Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Zwickey-Fever on November 17, 2019, 04:19:39 PM
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Every year I learn something new or have a ah-ha moment to where things makes perfect sense to me. Most of what I learn is from my mistakes. But this year, I have seemed to learn more than other years.
One of those things is that gland lures works better than urine lures. I personally use James Valley. In my experience, I have a lot more positive response using gland based lures than I do with urine lures.
Two, I have never shot a mature buck off a stand to where I had a trail camera. Seems like when I place a trail camera at or near one of my stands, all I see is juvenile bucks. I believe this is two reasons, one, it's nearly impossible to go into a area and not leave scent. So with that comes the possibility of bumping a mature buck or the bucks pattern me more than I pattern them. A mature buck won't tolerate being bumped to many times before moving on. They like their seclusion. I learned to place my cameras in low impact areas like tractor paths and never around stands.
Three, I keep mobile. I rarely hunt the same stand more than twice in a row because the more that I use a stand, the more scent I will leave in the area. The more that I hunt a stand the less deer I tend to see. I have several loc-on stands but I prefer using my Summit Open Shot climbers to keep mobile and the deer guessing,,haha.
These are just some of the things that I learned this year. I would like to hear what you learned this year that makes you a better deer hunter. Thanks!! JMG
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I learned that "good enough" is not good enough.
I was the weak link of the equation.
Working on remedy to this.
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I learned that south louisiana public land hunting is hard and deer are sparse and heavily pressured.
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I learned(again) that less time on great land is better than more time on mediocre land. There is no substitute for a target rich environment.
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Slow down, pick a spot, a get out of bed when the alarm goes off-I can do it for work so I can do it to hunt, pick a spot, use my binos more than my feet, pick a dang spot!
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I learned that I really need to retire so I can spend more time hunting.
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Unfortunately, I have learned that I am definitely getting old. Both heat and cold seem to affect me greatly, and I just haven't felt like spending much time in the woods this year. This is a strong discouragement, considering how previously I looked so forward to opening day. I do have some health issues at work here, so I hope these feelings will clear up. The one long term takeaway from this is a piece of advice to all, especially the younger guys/girls in the group. While you are able and enthusiastic, take every opportunity to enjoy the woods, and be sure to share it with others if the chance presents itself. Give thanks for this lifestyle we have adopted. Just have fun with it. Many of us have had greater and lower periods of interest which is normal, so ride the high as far as it will go and as long as it will last.
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I learned that no matter how good you are, the deer is usually better. Not a hobby for them !
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First year hunting public land in Georgia, what have I learned?? No where near enough !!!! Actually saw some fresh tracks today..... :biglaugh:
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Unfortunately, I have learned that I am definitely getting old. Both heat and cold seem to affect me greatly, and I just haven't felt like spending much time in the woods this year. This is a strong discouragement, considering how previously I looked so forward to opening day. I do have some health issues at work here, so I hope these feelings will clear up. The one long term takeaway from this is a piece of advice to all, especially the younger guys/girls in the group. While you are able and enthusiastic, take every opportunity to enjoy the woods, and be sure to share it with others if the chance presents itself. Give thanks for this lifestyle we have adopted. Just have fun with it. Many of us have had greater and lower periods of interest which is normal, so ride the high as far as it will go and as long as it will last.
I truly hope your health issues clear up Sam and try to stay positive and all it will take is one of those special moments that only you can have in the woods. Some days as I'm sitting on stand and realize how truly blessed I am. And I have also found out when I see a big buck making his way to me, it makes all my troubles seem to go away. Keep at it my friend.
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I learned that no matter how good you are, the deer is usually better. Not a hobby for them !
Extremely true!
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Dependable transportation is a must if you expect to hunt at all.
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That I work too much for a retired person with a seasonal business.
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
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Dependable transportation is a must if you expect to hunt at all.
