Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 10, 2018, 09:19:06 PM
I have discontinued all forest work so as to not disturb him or push him off the farm. I will have three days to kill him before I leave to elk hunt out West. If I wasn't going with an out fitter I think I would stay home!
I'll update you as I can during the season on my quest for a bucket list buck! [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 10, 2018, 09:19:55 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 10, 2018, 09:21:02 PM
Post by: JakeD on September 10, 2018, 09:22:34 PM
Post by: Kopper1013 on September 10, 2018, 09:26:14 PM
Post by: kennym on September 10, 2018, 09:26:48 PM
Post by: ron w on September 10, 2018, 09:32:55 PM
Post by: Homey88 on September 10, 2018, 10:01:12 PM
Post by: carbonflyr on September 10, 2018, 10:32:40 PM
hope you get him!
Post by: Cmane07 on September 10, 2018, 10:49:32 PM
Post by: PICKNGRIN on September 10, 2018, 10:50:20 PM
Post by: MnFn on September 10, 2018, 11:04:00 PM
gary
Post by: Basinboy on September 10, 2018, 11:15:01 PM
Post by: Friend on September 10, 2018, 11:24:11 PM
All the best in your quest.
Post by: awry on September 10, 2018, 11:38:16 PM
Good Luck
Post by: cacciatore on September 11, 2018, 02:35:34 AM
Post by: Roy from Pa on September 11, 2018, 04:21:46 AM
Post by: Keefer on September 11, 2018, 04:58:42 AM
I'll be watching once again this year on this one and best of luck to ya Jim! :archer:
Post by: Jayrod on September 11, 2018, 06:04:52 AM
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on September 11, 2018, 06:20:25 AM
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Post by: 4runr on September 11, 2018, 07:10:49 AM
Good luck Jim.
What bow are you hunting with this year?
Post by: Michael K Miller on September 11, 2018, 07:29:11 AM
Post by: TealCoin on September 11, 2018, 07:48:48 AM
Best of luck in the hunt for a magnificent deer.
Post by: fnshtr on September 11, 2018, 08:21:28 AM
WOW!!!!
Good luck!
Post by: GCook on September 11, 2018, 08:32:33 AM
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Post by: Sam McMichael on September 11, 2018, 08:50:05 AM
Post by: doubleo on September 11, 2018, 09:26:03 AM
Post by: wooddamon1 on September 11, 2018, 10:33:50 AM
Post by: Horne Shooter on September 11, 2018, 10:56:48 AM
Best of luck on this monster and on your mountain hunt.
Paul
Post by: achigan on September 11, 2018, 11:48:12 AM
Post by: Bisch on September 11, 2018, 01:06:55 PM
Bisch
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Post by: beemann on September 11, 2018, 01:34:51 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on September 11, 2018, 02:19:38 PM
Good luck Out west too.
Post by: Dry Creek on September 11, 2018, 02:33:34 PM
Post by: Ray Lyon on September 11, 2018, 03:53:05 PM
Post by: knobby on September 11, 2018, 03:59:40 PM
Post by: Zradix on September 11, 2018, 04:07:20 PM
Post by: WESTBROOK on September 11, 2018, 05:39:05 PM
Post by: K2 on September 11, 2018, 07:00:01 PM
Nice buck! Hope you get a chance at him. Good luck going after the elk also. Ken
Post by: kennyb on September 11, 2018, 08:21:59 PM
Also, good luck to you on your hunt out west!
Kenny :pray: :clapper: :clapper:
Post by: NIGEL01 on September 13, 2018, 07:59:11 AM
Post by: Hopewell Tom on September 13, 2018, 07:56:08 PM
Good luck!
Post by: Jeff D. Holchin on September 13, 2018, 08:09:26 PM
Post by: Possum Head on September 13, 2018, 09:17:31 PM
Post by: Trenton G. on September 13, 2018, 10:17:12 PM
So which do you use for cross-breeding? Angus or Herefords!😉I think he has some Texas Longhorn thrown in there as well lol!
Post by: Sockrsblur on September 13, 2018, 11:53:19 PM
Post by: mangonboat on September 14, 2018, 12:03:37 AM
Post by: johnnyk71 on September 14, 2018, 12:47:10 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 14, 2018, 09:10:37 AM
to answer a couple of questions.
he is standing in a plot of turnips and radishes
I think he is in the 350 range
24 hours till opening day, best of luck everyone this fall.
Post by: Friend on September 14, 2018, 11:40:00 PM
May he offer you a splendid opportunity.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 15, 2018, 05:48:32 PM
It is 87F this afternoon and I decided ( it was extremely difficult )to NOT Hunt. I was going to sit near water again but thought better of it. it is just day one and I didn't want to bump into Angus on my way out of the pond after dark .
Better luck tomorrow although the forecast isn't much better.
Post by: Keefer on September 16, 2018, 07:04:08 AM
Post by: TIM B on September 16, 2018, 11:22:30 AM
Tim B
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 16, 2018, 06:27:47 PM
Post by: Hud on September 16, 2018, 07:04:57 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 17, 2018, 03:28:19 PM
well the heat wave continues, we set all time highs both days this weekend. Zero deer movement again this am after sunrise. guess i'll go hunt elk till it cools off.
Post by: varmint101 on September 17, 2018, 05:19:57 PM
Post by: Friend on September 17, 2018, 07:03:42 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on September 19, 2018, 02:19:37 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 29, 2018, 01:43:57 PM
I have hunted each morning and evening since returning and untill today was there was not anything worth reporting.
We had temps of 33 F this am and the fall's first frost. A very light and vairble wind. Barely noticable out of the North .
I chose this spot as it was easy to walk to, having injured my knee out West. I am the walking wounded right now.
On the way to the stand ( red line ) from the yurt, I jumped two bedded deer. Just after settling in , a deer very quietly came up the deer trail ( yellow line) and stood directly beneath me. it was so dark I could barely make out it's shape. It must have heard me climb the stand and came to investigate. Finally it picked up a scent of Jim on the downward thermal and hastily left.
By 8:30 I was considering leaving when I spotted the hind quarters of a big deer body behind the only tree screening my view. How the heck did it get to within 20 yards with out me hearing it? Antlers on one side were visible and the grip on my riser tightened.
A beautiful 3 year old 10 point. He was basically an 8 with a sticker coming out one brow and one G2 being forked. He walked up the path and stood broadside at 7 yards .
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on September 29, 2018, 01:55:30 PM
Another buck approached. this too was an 8 point 3 year old. A heavy main beam but very short tines. he had an impressive body. the 2 bucks just stood looking at each other. The first buck gave me so very many opportunities to kill him. But I have Angus on my mind now.
buck #1 turned back around and crossed the logging road and headed up the bluff to bed.
buck # 2 walked to me and stood at a mere 5 yards. He looked up and tilted his head, searching for a scent. My post passed muster and he started browsing on the greenleaves of a black berry bush. I have never witnessed a buck get his tongue stuck before on a bush. But twice he turned his head to the left and his tongue came out a long ways but in the other direction. He had latched it to the thorns of the bush. Funny to say the least watching him un hook it!
Finally he crossed the logging road and followed the 1st buck up the hill. I was no longer cold and kept vigil another hour. No sign of the really big guys.
There is a rumor that a buck pushing 200 inches was killed in the next valley while I was out west. I am praying it was not Angus, but no one seems able to verify by sending me a picture. Lets hope it was not him.
more to follow................
