Hunting and Merry Christmas everyone
Bjrogg
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Oh tried to take pictures but my phone didn't like the cold and battery went dead . Just got this one darn I could have gotten some nice ones
Story on page 7
Bjrogg
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Good matter of fact story BJ.You guys have been getting the snow there.Makes it feel colder for sure.The cold here would kill my camera batteries too I'm afraid so I don't even bother.It's still gun season going on here and the deer are spooked pretty good.I'm usually out there for a least 3 hours when bow hunting and most times longer.When it gets below 30 degrees I'm out of there especially for that amount of time.I'm using a blind now too which does help to a degree.
I do plan on getting another shot though sometime.I won't be too picky either....lol.
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Thanks Ed, it's still muzzle loarder here and the deer are still really nervous here to. In fact it was the first time I saw any in the daylight since Nov 15th the start of our shotgun season. It's getting to where they are getting hungry and cold. They've had it pretty good till now but it's going to get though for them now. They seem to be herding up now which isn't going to make it any easier with the stick bow. I got lots of venison from friends who didn't want to deal with it so at least that pressure is off. I saw a lot of wildlife and that's really all it takes for me to enjoy the hunt. I would very much like to get closer though and maybe just maybe get another shot. No regrets other than messing up the shot I did take. It's been my favorite hunting season as a total I've ever had. Lots of good close encounters.
Good Luck Ed and anyone else still hunting out there.
Bjrogg
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That point in the pic looks like it might be a piece of TV screen. I bet "it well cut". :)
DBar
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Yes sir Bill, it looks like ice and yes "it will cut" now the real question is "will it kill"lol.
Bjrogg
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Well our snow melted and I went out to my west fence row. The deer liked the hay field with some green growth protected by the now melted snow. Snapped a couple pictures. Not sure you can see them but there's a couple groups of deer in the field. They never got close enough but they are calming down a bit.It started snowing shortly after and I walked home with about a half inch of snow on the ground. We're supposed to get 3 to 5 " tonight.
Bjrogg
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Love the pictures thanks guys for sharing, and yes I can see the deer. Yep just a tad out of my instinctive range. ;) Maybe if I was a tube shooter. ;) :) :)
Pappy
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Good pics BJ.Looks like a sizeable amount of deer in your area yet.They make sure they've got a lot of space between cover and them.Starting to see groups here too in a relaxed type mood.Like most areas they seem to herd up this time of year.Here too.Just plain too far away for a shot.
Sounds like you'll still get a white christmas there.Not here though.Mostly drizzle and rain.First one in quite a while I'd say too.Winter is'nt over with yet by no means either.
I did happen to see a nice buck with some does yet but the chances of him getting into the right spot are pretty slim.Never know though with this hunting.Seems like sometimes that's when the stars align.....lol.
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Yep Ed same here, but as I have said you can go from Zero to Hero in just the blink of an eye, main thing is you have to be out there. ;) We got 2 or 3 more weeks and I am sure I will be out after them a few more time before it is over, just been kind of taking a break for a few days and through Christmas. Miss Joanie likes me focused of home and family through the holidays and I like to be also. ;) :) No snow here either but it sure feels like it could, supposed to be cold [down in the teens] this coming week so my MI. and N.Y boys should feel right at home.
Pappy
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Thanks Ed, Thanks Pappy.
It's the same here to. They are all herding up and in larger groups then they were in earlier. Makes it tougher but like you said Pappy, as long as your out there anything can happen. Ive been trying to zero in on them but also like Pappy said family and the holiday come first. It's really supposed to get cold here now.
We have about 4"or 5" now and suppose to get about that much more tonight. Pretty soon the fox and coyotes will be looking for mates. They could use some thinning out around here before Mother Nature does the job herself. Merry Christmas to everyone
Bjrogg
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I just found the thread, again. Sure was great to see all those pics of the different hunting grounds. I hope to participate this year in the fun. We have had a pretty substantial part of our area clear cut and it should be fun having the new vistas to watch and the new habits of the animals to adapt to. I am turkey hunting this weekend so I will try to keep things going with some pics.