Well, I bought my 2010 hunting license this morning while in town. Our late season for bucks closed a couple days ago and voided any unfilled tags. Iowa now has an antlerless deer season that runs until Jan. 31 with any weapon legal, even centerfire rifles. Why centerfires are not safe in Iowa the rest of the year but suddenly become safe after January 10th is a good question. Too many shed bucks are killed at long range as "big does" for meat between now and the end of the month. Seems like awaste of the resource to me, but those are the rules. Since I was going to have to eat road kill this year, I bought a doe tag to maybe put some meat in the freezer with my bow this week. I took a stand at 2PM this afternoon. The field edge I was watching has hundreds of pawed up grassy patches where deer and turkey have been digging down to get something green. At 3:30pm, with the sun shining down, I looked up to see a big non-typical walking right to me like he was on a string! He walked up to 15 yards, then turned broadside and spent over five minutes pawing the grass every few feet right in front of me. 8X5. He was a standing typical six points on the right antler with two long NT points that totaled about 14". Very massive, bladed beams and tines. He all but begged me to let one loose, even turning to look the other way from 15 yards broadside! What luck! To make matters worse, last week when we had all the sub-zero temps, my camcorder started making weird noises so I pulled it from my pack in case the grinding of the motor might do some damage to the camera. I always carry a pocket digital zoom in my pack as well but day before yesterday I downloaded some photos and left it sitting on my desk. No camera! The great buck finally walked on by and went back into the timber 75 yards from me. He never knew I was there. I passed up a lot of nice bucks this past season because I had set a 160" or better minimum, 5 1/2 years old or older, inside the 20 yard line as my goal. Kind of ironic this big guy would have filled the bill a little over two days after the buck season closed. Makes you wonder if they know... My adrenalin rush lasted for over an hour after he walked away. Tomorrow, I'll have both cameras with me for sure!
Too cool buddy!! But too bad about the camera though, that would have been great to see someday....
If you would have had the camera, you wouldn't have seen him:) Deer seem to know that:)
Keith
Gene,it always seems to work that way on big bucks. :knothead:
Good luck on getting a doe for the freezer.
You're never going to get that meat in the freezer as long as those bucks get in the way.
If I had even an ounce of your "bad luck" Gene, I'd' be damn content!!!!!
justin
neat and heartbreaking story :)
LOSER..... 8^) bw
..I didn't get the one I wanted either.. Deer season ends Jan 24th here in central Fl so there's still a chance.
Its like they mark the calendar! Great time of year to see what got away. No center fires up here, just the bottom two county tiers in Iowa. Still a lot of bucks die without antlers at smoke pole range up here. Maybe you can eat some feral Tejas hog ifn the deer elude you.
I think that would have made me cry! I don't understand what some states are thinking with these late antlerless seasons in which any weapon is legal. We have the same thing in Illinois, (minus the centerfire rifles) and our own DNR has stated that 25% of the antlerless deer killed during this seaon are shed bucks and button bucks. Seems to me if they wanted to have an antlerless season that Late September would be a better time.
What Barry said.
I think the wildlife officials get a send out a copy of the hunting regulations each year.
That is a cool story Gene. The chance to spend time with such an awesome deer is an unforgetable experiance.
What Barry said.
Great story Gene, and Barry your not right. :knothead: Better luck next year and cant wait to see you guys at the show coming up.
Yea but thats what keeps us going back the unknown adventure.
Every time I take the camcorder nothing shows up and when I leave it home I kill a deer.
I probably would have dropped my bow.
Sounds like another great memory Gene.
Terry
Face it Gene....you're just not good enough.......
Hey...I thought I was the only guy who had Murphy hunting with me...!
okay...I feel better now.
Kevin
:clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Barry Wensel:
LOSER..... 8^) bw
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: Brotherly love at its best. TOO FUNNY!
You once told me the only difference between "closer" and "loser" is the letter "c". Which one are you? I'll bring you some venison to PBS in March.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
You once told me the only difference between "closer" and "loser" is the letter "c". Which one are you? I'll bring you some venison to PBS in March.