Post by: ron w on September 29, 2018, 02:48:57 PM
Post by: Bob Abeln on September 29, 2018, 05:42:24 PM
I hope you get the big boy. He is a true Monarch of the forrest.
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on September 29, 2018, 06:39:59 PM
,,Sam,,
Post by: Homey88 on September 29, 2018, 10:34:42 PM
Post by: rainman on September 30, 2018, 01:06:56 AM
Post by: huntnmuleys on September 30, 2018, 07:04:28 PM
Post by: wislnwings on October 01, 2018, 10:59:59 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 01, 2018, 02:39:21 PM
Post by: MnFn on October 01, 2018, 07:10:16 PM
I got out for the first time last night. I saw eight and had a doe and two fawns under my stand for twenty to thirty minutes. Amazing, some nights they catch you right away. One deer was like twice the size of the rest, but my view was blocked by brush so not sure what he had for headgear.
Post by: HuronArcher on October 01, 2018, 07:44:10 PM
Post by: Whip on October 02, 2018, 08:35:34 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 04, 2018, 09:29:57 PM
But during the night last night a cold front came roaring in, and with it , good fortune.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1916/30168886887_abae50bfe5.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MXVr1c)DSCN0869 (https://flic.kr/p/MXVr1c) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: Mike Bolin on October 04, 2018, 09:37:42 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 04, 2018, 09:41:39 PM
Today the wind was gusting out of the NW. I needed find a place sheltered from it and I figured the deer did too.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/31233264538_0f736ff6cb.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PzYDp1)100418 hunt (https://flic.kr/p/PzYDp1) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 04, 2018, 10:04:21 PM
The blue line is the deer trail I was hunting.
Another worry was wind wrap. The steep bluffs here play games with the wind. That is the main reason I have so manny stands out . Some are just 100 yards apart on the same trails. 100 yards up or down the trail can make all the difference on how the wind acts on the bluff sides.
At 8 am I spotted the body of a big deer moving through the trees behind me about 50 yards away. I never saw it's head and it was moving along a secondary trail just above the trail that I was hunting . I made a few soft grunts to no avail.
Fifteen minutes later I looked back in that direction and a nice doe was standing where the deer trail crosses my mowed hiking trail.
The only bad part of this stand location is that access to the stand involves walking on the actual deer trail for about 40 yards . So I sprayed my boots extra heavy with scent remover and used my bow to push aside the taller grasses I might brush up against.
I was about to see whether that was enough to fool this deer. A fawn appeared. *&%^. I hate shooting does with fawns with them. but I decided since it was my birthday, that if a shot was offered I would not let it pass.
The fawn went ahead of mom and came walking down the trail. Mom was 15 yards behind and totally relaxed. When she was broadside at 10 yards I let the arrow slip.
Standing where she was at the shot shows the ladder stand.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/44195640185_3e1cbb3522.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2akqd5i)DSCN0867 (https://flic.kr/p/2akqd5i) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 04, 2018, 10:11:07 PM
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1965/30168894947_41070a1302.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MXVtpa)DSCN0871 (https://flic.kr/p/MXVtpa) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 04, 2018, 10:15:44 PM
Happy 63 rd birthday to me.
Kenny please thank Roman for me again, what a bow!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1929/44195670125_23bcef6ebd.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2akqmYv)DSCN0881 (https://flic.kr/p/2akqmYv) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1976/31233105888_e550b221ee.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PzXQeE)DSCN0878 (https://flic.kr/p/PzXQeE) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: Homey88 on October 04, 2018, 10:17:57 PM
Post by: Kopper1013 on October 05, 2018, 05:28:56 AM
Post by: Tom on October 05, 2018, 05:56:39 AM
Post by: Huntrdfk on October 05, 2018, 06:39:00 AM
David
Post by: Roy from Pa on October 05, 2018, 06:39:34 AM
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 05, 2018, 06:44:00 AM
Post by: TIM B on October 05, 2018, 06:54:21 AM
Tim B
Post by: Nook on October 05, 2018, 10:22:14 AM
Post by: Bisch on October 05, 2018, 10:35:53 AM
Bisch
Post by: PICKNGRIN on October 05, 2018, 10:43:19 AM
Post by: JakeD on October 05, 2018, 11:22:31 AM
Post by: Joeabowhunter on October 05, 2018, 11:52:03 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 05, 2018, 02:43:08 PM
Post by: ron w on October 05, 2018, 03:25:52 PM
Post by: Whip on October 05, 2018, 04:09:34 PM
Post by: 4runr on October 05, 2018, 04:47:46 PM
Happy Birthday and Congrats!
Roman will be thrilled when I tell him.
Post by: Jayrod on October 05, 2018, 06:35:58 PM
Post by: Greg Szalewski on October 05, 2018, 06:51:57 PM
Be sure to send a pic for the Stump Shooter.
Best of luck on your quest for the big guy.
Post by: MnFn on October 05, 2018, 08:32:53 PM
Gary
Post by: arrow30 on October 05, 2018, 09:23:49 PM
Post by: Dry Creek on October 05, 2018, 09:38:16 PM
Post by: wooddamon1 on October 06, 2018, 09:59:15 AM
Post by: doubleo on October 06, 2018, 12:21:23 PM
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on October 07, 2018, 08:12:41 AM
Post by: Hopewell Tom on October 07, 2018, 09:05:52 PM
Happy Birthday.
Post by: Possum Head on October 07, 2018, 09:20:06 PM
Post by: RAU on October 08, 2018, 08:19:51 PM
Post by: GCook on October 08, 2018, 10:34:02 PM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 13, 2018, 09:47:55 PM
Tonight I was on my own and chose to hunt one of my favorite spots on the farm. This was one of the first food plots I created here on 5 pines.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1945/44579888594_ac956e406c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aVnzJS)hunt 101318 (https://flic.kr/p/2aVnzJS) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
the wind was still blowing hard today out of the southwest. So at 3 pm , I took the long way in sp as to not spook anything that might be bedded below this food plot.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 13, 2018, 09:56:15 PM
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1930/43487088670_1d5079348a.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29fNGoS)DSCN0885 (https://flic.kr/p/29fNGoS) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
As I snuck into the food plot from above, I spotted a fawn on the lower edge of the food plot. I was able to make it in and up the ladder with out it seeing me .
For the last week my friends and I have not seen an antlered buck . The buck sign is also none existent and none of us can figure out where the boys are hanging out. I am also not get any pictures of them at night on my trail cameras! But we have been seeing lots and lots of females!
At 5 pm, I noticed the fawn was in the food plot, slowly feeding it's way up to me Eventually it exited the plot at my corner and was directly under my ladder stand. A buck fawn! First buck I have seen in about 10 days.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 13, 2018, 10:08:21 PM
A few minutes later , he came back into view . Slowly walking up the food plot with the wind at his back. He Stopped at the opposite corner and made a scrape. But then I noticed this was a 10 point , with a sleeker and younger looking body. He looked back over his should and there was the buck I saw earlier, following up to the corner.
The first buck was now leaving on the trail I entered on and stopped giving me a 16 yard shot. I passed. Buck number two, followed the first bucks path. Stopping at the scrape to work the over head branch, then made a few half hearted paws at the scrape. He exited , stopping at the same spot offering me another 16 yard shot, which I passed.
