Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Archived Hunting Pics => Shooting and Hunting => 2018 Hunting Pics => Topic started by: BowEd on December 01, 2018, 05:06:27 pm

Title: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 01, 2018, 05:06:27 pm
Yesterday was the last day to bow hunt before shutting down here for gun season.It's been occasionally raining here with it staying foggy in between.The snow pack seems to help with that.The deer hunting Gods must have smiled a little on me as this buck came by yesterday evening before dark.Found him this morning.He went a good 75 paces I suppose.I thought it was a good shot but let him set yet over night.I had taken a pic of does that were around earlier showing the constant fog so I thought I'd throw that in there.Shot him with same bow and arrow as the doe shot earlier this season.48# Horn bow and a 560 grain dogwood with a 160 grain grizzly broadhead.
(https://i.imgur.com/B0ZoioL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kpcZ2Y8.jpg)
Did a skull mount on him.Good balanced rack.
(https://i.imgur.com/oxrQ6ZL.jpg)
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: osage outlaw on December 01, 2018, 05:10:14 pm
That's a dandy buck Ed.  Congratulations.  I always liked hunting in the fog. 
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 01, 2018, 05:46:17 pm
Yup. That one will do! Yes, Ed, that will just do.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: bjrogg on December 01, 2018, 06:20:30 pm
Congratulations Ed. Nice buck, nice season. Lots of good meat in the freezer and all the other goodies I know you'll make use of.
Most of snow is gone here again. We get that fog when it rains and snow is on the ground to. Gun season finished last night. It'll be muzzleloader in a few more days. I'm still hoping to fill a doe tag and maybe get lucky enough for a four point or better on one side buck.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Stixnstones on December 01, 2018, 06:33:29 pm
Congrats! He is a dandy
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 01, 2018, 07:15:55 pm
Thanks fellas.
I'm pretty sure it's the buck I saw back on the 24th a week ago.It was a bit foggy then too.Horns look the same.Facial and neck markings look the same too.
(https://i.imgur.com/llGVqsB.jpg)
Hopefully his brain tanned hide will be close to the same thickness as the buck back in 2015.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Outbackbob48 on December 01, 2018, 07:25:21 pm
Nice buck Ed, been foggy here also with rain on the snow. Another one to braintan? I have one coming out of the buck tomorrow and will be graining. Bob
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: osage outlaw on December 01, 2018, 07:51:25 pm
Looks like the same buck to me
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Morgan on December 01, 2018, 10:22:45 pm
Fine deer ed, glad everything came together for you!
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Danzn Bar on December 02, 2018, 04:30:48 am
Way to go Ed...………..nice deer.
DBar
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 02, 2018, 05:12:55 am
Thanks to all friends that hunt with these bows.You can understand just how it is and have all been there at 1 time or another.I'm no trick shooter I'll garauntee that.Persistence/educated quess's and a bit of luck can go a long ways though.Happy the Amish across the fence gun hunting did'nt get him because I'm sure they knew of him.
After skinning this buck I seen that he was run down a bit from the rut the last month and a half.By that I mean very little tallow on this fella.I think he was the dominant buck in the area.His scrapes were fairly close to my blind.Saw many deer pass but all out of range over a weeks time in the blind.Otherwise earlier I was in my tree stands with mostly the same results weeks prior to that.
Within range a few times was some bobwhites and an opposum besides the squirrels but not for long.Thought I might get a shot at a turkey but did'nt.The opposum at 1 time tried to come into the blind.I tapped him on the head with the tip of my bow.He looked surprised and left the way he came in.We'll probably see him again in the cat shed eating cat food later.I carried a BB gun I've used before shooing coon from our bird feeders with me to the blind the next day......Ha Ha.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: bjrogg on December 02, 2018, 06:05:13 am
Great buck Ed, but as you know it's all the little stories and memories that really make it all so special. I know the I'm no trick shooter but a bit of luck and persistence bit to. It just nice to get out there and see stuff. Even if it's just a opossum that wants to use your blind.
Once again a very heart felt congratulations on a great and memorable season.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: sleek on December 02, 2018, 06:10:09 am
Ed, hellova buck there.  Bucks grow to impressive mass, but what is most impressive to me is your bow! Is that the bamboo backed horn bow I saw at Mojam? If so, thats got to be the fastest sweetest shootin bow i have ever seen.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: HH~ on December 02, 2018, 06:46:54 am
Great success. Fine looking deer in less than average weather conditions.

