I can't find anywhere where it lists the date it starts but I'm guessing it'll be Sept 10th.
I've been building two ground blinds since the end of he 2010-2011 season. A little at a time to give the deer time to adjust to it.
Scouting the area around the blind and in the pines I'm hunting are still torn up by trails/tracks. An spot where I had a salt block last year is now about 6" deep and growing in diameter and depth. They must be getting the minerals from the saturated Carolina red clay.
I saw a doe in her red summer coat Friday. Then it dawmed on me. DEER SEASON IS LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AWAY!!
OK Tarheels, are you already making plans??? Post up and let's pass the time and maybe before we know it opening day will be here.
I was just thinking on the way home a little bit ago that I left a stand up from last year and that I need to go check on it. Your right Bud it will be here before you know it! I will try to locate a date also but that is the usual weekend it opens. Really looking forward to the time to just away from everything!
I am making my plans. I have a spot picked out for my pop-up blind and I will get that in place the last weekend of July. The summer sign looks good in the woods and I anticipate a good season here in NC. I am the only person who hunts with a bow the 160 acres of land I hunt -- I have it completely to myself until the start of gun season. So I am thinking of setting up another spot or two just for the sake of having some options for differing weather conditions.
The season will be here before we know it.
With all the craziness in my life right now I'll be lucky to make it out this year. I did sharpen a few broadheads last night though just in case. :D
One thing is for sure, early season deer need to be only a few hours away from the cooler.
An old timer gave me a tip a long ago. Black pepper keeps flies off exposed meat after field dressing. I tried it once with an early season deer harvest and it does work.
I have heard nothing but good things about Thermacels. I'll have to give one a try. I hate early season mosquitos. I had them bothering me even in Dec last year.
I bought a topo of Birkhead Wilderness Area in Uwharrie today. I'm thinking about taking a week's vacation for the opening week, and camping and hunting the area.
Anybody tried that area before?
I live right next to it but have never been.
Come up one weekend and we'll scout it. :thumbsup:
Bud you seriously need a Thermacell! I thought they were like cellphones and everyone had them now! If your into early season hunting a Thermacell should be at the top of the list, get one you won't be disappointed.
Thermacells are the bomb brothas! Man i cant wait. Im laid up right now from knee surgery and im about to bust. i already have all my stands up and blinds built/popped up.
Lots of deer sign everywhere in the mountains i agree it will be a goodern!
I have a new bow that will be here next week, sinew backed flatbow being built by "Kegan" hes a member on here as well. Since ive been laid up ive done nothing but make dowell arrows i have like 13 with nanners i cut from my birds this year adn several flu flus]
I think ima try to kill with on this year...any advise? lol
i have to protest on the title of this thread though, we all know its the Blue Devil state
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
lookin forward to chattin with you fellas
:campfire:
We're all tarheels if from or living in NC; but especially if born here.
The Chapel Hill team never entered my mind when posting this thread. They never enter my mind much anyway... Pack backer here since the early 70s.
We're all on the same side in the sport of archery.
I sure hope this heat is gone by Sept.
The chiggers and deer ticks have been out in full force.
Haha! just kiddin with you Bud. Yeah its unusually warm here in the mountains too, idk why. But i do know that we are LOADED with acorns this year. Fine by me i love hunting out of my Summit.
I have to agree about the Thermacell.
I will also recommend anything made out of Insect Shield fabric -- that stuff really works. It is known by various names like Buzz-Off, Elimitick, and Insect Shield. It all works by making you invisible to a mosquito's person-finding mechanism.
Also, use Permanone. It will keep most chiggers from getting you.
Early season demands bug-fighting tactics.
I hate to disappoint you all, but North Carolina is my home now, and where I plan to stay when I retire. However, I was born and bred a Wolverine fan, and when I say "Go Blue" I mean the Michigan Wolverines. ;)
As dry as it was last year I didn't need the thermacell till after gun season started. I need to go move my stands around a little but nothing major I start baiting in july normally.
Where would be a good summer source for mineral blocks for deer? I shoulda bought some on clearance at the local stores in Jan-Feb. Seems they would keep them in stock year round for antler growth. I just can't bring myself to go to Concord and spend waaay too much on a block for deer.
And I don't use commercial feeders. They get stolen too easily. What you you guys have for home feeders? I have used the black corregated drain pipe before and it worked well, only the food dispensing was too quick. It's also subject to rats and squirrels chewing it.