That's valid,,,LOL
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I learned a few things:
-Hunt current sign and not what looked good last year. Trust your instincts, if you think you should move your set up, move.
-Capitalize on shot opportunities. I'd have at least one deer if not two extra in the freezer if I had trusted myself and taken the shots.
-Enjoy the hunt and don't put too much pressure on yourself to get out there. If you're not feeling it, it's okay to stay home and spend time with the family/friends.
-Jeremy :coffee:
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I learned a few things:
-Hunt current sign and not what looked good last year. Trust your instincts, if you think you should move your set up, move.
-Capitalize on shot opportunities. I'd have at least one deer if not two extra in the freezer if I had trusted myself and taken the shots.
-Enjoy the hunt and don't put too much pressure on yourself to get out there. If you're not feeling it, it's okay to stay home and spend time with the family/friends.
-Jeremy :coffee:
Extremely true Jeremy!!
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I learned I should have cancelled my vacation. I know I sound like a giant vagina but it is what it is. I blew out both knees in September in CO when I fell packing out elk. I hoped I would get more mobile this past month but no such luck. One Knee already has no ACL and DR won't do anything but replacement. (I'm holding off for as long as possible.) That is now my "good" knee. I thought I could tough it out, but by the time I would make it to my stands and climb in I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. Especially in the cold. Tried 1600 mg Ibuprofen and it didn't cut it and was scared to take anything stronger and climb in a tree. Just a miserable week. Couldn't get to the remote locations where my best stands are. I go in for consultation and MRI Tuesday and in for surgery after that. I guess there's always next year. However, I do have a pretty nice one coming in to the clover field on my property. Maybe a ground blind is in order?
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I learned to pay attention to the weather app. 28 degrees and rubber boots = wearing a refrigerator on your feet. Bad part is I know better! I just didn’t look at the weather :laughing:
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I learned I should have cancelled my vacation. I know I sound like a giant vagina but it is what it is. I blew out both knees in September in CO when I fell packing out elk. I hoped I would get more mobile this past month but no such luck. One Knee already has no ACL and DR won't do anything but replacement. (I'm holding off for as long as possible.) That is now my "good" knee. I thought I could tough it out, but by the time I would make it to my stands and climb in I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. Especially in the cold. Tried 1600 mg Ibuprofen and it didn't cut it and was scared to take anything stronger and climb in a tree. Just a miserable week. Couldn't get to the remote locations where my best stands are. I go in for consultation and MRI Tuesday and in for surgery after that. I guess there's always next year. However, I do have a pretty nice one coming in to the clover field on my property. Maybe a ground blind is in order?
I wish you a speedy recovery and don't give up my friend. Several years ago I was in a accident that left me with a shattered ankle, a few screws and pins after a operation. My family put me on a deer cart and took me out hunting. I was blessed enough to take a nice six pointer, against doctors and wifes orders of course! So get out there in that blind!
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I learned that public hunting options are swiftly going down the drain. Hang on to the ones you have and start actively searching for new friends that own property. Bribe them with beer, a nice bottle, steak dinner for him and the wife, whatever it takes.
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I learned that all those bucks you see on a trail cam before the season know when the opening day is and burrow underground never to be seen again.
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This was my first season bowhunting in 15 years, and my first ever with trad equipment. So needless to say, I learned a lot!
I learned that some people will never “get it” if you choose to use a weapon that limits your ability and challenges you, rather than using every updated gadget that can make you more lethal.
I learned that it’s still rewarding hunting without my dad there, but that it will never ever be quite the same.
I learned that shooting at a living, breathing, moving animal with a recurve bow is way different than shooting at a 3-d target of the same animal in your backyard.
I learned that during the rut, you hunt whenever you can.
I learned that my wife likes deer meat. :goldtooth:
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I learned that does in the U.P. are stupid since they don't get hunted. I could kill one with a rock and save myself the trouble of dulling a broadhead.