A 3rd buck was now walking in the same exact steps as the other two and repeated their performances at the branch and scrape. Another shot was offered and passed upon.
I went from seeing only females this past week, to seeing only bucks tonight . Never having put tension on the string but having the time of my life.
I can't wait for tomorrow.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1941/45302187221_b925586dbb.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2c2cxXt)DSCN0886 (https://flic.kr/p/2c2cxXt) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: Clj on October 13, 2018, 10:52:59 PM
Post by: Friend on October 14, 2018, 09:33:38 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 15, 2018, 12:44:20 PM
I placed a camera on one of my guests does remains after butchering it. Hoping to catch an eagle or other scavenger. Instead got these 2 guys paying their respects. Yes we had snow over the weekend! [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 15, 2018, 12:45:08 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 15, 2018, 02:16:20 PM
Post by: Homey88 on October 15, 2018, 02:49:44 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 17, 2018, 08:47:31 PM
Once again I duplicated my previous path in to this stand. The wind was from the north and tonight there was no wind wrap from the bluff. So my scent was drifting down hill into the food plot.
But my plan was to kill any doe (or Angus), traveling down hill from the neighbor's pasture. The fence crossing is just 50 yards up hill and if the story played well, any deer coming down this trail would have my arrow in it before it crossed my scent drift.
At 5pm a fawn and a small buck were down wind of me in the food plot. The little 6 point was feeding his way up to my corner and I was wondering how close he would get before winding me. Apparrently my scent drift was well above his head as he made it right to the corner and start of the exit trail before he beganing "nosing" the wind. I had several shots at him before he finally whirled and trotted back down hill.
I gave a series of soft grunts to camoflage his quick departure.
At 6 pm I caught movement up at the fence. Gripping my longbow I prepared for a quick shot. The doe was coming right down the trail at a slow walk. She was almost in my shooting lane when her galloping fawn runs up and bumps the doe forward.
Now she is moving too fast and I hope she stops before entering the field. She finally stops at last opening to survey the field.
I drew and at anchor she looked up and made me. upon release she ducked and the arrow struck high and hard. She spun and dashed of with the lighted nock visible for about 50 yards. Down the gulley, up the other side, crossed the logging road and started up the bluff. With my bino's I watched her stop and stand. tail flicking violently. Then arrow had fallen out or broken off.
Then she started to move up the steep bluff, but changed her mind and turned back around several times.
Then I could no longer see her tail flicking or any part of her standing.
I quietly exited the stand and made my way home. I am hoping she is laying up on that hill side. Allthough I have my doubts. A couple of extra eyes are on their way and we will head back in an hour or two to search.
more to follow..................
Post by: Kopper1013 on October 17, 2018, 08:56:24 PM
Post by: GCook on October 17, 2018, 09:13:50 PM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 18, 2018, 10:14:06 AM
Three hours after the hit we returned to the logging road just below where I last saw her standing. It took only a few minutes for younger eyes to find blood on the logging road she ran across. But then going up the steep bluff, we found just a few drops more. Not finding good sign, I elected to call off the night search and renew it this am.
Before heading back home we back tracked the blood trail to the arrow. Every indicator was this was just a muscle hit. Bright red blood but a little watery . The blood sign going backwards that was easy to follow. Another indicator that I had a muscle hit. While not superficial it was not lethal either. As I feared I did not enter the chest cavity with the broad head. Most likely I hit just above the scapula and did not sever any major vein or nerves.
This am I performed a grid search of the bluff side but found nothing more.
Last night should have been a slam dunk. Another lesson learned and a reminder that an alert deer can and will duck the arrow.
Feeling awful bad for the deer and the pain I inflicted I vow once again that will be my last lost game animal.
Post by: ron w on October 18, 2018, 01:00:28 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 18, 2018, 02:36:18 PM
Post by: Terry Banitt on October 20, 2018, 10:10:54 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 25, 2018, 09:47:04 PM
A work colleague, his son and brother arrived today for three days of hunting. After getting them all in spots that I hoped would be favorable, I headed up the hill and to the south end of my farm to the possum stand.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 25, 2018, 10:12:09 PM
There are several old apple trees here along side the fire break I mow around this rocky weed filled field. I had noticed over the years that a lot of deer will use the mowed trail after eating on fallen apples and exiting cover. They then head to the north to the other food plots on this bluff top.
I moved the stand slightly three years ago to take advantage of that habit. I have a short ladder stand in a puny Aspen that is tucked tight up against a big Red Cedar. You have to look through the Cedar to the south to watch for approaching deer.
I have killed several deer here and one good buck. For a few minutes tonight I thought I was about to kill the best buck of my life.
At 4:15 pm a spike buck was nosing for fallen apples just 20 yards away. I watched him through the Cedar boughs for roughly 20 minutes. When he finally stepped on to the mowed trail, he turned to his right and headed south into the wind and walked in the direction away from me. I was surprised he didn't go the opposite way and head to the food plots.
At 5 pm , I let out a long , low , muffled grunt. A few minutes later I saw deer legs approaching though the limbs of the Cedar. Suddenly a huge rack came into view. Split G2's on both sides! long Brow points! The head looked tiny beneath that head gear!
Angus is standing at 20 yards! I have not seen him for 6 weeks! I immediately noticed that he is not as big as I had thought. It's one thing to look at buck in Velvet through a spotting scope and quite another to see him hard horned at 60 feet. I guessed him to score some where in the 160 to 170 range. A life time type buck for sure!
He nosed for apples like the spike did and then stepped out on to the mowed trail. I silently asked him to turn left . He turned right! I gave one soft little grunt. He stopped and looked back over is shoulder. But then walked off with his nose into the wind!. Then he was gone. I marveled at the sheer size of him and the fact I was so close and he had no idea I was there. Just at dark a 3rd buck appeared. This one a forky came and did almost the same exact thing as the others. I sat until it was dark enough to sneak away.
My guest also saw some bucks moving. I think it is about to get interesting.
Post by: Friend on October 26, 2018, 03:33:08 AM
Post by: Joeabowhunter on October 26, 2018, 06:10:18 AM
Post by: MnFn on October 26, 2018, 10:42:01 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 26, 2018, 02:34:53 PM
Post by: MikeNova on October 26, 2018, 04:46:20 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on October 27, 2018, 01:24:56 PM
Post by: 9 Shocks on October 27, 2018, 03:32:06 PM
Love these updates.
Post by: MnFn on October 28, 2018, 05:36:09 PM
Post by: Iowa Tom L. on October 29, 2018, 01:38:06 AM
He has had the advantage of avoiding the orange hunters for at least 4 seasons with antlers on his head. If he is not caught in an "odd" spot on the opener he might do it again. Anyway, you will have him on the ground this week. :pray:
If you are fortunate enough to harvest him it would be interesting to know what he weighs (if you have a scale). He is a wonderful buck that looks to be at least 5.5 years old. I think his antler size might even surprise you a bit.
Good luck!
Post by: alaskabowhunter on October 30, 2018, 09:44:38 PM
Post by: Horne Shooter on October 31, 2018, 03:54:57 PM
Paul
Post by: BrianC on November 01, 2018, 10:55:48 AM
I'll be down at the Mayo w/ my wife for her appts. on the 5th and 6th if you need help dragging that monster out! ;)
Looking forward to the updates on your hunts Jim!