QuoteOriginally posted by huskyarcher:
Haha! just kiddin with you Bud. Yeah its unusually warm here in the mountains too, idk why. But i do know that we are LOADED with acorns this year. Fine by me i love hunting out of my Summit.
Oh I know, but when you dookies and you 'heels go at it it never stops. Man I've seen the workplace get all worked up.
I need to get a hunt in back up in the mountains. My first deer was in Laurel Springs near Dean Pruitt's dairy barn. He's long since passed away. That was way back in 1981 when I was 16.
I'd like to hunt the Blue Ridge again and also go down east for the first time. Bernie and Ruddy along with Joe and crew turned me onto the Croatan this past spring. Nice area, but too dang flat. I like looking across coves and valleys to other hillsides and stalking in.
We need to get a tradgang hunt in somewhere where everyone can join in and not have too far to drive. But NC is so freakin' long.
Let's meet in the middle!
I was thinkin of hosting 2-3 guys at the hunt club opening weekend. I had a blast with mark and his son turkey season thought I'd do it again, lord knows we've got the deer.
Is that the hunt where he pulled the pop up in and it about blowed away or something?
hahahah they had a boomer the first night but hey they both got nice toms. besides the next weekend we had all those twister over there that would have been BAD.
Bud, hit me up man i gotta a ton of places to hunt up here. All private land, lots of deer. But on a serious note, lets put together a Tradgang hunt in NC fellas.
And Bart, i go to Appalachain State, :goldtooth: Must i remind everyone about when we went up there and showed them boys how we play ball down here, when took down,"The Big House" :biglaugh: :jumper:
Totally kidding, dont wanna fight lol
And for mineral block i go to any gas station and get 50lbs of trace mineral salt for livestock, my God they looooovvvvee that stuff. put it on a rotten stump and they will eat it 3ft into the ground.
App State, Now you're talkin'!!
You guys have a kick butt MTB team!!
And something about pigskin comes to mind also.....hmmmmm...
As for the mineral blocks, anyone heard the benefits/problems with selenium? I heard that selenium helps with antler growth and acts as a tick deterrent. I have found pros and cons on the web. I'm not sure though.
And on another note;
I have access to +/- 26 acres that were clear cut about 6 years ago, but, you need to be part rabbit to get in there, and, there are poaching problems.
Man an NC hunt would be awesome if anybody could come up with a big tract of land, ive got approximatly 27 different places to hunt along with a couple of leases, but nothing anywhere near big enough for a bunch of guys. But i will keep my eyes, ears open for such place.
A NC tradganger hunt would be great. I'm really limited down this way. I plan on Ft Bragg for most of the season, but it definitely has its challenges.
Dalton that was a low blow, and we've been down for a few years now, but we'll be back. Go Blue.
BTW, no fight here, I love college football, but I don't get ugly about it. Just another way to have some fun. Now if we start talking hockey and the Red Wings things might get ugly. ;)
Lol nah i aint gotta dog in that fight Bart.
So does anybody got any ideas for possible places?
I dont think I could get the other boys in the club to go for that. Roanoke river game lands has a permit type deal that can be reserved for parties up to 10 i think might be something to look into.
Im guessing thats on the coast? If possible lets try to put it together somewhere near the middle of the state, even drive for all, and their loaded with deer. im just thinking out loud heere fellas,
Well does anyone have any experience on public ground mid-state?
I'll check Uwharrie and a few other places.
http://216.27.39.120/mapbook/
Bikhead may be a good spot. Primitive camping is allowed. Not alot of activity during the weekdays. I'll hunt it during bow season but gun season is another story altogether.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/H_Game_Land_Maps.htm
I'm in the same boat here boy's, small tract of private land that wouldn't hold many people. I haven't hunted public ground much at all so I can't help out there much either. I'll be glad to talk around to try and find a spot.
Well has anybody got any experience on either of these spots?
From what i can find Uwharrie has unrestricted camping, so a few days there during the week may
productive, but id say it would be better later in bow season?
I'm enjoying readin' that's for sure. Nuttin' to speak of down here on the coast except the Croatan, and they've used primarily dogs for so many eons, that it's some skimpy hunting for the rest of us (even during bow season - and I only bow hunt all year long) unless you know some special spots or private land (and I really don't, anymore). Still enjoying the discussion, Bud, et al. :archer:
I'm going on 6 years deer-less, and only two or three shot opportunities (blown :rolleyes: ) - if I didn't love it so much, I'd quit doin' it - :goldtooth: Ruddy and I were just talking yesterday and we still plan to hit the Croatan near both of our places just the same.
