Many thanks to Hill Country for donating this years bows. They are Sponsors under Kenny Yoder's Traditional Ways. I'll let Kenny chime in on the woods and such. Many thanks to Both. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Hope is 64#@28 - Faith is 61#@28. Both are 56"s and is the 'Cree' model.
There are still some months open to hunt with these bows. Contact curt@tradgang.com
Hope is 64#@28 - Faith is 61#@28. Both are 56"s and is the 'Cree' model.
There are still some months open to hunt with these bows. Contact curt@tradgang.com
*************HOPE.....................FAITH*******
2012
Aug- Shedrock......................Chinook907
Sept- Denny Sturgis Jr
Oct- Terry Green...................Paul Mattson
Nov- KS Trapper.......................Bud B.
Dec- Rob W...........................Ken 613
2013
Jan- Sunny Hill Archer.............Wes Scuggs
Feb- East Coast Archer
March- ...............................Don and Sky Wilson
April- Mike Yancy
May-......................................Guru
June-
Miss Hope is the righty, Miss Faith is the Lefty bow..
Here they are.....always liked gals in camo ;) ....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012a.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012b.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012c.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012d.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012e.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012f.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2012g.jpg)
As always, these bows will tell a story from August till June and then be auctioned off on the St Judes Auction 2013.
Great pics Terry. Thanks.
These are Camo Actionwood with tan and black Phenolic accents. Bamboo cores, as are all Hill Country Bows. The limb veneers are flat/cross sawn for the camo effect.
These 56" bows will handle a 29" draw. Very fast, and quiet when tuned properly. Enjoy them!!
Good looking bows :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Stunning!!!
That there is a HUNTIN bow guys! Kudos to Hill Country .... and 56", some turkeys are going to die!
Those look great! :thumbsup:
Very nice pair of longbows right there!
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
:thumbsup:
Lookin' nice!!
:campfire:
Guys, If your interested in hunting with these beuats....please send me an e mail at curt@tradgang.com
You get the bows for one month....
Please include which bow(Hope is the rt hander, Faith if the lefty), what months you would like to hunt(1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices), what you are going to hunt, and your shipping address.
We are really hoping to get the bows into the hands of guys that hunt hard, and will post updates and pix of your hunts.
com'on fellas :campfire:
Looking forward to shooting Miss Hope this fall!
Tracy
QuoteOriginally posted by K.S.TRAPPER:
Looking forward to shooting Miss Hope this fall!
Tracy
X2!
When do the bows go out to the August hunters?
Looks like a Thanksgiving with Faith this year :) With my new work schedule I should be able to get in 10 or more hunts with her.
:thumbsup:
You early season guys post up what arrow choice you find works well and your draw length. I have some 55/75s that I hope do well on Faith's shelf.
Think I get Faith after you Bud...introduce her to North Carolina and I'll show her Virginia!
Hopefully, we'll have the mojo oozing from her come the St. Jude auction!
CE 250's waiting on her here.
Ken
Good luck this year guys, with Hope and Faith! I am too much of a wimp to handle draw weights like that. Hope would be about 69-70# at my DL. I had last years Hope last December and had a blast carrying her into the woods for a little while.
Good luck to all the lucky hunters and I'll be following along watching!
Bisch
Good luck fellas. Those are some good looking bows. RC
Nice looking bows, looking forward to the stories and pictures!
QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
QuoteOriginally posted by K.S.TRAPPER:
Looking forward to shooting Miss Hope this fall!
Tracy
X2!
When do the bows go out to the August hunters? [/b]
Yours will be going out tomorrow 3rd day.
QuoteOriginally posted by K.S.TRAPPER:
Looking forward to shooting Miss Hope this fall!
Tracy
I think you got November....if so, hopefully you will get to shoot it in October...if ya know what I mean...might even let you take it home from there.
OK Fellas, sorry for the delay getting this up....
As you'll see, we have a couple months open....so com'on fellas....who's up to it?
We need guys that will hunt hard, write about the hunts and document your time with pix :campfire:
*************HOPE.....................FAITH*******
2012
Aug- Shedrock......................Chinook907
Sept- Denny Sturgis Jr
Oct- Terry Green...................Paul Mattson
Nov- KS Trapper.......................Bud B.
Dec- Rob W...........................Ken 613
2013
Jan- Sunny Hill Archer.............Wes Scuggs
Feb- East Coast Archer.............Jcar
March- bornagainbowhunter.........Don and Sky W.
April- Mike Yancy..................Fireboss
May- Mike Theis....................Tecum-tha
June- open............................open
Miss Hope is the righty, Miss Faith is the Lefty bow...