Brian
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 01, 2018, 09:08:32 PM
I have been hunting hard every day morning and night. This am was the first hunt where a good buck was sighted and was close. A heavy nine point approached my perch in the birthday stand. Good thing he picked up my scent a scant 15 yards on the back side of my tree. He would have been hard to pass up.
I will be decoying hard the next few days and if we get a south wind, I'll be back where I last saw Angus.
Have a great Rut everyone.
Post by: keng on November 02, 2018, 01:50:54 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 02, 2018, 08:22:49 PM
Post by: Terry Green on November 03, 2018, 04:02:39 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 04, 2018, 10:06:12 AM
Charlie, hugs to your family. good luck in the Timber.
Spent 10 hours in the stand yesterday where I last saw Angus. Then the rain moved in at 4 pm and it is still pouring now as I type. The good news is Angus is still on his feet. This still photo taken from a video the day before yesterday. Then that evening I got him on the video in the same pot 4 times as he follows a hot doe back and forth thru this funnel. This is where I spent all day yesterday. I did have a great 10 point 20 yards away yesterday at 9 am but no shot was offered. saw a total of 12 deer yesterday and passed on a doe, hoping he was on her tail.
Hopefully the rain will stop soon so I can back out after him
The day this photo was taken I was only 300 yards away sitting over my decoy.
Post by: TIM B on November 04, 2018, 11:23:16 AM
Tim B
Post by: 23feetupandhappy on November 04, 2018, 02:35:12 PM
Hope to see some close up pics of him soon :goldtooth:
Post by: Dry Creek on November 04, 2018, 03:22:00 PM
Post by: huntsfairchase on November 04, 2018, 03:42:01 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 04, 2018, 05:34:46 PM
Post by: Tedd on November 04, 2018, 06:00:10 PM
I guess others feel the same way...I can only fantasize what it might be like to have a chunk of property like that. Thank you for posting the photos and doing it without a bit of humbleness that lets us know you understand how awesome it is to have such a playground! Dang I need that powerball to workout!
Tedd
Post by: Trenton G. on November 04, 2018, 06:00:42 PM
Good luck!
Post by: Keefer on November 04, 2018, 06:24:02 PM
Post by: mangonboat on November 04, 2018, 08:04:11 PM
Post by: Friend on November 04, 2018, 08:16:58 PM
Post by: Keefer on November 05, 2018, 05:33:15 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 05, 2018, 08:00:43 PM
Yesterday it rained all day. But today it held off until 4 pm. After a skunked sit this am and a few hours of work I settled into the possum stand ( maybe I should be calling it the Angus stand) at 11 am. I lost count of the number of fawns I saw alone or with a twin. But I was seeing them every half hour or so. At 2 pm I passed on an 8 point and a little bit later this new buck gave me the dream shot we all hope for. He came thru the funnel and stopped where the deer trail meets the mowed fire break. 7 yards , quartering away , standing still. I thought "you are so dead buddy" and then let him walk. The stand was working so well today, that was the third shot opportunity of the day. I kept hoping Angus was next , but the rain moved in and the day was done .
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 05, 2018, 08:02:03 PM
the wind is going to switch to the north now and the next 10 days, this stand will not be huntable. I will be decoying on the other end of the bluff and hopefully can catch the big guy cruising and looking for a fight.
Post by: Kopper1013 on November 05, 2018, 08:15:31 PM
Post by: Jayrod on November 05, 2018, 09:08:09 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 05, 2018, 09:25:22 PM
Post by: Keefer on November 06, 2018, 06:16:12 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 08, 2018, 09:03:21 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 10, 2018, 11:21:18 AM
We are having January temps . it was 13F above at sunrise . Yowza! The high today will be just 22. I am off of work totally for the next 10 days and will attempt some dawn to dusk sits. The buck movement yesterday was just insane but none of the big guys came my way.
Post by: Joeabowhunter on November 10, 2018, 12:29:04 PM
Post by: Car54 on November 10, 2018, 01:33:49 PM
Post by: Possum Head on November 10, 2018, 02:52:33 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 10, 2018, 03:40:40 PM
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on November 10, 2018, 05:16:26 PM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 10, 2018, 08:25:38 PM
I had heard a 4 wheeler below my property line to the east a few minutes before and I am sure he was running from it. Every body here drives their 4 wheelers to their stands. They claim the deer pay no attn what so ever . BS!
After that it was a long 6 hours on stand. I saw several fawns , one adult doe and 3 small bucks throughout the day. The temp never got above 22 F. Right at dusk I heard foot steps and a doe, a fawn , another doe and a then small buck bringing up the rear strode past.
the wind is to stay out of the SW. i'll be back at the Angus stand hoping for him to show his big rack first thing in the am
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 10, 2018, 08:27:51 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 10, 2018, 08:43:00 PM
Post by: Keefer on November 11, 2018, 06:39:16 AM
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on November 11, 2018, 07:31:18 AM
We are still with you Jim and waiting :coffee: I actually check this post every day I think like checking a scrape praying just one day Angus is laying horizontal and Jim :bigsmyl:
X2. I check this post daily.. I can’t wait till the pics come!! Great thread.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 11, 2018, 06:57:57 PM
guys you make a cold man laugh.
long cold day in the Angus stand. Saw 8 diiferent bucks be fore 11 am. 2 were absolute pigs but no shot opps except for a spike buck and a button buck.
tomoorw it is going to 14 above at sunrise.. brrrr........................
Post by: Keefer on November 11, 2018, 07:46:23 PM
Post by: Terry Green on November 11, 2018, 08:47:35 PM
:pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
Post by: Keefer on November 12, 2018, 06:02:32 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 14, 2018, 08:09:53 PM
This morning it was 14 F but with a South wind and it was forecasted to be south all day and eventually getting above freezing!
So at sunrise I was in the Angus stand and my feet never hit the ground until sun down. I didn't see a single deer until 9 am. A doe with twins was coming my way but after 9 days of gun hunting she saw me move slightly and the game was over.
A few minutes later I saw a slammer of a buck but he was 150 yards away and headed North when I needed him headed south. Through out the rest of the day I saw just enough deer to keep me in the tree . But nothing close and no sign of the big guy. There is a buck fawn who is basically living right in this spot. I see him every time I hunt here and today multiple times . At 4 pm he was standing directly beneath me in between the ladder and the tree it is connected to! Good times !
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 14, 2018, 08:13:44 PM
Post by: Friend on November 14, 2018, 08:55:57 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 15, 2018, 07:13:39 PM
I grabbed the bino's and searched the opposing hillside for the source. The sun was just coming over the bluff behind me and the opposite side of the valley was flooded in sunlight. Another roar and the smash of antlers and brush breaking and I caught the sunlight on the sides of two titans smashing it out over a doe standing in the tall grass a few yard down from them. Then I caught the sun reflecting off yet another bruiser working his way thru the open timber below them .
Throwing caution to the wind , I descended my ladder ( ST) and moved slowly along a deer trail to the Birthday stand (BD) which was about 80 yards below where the deer were fighting .
the blue circle is where the two buck were fighting.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 15, 2018, 08:02:27 PM
At 10 am I heard some one from my farm house shout my name. A signal that my hunting guest had a deer down. I reluctantly descended and headed to the house.