I'd be up for a NC hunt with sticks and strings. Hunting land is getting hard to come by around here, so I'm all for some different opportunities.
I am lookin to have a kayakthis yr and float huntin some areas. Also some areas I been lookin at the are accessible to my 18 foot boat. Going to try anad get to some back areas this yr.
That is the plan anywhoo.
J
Tooth turned me on to an area last yr in the Croatan that has some big ridges that you can look across to - but again it is boat or bike in! It was almost pure hardwoods and around here hardwoods is an endangered species.
J
J -Dog that sounds like a cool hunt, floating in to a desired area?
If its decided to go to croatan, ill have to sit it out, too far for this mountain boy lol
Bernie get on up here opening weekend I cant promise a shot but I know you'll see some groceries in any case.
I have so little experience with hunting NC, I'm up for anywhere. Not to mention, it would be nice to meet you all.
J-Dog are you going to keep that float and hunt a secret? I have canoes and a kayak, and it sounds like a great idea.
Here' another link to information on the Birkhead Wilderness area. Primitive camping is allowed. I don't think there are any fees.
Link is here (http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=49146&actid=51&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110350000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Uwharrie+National+Forest+-+Birkhead+Mountains+Wilderness)
If anyone wants to come up during the season I can try to pre-scout it. I'll call the Ranger office and ask a few questions to try to clarify anything cloudy.
Maybe three hunts....western, central, and eastern.?.?.?
Jewel of a thought Bud!lol that would be aweome! we have 2 game lands up here that are pretty good! probly the best western public land.
I've always wanted to hunt Thurmund Chatham (http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/g.cgi?fid=996094&state=NC&ftype=park) .
But talk about steeeeep sided mountains.
Miller's Campground is about five miles away up HWY 18 to Laurel Springs just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
im lookin foward to this season. big mama is still around . i just saw her yesterday, and she is lookin healthy. a few days ago i saw what i thought was the spike i took a shot at last season, he is a forky now. he was also in the company of a six point ive never seen before. both look healthy . i wonder how they ar doin with the tick activity this yr. bernie we got to get you a deer this yr bud. come sept im puttin up the tools and going full on hunter. i didnt eat tag soup last season but finished the season with plenty tags to fill. got a new pack seat so some ground blind hunting is in order. my knees will be grateful for the new seat no more squat/kneel position for me.. i also explored more areas of the croatan, since the repairs were made to washed out roads last oct. it looks promising. come on sept.
Well, up here its abut all steep. especially public ground. im mean heck theres a reason its public! Iv never been to that one Bud but ill be up for anything!
Ruddy,
Are MTBs legal in the Croatan?
Birkhead has great camping areas, but it's pretty easy access for the public. When I was there back in the winter I saw several people. Of course, that was on a weekend.
I've got a 2 man kayak, and a john boat if water is the only access somewhere.
Cleave, that still sounds good (I'd almost forgotten your offer from last season's end) but of course it will depend on what condition my condition is in - LOL. Right now it's great but ya never know from one day to the next. We'll "talk" as it gets closer.
Ruddy, I know we'll be trying and that's about all we can do. I love it anyway.
I used to use my canoe, both here and in Maine. Never took a deer from it but did squirrels, and got into some neat places - haven't used it for about 5 years now, as I know I couldn't swim like I used to be able to - like a fish so I never worried back then.
Still enjoying the "chatter" let's keep it up. It's bound to help somebody, if not everybody.
Bud, MTBs? (are you talking motorboats, or what? if so, I think most areas I know allow them, there might be some small ponds/lakes that don't though. I ran into those restrictions more in Maine and NH)
alright bud you got me, now enlighten me on what an mtb is. rv
MTB
Mountian Bike - i.e. pedal power!!!!
I have a nice 29er that needs to see some hunting time. I need a Bob though...to haul out the deer if I'm so lucky to get one.
(http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ENVIRonment/fspubs/98232812/figure6.jpg)
I need to buy myself a canoe as much water as we have around here it would come in handy. I rode thru the club yesterday evening and saw 23 deer total aa few buck maybe 2 'nice" ones.
i dont think there is a wild life officer in the entire country that would ticket you for riding your mtb into any national forest or game lands bud.
Sounds good, Cleve.