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I learned if you have a set up where it's designed to get them close, it can be a boring sit, but you have to be ready the whole time cause when things happen, they happen real quick.
I learned cover is important on cagey deer
I learned I have become soft. Won't shoot a doe with little fawns.
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I learned if you have a set up where it's designed to get them close, it can be a boring sit, but you have to be ready the whole time cause when things happen, they happen real quick.
I learned cover is important on cagey deer
I learned I have become soft. Won't shoot a doe with little fawns.
x's 2 on shooting a doe with fawns. I must have become soft as well and besides that, I truly enjoy watching them.
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I learned that all those bucks you see on a trail cam before the season know when the opening day is and burrow underground never to be seen again.
That seems to be the same out here in Iowa!! LOL. But I used to have the same problems when I used to hunt Union County, Pa. myself. It seemed like "POOF" and the disappear like a fart in a wind storm!! LOL
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I learned that I really miss traditional archery! Hunted this year with a wheelie bow and afterwards it hit me. I need to get back to where my mind “was” from a trad stand point.
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I learned that patience is a virtue and that if I don't get into the woods this year for deer, I'll live and the Lord with hopefully bless me with many more years to hunt.
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I just learned that I’m not alone. I can relate to most of the posts in this thread.
Mostly, I learned that I am officially a traditional bow hunter, choosing to carry it even during gun season.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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The biggest thing I've learned so far this season:
When a big buck you've been after is making his way along the ridge line you are sitting and that ridge line is loaded with oak and hickory trees and when that buck is on a deer trail heading for a 15 yard pass right in front of you if he continues on his path.....IF EVERY SQUIRREL IN THE OAK AND HICKORY TREES decides to drop nuts all at once that buck will immediately stop at 50 yards, stand there for 5 minutes looking for the cause of all the noise and then head the other way. :banghead:
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I learned that it’s still rewarding hunting without my dad there, but that it will never ever be quite the same.
That is a tough lesson to learn. Last year was my first hunting without my dad.
This year, I managed to purchase a small tract of land and I have learned that it is a different feeling hunting deer on your own property.
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Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.
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Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.
Sorry to hear that Wild Bill. I used to hunt Pa and the numbers was always up but that was years ago. Believe it or not, the deer population is down here in southern Iowa due to EHD hitting my area harder than normal because of the wet spring we had.
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I've learned that hunting on the ground is more fun and not necessarily any harder than in a tree.
That my longbow isn't as tuned as I thought it was, luckily a bad shot hit a good spot.
Relearned today that a "gimme" is never a sure thing. Five yards from a tree is too close. He will have a sore shoulder, but will live.
A simple thing as a couple birds landing on your bow, shoulder or hat makes getting out of bed worth the trip.
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I learned to not get complacent on scouting. It’s 2 years now since my double knee replacement and the last couple years I haven’t been going to some areas on my property. I found some good sign in areas I knew a out but didn’t feel like going to the extra effort with sore knees. Now this year I did it. Found a couple great stand sites and got my best buck.
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I learned my "sure thing" stand location is really 80yds to the NE of where I thought it should be.
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All these are truly valid, one more thing I have sure learned is that long rang scouting with binos or telescope beats anything a trail camera can tell me.
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I learned I can call deer with sounds from my mouth. And a winch sure helps to get your deer out of the woods.
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I agree with the above comment on trail cameras and mature deer. I get to many pics of deer looking at the camera , knowing they heard or saw something. So after my 2nd year using them I’m going back following my gut and reading sign, it seemed I killed more and bigger deer without cameras.
I also learned the wind has swirled more this year than I can recently remember
Also that hunting popular easily accessed public land is not the best idea.
No new lesson but a reminder, that sticking with one proven hunting bow and arrow /broadhead combination is a very good thing.
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I learned that I am not as good as I thought I was. Seriously considering going to a compound bow.
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I learned that I am not as good as I thought I was. Seriously considering going to a compound bow.