This is Mark. He is from Wisc. and is hunting with me for a few days . He is one of the best trad shooters I know. He is also a wizard with the BBQ and the smoker too. He likes to take a small deer and then cook the entire hind quarters whole on the grill or put them in the smoker. This young doe fawn gave him a seven yard shot this am . Going to be some excellent eating for sure .
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4855/45899925581_8699082f36.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cW27Kg)DSCN0897 (https://flic.kr/p/2cW27Kg) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 15, 2018, 08:33:05 PM
Post by: Hopewell Tom on November 16, 2018, 06:47:37 AM
Most would probably have shot that 3 year old, but I appreciate the holdout for one of those bruisers or Angus.
You've got a lot of us on the edge of our seats.
Post by: Forester on November 16, 2018, 09:00:37 AM
I am always impressed and appreciative that you share so much of your season.
Continued luck and success to you!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 16, 2018, 02:04:43 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 16, 2018, 09:00:35 PM
I was unable to hunt this am due to a scheduled medical appointment. All during the morning I thought about the buck fight yesterday .
Up on top of my biggest bluff, I have a decoy stashed. This is on a food plot that unfortunately no longer really produces much food. But visibility of the decoy is exceptionable. The plot is just about equal to a foot ball field in size and the tree stand sits on the 50 yard line.
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 16, 2018, 09:10:33 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4915/44099478240_afda037986.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2abVmtJ)DSCN0891 (https://flic.kr/p/2abVmtJ) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Over the top is another food plot where the soil is better , I have a clover type food plot in it now. So because of the crest of the hill one has to be on his toes all the time here
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 16, 2018, 09:18:41 PM
Yesterday when disposing of Mark's deer inards, I stumbled upon a giant scrape along the little river right behind the yurt. I placed a trail camera over the gut pile in hopes of catching one of the golden eagles I have been seeing here daily. The scrape is also in the picture frame. But instead of catching an eagle I caught Angus!
he lives after 9 days of gun hunting! It gives me great hopes that I may still get a crack at him
Post by: WESTBROOK on November 16, 2018, 09:44:57 PM
Post by: Warden609 on November 17, 2018, 11:14:54 AM
Post by: K2 on November 17, 2018, 01:28:27 PM
That is awesome that Angus made it through the gun season. Hopefully, you will get your chance. Good luck. Thanks for taking us along. Ken
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on November 18, 2018, 11:09:20 AM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 18, 2018, 12:35:28 PM
Deer movement on the farm was minimal. At 2 pm , I was already back in a tree, when Mark who was doing a little practicing spotted a good buck and several does up hill moving thru the trees. Then he spotted a gun toting trespasser. After politely showing the "alleged lost hunter" the road, he also headed off to a stand.
Again nothing came my way and when I was headed home from the birthday stand, I stopped well up hill to veiw any deer in the food plot behind the house. The bright moon and new snow made for later than normal veiwing. A single doe stood in the center of the field focused on the small bluff behind my garage. A very large animal was moving down hill towards the far corner of the beet plot.
It was Angus. He must have sleeping within 50 yards of garage all afternoon. He made his way out into the field and had zero interest in the doe. He began to feed and I watched untill I started to get cold. But now I had to make a big loop above and around the field so as to not spook him too badly. The cold temps, made for very squeeky snow. I watched him as I slowly made my loop. It was obvious he was watching and listening to me as his body slowly turned towards me as I made my way away . Finally I could no longer see the field and I was certain he was still standing where I last saw him.
I am starting to think he may be unkillable, some bucks just are.
It was 6 F above this am and I only lasted 3 hours on stand. I went to the logging road above the beet field hoping I would get another glimpse of him. But the only deer I saw were far below me leaving the small corn field I have down on the other side of the valley.
Here a couple a pics of the yesterday's hunt .
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4856/45216862704_63533ec704.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bTEeX7)DSCN0903 (https://flic.kr/p/2bTEeX7) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 18, 2018, 12:36:31 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4826/45216843004_07e45c37df.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bTE96s)DSCN0904 (https://flic.kr/p/2bTE96s) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: ron w on November 18, 2018, 12:49:45 PM
Post by: Whip on November 18, 2018, 01:07:44 PM
Post by: Iowa Tom L. on November 18, 2018, 10:35:31 PM
He obviously spends a lot of time on your property and after the first gun season, if he has decided sticking close to your house offers security, that is a good thing.
Although maybe he watches you each day to see which stand you are going to choose! :biglaugh:
Good Luck!
Post by: Keefer on November 19, 2018, 05:24:28 AM
This is surely one story I have loved to read and now I am starting to see Angus as one the smartest Bucks that is learning your routine. He must have seen your "Topo" satellite image's and now playing the field and figuring out how to out smart you lol.
I actually starting to root for Angus now and think wouldn't it be neat at the end of the season when he drops his antlers that you find them near a stand you sat waiting for a chance to shoot him?
Sometimes as I age I think it is o.k. even if we didn't actually get a shot but what matter's most is the time you got to enjoy while doing the "Chase"!
Yes I would think anyone would love to put their tag on such a fine creature created by our heavenly Father including myself but the hours spent is also the "GIFT" He leaves us and why we continue in the Chase. :archer:
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 20, 2018, 07:38:59 PM
It was another couple of cold sits in the stand. I keep reminding my self it is November when it feels like late December
today we finally had a wind favorable to sit the Angus stand. Despite getting totally skunked it was a great sit. one of best sun sets tonight of the whole season.
Not sure where I was sitting last Sat am ( time stamp off by 4 days ), I am sure the wind was wrong, but ol Angus again went thru the funnel
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 20, 2018, 07:41:13 PM
along with 2 black labs! looks like I need to talk to the neighbors.
Post by: Bvas on November 20, 2018, 08:03:11 PM
Love that last pic of angus. Looks more like a painting than a trail cam photo.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 21, 2018, 07:24:07 PM
Happy Thanks giving all, skip the football and get your butt out in a tree stand some where. :biglaugh:
Post by: 23feetupandhappy on November 21, 2018, 08:35:17 PM
Seams he’s always heading the same direction....
Is there a spot down stream of there that will allow you to sit it on a different wind?
You do your homework better then most but thought I’d just put it out there.
Hope you get to see him stick bow close :goldtooth:
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 22, 2018, 07:23:20 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 22, 2018, 08:41:12 AM
Yup he seems to always have his nose into the wind!
Yes on the photos I have of him , I am not sitting the stand because of that exact reason. I fully believe his core is a nasty bit of buck thorn infested hillside just across my fence/property line 100 yards to the south of the funnel. So moving to the south is not really an option as I would have the same wind issues. I have only got him going the opposite direction on camera when he is following a doe.
It certainly seems that way any way
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 22, 2018, 06:05:46 PM
Post by: BrianC on November 22, 2018, 10:07:10 PM
Keep after him, he'll slip up and you will be there to capitalize on his mistake!
I'm not buying a muzzleloader tag this year, but plan to get out a few more times w/ the the stick and string and see if I can't put some venison in the freezer.
Brian
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 25, 2018, 11:27:53 AM
During the extreme cold spell, the deer completely exhausted the corn I had hoped to have available in December. They are hitting the beets so hard that they too will be long gone before the seasons end. While I don't hunt over either of these food sources it has in the past kept deer here into the shedding season.