Bud - ya sure flattened us, huh? LOL. I have a (Seniors - LOL) Comfort Bike (real nice riding) that Rose bought me for my birthday last year - to use in the Croatan down here where I live. It was the only thing they did allow in there past the barricades here. Turned out that it was a problem transporting to the gate with my car though and it was late in the season. I did get out and buy one of those bike trailers (made to haul small kids and goodies - high dollar) (at a flea market price). Right after I got it I found another (also cheap) at a thrift shop on base. I got it a;lso in case someone else needed one. So I have two that I have stripped the little canvas and plastic "shelters" off, so they make a good small "flatbed" to haul stands/blinds on (tree or ground), and I think even a deer perhaps. Interested in using one? I'll try to get out there and hook one up and take a pic. I may use mine here this year. Used to use a similar setup (I built) at Pungo a few years back but sold it when I quit going there. That one worked pretty well. Lots of State and Federal hunting areas that only allow access by bikes or foot.
Reason I ask is because Birkhead is a wilderness area and it's foot only. If you get caught in there on a bike or ATV you're toast.
I'm thinking they will post next month
http://www.nrahq.org/hunting/statefishgame.asp
I'll be darned, that's unusual, it seems, even in a designated wilderness area. Is it State or Federal?
So many great ideas out there, and let me say I have a couple of tandem canoes, and a recently finished rowboat, so water would work for me.
I'm game for going out west too. I've done some hiking out there, and that would be a beautiful place to hunt.
jonathan, were the people you saw in the Birkhead limited to the trails? Looking at the topo the area appears to have some nice possibilities off the trails.
Camping must be at least 200 feet away from the trails and parking areas in Birkhead.
The whole area is open to hunting and hikers are encouraged to wear hunting orange while hiking.
If you can get over near the Tot Hill Golf Course, which is to the north of Birkhead, deer are everywhere there. That's about 1 mile from my house.
I'll have to keep in mind the bike kids trailer idea Bernie. Thanks for the offer.
Sorry Bernie...it's Federal if I am not mistaken.
Bud
QuoteOriginally posted by bartcanoe:
So many great ideas out there, and let me say I have a couple of tandem canoes, and a recently finished rowboat, so water would work for me.
I'm game for going out west too. I've done some hiking out there, and that would be a beautiful place to hunt.
jonathan, were the people you saw in the Birkhead limited to the trails? Looking at the topo the area appears to have some nice possibilities off the trails.
Yeah, they were pretty much limited to the trails. To be fair I didn't stray too far from them, and I know there's a lot of land in there to get away from the crowds.
Would ya be interested in maybe doing a western hunt on Three Top Mountain or Thurmond Chatham? There both up here in the west and close enough to me that when i get back out of the hospital i can scout it for everyone? just throwing out ideahs let me know what you think
I'd be game for that, husky. I'm close enough to there or Birkhead that either one would certainly be possible for me.
They have camping on both, but imo i think we should hit Thurmond Chatam, iv hunted 3top a couple of times, and im not being arrogant, but im 19 and a head wrestling coach and its so steep it liked to killed me everytime i hunted it. Now that being said i do hunt ridges alot but trust me, its STEEP.
How many guys reckon we can round up for a western hunt?
I'm in for a western hunt as long as I can plan fairly far in advance.
I'm in for Birkhead and Croatan or down east as long as I have planning time.
Birkhead is in my back yard so that's easier planning.
Definately agree we need to have it planned out. So lets decide what time of year? I was thinking that you flatlanders would enjoy hunting in the mountains earlier season due to the considerable temperature drop. In September and Early October acorns are everywhere, if you have a climber and can read deer sign you are in the chips.
I would think that the best time to hunt this place would be this time, mainly because you can concentrate the deer, idk just thinking out loud here, ideahs?
An early trip to the mountains sounds great to me. I've got 3 birthdays in November to contend with, so traveling that month is tough for me.
Well thats definatly ok with me fellas, Me and my Summit LOVE acorns :p
An early season trip to the mountains sounds good to me too.
Maybe we can do a late season in the Croatan, any Croatan experts have any ideas?
Hey David when you're ready let's scout Birkhead. Bring a walking stick. (For the rattlers in the event we encounter one....)
A few weeks from now is looking good for me. Maybe July 4th early? Then you can get back for the fireworks:)
Bud, sounds like a good plan.
I'll know more Tuesday, I'll give you call sometime next week.
Alright fellas when i get out of the hospital il get out and scout them both. how many people we talkin? 3 to 5 or so?
Western - early....maybe 2nd or third week of the season?
Central - mid season?
Eastern - later in the season?
But I do know the seasons vary. Forsyth Co is not far from me but I think it's in the NW season.