Tough crowd :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Something tells me you guys will see him again in the fall...best of luck on him and fillin the freezer!
You didn't do anything wrong this season.....BUT you're just ....(What Biggie said)!
Ha! Ha! ...I looks like you have some shed hunting to do!
You just need to get a few more years under your belt, rookie. :bigsmyl:
I also set a goal last season, mine was 16" not 160".......I didn't get one either...lol!!
Are you guys ready for this? I AM a loser. I put my camcorder back in my pack this morning but couldn't find my digital pocket camera anywhere in the house where I thought I left it. So I checked my pack again and found it right there. I hadn't dug deep enough into my pack! It was right there the entire time! At least now I can blame it on Angelo from Bison Gear. He made that pack.....
Is this what we have to look forward to when we get to be YOUR age? Don't forget your hearing aid batteries either- he might sneak up on you out there later.
I've decided not to bring you venison, man up and kill one yourself. You passed up more opportunities this year than Tiger in a women's tournament. We want one on the ground to see if you still have it.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
We want one on the ground to see if you still have it.
Don't let us down :notworthy: Com'on now...lets add the "c"....
I don't care what Marty, Barry, Biggie, Joey, or Thomas say about ya....your still my favorite Wensel that hasn't killed a big buck this year.... :campfire:
Thanks for sharing the story Gene. Good luck with getting a pic of that buck and closing the deal on a doe.
Hey, Gene
You're really a loser if you leave your "bullets", which I did once this year.
Drove 264 miles to camp and had NO ARROWS.
Now THAT'S A LOSER!!!!
Jeez Gene!
This is a TUFF crowd! At least you didn't forget your arrows or boots. :)
If you had a good flashlight you could have seen the camera in the bottom.
Gene,
I gotta tell ya.......if YOU are a loser, I wanna be the very FIRST person in line behind ya brother.......if I'm that close, maybe some of what you are referring to as a "loser" will rub off on ME. :campfire:
I'd give a left testicle to have lived 10% of what you have been exposed to in your hunting career.
Winterhawk1960
Crazy maaaaaaaaaaaaaan - yeah it almost seems that way. I have had that happen to me in Alberta when I lived there too. Sometimes they just know when to show themselves because you can't do anything about it.
My most embarrasing moment was when I was still stalking in a bush i knew real well. I had had a BIG breakfast and my stomach started rumbling and I knew I was going to have to do the dirty deed soon.
So I hung my bow and got ready (dang I hate longjohns around that time). So I got hold of a small sappling so I could lean way back -(with winter clothing you need clearance) and i am just starting and guess who shows up.... A HUGE whitetail buck.....he looks at me...I look at him...I look at my bow....he just burns holes in me with those eyes and then disappears into the brush.
Talk about the right place wrong time. He must still be talking to his buds about that one...the one that got away.
Jer Bear
Tough on a guy! "Funny"....But tough! Gotta love it.
Now THAT is funny Joebuck!!!!!!
Tough crowd! Some people just don't have any respect for their elders!
SURE, we believe ya Gene;^) Didn't you mention something about your body core temp dropping the other day?? Cold air + bare bald head = HALLUCINATION!
Was the camera buried under those 50 candy bar wrappers in your pack..just kidding..I know you just have higher standards than your brother..
QuoteOriginally posted by joebuck:
If you had a good flashlight you could have seen the camera in the bottom.
That's the best line I've ever seen on Tradgang!!!!!
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Might be WOODY II. BILL
Yeah, I do the same thing when I don't have proof with a picture, make it REAL BIG.
My wife starved herself for two weeks and was proud she lost six pounds. I told her I can take a dump and lose six pounds.
Joey, bring your flashlight to Kalamazoo. You're going to have to give me another enema. Try to get it right this time.
Gene, Lemmie know when that is gonna take place....I don't want to be anywhere around
Great story
This thread's turning dark:^) I have a sudden urge to shut the computer off for the night.
Gary- turn your Mainbeam on - you'll be fine.
You can't take Gene anywhere. He isn't half of the "Rambling Rednecks" for nuthin. Sorry Donna- he's old and feeble(he can't even kill a doe). btw- a 6 pounder is pretty impressive Gene!