Today is the final day of the 2nd shotgun season but also the first day of the late muzzle loader season. Between the cold and the hunters in orange the deer are extreemly alert.
Last evening I did witness a chase by a small buck and I also had an up and comer 8 point following their trail later. This makes me hopefull the 2nd rut will soon be here, giving me one more chance at Angus or one of the other big guys I know are still here somewhere. Hopefully it's just a matter of s few days ......
Post by: Keefer on November 25, 2018, 12:46:22 PM
Even though I have only been in a few sits this year I think about Angus and how you are making out learning his patterns etc. I see guys take Big bucks with guns but I am not a bit impressed when they show me pictures But I am impressed when I come here and read about all the hard work you put into your farm and placing your stands.
Trying to work with the wind and the deer trails not to mention the timing on when the deer move etc.
Those are the story's I enjoy reading such as yours and keep up the good work .
You have definitely kept me coming to this site everyday just to see your post on how your're doing ! :thumbsup:
Post by: curlis on November 25, 2018, 08:35:18 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 26, 2018, 07:36:47 PM
The last 2 evenings I returned to the birthday stand. Each time I walked the red line directly to the stand to save time. Last night just before dark a great 10 point buck checked out a small doe about 40 yards away from my perch. Once he was satisfied the little doe was of no interest to him , he cut a corner and left via the contour ( blue ) trail avoiding me but providing me with great views of his head gear.
Right then I decided to stop playing musical stands and camp in this spot each night as long as the wind is right untill I get a shot at something!
So today with bright sun and blue skies, it was a balmy 21 f with a wind chill of 15F at 2 pm. I lingered by the fire in the yurt and finally headed out at 2 15 Pm rather than the normal 1 :45pm.
As I slowly made my way to the stand to avoid getting sweaty , I bumped 3 different deer. It didn't occure to me untill much too late that these deer were on their feet and on their way to feed. This would cost me dearly.
I was standing at the bottom of the ladder stand , putting on the final layer of clothes when I spotted a mega doe along with 2 followers headed down the trail srtaight for me. Grabing my bow and knocking an arrow, I slid up against the tree trunk that the ladder stand is attached to. But I am gloveless and without a hat and it is 21 F out! After a few seconds I peeked around the tree to see the doe standing at 40 yards and starring my way. I knew I couldn't win this one and threw in the towel so I could fininsh dressing and climb the darn tree! :banghead:
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 26, 2018, 07:44:54 PM
Anyway I had glanced down towards the food plot below at about 4 30 and I could see several shapes out in the field below. With the help of my bino's I focused in one buck who was larger than all the rest. He had his head down but I knew who it was. After a minute of two he finally lifted that magnificent rack and I knew for sure Angus was still walking and on the home place. He must refuge here , as he has lived again after 16 days of open shotgun season. Hopefully he will stay another two weeks and avoid the smoke poles as well!
I was loosing the fever but it's back as strong as ever!
Post by: Friend on November 26, 2018, 08:39:17 PM
Post by: 9 Shocks on November 27, 2018, 05:10:26 PM
Post by: schlaggerman on November 27, 2018, 05:49:45 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 27, 2018, 07:52:41 PM
Tonight Jayne played RECON for me in the house with the spotting scope. Angus and two other bucks came down to the plot right past an existing ladder stand. So I am thinking I may elect to sit there tomorrow.
Tonight while Jayne was watching those three in the food plot, I was watching this guy just 60 yards above me.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
unfortunately he spotted a doe to check out and that was that! He is a gorgeous deer with a very dark black forehead. He looks as good hard horned as he did in velvet!!!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 27, 2018, 07:54:13 PM
Post by: 3arrows on November 28, 2018, 07:29:19 AM
Post by: Whip on November 29, 2018, 11:11:04 AM
Post by: Iowabowhunter on November 29, 2018, 02:38:30 PM
Post by: Justin Falon on November 30, 2018, 10:51:27 AM
Great advice! Throw him a curve ball as Don Higgins says.
Justin
Post by: GCook on November 30, 2018, 06:10:45 PM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 30, 2018, 08:19:15 PM
Last night there were three big bucks in the food plot. Angus arrived at 3.45and two new 10 points I have not seen before sauntered in at 4 15.. I was unable to see where they came down the bluffs from. They were just suddenly there.
This am I watched a big buck that I could not identify leave the plot at 8 am and head up into what I call Apple alley. This is the fed out food plot above the Birthday stand.
Both of these stands are on excellent travel routes. But not a deer went by me.
I would love to follow the suggestions you folks have made and hang a 'new stand" somewhere between Angus' bed and this field. But I am not sure where he is spending that time and the bluffs are not conducive to hanging a stand just any where. The wind here is never true except on the very bluff top.
But the suggestions to do some thing different struck a cord. So today at 12 noon we drove the 4 wheeler out to the north end of the field. I hopped out , set a blind and decoy and climbed in for a long afternoon.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on November 30, 2018, 08:31:21 PM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4864/45211525955_f0b6c4d126.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bTbTwc)DSCN0908 (https://flic.kr/p/2bTbTwc) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
I set the buck at exactly 20 yards and the wind was perfect out of the South. We have a big storm forecast for tomorrow and I was confident that the deer would be in the field early like yesterday. I was high on excitement all afternoon. But the deer movement was very late today . A small fawn arrived in the field at 4 pm Followed five minutes later by a nice 3 year old 10 point. But he kept his distance. He approached from the far end of the field and only came half way. He fed nervously for 30 minutes always careful to keep a eye towards my deek. A few Does came in only to run back out at the sight of the buck Decoy. Just at dark another Doe entered followed by a small 6 point who gave her the classic rut chase around the field and back up into the bluffs. Nothing else showed.
It was a fun attempt to try and make something happen but the players I wanted to see the most were just someplace else tonight.
Post by: Keefer on December 01, 2018, 05:07:49 AM
I'm glad to see you try the blind approach and once they are used to it being there (If you leave it for a while)you may just get a shot on Angus. Around here if those blinds aren't against trees and brushed in some deer tend to keep their distance until they trust it .Now a cruising buck that never been on the place just may walk by and give you that shot. Let Angus get comfortable with it being there hoping you leave it there.
Praying you do get that shot Jim.
Post by: Justin Falon on December 01, 2018, 10:49:32 AM
that's it. The blind. Surprise him! Question. How do you stake the blind down when the ground is frozen? I love this idea. You're going to get Angus!
justin
Post by: Trenton G. on December 01, 2018, 12:44:56 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 02, 2018, 08:15:04 PM
the next 36 hours was wind, rain, sleet , fog and snow. Wet heavy heart attach snow. By Sunday am we had 10 inches of sloppy wet stuff. Dave headed for home and I got on the tractor to clear the drive way and areas around the yurt, house and garage.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4806/32281123758_cf50a7b9d9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Rbzcrh)DSCN0912 (https://flic.kr/p/Rbzcrh) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4849/32281120358_3ce8831538.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RbzbqE)DSCN0913 (https://flic.kr/p/RbzbqE) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 02, 2018, 08:18:31 PM
I was finally on my way to a stand at noon.
the approach to the squirrels tail.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/32281133308_0602e4d6c8.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RbzfgW)DSCN0917 (https://flic.kr/p/RbzfgW) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
looking back to the food plot below
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4886/45240237775_7dd6cd2a60.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ3xz)DSCN0918 (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ3xz) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 02, 2018, 08:26:43 PM
the stand
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4859/45240243985_4f7227023c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ5oD)DSCN0919 (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ5oD) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
for the next 5 hours I was in a winter wonder land!!. It was like being in a black and white photograph. The world was absent of all color. Looking thru the spider weds of white and black I made out numerous deer on the near and far hillsides. I spotted a very good 10 point on the hill by the red pine stand. Damn, I picked the wrong stand again !!