Randolph is in the Central season.
Hey guys, I just looked at last year's season and the Eastern guys had the shortest season with Western's the longest.
Maybe
1. Eastern (just three weeks last year Sept 11-Oct 1)
2. Central (last year Sept 11 - Oct 29)
3. Northwest (last year Sept 11 - Nov 9)
With Western having a split season maybe it could be #3 as well. (last year Sept 13 - Oct 2 and then Oct 18 - Nov 20)
Speaking of....as far as our seasons go, maybe we should be active in NCBA if we're not...
Alright fellas sounds it all sounds fine to me. Just as soon as im able ill go check both places out. Ive been cyberscouting from the hospital lol so im narrowing it all down.
BTW - a better "tool" for a wayward "no-shoulders" is a long, flexible (green) sapling. Lighter, longer reach, and will break a snake's backbone in a heart beat (don't leave the end toooo little). I've killed more snakes with them, than even with a "bang-em-up", as long as I have one handy that hasn't dried out too much to still be flexible. Just a thought.
Anyone know if deer eat Beechnut nuts? Around the area i'm hunting the trees are loaded.
Deer, turkey, and squirrels do. It is a mast and they seem to really like them especially turkeys.LCH
Beech is a good tree to put portable stands in because they hold their leaves after browning well into winter. A real pain to put screw-in steps in though...wood is hard as the dickens!
Unfortunately this Beech is in the side yard of the house near my stand. But it should draw in the deer a little more. I hope it draws in some turkeys also.
I'm planning on a Birkhead scout hike Monday 7/4 if anyone wants to go. It'll be early to avoid heat and get out of the woods for July 4th activities.
PM if interested.
Thanks.
I got to check my two ground blinds today. Now that summer is in full swing and vegetation is too, I managed to bend over some small but tall sourwood trees to help provide natural camouflage. I should be good until fall leaf drop. My ladder stand needs some attention but is still quite sturdy.
I bought one of those mineral rocks sold in sports shops. I put it out last week. They're already on it. it's licked smooth now with the pine needles around it packed down where they stood while licking it.
I even saw a nice summer coated deer on the way home.
Things are looking good.
I started moving some of my stands around last week. I try to keep 5 stand hunt ready bait at least once a week, the prime stands get bait twice a week. I use all loc ons but, I week have to make a ground blind for one new spot this year
Bad thing about summer scouting is ticks. I pulled five off me a while ago that were already attached. The little ones at that. I can barely see them.
You guys sound about ready. I am about halfway there, i have 4 ground blinds up (there for my Girlfriend and my best friends GF mostly) and no there not converted to sticks yet (im going to get my Gf a nice stick for christmas) shel be hunting the real way in no time :readit: Then i havee my trusty Summit Bushmaster and 6 stands up 3 of which are salted and getting mauled by deer. Ive seen alot of deer, and im in college with all my classes between 10 and 2 so i can hunt everyday if i want too, so needless to say im pumped about this year.
Checked my blinds again too. Also my tree stand. Lots of promise. July is upon us. Two months and a week to go.... :)
Got my dad to check my camera behind my house as i am laid up, he came back with a grin. Theres an 8pt that looks to be about 16-18in wide comming all day everyday too the salt :bigsmyl: Now that by no means is a BIG deer, but for this stick slingin' mountain boy, its a plenty! Now if i can just keep my Girlfriend from finding out hes there.... :banghead:
Bud,
How did the scout of Birkhead look?
Dave
I got all ticked up.
I took my male Brittany and so did he.
I entered at the Tot Hill entrance. About 1/4-1/2 mile in I found some old campsites by the dried up creekbed. Speaking of creeks, that one is bad. Mudholes from no rain and mosquito haven. But, if you're looking for a camping area it's a good spot. Not much deer sign. I did see where they were crossing the creek. On the opposite side of the creek there were several large oaks. They were so tall I couldn't see how many acorns thay had.
The only drawback to this area, or anywhere in Birkhead, is foot traffic. It is a very popular hiking place. If you want to get away from folks you'll have to go waaaay back. I passed a father and son team on the outbound.
I'll go back, but this time without the dog so I can cover more ground. He's too curious to make good distance for scouting.