Shawn~
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 02, 2018, 06:53:36 am
Yes it's good to see the diversity of animals healthy and hanging around.I watch them a lot even from the house.Helps make the woods what it is and can get a person to forget the normal things that can be stressful in life.
I did have this bow at Mo Jam.It is a very smooth shooter mid to full draw.Reason why I like to hunt with it.It's sinew backed though with close to 3/16" thickness of sinew at the fades.It took some time to fully cure.I used birch bark as a moisture barrier.Light tan in color and have'nt had any problem with the lighter shade spooking deer.I've got some bamboo strips yet from earlier builds of BBO's etc.I should make a plan or two for a build using them.I've seen some fantastic shades of green applied lately to bamboo backs that really impressed me plus they really do perform well and are durable too.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 02, 2018, 07:06:50 am
Thanks....I don't mind the snow really.For obvious tracking reasons.Always been a part of life around here.It's when it gets below 25 F. I'll get too stoved up to shoot properly I feel over a 2 to 3 hour time period.The wind is huge factor then too of course.Something like a stalk hunt would be different.A person can keep moving a bit,but it's all sit tight and ambush around here.
Got this deer shot just in time as it's headed for single digits temps soon.Probably more snow then too.Still got 1 more tag to fill though so I'll be watching the weather.After gun seasons though the odds go down quite a bit for another decent shot.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 02, 2018, 10:34:07 pm
Nice buck, Ed!  Hope you get to fill that other tag!  Hope to see you again at MOJAM!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Pappy on December 03, 2018, 05:03:14 am
Congrats Ed, very nice buck, well done. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 03, 2018, 05:45:48 am
I should be there Hawk.....It'll be good seeing you too.
Thanks Pappy......I guess every dog gets his day once in a while.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Knoll on December 03, 2018, 06:04:55 am
Good lookin' buck, Mr Ed. Congrats!    (R   :-D           :OK
Now, if you'd just crack a smile for those pictures . . . .   ;)
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: osage outlaw on December 03, 2018, 06:10:05 am
I see the beard got a little shorter since Mojam
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: ohma2 on December 03, 2018, 08:27:31 am
Nice buck ,i like the does in the fog pic
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 03, 2018, 08:47:25 am
Mike....I am smiling....Ha Ha.Must be more on the inside maybe???
Clint....The beard is still there just tucked in.I had a stretchy camoflauged tube around my neck that I pull up over my nose when deer get close.Gonna have to do something about that though.It's getting in my soup....Ha Ha.
ohma2.....Yea I thought so too.Kinda like that movie gorillas in the mist....Ha Ha.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 03, 2018, 10:14:23 am
Congrats to you Ed!
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 04, 2018, 06:31:26 am
Thanks Chris.It's been a fairly long season.A DNR biologist was by and it's official.He's a 4.5 year old.That's what I thought he was too.
Got some hide work to do now when it gets warm.My neighbor dropped off a dead goat too.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 05, 2018, 04:34:16 am
Thinking back here I actually saw this buck 3 times in all this season.Usually once or twice is about the max of times I see bucks like this.He's no monster of course but they seem to stay hidden or go nocturnal once they realize hunting season is on.The first time I heard him before I saw him.He was rubbing against a telephone pole around 80 yards away.Could'nt get him to come in to me.Second was from my deck early in the morning which I took a picture of shown.Third was walking by me for a shot.Consider myself fairly lucky to get the opportunity.Altogether so far I've seen 7 different bucks traveling around here this season.
My neighbor was by last evening to buy some honey and informed me he had his land hunted upon by a number of people without permission this year yesterday.That can happen around here.I've been through that too in years past.The local game warden who I know rather well is pretty busy this time of year.It seems to get a little crazy with no consideration for many land owners at all.Signs are not heeded or respected.It's a part of the hunting season I don't enjoy.I've never had any problems with my neighbors about this.It's usually done by out of towners or people not from this area.

Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: mullet on December 05, 2018, 11:20:07 am
Congratulations, ed. That's a good looking deer.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 05, 2018, 12:11:08 pm

My neighbor was by last evening to buy some honey and informed me he had his land hunted upon by a number of people without permission this year yesterday.That can happen around here.I've been through that too in years past.The local game warden who I know rather well is pretty busy this time of year.It seems to get a little crazy with no consideration for many land owners at all.Signs are not heeded or respected.It's a part of the hunting season I don't enjoy.I've never had any problems with my neighbors about this.It's usually done by out of towners or people not from this area.

I hate having to be the honorable guy that always asks permission and bears the burden of being told no because of the jerks that trespass.  But it serves no purpose to bitch in the landowner's face, it just sets me back further into the territory of the jerks.  Sorry to hear that, Ed. 
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 05, 2018, 04:40:09 pm
Thanks Eddie.
JW....Eveyones' situation can be different the way I see it.I have a very small area that I own to hunt on.I really can't give permission for someone else to hunt it if I'm hunting it.It can't take that kind of hunting pressure.Deer movement routes can change at the flip of a hat.If I owned a lot of land things would be different.Even so the people I would have given permission to hunt there should be the only hunters on there.I'm positive you are an honorable fella,and it's sad it happens so much to the point that people don't trust any more.
I used to coon hunt as a life style and getting permission was very important.Even beyond the areas that I hunted because of the ranging nature of that type of hunting.Building trust takes time and I'm an old hand at it but have been refused permission many times though too.I had to have at least 25 to 30 different drops from 8 to 10 different land owners to keep my hounds tuned for hunts and training young dog prospects for many years.Every fall before season I would give land owners a fruit basket in appreciation.It is'nt that hard to do.That's only a small token but the effort was made and acknowledged by the land owners and trust and good repore was made.They all knew my truck.
The guide lines stated by the state for pursuit of a wounded animal I abide by.If a hunter has an animal shot that has run onto my property then by all means they can retrieve it if I'm notified.That has happened here before.I get back the same consideration from my neighbors.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 06, 2018, 02:21:21 pm
Yeah, you have far more "pocket" landownership than we have out here.  I can understand not allowing hunting on your own small homestead acreage.  The stuff out here in the west that riles me almost as much as trespassers wrecking it for us honest folks are the people owning 35,000 to 200, 000 acres of land and not allowing any hunting....and then bitching when a couple hundred or more deer get into your 45 acre hay yard of 75,000 big round bales.  All that hay turning to deer turds is karma.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 06, 2018, 02:44:27 pm
Sounds like ranchers or cattleman owning large tracts of land out your way.To hunt on their lands you need an inside acquaintance to get a foot through the door.
One thing I found out about deer hunting here is that lines are crossed occasionally being divided into many different owners.I'm sure it drives the local game warden crazy with all of the complaints.I'm glad I'm on good terms with my neighbors.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 06, 2018, 10:01:26 pm
The guy with the huge acreage wants $$1,500-$2,000 to let you hunt, but doesn't hesitate to cry wildlife damage if the deer or elk get after his hay!  The people own the wildlife here in Colorado, and my thinking is if you want damage money - we want free hunting to stop our game from eating your hay that you aren't paying for anyway.  Our trespass laws are very strict, like down to a yard or less!  If I am anywhere near private land, I try. To have a good map, compass, and some sort of gps locator with me, found out my phone has a locator, so that helps.  Also, there is an app that shows public, private boundaries and ownership.  I will check with Jacie and post the info.
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 07, 2018, 05:57:55 am
This subject is going a different direction.The state of Iowa here owns the wildlife.Outfitters lease ground from land owners by the acre and then charge unbelievable prices for hunters to hunt too.Even more than $1500.00-$2000.00.This subject is all about the money.When money enters the equation the fun goes out of it far as I'm concerned.It boils down then to whoever offers the best offer to the land owner as to who hunts.It's exactly why I've carved out my own little slice of heaven here I can enjoy with minimal fees[to the state] and hassle.
I found out exactly what went by on my neighbors ground.His land was not trespassed upon.He was mistaken.Hunters with permission from the land owner hunted land next to my neighbors.They were from out of state and were only hunting on land they had permission on.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 07, 2018, 09:18:27 am
I gotta heartily agree with you. When Pay-to Play enters the equation, not only the fun goes out, but the course is set and the final destination becomes the old European model of hunting.  Wildlife is no longer managed for the public, but for those that can afford it, and now we have the beginnings of a stratified class system where your options are dictated by your class. While there may be a rare few here in this forum that would continue to hunt, the vast majority of us will become the peasants looking longingly at the lord of the manor's deer.