At 2 PM a forky came in and bedded in a dogwood patch just 30 yards below me . We spent an hour together until he finally stood, stretched and headed to the food plot below. At 4 pm 3 year and a half old bucks all arrived from different directions and stood together in the same spot the forky had been bedded in 2 hours before. I kept hoping for Angus or one of the other bigger bucks I have seen this week to show. But the day ended with no arrows in the air again. I headed home and counted 22 deer in the plot below as I descended the bluff and counted my blessings. I truly live in a hunters paradise!
Post by: Soonerlongbow on December 02, 2018, 09:00:50 PM
Post by: Homey88 on December 03, 2018, 09:47:17 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 03, 2018, 02:40:53 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 04, 2018, 07:49:52 PM
Last night a 2 1/2 year old 8 point snuck in on me and was at 20 yards before I saw him. I was looking left and when I turned my head to look right, there he was ! when our eyes met , he was gone in a flash and still made not a sound!
This evening in the Red Pines Funnel
I was covered in does and fawns.
at 4 pm A lone doe moved thru the funnel and gave me a 20 yards shot. But with all the clothing I have on and the fact no too many practice arrows have been shot lately I passed. I just didn't feel comfortable with the shot distance and was wanting her at 10 rather than the 20 she gave me. Then at last light , 2 adult does and 5 fawns were browsing all around me. The does stayed far enough away that I never took my hands out of my hand warmers! but it was still exciting enough.
I am not sure what to think about Angus at this point. In the last 48 hours the deer seemed to have figured out, my food plot is exhausted and they seemed to dispersed somewhat. I don't think he is still on the farm . 5 days remain of muzzle season. There was one single shot from my neighbor's farm just at dark and I hope it wasn't Angus.
Post by: Tannis on December 04, 2018, 08:35:01 PM
Post by: Gator1 on December 04, 2018, 09:45:50 PM
Post by: Bigriver on December 04, 2018, 09:59:56 PM
Post by: Clj on December 04, 2018, 10:02:16 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 04, 2018, 10:17:37 PM
for those who follow it appears Angus no longer walks due to meeting up with a fire arm tonight , photo was removed since it was a gun kill.
I won't soon forget chasing that one!
Post by: Jim Keller on December 04, 2018, 10:22:19 PM
Post by: Orion on December 04, 2018, 10:25:56 PM
Post by: Gator1 on December 04, 2018, 10:42:55 PM
The fact you shared the story and photos is good enough for me.
It makes me hope my 13 year old Trad shooting daughter and I will find our angus someday.
What a great creature to share with all of us.
Post by: Tannis on December 04, 2018, 11:01:51 PM
Post by: Homey88 on December 04, 2018, 11:18:50 PM
Post by: Ray Lyon on December 04, 2018, 11:36:30 PM
Post by: Friend on December 05, 2018, 12:02:55 AM
Post by: ScottinPA on December 05, 2018, 11:37:14 AM
I feel for you as I had similar happen to me last year except I bumped the buck to a rifle hunter. Really bothered me for a few weeks after.
Post by: Keefer on December 05, 2018, 11:57:47 AM
I am sorry you didn't get Angus with your bow but look beyond that and what you became. You put much time and planning on trying to harvest Angus and he would have probably out smarted the guy who did get him though if he had used a bow.
Sounds like he was starting to find a new place to live on your property if he out witted the others for 3 years.
A smart educated buck he was but now he has taught you as well as you learn the behavior of a white tailed deer.
You have many others to go after and the memory Angus has left in your mind nobody can take from you.
Those pictures of him on the trail cam and the ones in your food plot I would take and have them made into 8"x11" pictures to hang in a barn wood picture frame and hung in your Yurt as a reminder of the "CHASE"!
Don't stop the 5 Pines posts cause I loved all your story's of every year. Put your boots back on and grab the bow and go sit in your stand and see what our Creator can do and trust He has something else He wants to share with you.
That Angus was a blessing to witness in the wild and what a great time you had and that is what I call a great hunt! :archer: :campfire:
Post by: Bigriver on December 05, 2018, 12:14:53 PM
Post by: GCook on December 05, 2018, 12:54:17 PM
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Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 05, 2018, 01:39:03 PM
I have been rewarded in the past with big horns after hard work and will be again. I am certainly rich with memories.
Happy I was so close on my guess as to the final 170 score, wish we knew what that big bugger weighed!
Post by: achigan on December 05, 2018, 01:56:57 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 05, 2018, 02:22:28 PM
Post by: Trenton G. on December 05, 2018, 02:35:23 PM
Post by: Justin Falon on December 05, 2018, 04:05:58 PM
It’s time for silence.
I’m gonna be sick. A firearm is no way to go.
Post by: Hopewell Tom on December 05, 2018, 06:46:54 PM
A buck like that had to have others on his tail. It's been an adventure for all of us here it seems.
You said it all in the post about the place you call home. We don't have your deer numbers, but I marvel at my good fortune to hunt our land right out the back door.
Thanks for sharing, Jim.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 05, 2018, 07:01:58 PM
Post by: Hopewell Tom on December 05, 2018, 07:13:13 PM
Way to hang tough.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 05, 2018, 07:16:49 PM
https://www.news8000.com/news/deer-tests-positive-for-apparent-chronic-wasting-disease-in-houston-county/913144845
Post by: MAT on December 06, 2018, 12:50:49 PM
https://madison.com/wsj/sports/recreation/outdoors/patrick-durkin-cwd-continues-to-spread-in-wisconsin/article_4a3f1d61-7f15-5b6e-8b2b-5dbc1ada6baa.html
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 06, 2018, 02:35:15 PM
Awfully thankful I had have 10 full years here at the farm.
But I have a feeling the great days of chasing my beloved whitetails is going to change dramatically.
Post by: GCook on December 06, 2018, 03:03:30 PM
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Post by: schlaggerman on December 06, 2018, 04:43:12 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 06, 2018, 04:51:52 PM
This year MN allowed scopes on inlines.
It's been a long time since we called the bowhunting season and the muzzle loader season a "primitive weapons season".
I am in your camp , but we are pissing into the wind .
Post by: Orion on December 06, 2018, 04:59:27 PM
IMO, the only way to slow (too late to stop) the spread of CWD is to get rid of game farms. In Wisconsin, game farmers and other special interests (like the NRA which bought the crossbow season in Wisconsin) have bought our legislature so it isn't going to happen.
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 06, 2018, 06:08:02 PM
Post by: MAT on December 07, 2018, 11:32:34 AM
All the efforts of depleting the herds in areas like that has proved ineffective to stop the "spread of cwd" in every instance yet the mindless fools who make those decisions keep making the same wrong decisions. Hopefully it won't be the case in your area.