I got in early and left the woods just after 8am. I was already drenched from sweat in the humid filled cover of the forest canopy.
the big mama that i've been see'in for the past 3 yrs , is still around with a fawn in tow. there is also another doe in their company. the 8 point i took a shot at last yr is still here, yet he is still an 8 point. there is a fork horn with him. im wondering if its the spike i saw last fall too? definately some potential in my little patch of heaven gettin ready to go scout the croatan and see what activity is goin on. rv
i gotta say even without a trail came you learn to recognize individual deer i 'm recognizing different feature's in certain individuals. and seein new ones too
QuoteOriginally posted by broketooth:
i gotta say even without a trail came you learn to recognize individual deer i 'm recognizing different feature's in certain individuals. and seein new ones too
I agree. I have a chocolate coated doe in my area whose late season coat is a nice brown instead of the gray. i haven't seen her summer coat yet.
Bump.
It's gettin' close. I was checking the two blinds and my stand today. Pics to follow.
I saw two spotted fawns racing through the woods about 15 yards from one of the blinds. Anxiousness sets in.......
Ground blind #2
From 15 yards away on the deer trail
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds005.jpg)
View from inside the blind at the Trophy Rock
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds009.jpg)
CLoser view
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds010.jpg)
CLose view of mineral rock
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds006.jpg)
Zoom view from trophy rock towards the shooting window.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds008.jpg)
Ground blind #1 about 30 yards away from the other blind. I still need background cover.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds013.jpg)
View from inside the blind towards the deer trail about 12 yards away.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds015.jpg)
Treestand adjacent to blind #1
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/HuntingGrounds003.jpg)
It would be nice to get together with a group and hunt.I don't have much land but we could hunt gamelands.I know of q couple nice spots.
OK Tarheels, one more month.
Are you ready?
DANG SKIPPY. I got in both my new bows, (Custom selfbows from Kegan McCabe) and im wearing them in, so far i have a total of 8 shooter bucks on camera 5 of which are in daylight. The first deer that walks by me with that new selfbow is going to get it though i garuntee it! I have 11 different stands up, 3 blinds. So needless to say i cant sleep at night. What about you fellers?
I'm not to the "I can't sleep" stage yet. I have caught myself looking at the edges of fields while driving hoping to see a deer. I saw a full velvet 6 point a few mornings ago in a vineyard about 1/4 mile from my house. I don't hunt near the house though. Too many houses too close.
Sound like you got it sweet Dalton. Post up photos of your opening day harvest when you get it:)
Those blinds are sweet! The first one I couldn't even tell where it was.
I really appreciate all the hard work you have put in for my son this summer and he appreciates it too.
It won't be long my friend and we'll be hanging them up and telling great stories about the hunt. Until then ......
"Shoot'em in tha tenda's baby" :biglaugh:
I got some practice shots from the tree stand today. I jumped a bedded fawn walking to the stand. I can smell venison hanging.
Then a heck of a storm blew through and ran me out of the stand and the woods.
OK Tarheels, where's the hunting excitement?
I have nearly worn out my block target from wally world (the yellow Buckmasers one I got late last season) and I'm not sure it'll last much longer.
My first day out I'm taking my Bear Super Grizzly I got when I was aroung 16. Some test firing from the stand has shown promising results. I've been hitting the 3d circuit also but that ended this past Sat.
Get'n the license soon.
Let's hear from y'all.... :)
Wearing out some foam for sure! I have around 15 racked bucks coming in (there shooters with a stick) and 4 dang horses. One of which is named "Baby Club" is a nontypical mess, and has a habit of eating apples and corn at 9 in the morning
:bigsmyl:
So needless to say im dying for next saturday!
ben busy cleaning up after the storm, havent even picked up my bow to shoot since sissapahaw. havent done any scouting yet either. soon , real soon. rv
Glad you guys are Ok Ruddy. Wish I could help.
I'm sure the Croatan has some felled stuff.
Wishing you all luck and Godspeed with the cleanup and upcoming season.
Bud
Yeah I'm ready, already driving my wife crazy arrows and archery gear scattered all over the house. I hunt public land so no ground blinds but I have some good stand sites picked out. Chris
Less than a week now.....and wouldn't you know it, I was working on my truck with tools laid out on a piece of scrap plywood. I have no garage and gravel driveway. I reached for a tool and got a nice long splinter under my shooting index finger's fingernail. Now trying to keep infection out and soreness down....just my luck.
I have to work all day and late Saturday, so I will miss the opener, but I will be in the woods Monday after work. Can't wait.
Good luck to all and stay safe out there.
Good luck all.
My health isn't going to let me get out this year, but if y'all post your stories I'll get a little taste anyway.