Great line up there for Miss Faith!
Looking forward to following her hunts.
Great line up for Miss Hope as well!
I'm going to have to do my homework to keep up with this crowd. :notworthy:
Rob
Should be a good time in January with Miss Faith
Yep, Miss Hope should see some action for sure.
Ok, Shedrock you starting us off with a good goat hunt? :bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Tracy
Yes Tracy, I'll be hunting pronghorns with Hope in a couple weeks. It has rained here almost daily since we set the blinds up. I hope the rain quits.
Shed...did you get my last email about the string?
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Shed...did you get my last email about the string?
Yes sir.
Good luck on the weather there Shedrock, sure makes ya nervous don't it. But it will get hot and dry for ya. That bow should be broke in good by the time I get it with the line up of tough hunters ahead of me!
Mike
Good luck Tracy and I sure hope it stops raining and dry's up soon. Send some of that rain down here we need it bad!
Tracy
Came home Tuesday night and as I pulled in the driveway I saw this...
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdfaith1.jpg)
.
Parked the truck and as I got closer I could see the writing on the tube.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdfaith2.jpg)
.
The Faith bow was in the house, or at least, waiting outside the house for me.
The bow was packaged real well, and the string was fitted with some wool silencers and wool on the pads.
Sweet little bow, lighter and shorter than I'm used to, but I appreciate it.
Put a bow quiver on it, shot it in the backyard for a bit the last few nights, and it is absolutely silent as far as my noise-addled ears can tell. Shoots good for me too.
Work is crazy in the summer but I'll likely be able to get out hunting in the mountains with it over the weekend.
I sent Snag a dozen Sitka Spruce to put a taper on the rear, and stain, crest, and seal for me. I got them all fletched up with natural turkey and goose feathers. I had these made up just for Hope. They are 75-80 spine, and should shoot good with Hope being 64#.
I am still waiting for Hope to show up so I can get her and the arrows tuned in for pronghorns, which starts the 15th.
I sent Terry an e-mail yesterday to see if he could track Hope. She was lost, then found in Connecticut!! :banghead: :banghead: She should be here in WY on Monday. :archer2:
Hope was kidnapped by the east coast Mafia....my sources located her in one of their safe houses in Connecticut....
My contacts arranged a rescue that was successful and left a bloody horse head in her place.
She is now in route via submarine to Portland where my west coast contacts will take her via a heavily armed caravan to Shedrock.
Shwwweeew...that was a close one!!!
:laughing:
:bigsmyl:
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020957.jpg)
Hope showed up here on Monday. I started shooting her right away. It took several shots to get used to her grip, and get her and the arrows tuned, but now we are ready. 75-80 spine Sitka Spruce with a 160 grain VPA is shooting nice. I hope to kill an antelope the 15th with her. I'll keep you all posted with more pics next week. Until then, I will practice, practice, and practice.
Nice shooting!
Dangit man I'm going to have to order some arrows if thats the spine it took to get you tuned. I might have some carbons that will work though I need to look.
Good luck on the opener Faith bow is already one up on us. :thumbsup:
Tracy
She will shoot 75# spine just fine cut to 29". I had these shafts made just for her, and they are full length. I started full length, and don't need to cut them down.
Nice shot Shedrock! Good luck on the speed goat!
Bisch
Been prowling around with the lefty St Judes Bow, Faith...
--------------------------------------------
Just got in after a long day (and night) with the Faith bow.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbearbowst.jpg)
Getting closer now.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbearbowst2.jpg)
.
Almost 3 am here, need to go to bed.
Thanks for your patience, I really did have to get to bed.
To back up a bit, I got the St Judes lefty bow, Faith, in the mail about 10 days ago. I was hopeful that I could take the bow in the mts for black bears, ptarmigan, spruce, and there's some other seasons that would be opening.
Sweet little bow, shot well for me from the get-go, and it came rigged for silence.
So after a few days of shooting with it, I got out last Saturday for the first time. A pretty good day.
Took several hours to hike in to one of my regular spots. Not much sign, but had enough clothes, food and water to keep me going until late, and I figured if I moved and glassed, moved and glassed enough, something would shake out.
Here's a pic at the bottom of one of the hills along the ridge. I climb up to the ridge, then go up and down some hills like this one. I think just this hill is about an 800' elevation change. The Faith bow blends right in, except for my fletching.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd006-2.jpg)
It's hard to tell from the first pic, but right now that hillside is covered in wildflowers. Here's a pic while going back up that hill.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd009-2.jpg)
Prior to taking those pics, had spotted a small bear in waist high grass and flowers at the bottom of the slope. With the noise from all the veg, I knew I couldn't sneak to him, so I tried sneaking to where he might end up.