Hang in there Bob, I have been completely frustrated with hunting strictly traditional, but I can assure you there is no other way of hunting that is more awarding when everything goes right. As I said, hang in there and keep at it. Positive actions brings positive results!
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I learned that I am not as good as I thought I was. Seriously considering going to a compound bow.
Hang in there Bob. I, myself been frustrated with hunting strictly traditional but I can assure you that there is no other way of hunting that is more awarding my friend. Some days I feel as if I couldn't hit the ground if it wasn't for gravity. But how sweet it is when everything falls in line! And if you ever want to BS,,Shoot me a message my friend. JMG
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I learned that my buddies dad's property in the UP must hold 50% of the UPs bucks. I'm exaggerating of course but it is thick. I learned that after the first doe winded me from my tree stand - at the time I could see the wind working against me but I was stubborn, that I should have gotten down and set up an ambush on the ground around all of the deadfall which would have put my scent going beyond the deer route. If I had done so, the next doe that had a nice 8pt on her tail wouldn't have run off too and I may have actually had a shot at the buck instead of watching him turn towards that's does new path away from my shot zone.
I was reminded that a good backdrop in a ground blind, some camo that breaks up your outline , and sitting very still will allow you to get deadly close to deer you aren't allowed to shoot in the UP. Also, trad hunting in a stand below 20 degrees is no fun for the fingers.
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I learned that I am not as good as I thought I was. Seriously considering going to a compound bow.
Hang in there Bob, I have been completely frustrated with hunting strictly traditional, but I can assure you there is no other way of hunting that is more awarding when everything goes right. As I said, hang in there and keep at it. Positive actions brings positive results!
Bob, I've been there. And as John said anytime your want to Shoot the Breeze, I'm just a PM away. Just a little more practice will fill the bill. LW is another site for encouragement and knowledge.
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I can't say that I learned this, but I have certainly been reminded what a pain it is to try to hunt the only area I have to hunt when none of the corn has been picked. :banghead:
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I can't say that I learned this, but I have certainly been reminded what a pain it is to try to hunt the only area I have to hunt when none of the corn has been picked. :banghead:
Hunting over standing corn can be frustrating and rewarding for me pending the situation. The glass is half full scenario but finding a way into your stand can be a struggle with standing corn.
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What a true friend is and isn't.
Bummer of a year.
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What a true friend is and isn't.
Bummer of a year.
[/quoteA What a true friend is and isn't.
Bummer of a year.
Sorry to hear that, Terry. A true friend sticks closer than a brother.
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Read the booklet the comes with your license :readit: The season may not be what you think it is. It may say Sept. to Jan. But on a WMA that may not be the case! When you read the booklet, go back read it again to highlight the stuff that has to do with where you hunt !!!
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What a true friend is and isn't.
Bummer of a year.
I remember some where in my travels someone saying, "A good friend will bail you out of jail" but your best friend will be sitting right next to you in jail saying, "Damn that was fun"!
Hang in there my friend.
JMG
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AMEN!!!
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Hunting in Texas is no fun without a lease or land!!!
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I learned Gear Ties are handy to have in your pack. Great for using as an extra hand during field dress.
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Year two with trad gear. I've learned that my wife doesn't like my new indoor practice range, bathroom through bedroom into screened in porch. Don't go to the woods to move a blind without your bow, you'll have numerous shot opportunities. Don't waste vacation time looking out the windows pouting due to a few bad hunts, shoot my bow instead. Make sure I swap to a blunt from a broad head on a squirrel, wonder how long it will stay buried in that oak. I need to step back take a breath and just have fun, that's why i'm doing this.
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I learned Gear Ties are handy to have in your pack. Great for using as an extra hand during field dress.
That's valid! I know I surely need a extra hand when field dressing. Great idea,,Thanks!