:biglaugh:
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
With comments about a "good flashlight" (that one made me blow snot bubbles out my nose) and Brother Barry piping in, you will NEVER live that one down (at least as long as this thread has life. Knowing this crowd...that will be for quite some time!) Biggie ain't helping matters much either!!! Don't worry - we all have faith in you......the tide will turn!
One thing is for sure ...Gene will stand behind or in front of his product.
6 lbs in one shot???!!!
man forget the deer, thats a record in it self
have to spank that one see if it took a breath
Awesome story....good luck
:biglaugh: I love it!
I think we have just witnessed the birth of a new phrase: "I have to take a mighty Wensel."
:biglaugh:
Joey,
Would that "procedure" call for the strobe setting or the SOS setting on the MainBeam?
I never claimed the six pounder to be one big loaf. More like two dozen biscuits.....
Any photographic evidence yet?
you guys aint right(funny but not right)
I can only wonder what a camp would be like.
Chuck
Pics of the deer Gene, NOT the biscuits.
Six pounder, yeah right, bet you didn't have a camera that time either. I think you need a "C"
QuoteOriginally posted by Gene Wensel:
I never claimed the six pounder to be one big loaf. More like two dozen biscuits.....
:biglaugh:
:biglaugh: Im not sure how have I missed this thread, but sure have gotten a kick out of it. Maybe just a little "strange" myself though :biglaugh:
my bad gene, a single six would be a full curl forsure!
I know of an outhouse in Buffalo Cty. WI this year,that had a record setter, after 5 days of fried WI everything--I tried to order a salad one evening, was asked to leave. :help:
Amazing how Gene's buddies can take a good hunting story all the way down to a 6# dump :clapper: :biglaugh:
This story has been inspiring- y'all excuse me now while I go.
Two old guys sitting in the nursing home, Gene and Barry. Gene is telling about his hunts all across the world and starts telling Barry about a Grizzly bear hunt. He was on top of a Mountain and had to go so he set his bow down and walked behind a boulder and there was a giant Griz. Gene made a loud Grrrrowl, I **** myself. Barry said I can understand that with a Griz right there. No just now I **** myself when I went Grrrowl.
Oh no Guru- Gene changed the subject so that we don't focus on the fact that he can't even harvest a doe or video what he says was a good buck.Frankly, I don't believe him.
Last year in south Texas, Barry made a six pound deposit that broke the water surface and formed a small island. He then planted one of those small Mexican flags on a stick that you can buy in many Mexican restaurants down there.....
I agree about the centerfire rule. I had 3 bucks under me before end of season that had already shed. I had planned to take the big doe that was on it's way to me. Once within range I realized it was a shed buck.
I don't even feel comfortable letting my boy bunny hunt out back with high powers out and about!
OK-I never read the last few pages till now. I have no comments on the 6#er!
OK south texas story--- the year was in the late 80's the wife and I was in San Antonio for the sheep show--- we were in the fancy hotel across the canal from the Naked Iguana resturant and bar, about 2 am I --along with cuervo-- thought taking a dump in the canal was a good idea, been eating mexi food for 3 days,--it was time--- the next day DON now from MT. formly from CO. was teaching a fly fishing class as part of the sheep show-----------U guess it what do you think was in the back eddy of the convention center in San Antonio???!!! HA Little short DON just stood there fly rod in hand, looking at MR. BIG BROWN---
for U that have never been to SAN there is a canal that flows through the middle of the city, lots of fancy floats and etc. go up and down this thing hauling tourist--------dont drink the water! :thumbsup:
I don't know nothin about no 6 lb deposits (dont want to) :eek: .... but Gene, do you want me to send the Old Man over to give you some pointers? I think he's only shot about a half dozen does since the buck season went out, but he's kind of crippled up right now.
R
Hey Gene,
I don't think this is a good time to be announcing you can't kill a deer or even video tape or photograph one. It could kill your book sales. :)
just remember....he'll be around next season maybee even bigger! :knothead:
How did this thread go from Big bucks wandering into shooting range when you cant shoot them to Bowel movements? Dont make me start questioning the goings on of this forum!!