Dang sorry to hear that bartcanoe, hope you get to feeling better. Chris
Hang in there Dave. We'll keep you up to date with what we can. I hope to have a report Saturday evening or Sunday morning. :)
Rain is forecast for a few days so hopefully by Saturday morning it will have passed and we can sit in our stands dry but get to them quietly. :thumbsup:
Are we there yet??? :banghead:
Not quite.
What's for supper Friday? Ha haaa......
Hotdogs and marshmallows lol
:dunno:
I'm trying to get off work early Friday...we'll see.
I'm going to miss Saturdays opener. My brother has asked me to help him move. He has helped me twice in the past 10 years to move. So it's time to pay it back. I hope to go out on Sunday evening. Good luck to everyone!
Are we there yet??????? :deadhorse:
Boss gave me Friday off!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll be ready come Sat at o-dark thirty...... :)
I am absolutely dying up here in the moutains, i cant take the wait any longer!!!
Good luck to my fellow Tarheelers for the opener. May your arrows fly true and the blood trails short. Be safe!
Anything happening yet?
I was graced with an opening shot on a small buck but he lunged forward on my already too far back shot. I'll post more on that in another thread.
God graced me with a second chance and redemption came at about 7:30pm last night. I got a perfect broadside shot on a nice mature doe. Shot placement was where I was looking. The arrow hit her right behind the shoulder and went through the far side leg/shoulder and she ran about 60 yards, or so I thought. It seemed like she ran forever until I trailed her. I found the fletching part last night about five yards from the shot. Today, in the morning daylight, I found the rest of my arrow about ten yards from the shot. Now with good light I was able to see that she ran only about 30 yards. It was a clean and quick harvest.
I'm very thankful for my first traditional archery harvest. It was a day of mixed emotions from my earlier morning failure.
I used the Fred Bear Super Grizzly I bought when I was 16. It was long overdue on taking a big game animal with this beloved bow. Fred Bear lives with each shot out of this bow. I hope he smiled with this shot.
I snapped this of her as she was found; Untouched or repositioned.
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(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/100_0410.jpg)
Awesome Bud! Beautiful shot! Comgrats!
I saw a hoss saturday evening, he stopped 5 ft short of a shooting lane, he was at 12 yrds! he turned around and walked out. i wanted to cry but i was blessed to get to see him!
woooooohoooooo way to go bud!!!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Well done!!!! Looks like a perfect shot. Congrats. Gerald
Congrats, Bud. Nice shot, can't hit'em any better than that.
We hunted Sat and sun morning. Did not see a thing.
Oh well next weekend
I'm going to back off from the land in Madison for a while. I'll shift my attention on Birkhead when scheduling and work allows.
I'll be glad when the chiggers are dormant. I got eaten slap up Sat.
Any other Tarheels have reports????
I shot right under a big ole slickhead this morning, dang it was fun though :p testing out posting pics..
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb428/huskyarcher/Hunting/DaltonButtonBuckRecurve012.jpg)
It worked!! look out!
Any report from the Croatan?
not yet bud. havent even been. the skeeters are so bad they will tote ya right from your tree stand lol im gettin ready to step in the woods real soon though. rv
Finally got some time to work on a few stands . went down to Lukens Island for a quick work day sat pm and sun am. Saw tons of deer. No shooter bucks but alot of does and smaller 4's and 6's. Got home in time to get my (behind the house) stand up. Got a feeder up and going. Moon looks good I'm gonna try it wed am. DB
Good luck Ruddy and Don.
I might be able to get back out Friday or Sat to Birkhead.
And FWIW, the Thermacel I used opening day was well worth the $ spent. No mosquito issues. I had one horsefly that thought about getting close. He tried twice, but must've thought better and left.
Good investment for me so far.
Yeah thermacells are worth there weight in gold right now. Bud report on the croatan i deerless for sitting a couple days hunts. About the norm for croatan around pollocksville anyhow.
Really ahving tough time getting out with work, training, and hurricanes the way they have been. Might be a bit for a get back out.
Just now getting out and turning into tradgang - least I'll see someone killin deer. I will spend tomorrow in the office sharpening heads form shooting the pm.
Town manager will just walk by and shake his head - he knows alot of vaca time is coming up once Hseason gets by us.
Got this little guy this evening. (http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h471/EDP78/P1030144-1.jpg)
Way to go Ed!!
And as far a Pollocksville goes, my wife and I both need to get back down there to visit family....and maybe I can sneak in an afternoon hunt.
Success to all.