Well, he went where I thought, but the bear got there about 3 minutes before I would have. Strike 1 ?
Did some shooting with a judo into clumps of lichen, great practice. Ate some, drank some more water, then headed further along glassing other slopes as they came into view. The wind was pretty stiff, sometimes 30-35 knots.
Starting raining after a bit, pulled on my rain gear and hunkered down out of the wind, still eye-balling different slopes. Did that for a couple hours. Then it was time to hunt my way back.
Spotted this guy at about 7:30 pm. He was about a 20 minute hike from me. I was very happy to see another animal, but I was gassed out !
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd022.jpg)
.
He made the decision for me though. After watching him for a few minutes, he took off into the brush like a scalded cat. Not sure what spooked him, wasn't me, maybe he got a whiff of a brown bear.
But I figured next time I got out I'd hang in the rocks above, so I'd be close if he showed again.
:campfire:
It was a few days later that I was able to get out again. A lot nicer day, very sunny and light winds.
As planned, I parked in the rocks above where I had seen the last bear on the previous trip.
Here's my perch, and the Faith bow.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd005.jpg)
And the bow with some crowberries, what the bears are after.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd004.jpg)
Waited and glassed, waited and glassed. Finally something showed, on the other side from my perch.
Moose ! And a nice bull at that. The season opens in 5 hours, and I've got a tag.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd009-3.jpg)
Moved closer, glassed him carefully, and judged him sub-legal. Likely mid-forties for spread (needs to be 50"+), and not enough brow tines. If he gets thru another year of winter, wolves, and brown bears, maybe he'll be big enough.
Was about done with watching the moose and then this guy shows up a few hundred yards away.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd016-1.jpg)
.
He quickly moved on to the berry slope below me. I took off some of my layers, put on my leathers, and went after him.
Got within 20-25 yards and I think he heard me. Gone in a poof. Strike 2 ?
Time to head home. Less than 2 hours of light left and a lot of ground to cover and elevation to lose.
I was already trying to decide were to hunt next time and when I could likely get out when this guys shows up across from me.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd020.jpg)
I've got time and energy left for him !
Now wait, now there's two. Another one walks out of the brush.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd022-1.jpg)
So I swapped my clothes and leathers out again and started hustling over there, mindful of the wind and staying out of their sight.
Swung around the little valley, got to my landmark above them, and headed downslope slowly, looking for the black spine of a bear, usually the first thing I see of them while sneaking.
And there they were !
They were clearly both adult bears. It's not uncommon to see two fairly close together. I picked out the bigger one and slipped things down a few gears.
And now we're back to the start of this thread, the two pics where I'm trying to get stickbow close.
Here's a reminder.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbearbowst2.jpg)
Ended up stalled with only open ground between us.
Looked around, and hoped he would move behind a little knob, then I could move right up to the knob without being seen.
It did move behind a knob, but when I got to the edge of it he was a bit too far off, but not much.
Then it happened.
The other bear appeared a hundred yards away or so, headed straight towards this bear.
The bear I was on looked right towards him, stiffened, got his hackles up, and started popping his teeth.
The bear I was on was facing straight away from me, distracted, This-Was-My-Chance.
I stood up, bow in hand, walking right towards him. When he noticed me and turned enough for a shot, I would take it.
Sure enough about 12 steps from him he heard me, and turned slowly to see what I was. He still had a snarl on for the other bear, as he turned.
Well that was one of his last acts as the Faith bow was drawn and released, I just remember thinking focus-focus.
Saw my arrow low behind his front leg as he jumped back a few step, then bolted for the trees downslope.
He only got 10-15 yards before he cart-wheeled, stumbled a few more and was done.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd026.jpg)\\.
Looking back at the sun threatening to set.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd029.jpg)
And I'm a little camera shy but here you go.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd034.jpg)
And one with my Lin Rhea knife, one of our own and he is a master.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd035.jpg)
I'll get out some more, still have two bear tags, some other tags, and of course there's ptarmigan and grouse.
In the meantime if you're looking for more St Jude's bow action in August, just pester that death-ray from Wyoming (Shedrock) lol, he has the righty bow, Hope.
Way to go Chinook! Awesome story and spectacular pictures!
Faith will be full of mojo.
Ken
Great hunt, great stalk, great story, and great pics! Nice way to break Miss Faith in :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome picks and story telling! :bigsmyl:
Tracy
Congrats on your success with Faith and way to get the mojo in her all stirred up.