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I have also have learned that James Valley Wall Hanger works better when used with James Valley Full Rut or Lethal Weapon,,,don't know why though?? :dunno: It just does.
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The value of a deer cart! Time for one with wheels...
The importance of not over hunting a spot. I moved more this year than ever and had deer in shooting range almost every sit. Really like my new stand and sticks.
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I learned to always be sure you are on the bottom rung of the ladder before stepping back.
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I learned that ive waited WAYYY to long to spot n stalk big ole mulies!! Jeeze what a blast.. ill bet i walked 40 miles ,, deep canyons, blowouts, lots of glassing... many close calls, only a hard earned doe...im hooked!!
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What a true friend is and isn't.
Bummer of a year.
Hate when that happens!
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I learned that - or remembered - Blackbeard Island is a great bowhunt open to all, GA, longest running Federal archery only hunt - by late November here in the south gun seasons open early and most good places are shot out. Unique sub specie of whitetail, plenty of wild hogs.
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Stay in your blind - do not leave early- even if aggravated
Mid October afternoon hunt on a HOT oaks ridge nuts plopping down constantly blind up since early September and all but ignored by deer. Lots of little goofy stuff that day nearby homeowners coming and going unusual times had 4 different groups of deer try to get on this ridge to feed but boogered off by people, cars, dogs yapping and I had given up but decided to relax and sit the last 10 minutes of gray light before leaving. Then the last one minute of me being able to see two does trotted in 4 yards away. Big nanny doe perfect shot!
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Unless the wind is wrong you GOTTA hunt. Early September I was very tired long day scouting and hanging stands Hot day and by 4pm was simply too tired to climb a tree. So I went to my ground blind cuz the wind was right and I could sit in a chair or even lay down if I needed Turned out to be a fantastic afternoon lots of deer working through feeding on acorns saw four bucks and I had the uncharacteristic patience to wait them out and shoot the biggest
Perfect shot!
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I learned that I need to hunt areas that other hunters would over look. Since most hunters want to get up in a tree, I am going to work harder to find areas void of timber stands where the hunters set up. This means I will be on the ground. I am primarily a public land hunter and have seen more hunting pressure this year than most other years.
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To read the fine print and not get a permit for the early archery season only, which is open Friday through Sunday only, then have commitments for Friday and Saturday mornings. At least we have hogs to hunt year round in Texas.
:coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I learned how much I've missed the woods. Nine years ago had a significant family tragedy, stepped away from hunting. Got back into it this year and rekindled my love for trad and the woods.
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I learned to always be sure you are on the bottom rung of the ladder before stepping back.
That’s a hard way to learn it, Charlie! Hope you’re healing up well!
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I learned how much I've missed the woods. Nine years ago had a significant family tragedy, stepped away from hunting. Got back into it this year and rekindled my love for trad and the woods.
Welcome back!
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Excellent thread. Very successful season this year for me. These are some of my lessons.
1) Don't smell up your hunting area by over-exposing to too many visits. My first visit to my (new) honey-hole was Wednesday, Oct. 30. My second visit, three days later, Saturday, November 2, netted an 8 point. My third visit, 7 days following, November 9 netted a doe. My third visit, 7 more days, November 16 and I had opportunities with no tags.
Why stop, right? It's done for the season. Burned out. That's okay.
In addition, this stand was close in, not requiring me to walk past good deer habitat to get to my stand.
2) Back cover is more important that front cover. Huge tree behind, leaves all gone in front, and no problem. Buck was 18 yards unaware. Doe was 7 yards unaware. I say the stand is only 12 off the ground. A friend says 10 feet. Whatever.
3) Hunt funnels. This stand is on the corner of a field with woods on both sides. They come through the woods rather than the field and turn the corner. They come at various angles through the woods. So, this is a pinch point.
4) Treestand is on the inside of the radius. The deer trails all curve around the treestand. The deer, coming from multiple angles, almost never are facing directly at the treestand in their travels. They loop around. I have been spotted in treestands where the deer trail comes directly toward that stand at reasonable distances, say 30 yards and less.