Bud
So far up in Rockingham County I have seen a lot of deer however, I haven't connected yet. I did miss a doe Sunday evening. TWICE over the back!!! I am still hanging in there though. Hope to hear from you soon there Bud. Good luck to all!
OK Todd, any reports??
Nothing to report I didn't get to hunt today either. I am sorry about yesterday.
It's just a matter of time for you. Your setups are nice. Great land layout.
i saw 5 does this a.m. . i got to use my keyes still hunter pack for the first time today. i like it! deer were movin at 9 a.m. peak time was 11. no shot op but it was worth the effort. sorry fellas, i didnt see any bucks.i will be back at it this afternoone. rv
i got the chance to go sit in the woods this evening, the only action i saw was a bunch of squirrels. rv
Hope no one minds another Tarheel boy jumping in. Planning my first day in the woods Mon-Wed of this week. Report to follow.
Strange season so far. I have seen nothing but coyotes so far. I expect to start seeing deer with the dark of the moon coming up.
i have a pretty season so far in the eastern part of the state have got two so far.
Will be back hitting it this week. Been out for awhile - work and conferences. Dark moon coming I have my hopes up. Going in to a deeper spot, either hope one comes by or maybe I will at least get to listen to a good hound race!!
J
Will report what I see for sign, luck to everyone
Anyone seeing rut activity? Scrapes?
I might ask off Thurs and Friday. The moon is right for sure.
Just saw this thread for the first time. I've been hunting in Greene county off a creek. I access my stand via jon boat. Have killed one doe (my first trad deer) with my PSRx. I'm going back to the woods wednesday morning. I'll keep yall posted
Had a guy call me today told me he found a scrape this morning. The same guy also saw a 6 pointer chasing a doe about a week and a half ago. I myself have yet to find anything where I am hunting.
Bud B. I still haven't connected yet. Just for FYI
Nothing today, 68 degrees, no wind! Beautiful day, but not a deer to be found.. Hitting it again tomorrow.
saw a couple bucks tailing does today so the rut is getting close here
Well, I got off Thurs and Fri. Our last two days of archery here in the Central season.
But who knows..... :thumbsup:
well good luck Bud B.
Well, blew it today! Sat on the ground near a trail leading to a persimmon tree, all good, beautiful day again. Sitting there listening to squirrels. Well along came a lone honey bee. Just checking me out at first, then she started to get really loud and irate. Well, enough was enough, so one friendly swat later..........you guessed it.....I had company, at around 15 yards.....right up to the moment I moved. Away she went.......in a hurry! Closest I'd been to either buck or doe this year. Dag nabbit. Well, tomorrow is another day.
I'd head back to the same area.
Gonna hit Uwharrie tomorrow. Ground pounding and sittn'.
Nada today. NO movement. Not hardly birds either. Only movement was about 6pm with a few squirrels. I was sitting near a worn trail with tree rubs on it.
One more archery only day for Central. :(
i went out for an evening sit and saw a little action. a lone doe came in to my area about 5:50 pm i thought i was busted , she lifted her head way high to sniff the air. she looked around a bit stuck her head behind a tree so i got the chance to stand up. she headed straight towards me till she got 10yrds out. turned to her left and started feeding. i waited till her head was behind another pine then raised my bow arm and got my fingers to the string. to my surprise she pulled a 180, and looked in my direction again and put her head down to feed . as soon as she did i came to full draw, and like a dumb ass i didnt pick a spot and let her fly. clean miss went right in front of her. she wheeled and was gone in a flash. hunt over. still kickin myself for not pickin a spot. i guess the excitement got to me. it was still fun though. i cant wait to do it again, but without a miss. rv
Good to hear from you Ruddy.
I'm looking forward to Dec when I get Faith and can give her a show. Hopefully with gun season now here we'll still have chances here and there for a stickbow harvest.
What about Bernie? Heard from him?
i got off from work early today. i made it out to my blind for a short sit , come 5:50 pm. got busted by none other than big fat mama. she was less than 15 ft from me, and behind me at about my 9 o'clock. they came in to the area the same way i did. never heard them until it was too late. i got blowed out by all 3 for a 100yrds. hunt is over. big mama got anther for the w column. rv
Dang Ruddy! She's a frequent flyer to the area so keep trying. She'll slip up one day.
I shot this 7 point with my BW longbow yesterday afternoon. Here's a link to the story:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=110167
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/wallyholmes/2011BWLongbow7PointPic1.jpg)
WOOOOHOOOO!
Nice buck Wally!!