But I am glad to hear that the neighbor's land was unviolated. I am glad to hear the out of state hunters had the good ethics to remain on appropriate property.

I hope you find your elusive bucks in the mist for a long time to come, Ed. I know how it means far more to you than just the meat in the freezer, another set of antlers hanging, or a hide to be brained.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 07, 2018, 10:25:57 am
Thanks for the acknowledgement of my shown and stated values on wildlife.To set the record straight here.One thing to point out about this is that I've paid my fee to own land in the U.S. as anyone can through hard work.This makes it a bit different than the old European model of hunting.The state here still owns or oversees the harvesting of deer but not the land.It's a free country where people can work for themselves if they like and not for any lords or nobles.The shots I get at these deer are not just happen stance occurances as the pictures may project.Most times many many hours are spent in just getting a shot.My statements may seem harsh and do understand your frustrations but it's just the way it is.
Added to this the state provides quite a bit of public hunting land for hunters paid for by hunters and fisherman so that anyone can hunt with proper "state controlled fees".
Are'nt there any deer on the land that you turkey hunt on?
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 07, 2018, 11:58:38 am
Yes, there are deer on the public land where I hunt turkey. However, the tags are becoming more and more scarce for that public land while many tags go unfilled on much of the privately owned prairie land that compromises 96% of the state. The additional few percentage points of private land leased for access by the state is heavily pressured both by locals and out of state hunters. 

Since 1955 the United States has lost half of the hunting public. It is hovering just above 5% of the population. And those that hunt and fish carry almost the entire burden of conservation dollars.  The well is going dry.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 07, 2018, 04:54:24 pm
This state monitors the numbers of harvested deer every year and tags are issued here according to what each county can handle on numbers.The harvest numbers have increased in this state from 2016 to 2017 by 4%.Granted these numbers can fluctuate a little according to the amount of antlerless tags issued and harvested but a limitless number is available for residents.Many do go unfullfilled here too but that's not out of the normal occurance since I can ever remember.I'm in my mid sixties and been hunting since a little boy.Over the last decade deer numbers are as good as they have ever been and even better.Steadily increasing from year to year.Making the well as wet or wetter than ever here for revenue from residents and for deer populations.No dooms day dilemma here.Hunters in this state can eat as much deer as they ever wanted to and a lot of meat goes to food pantries for homeless people or those needing assistance.
This is info from the horses mouth of 2 different DNR officers of this state.I cannot state anything about your state.The percentage of hunting public tags issued versus land owners tags is roughly 80% versus 20% in this state with 97% of the land hunted privately owned and 3% public hunting.Some of the lowest percentages in the country mostly because of it fertile nature of the soil used for crops.States out west have a lot larger tracts for public hunting percentage wise. I'm sure most of the hunting done on private land other than the land owner is from public hunters knowing the land owner through an acquaintance or friendship with no money involved in this state.You must not know too many country folk in your local area is all I can only imagine but you put invitations out to others for turkey hunting.I would say for your situation in your state the early bird gets the worm probably and really don't know how you can state for the state of affairs for the whole country as the info here in Iowa is we are doing fine.
It's always been the burden of hunters fees to carry the load for conservation since I can ever remember.Nothing has changed for decades about that.That's old news.
To add here in reflection no system is perfect and has it's flaws.This one though at least gives enough freedom to adapt to it.A resource as this has to be managed properly by an overall power.To be left to be managed by the public would have very toxic results.
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: bjrogg on December 09, 2018, 08:44:50 am
Ed congratulations again on a very successful hunting season. I know how hard it is to get these shots and how much work and planning goes into it. I own land to and much like you it is very small amount that is actually suitable for this type of hunting. It's very easy to change patterns and completely screw up my hunting even by something I do.