5) Wait for your shot. Wait for your shot. Wait for your shot. Even after I drew on the doe, I did something I never do. I held my draw for several seconds for one reason alone: to see if the doe saw my movement, was alerted, and would react. Satisfied that she was relaxed, I picked a spot, and released. My now passed friend, Rusty Boos, upon learning I was going bear hunting jumped up and down almost screaming at me, saying "wait for your shot." After having too many failures on deer, I decided to internalize his admonishment, "wait for your shot."
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My dad and I have realized that we have gotten lazy w/ our scouting and stand placement.
He owns 120 acres, he lives on the property and I'm only 15 minutes away.
With work and life in general, we have just been settling for hunting the same stands year after year.
We got into trad 6 years ago and are both deer less at this point.
In 2020 we are going to take down all of our old stands, scout hard, and go into the fall of 2020 with a new mindset.
Brian
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Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.
Sorry to hear that Wild Bill. I used to hunt Pa and the numbers was always up but that was years ago. Believe it or not, the deer population is down here in southern Iowa due to EHD hitting my area harder than normal because of the wet spring we had.
EHD? I thought that was a drought problem
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I've learned to take a good shot when you get the opportunity.
If I had, I'd be eating backstraps tonight and not leftovers...again.
Josh
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I learned that even though you have become hearing impaired you can still connect with your shot. :archer:
Just had to figure out a different strategy.
I will add, it's a great rush to look up and see a shooter 15 yards away and standing broadside. I went from :scared: to :archer2: in less than a minuet.
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I learned I should have learned to shoot 3 under a long time ago, I don’t take the cold like I did a few years ago, and Sleep deprivation affects my interest in hunting significantly more than it did a year or 2 ago. Oh yeah, check my video camera before each hunt, so I can fix malfunctions.
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Ive learned that I'd have been better off on the ground instead of searching for a perfect tree.
I'm now a ground hunter. Season aint over yet!!
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I learned this wheel thing is gonna add ten years of freedom and gettin after em for me
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I learned that a bicycle is a great way to access good hunting spots further from the road.
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That an elk in the freezer puts a damper on motivation. More interested in squirrel this year than deer. Can't believe I'd ever write that in the 50 years I've been climbing trees.
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I learned a few things this season. Two I confirmed is true and two others that hurt a little.
1) Scouting pays off. Not only pre season but each trip is a scouting session. I played chess with a deer and moved my stand twice and it paid off. Being very observant in the stand and pick landmarks for future stands.
2) Simmons are awesome
3) Be more patient in shot selection. I had a small young buck walk to my tree. I shot it quartering to me at like 10 yards. Figured my arrow at that range wouldn't have any problem with penetration. His shoulder won. Should have waited for him to pass and shot him quartering away or passed.
4) Arrow weight. Probably works fine if I was patient but I was shooting a 485 grain arrow with good success. See above for lesson learned. I will prob shoot a heavier arrow next year.
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Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.
Sorry to hear that Wild Bill. I used to hunt Pa and the numbers was always up but that was years ago. Believe it or not, the deer population is down here in southern Iowa due to EHD hitting my area harder than normal because of the wet spring we had.
EHD? I thought that was a drought problem
Drought?? Not here. I have not been able to get in some of my fields for over a year and had to put a lot of my crop land in preventive planting because there's been to much rain. I just spoke with two state biologist and they said that southern Iowa is a complete disaster area and the hunting season should have been stopped because of EHD, CWD and tuberculosis in the deer. But there's no money in that for DNR. The deer population is not even a fraction of what it was just a year ago.
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I have learned how difficult it is to hunt public land. It’s almost as if someone has to pattern the other hunters more then the deer. As a ground hunter, I’ve been focused on going into spots that aren’t conducive to tree stand hunters.