The folks at MN DNR who are dealing with this know what they are doing. It's a disservice to them, and all of us to state otherwise. Unfortunately there are only 2 options, do nothing or kill deer. WI is a great example of what happens when you do nothing, so please read the article I linked in my last post. CWD has spread from an area less than the size of a county to 1/3 of the state in 15 years, and it keeps spreading. IL on the other had went with more testing and hot spot treatment (culling) which has managed to dramatically slow the spread. It's important to note that the science hasn't changed since CWD was found in WI in 2002, everything we thought about CWD has only been further verified. The WI experiment is a complete failure, and pretty much guarantees CWD will spread to all the eastern whitetail herds in due time. It's likely why it ended up in MN.
So IMO the blame for the current CWD situation is on the outgoing WI governor, his political allies in the state legislature all who claimed to be for sportsmens rights; captive cervid (deer and elk) "farms" and a gun rights organization who supported them and the agricultural lobby who embraced them as one of their own; lazy hunters, corn farmers and gas station owners who wouldn't let the DNR ban baiting; but most significantly all those blaze orange rednecks sitting on barstools who refuse to believe the biologists and think it's all a conspiracy.
The only options available to the MN DNR trade between short term and long term benefits. At this point I'm not saying one option is better than the other because there is 100% certainly that CWD will have a major long term impact on deer hunting no matter what we do. Even if a miracle cure is found the geographic distribution of CWD right now would make any treatment cost prohibited if not outright technically infeasible. Five decades of CWD research has indicated that a future with CWD will mean much lower deer populations, perhaps even too low to allow hunting. It also means few if any deer would live past 3 years of age so there won't be anymore bucks like Angus around. The sad irony is history will note that hunters and the hunting industry ended up causing the demise of our favorite sport, not anti-hunting groups.
For more info including a great CWD timeline: http://cwd-info.org/
A long but very informative overview of CWD: http://www.apwildlife.org/publications/
Post by: GCook on December 07, 2018, 01:19:25 PM
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Post by: Gehrke145 on December 08, 2018, 02:09:23 AM
CWD is a mess, hunted a mess of states with it (actually from Wi, which could have been done better) but really I don't see a fix unless they find a cure. Sounds like some strides are being made, but nothing helpful yet.
A few of my buddies and I have actually talked about high fencing a large place to at least keep it away (the last resort once it gets to that point). I know its frowned on here but that disease scares the crap outta me. I love whitetails and how they slightly differ from state to state and area to area.
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 08, 2018, 08:54:02 AM
Post by: jonsimoneau on December 08, 2018, 10:06:48 AM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 08, 2018, 12:44:53 PM
Getting set to head out and sit the duration of the day . I can safely say that the majority of the deer on the farm have moved up valley. There is a large cornfield that did not get picked about a 1 mile north of me. I am guessing they have headed there as they did this time last year. There are still a few does and fawns here. It is very difficult to get to a stand now as they are laying on the lower hill sides and watch you as you walk in. But I am still going to give it a go.
The coyotes pulled down a fawn last night about 300 yards from the house. The first of many I am predicting this winter. Lots of coyotes and those little guys when on their own are easy targets.
Hopefully a good doe will still me a shot, more to follow...…………..
Post by: Gehrke145 on December 08, 2018, 04:29:18 PM
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 09, 2018, 07:33:34 PM
This am it was 6 F, bitterly cold. I lasted barely 2 hours and only saw one doe at 8 am.
This after noon, deer were every where on the hills sides. Despite going the long way in and around the back I still bumped several deer. At 4 pm the big 10 from last week walked by me at 40 yards. He has shed his right side. I hoped for a shot that I knew was not going to happen Great to watch him. But he looked pretty played out. I think I am getting to that point too.
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 10, 2018, 09:24:24 PM
I shot a doe poorly today and lost her . I am sure the coyotes will get her tonight. I am not going to post the details. But I am heartsick at wounding another deer this year. Not sure what I am doing wrong but I am not going to risk another unrecovered animal untill I have my shooting back on track.
Thank you to everyone for following my trail again this year . Your input and warm regards, meant a lot.
Oh and in addition to that , last night was the final night of muzzleloader season here and my next door neighbor killed a buck that went 226! He killed him about 500 yards from where the other neighbor killed Angus .
Bummer, I hate guns.
Post by: Homey88 on December 10, 2018, 09:34:58 PM
Post by: 23feetupandhappy on December 11, 2018, 09:54:04 AM
Thanks for taking us along for the ride this year, the effort it takes to do these daily entries does not go in noticed around here!!!
Until next season :wavey: :clapper: :campfire:
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 11, 2018, 01:56:35 PM
We have a several acre butterfly habitat that spurred from your bee habitat. We are to the point we will be needing to start property improvement on our northern farm.
I really hope to see you this year at a shoot. Good luck finding those shed antlers this year.
Post by: Keefer on December 11, 2018, 05:39:53 PM
Thank you for taking us along this season and I know that feeling when you lose one and can't find it but it happens to many of us. The picks I sent you of my 2017 was one and it ate me up inside but I did eventually find him thinking I had a really bad hit. Don't beat yourself up and don't give up but learn from it and nothing go's to waste. Have a Merry Christmas and I look forward to next years and praying you do this again. God Bless and keep us posted on your adventures.
Keefer's <')))><
Post by: BrianC on December 12, 2018, 08:32:56 AM
It definitely didn't end the way I hoped it would for you and Angus, but that's just how it goes sometimes.
Put this season behind you and look forward to next season, when hopefully a new Angus will partake with you in this game we all love so much.
I had a tough season up here too. Between the rainy weather and work, I didn't get as much treestand therapy as I wanted to. I had one shot opportunity at a doe that had a fawn and passed her up.
I did help my 10 year old grandson get his first deer ever, a yearling doe (rifle), so my season definitely wasn't a total bust. A great memory for sure!!
Brian
Post by: Ollodgeskins on December 12, 2018, 09:18:30 AM
Post by: ron w on December 12, 2018, 04:03:01 PM
Post by: KAZ on December 12, 2018, 05:59:06 PM
I will echo all of the appreciation for your efforts in posting/including us in your adventure! You are an inspiration :campfire: It is clear you are committed and have the utmost respect for the animals you pursue... You are not alone as we all have endured challenging times. Trust your heart, strive to learn and do your best. That is all you can do... Good Providence :pray:
Post by: kennyb on December 12, 2018, 06:17:57 PM
Kenny :bigsmyl: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 27, 2018, 03:27:18 PM
This is the antler from the buck I talked about in my 12/9 post. I knew when he walked by that the shedding of his right side had been that very day. He had been monkeying around in some apple trees below me. Over the last several days we have lost most of our snow. So I went out yesterday and cruised thru those trees. It took me about 15 minutes to find this beauty.. Hopefully he will make it thru the winter and the CWD purge next month , so that we can have a thread about him next year.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7849/31550637517_4abc129908.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q52gjV)DSCN0928 (https://flic.kr/p/Q52gjV) by jgilmer2010 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/), on Flickr
Post by: BrianC on December 27, 2018, 06:00:16 PM
Snow has been coming down up here (Deer River, MN) since last night around 10 pm. We must have close to 10" of new snow on the ground and there's no signs of it slowing down until tomorrow.
Brian
Post by: Hopewell Tom on December 27, 2018, 07:16:18 PM
Nice shed, good on you for looking. Lots can happen until next season, but having that antler to hold will keep you going.
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: last arrow on December 28, 2018, 10:08:46 AM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 28, 2018, 02:10:06 PM