I really do feel blessed to have the opportunity I have and live in this great nation. To be a land owner is both a blessing and a curse. We don't have the huge tracts of land like the prairie, but we still have the same delima with land owners being afraid to let someone they don't know or maybe even do know hunt their property. The same problem of hunters being mad at land owners that won't let them hunt on their property. Of outfitters who lease properties and then charge hunters to use the land they lease. It's pretty hard, probably impossible to make everyone happy. I don't mean to disrespect any one but land owners are in a tough spot to. Many would rather put up with hundreds of deer or Elk damaging their crops then dozens of hunters driving their vehicles through them. Leaving their litter, carcasses knocking down fences leaving gates open. It may seem like paying a outfitter $1,500 or $2,000 is very expensive, but I assure you it's much cheaper than owning land and usually you get more than just the right to hunt a property. I've never done this type of hunt but I do know some local outfitters. They provide blinds, transportation to and from them. Recover animals, and process them and refrigerate them. For goose they provide decoys and set them up. No small job. They provide blinds and callers. For turkey the same. I know $1,500 or $2,000 seems like a lot and to be honest I couldn't afford it either, but it is probably a good deal compared to the expense of owning land. My property taxes are many times more than that. The outfitters I know aren't getting rich. They are providing non land owners with a much less expensive opportunity to hunt private land. Like Ed I also have many people who ask to hunt my land. I do allow a few select hunters that opportunity. Most I know, but some I don't. I might know someone else they know or a different landowner they hunt. It does help to bring a small gift. Maybe a can of peanuts any little thing. It just makes a good impression and when someone is asking to hunt your property your wondering what their really made of.

Ed I'm really sorry this post went in a different direction. It is a topic that should be in a different thread. I'm not meaning to high jack it. I'm just trying to explain a few things many don't realize or think of. And we're not even talking about the possibility of law suits.

Jerry and JW I hope you find a Happy Hunting ground without leaving this world or nation. I'm pretty sure if you can even find one landowner that allows you to hunt and you keep them happy they'll tell others.

Bjrogg
Title: Re: Buck in the mist
Post by: BowEd on December 09, 2018, 09:50:17 am
That's quite alright BJ.I thought I had pointed out myself too the flip side view of land ownership and it's responsibilities but your points are well stated.Experience/education/and understanding with an open mind minus the personal feelings is an invaluable sometimes scarce commodity.
There's an ongoing effort made here in the state of Iowa through news letters by the DNR because of it's lack of public hunting ground to buy private hunting ground from land owners just for public hunting or to at least volunteer the access.It makes sense of course to the DNR.Many of whom have volunteered from what I've heard.
Anyway it's that time of year now herds start forming and what my friends call and what I've seen myself too that traveler bucks start coming through to catch unbred does & does coming into estrus.It's fun to watch for sure.To get a shot is another thing,but there's a good chance of it with the weather being the way it is forecast to be.