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I learned that wherever I decide to hunt that day the deer will be where I was the day before
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If you spend too much time at work or get a cold at the wrong time you won’t get to watch the light change on the leaves. If you don’t get in the woods you ain’t huntin.
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To not get talked into coaching volleyball--I despised being a weekend warrior this fall :knothead:
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I learned that "good enough" is not good enough.
I have been trying to live this one, we have a sign in the weight room where I teach that says
"Good Enough is Neither"
oz
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I learned I had been overlooking the obvious! There is a large low spreading branched ash tree that bumps out along a weed field edge. I have seen deer waltzing below those branches for several years. Looking at the tree, it seemed not suited for a stand. One day after a morning hunt, I walked over to the tree and started thinking. Three tree steps would take me up to the lowest large branch that angled away from the trunk. Barely over 6 feet off the ground, but 2 other large sweeping limbs made it a great little hide out. The second time sitting there I got a nice mature doe! Two weeks later a good 7 point! Both deer were shot at about 10 yds. Did not use a stand, just stood on the large limb and leaned back against the trunk.
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"Good Enough is Neither"
AMEN!!!
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I will spend more time shooting from a treestand! Practice at many different angles and distances. I had a deer at 8 yards and found I couldn’t get my body contorted the right way to shoot.
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Only hunted a few seasons so far (even tho I'm a "senior"), but had my best experience the last afternoon of late season. I was mostly just stumping', but kept an eye out for sign. This day, saw not a single track. Making my way back up, I was ambling along, look up, and there's a beautiful young doe not 25 yards up from me. We were both out in the open, which is rare in "my" woods.
I froze; she looked at me a bit, and went on with her browsing, occasionally looking, sniffing, and/or twitching her ears. Learned I could get an arrow out of my side stalker, nock it, get to partial draw... be still when she looked over... this went on for what seemed like 5 minutes or so.
Dumb lesson was that I had traded for a new bow a week or so before, and hadn't "bonded" with it quick enough. Had at least 3 perfect shot opportunities with her at 20 yes or less, 2 broadsides, and a slightly quartering away. I wouldn't take the shot, 'cause I didn't trust the bow yet. Went and put the arrow back in the quiver to eliminate the temptation. All the while she was just puttering there, in good range. Saw her mom another 60 yes up; she wasn't alarmed either.
When you least expect it...
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I learned to be thankful for every opportunity to get out and hunt. My season was taken away due to illness this year. Praying I can soon shoot a bow and walk through the woods again. Unstrung bows are ugly!
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I just a couple days ago learned that a Sapper kill jacket will pass inspection from a huge old doe at 10 yards. Nothing but air between us and 2' high buckbrush behind me. :) :)
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I learned being a big buck hunter vs shooting every doe ya see doesn’t require a lot of late night skinning sessions.....
Tim B
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I learned everyone needs to look up "Deep Vein Thrombosis". On Dec. 6th it was 26 degrees with 80% humidity and light winds. I climbed in a 15 foot ladder stand that had a metal flip up/down seat w/o a cushion. The way the stand was set between two larger oaks my best shooting lanes could be shot from a seated position. I shoot fine from a seated position so I sat still from 1PM until 5PM. I never stood up once... only moved my eyes and head. I didn't need to pee so remained seated for four straight hours for minimal movement. Right at 5PM here comes four does. They walked by perfect. It was prime-time so I decided I maybe should stand in case a buck followed where I would be a little more mobile. When I went to stand I could NOT stand up. Both my legs/knees had seized up. I don't mean stiff like when an old guy gets out of a vehicle after a couple hours driving, I mean I could not stand up at all. I had to flex/extend both knees about a hundred times each. I still could hardly make it up but did so by pulling myself up via some close branches. Once I got standing both legs felt numb and the knees felt very unstable. It felt like I was standing on stilts. I still had to climb down 15'. I snapped my safety line on each rung of the ladder all the way down. When I slowly walked out my legs didn't feel like they were a part of me. Went home and immediately soaked in a hot tub of water and took 800 mg of Ibuprofen. I have one of those giant foot massagers by Medi-Rub (one of the best $200. I ever spent.. use it all the time). I used it on my feet, as well as one of those big vibrators that look like a sander on my thighs and knees. Then I packed both knees in ice. For the next two days I could hardly walk. And when I did I was walking like a 100 year old man. Scary stuff. It's something we don't ever think about. Basically the edge of the metal seat cuts off both the circulation and the nerve distribution down the legs. It basically can form clots in your legs that can break down and go to your lungs and be fatal. DVT is considered a medical emergency so don't mess around with it like I did. It's one of those things most people don't even think about. Similar to a topic I started a couple years ago regarding dry-rot to those 3" wide nylon belts in treestands we leave out for years at a time. The straps look perfectly fine but when you put your weight on them they snap like 2 lb. test. My safety belt caught/saved me.
