40,000 acres and I'm supposed to see a deer!!!!!

Here we go again!!! So I called a friend who has 400 acres of prime deer country. But cold not get him interested and did not want to damage a friendship over $30.50. That is the price of a permit to hunt WMA (wildlife management area) land.

Have you ever had a friend that can drop an ugly old rubber worm in a mud puddle and pull out a 5 pound bass or take a pot shot at a deer that he can hardly see and it tun out to be a 7 point buck? I do. And that is why I spent $30.50 on a WMA permit to hunt with him. See we planned to go hunting the wed before Thanksgiving on the 400 acre spot but since we couldn't get on it we decided to go to the WMA spot where he killed the 8 point that I posted earlier.

We got out there in the 40,000 acre wood (much larger than Pooh's 100 acre wood). And it was slap full of deer!!! Just not where I was standing. It was not a doe day for guns so I brought my bow along. Kinda awkward toting a rifle and a bow through the woods, but I did it for the first hunt. Then I left it in the truck for the second hunt. And on the third and finally drive of the day I left it in the truck again and lo-and-behold what comes my way? Two does yes that's right 2 does! Not only can I see them I can see that they are does with my multi-focal lenses (that's right not just bi-focal multi-focal). So close they are and looking not at me that I probably could have hit them with a rock! And guess where my bow was.....in the truck!!!!!

So once again I see 2 deer so it was a good hunt.

I had to work Thanksgiving and the Friday after but my hunting pal went out Friday and shot at a doe (he has doe tags) he missed but gave due diligence to track it in case he wounded it. Then he sits down, looks up and sees the body of deer. Not the head just the body. So he shoots it. 150 yards later he finds a 7 point buck piled up in a ditch.Yeah my thoughts exactly!

So I get to here a great story on our way out Saturday and how they saw at least 10 other deer in this section of the 40,000 acre wood. So that is where we go. Absolutely beautiful...not a deer for miles!

We decide to set-up a small drive some other guys join us so we have 5 hunters now, 3 of use as shooters and 2 drivers. I find a great spot and clear some leaves from under foot and scare up a doe! She bolts up the hill before I can even raise my rifle! Ok, they haven't even started the drive maybe I'll see more. 10 minutes later I hear shuffling in the leaves and pow there is a fawn. So I put my scope on it and watch  it struggle all the way up the hill to stand broadside at the top. Cross-hairs on the kill zone easy shot! But I had decided when I watched it struggling to climb the hill that it was too small especially to be my first deer. It could not have been more than 7 months old!

Woo-Hoo another hunt and 2 more deer spotted! Soon I will get that shot off!!

Averaging 2 Deer for Every Outing

Well ...seems like I start a lot of stories this way! Well, I went out hunting again.....LOL! I did really I went out three Saturdays in a row. The first was another epic episode in my hunting career. I went to my friends farm (the one where I jumped the deer and came really close to getting a shot off), I decided to try the same route as when I spooked the deer only this time I parked on the other side of the house, so not to put headlights on the deer right away. I snuck around the house and into the pasture, I belly crawled across the top of the pasture so I would not be silhouetted (just like the magazines say) and I eased down along the fence line. Well there were not any deer bedded in the field this time! But to my right I heard something walking in the woods, it matched me step for step almost. Then I hit the barbed wire fence! I could see where the deer were crossing it, unfortunately me not being quite as limber I had to make a choice cross the pasture to get to the gate and come all the way back or try and get over the fence! Hmmm...I found a low spot and crossed the fence and only put one hole in my pants! I got low and listen for the sounds in the woods. Then made my way to a big oak tree with low hanging limbs. I was covered well so well in fact I could not see anything! I turned and moved but still couldn't see So I figured that I needed to move my feet so I could turn my body some. Ever so gently I slid my foot through the leaves just enough to turn my hips and get a better view. And what a view I got!!! Those WHITETAILS are so pretty when they bounce away from you and back into the woods!!! That was the only one I saw all day!

Fast forward to last Saturday. I went to another spot right near the very first spot I went to. Only this time I was determined to get deeper into the big tress and hopefully get some good shooting opportunities. It was great the weather and 4x4's had taken down all of the brush that was keeping me from getting to some other hunting areas. I trekked on. I followed a stream bed for awhile and saw an opening in the trees ahead. Ambush area I was thinking, as I looked up there was an automatic feeder in the clearing! Someone was hunting this area already! WooHoo for me this might be my lucky day! Except the clearing that I saw was actually the river and the feeder was on the other side! :-(  Ok the magazines say the deer swim, maybe they swim across the river get a bite to eat then come back! So I set up at a spot that had several good shooting lanes and I waited...and waited...and waited...and got cold. So I thought perhaps its too cold for them to swim it was too cold for me to sit there any longer so I worked my way out to a sunny spot. And guess what a deer saw me first and again I got a great look at that pretty WHITETAIL bouncing up and down! Several hours later still no deer.

Here is the picture I promised you!

My good friend got this 8 pointer!

Speaking of my good friend we went out to my buddy's farm Saturday with RIFLES!!!It was a doe day and my friends all want me to get a deer so I borrowed his rifle and we went a huntin'!!! I had a great spot with good shooting lanes and great visibility. But there was so much shooting going on around us that I know if I was a deer I would be laying down in a briar patch and not moving at all. Apparently I think like a deer! Not a single glimmer of deer fur anywhere all morning! So I went home for lunch and came back a 4:00 pm hoping for some late afternoon action. And I got it!!! 3 fat raccoons wobbled across right where the deer should have been!

This has been while unproductive harvest wise the best of times hunting! The leaves are sooo pretty and watching the landscapes change while the sun rises and sets is awe inspiring. As a matter of fact there were several times that I may have missed a deer because I was sucked into watching the leaves!!!

I am going out Wednesday after work hopefully there will be a picture of me and my harvest soon!!

Hunt success Harvest fail

Its been awhile since my last post (no one is reading anyway!) but I have been on several hunts since then. I was ready bright and early one Saturday morning but... the fire alarm went off at work so I had to go in and make sure the place wasn't burning down! It wasn't and I got into the woods pretty late. Same spot that I ambushed the second deer but since it was so late in the morning I did not see anything. I went back to the first spot again and went into the woods at daybreak at the same place that the screaming deer crashed in but did not see anything but squirrels! At least I know my camo is working! I had one squirrel jump onto the tree I was leaning on! I thought he was going to jump on me!!!!! But no deer. I went with a friend one evening to his 10 acre plot but the area he said the deer should come from was occupied by a couple of punks camping and making a bunch of noise! So no deer came from over there.

Then there was this morning! I scouted an area Saturday and actually found a scrape in an area below two oak trees. So there is food and traces of deer activity. I found a natural blind within my comfort range for shooting too! So I wake up at 5am load myself into the Trooper and head to the field. When I pull up my headlights find 2 deer just hanging out! I didn't even make it out of the truck and got busted!!!!! Well I waited a few minutes then got out and when I did the big doe snorted at me and went into the woods. So I proceeded the round-about way through the first field going away from where the does just went. About three quarters of the way through the field which by the way is only lit by moonlight I jump 3 more deer!! They were running over each other to get awayt from me! I saw them when I shined my flashlight on them. They ran to the corner of the field where 2 fences meet. So I moved into the second field heading for my "spot" in the dark! I stopped and listened to those deer still crashing through the thickets (later I found where they crossed the fence). When the sun finally started coming up I was able to make my way to my spot still hoping that the 5 deer I already spooked would relax and visit the acorns and scrape. And I waited, and waited and waited some more. Finally I see a really big doe and a fawn making their way towards the acorns. Now, I have read that hunters need to 'play' the wind, HA! the wind where I was was swirling every which way so there was no way for me to 'play' the wind. Apparently the big doe caught a whiff of me or something else spooked her but with a snort a yelp and a leap whoosh they were both gone! The big one was only like three or four steps away from giving me an opportunity to shoot too! Then a chill set in me that I just couldn't shake so I don't think I could have held my sights on target from the shivering anyway so I called it a day.

Things I learned:

1. theres no need to get anywhere before dawn if you need sunlight to see where you are walking.
2. I will set up at the farm equipment in the first field and let the deer come to me
3. I need a scarf!

Hopefully the next entry will include a photo of a harvested deer!

Second try

I went this morning to another spot that I have never scouted before. SO not knowing the lay of the land I trekked into the woods. I was following an old road and as I came down a slope just out of the high grass I could see another trail intersecting ahead. And there right where the to trails met stood a doe! Broadside, presenting a perfect shot!!!!!

A perfect shot for someone who was ready! Not me I was holding my little chair in one hand, but I did have an arrow nocked in the bow but couldn't drop the chair or she would have bolted so we stood staring at each other. She stomped a few times and I tried to remain still.....then she screamed and bolted. BUSTED. Turns out the trail she was on is a pipleine. I was hoping for that from the google maps. No luck after that but now I know to stalk up to that area slower.

I also broke my stool! SO now I need a new one!

So far its been a great hunting season soon it will be harvesting!

Opening Day

Well opening day was Sept 15th. I went in late to work that day. I learned a lot in the woods that morning. One deer crashed into the woods screaming like I never heard, (since I have never hunted that makes sense). So I got to see that one and then I heard another one which according to the internet was a buck! It was exciting!

My New Target

I made a new target today. Stopped by the garden shop and got a free burlap sack then went to the carpet store and got some carpet padding. Stuffed the sack full and sewed it shut with some string I had in the garage. Some old spray paint and presto! 

 Here is the new target and the one that I have shot so much the arrows are going through the wore out areas.

I have the new one tied to the trapeze bar so it doesn't fall over. I have to keep it away from other objects since the arrows shoot through and stick out the other side. At least it is kind of self healing. I may get it off the ground a little so the swing of it can absorb the energy.