Anyway, just a warning for those who are unaware. We all need to be ultra careful out there. Merry Christmas to all. BW
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I learned everyone needs to look up "Deep Vein Thrombosis". On Dec. 6th it was 26 degrees with 80% humidity and light winds. I climbed in a 15 foot ladder stand that had a metal flip up/down seat w/o a cushion. The way the stand was set between two larger oaks my best shooting lanes could be shot from a seated position. I shoot fine from a seated position so I sat still from 1PM until 5PM. I never stood up once... only moved my eyes and head. I didn't need to pee so remained seated for four straight hours for minimal movement. Right at 5PM here comes four does. They walked by perfect. It was prime-time so I decided I maybe should stand in case a buck followed where I would be a little more mobile. When I went to stand I could NOT stand up. Both my legs/knees had seized up. I don't mean stiff like when an old guy gets out of a vehicle after a couple hours driving, I mean I could not stand up at all. I had to flex/extend both knees about a hundred times each. I still could hardly make it up but did so by pulling myself up via some close branches. Once I got standing both legs felt numb and the knees felt very unstable. It felt like I was standing on stilts. I still had to climb down 15'. I snapped my safety line on each rung of the ladder all the way down. When I slowly walked out my legs didn't feel like they were a part of me. Went home and immediately soaked in a hot tub of water and took 800 mg of Ibuprofen. I have one of those giant foot massagers by Medi-Rub (one of the best $200. I ever spent.. use it all the time). I used it on my feet, as well as one of those big vibrators that look like a sander on my thighs and knees. Then I packed both knees in ice. For the next two days I could hardly walk. And when I did I was walking like a 100 year old man. Scary stuff. It's something we don't ever think about. Basically the edge of the metal seat cuts off both the circulation and the nerve distribution down the legs. It basically can form clots in your legs that can break down and go to your lungs and be fatal. DVT is considered a medical emergency so don't mess around with it like I did. It's one of those things most people don't even think about. Similar to a topic I started a couple years ago regarding dry-rot to those 3" wide nylon belts in treestands we leave out for years at a time. The straps look perfectly fine but when you put your weight on them they snap like 2 lb. test. My safety belt caught/saved me.
Anyway, just a warning for those who are unaware. We all need to be ultra careful out there. Merry Christmas to all. BW
Thanks for the info Barry, you have always been a bounty of information and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well my friend.
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I learned to be thankful for every opportunity to get out and hunt. My season was taken away due to illness this year. Praying I can soon shoot a bow and walk through the woods again. Unstrung bows are ugly!
I wish you a speedy recovery Tony!! Bows are meant to be shot for sure!! Merry Christmas!!
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DVT can happen in long car rides with minimal breaks as well. Be careful out there. Thanks for the heads up Barry.
:coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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That my Native American name is “Black Cloud”.
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I learned again that if I don't fill that tag the first two days then I will be having some nasty tag soup.