I shot an arrow into the air where it land I know not where

Note to self:     "STICK WITH WHAT GOT A THERE!" 


So today I read a forum about shooting your bow with both eyes open. Sounded logical. I got 4 arrows to hit the target. Number 5 not so much...I am hoping it is lodged in the neighbors tree! I searched and searched but could not find it anywhere! Hopefully its in the tree if not it went across my yard 3 neighbor's yards a two lane road and is in someone else's yard. I still have not heard sirens so no one got hurt, except my wallet that arrow was like $7.00. I think I will keep one eye open looking through the peep. I am getting good at it. 
I also tried out my new wrist sling that my daughter made for me. We learned how to make it on YouTube. So maybe trying two new things at once was too much for me. Hopefully tomorrow all my arrows will hit the mark.


I never did get around to making that new target. But have put the old one back on the ground, I had it tied to the swing set. But after that errant arrow I am shooting low into the dirt if I have too!


I did some scouting Saturday, found a couple of bedding areas and a tree between them (gonna borrow a friend's tree-stand) hopefully I can see a deer or two and get a shot off. Opening day is September 15!!!! 


I also found some new land to hunt today, just have to get permission to get on it. Hopefully the company that is holding the land will say yes! I scoped it out and found what looked like a herd's worth of prints in the mud.Very promising. There's even a deer crossing sign posted on the road so the deer have to cross there! LOL!

Target Time--- FWWTANG.....SWIIFFSH....THUD!!!!!! HUH???

That didn't sound right!

Ok pro shop tech said 'stand about 20 feet from the target and check the left-right of the sight. Don't worry about the up down.'

1,2,3,4....20feet. Nock arrow, draw, hold on loosely, anchor, aim.....release!!! FWWTANG.....SWIIFFSH....THUD!!!!!! ouch.

Ooops!

Hmmm...time for some backyard math:
   70lb draw+12" target +20ft distance= arrow through target and into fence. LOL! Oh yeah and a welt on my forearm like crazy! (Forgot about the hold on loosely part and wham that string slapped me hard.)

That thud concerned me, I went to the target and could not pull out my arrow! Hmmm???? As I pulled the target away from the fence I saw why. I had buried the field point into the wooden fence that the target was leaning against. I had to unscrew the shaft from the tip to get it out! The tip is still in the fence.

So know I have to turn the target long ways so the arrows won't keep lodging into the fence. This gives me a 10 maybe 12 inch wide target to shoot at. GULP!!

Remember?? I have never shot a compound bow before! My first shot hit the fence and raised a welt on my arm, now I have to hit a target a foot wide!

Arrow number 2......Nock arrow, draw, hold on loosely, anchor, aim.....release!!! FWWTANG.....SWIIFFSH....!!!!!! Woo hoo I didn't miss.

That was a week ago, tomorrow I make a new target that I can't shoot through (I hope). My shots are so consistent that I have blasted tunnels throught the styrofoam and the arrows are coming out the other side!

Yeah buddy, deer dropping power!!!

To Bow or not to Bow

I thought I would join the rest of you and lay my life out in cyberspace for all to see and follow!


I thought it would be fun to record the ups and downs of my first attempt at bow-hunting!

So I'll start at the begining...A few years ago I was working construction and had a big dual compound miter saw and a rolling stand. After a left that area of work I decided to try and sell the saw on a local website.

No luck, no one wanted to buy it. :-(

So, I decided to try and trade it for something. I was able to trade it for a handgun! It was cool!

.17 caliber Taurus, yep smaller than a .22 but BANG that thing was L-O-U-D !!! So I shot a couple of handfuls of ammo through it but it wasn't really something that I wanted or could use.

So ...I set off to the web again...and was able to trade it for a flat bottom jon boat with a trolling motor and battery. Nice trade I thought.

Ya know, Fishing out of a boat is much better when someone else owns/drives the boat.

So... I decided I didn't need the boat!  Back to the web I went....and traded the boat for a shotgun!!    Woot! ;-)

Nice ain't it!?! Now I'm ready to start my career in deer hunting......Not so fast...there aren't too many areas around my house that I can shoot a shotgun! :-(

Then I got an idea. I was reading in a sporting magazine about a guy that was bow-hunting on a small strip of land between a neighborhood and some soccer fields!

Genius!!!

There are a slew of deer near my house in big wooded areas nestled between several subdivisions.

So... back to the web I go, (ain't the internet grand!)...This time I traded the shotgun for a compound bow with a case, trigger release, fiber optic sight, drop away arrow rest and three arrows with broad tip heads!!!!! Rock and roll baby!!

One problem..I have never shot a compound bow!!  :-o 

Off to the pro-shop I go just to make sure this bow is going to hold up and do what it's supposed to!!! After several impatient trips to the pro shop I was able to bring my new bow, with some new arrows and arrow heads and a short stop at Wally-world for a styrofoam target, home!!

Honestly i do not think I have been this excited about anything in a while!