Great write up and bear.
Congrats again,
Bisch
Congrats on a nice bear!
Great pics and story.
Roman was really tickled when I told him about this.
I like that! Hope to see a bunch more.
Mike
Great story and pics,congrats on a nice bear.These bows will have plenty of mojo time the auction rolls around.
That's the way to start her off Tim!!!!!!
Many thanks for stepping up.....and taking the time to share the story and the pics.....that's the way its suppose to be done!!!
Congrats again!!!
Awesome stuff sir! Way to go! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very nicely done, and a great hunt. That bow looks real good against that bear. Congrats.
I signed up for Ms Hope in May for some turkey hunting. Look forward to carrying a St Jude bow in the field.
Miss Hope launched two VPA tipped Sitka Spruce arrows today. Today is antelope opener. :bigsmyl:
Hmmm....Do I sense another mojo cocktail tonight?
Details man, DETAILS!
Ken
where's the story?!?!?!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020985.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020984.jpg)
Hope and myself were in the blind at 5:30. At 6:00, it was starting to get light enough to shoot.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020986.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020987.jpg)
First antelope of the morning is a nice doe. She is 32 yards from my blind, and just a few yards from the other blind my friend is in. He has two doe tags, and I have one, along with our buck tags. He doesn't get a good, broadside shot, so he passes her. 32 yards is way out of my range, so I just take a couple pics.
At 7:00, I was daydreaming, looked out the shooting hole, and there stood a buck. I wasn't going to be very choosey in what I shot this year. There was just no really big bucks around because of the drought. With all my scouting and glassing, I sure have not seen any good ones, and niether did the G&F when they flew doing counts the other day.
He was at 10 yards. I quietly nocked an arrow on Hope's string, picked a spot while coming to full draw, and let the VPA tipped, Sitka Spruce go.
I saw blood right away as he spun out of there. I crawled out of the blind, and found this.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030026.jpg)
Oh yeah!!
:campfire:
Uh huh! That's what I'm talkin' about!
Ken
More antelope were headed our way, so I jumped back in the blind quick. Maybe my buddy can shoot his buck, or one of us may have a chance at a doe.
I knew my buck was down, as my buddy seen him fall out of his shooting window. It's fairly cool, my buck can wait a few minutes.
You're killing me with the suspense!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020988.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020990.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020991.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020992.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020995.jpg)
This buck comes right in, but closer to my blind. The shot for my bud is a perfect quartering away shot, but just a little far for him. Only about 14 yards for me though. But, I had a buck down already. I'll just take some pics.
Great pics!!!
:thumbsup:
Do they not see you in the blind? It doesn't appear to have a mesh in the window?
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030001.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030010.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030019.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030024.jpg)
More and more antelope come in during the next half hour. My buddy gets no good shots.
More antelope want to come, but see my buck laying on his side, and won't come in to drink.
It is time to get that buck out of here and back home.
:thumbsup:
Well done to both of you :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by razorsharptokill:
Do they not see you in the blind? It doesn't appear to have a mesh in the window?
No mesh needed. I try to just wear dark colors and keep my white face away from the window, and also move slow.
In Wy. is antelope a draw only for non residents? I'd really like to try that next year.
Those blinds are top notch! I wonder if something like that would work for muledeer at a waterhole they frequent?
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=118929#000000
Here's Shedrock's build along. It is awesome! I plan on building some for whitetails in smaller food plots where there are no trees. What a couple of great hunts with Hope and Faith!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030027.jpg)
There he lays.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030028-1.jpg)
He must have died at a full run and slid to a stop. VPA did good.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030031.jpg)
You can see the blinds in the backround.
QuoteOriginally posted by razorsharptokill:
In Wy. is antelope a draw only for non residents? I'd really like to try that next year.
Those blinds are top notch! I wonder if something like that would work for muledeer at a waterhole they frequent?
Yes, draw only for non-res as well as residents. There are a few areas that have left-over tags, but the areas are mostly private land. You would have to pay a tresspass fee more than likely.
I rarely have mule deer come to drink. They usually come at night. I have only had a fews does, fawns, and a couple forkhorns come in to drink in 20 years of waterhole hunting.
Way to go Tracy :thumbsup: But I know there's more :)
Good shootin Tracy lookin good!
Mike
Sweet hunt, to bad your buddy didn't get a shot at one of them. Congrats!
Looks like the cause of the crash landing was a massive hydraulic leak!
How tough is it to draw a tag?
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030047-1.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030052.jpg)
Good double lung shot.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030048.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by razorsharptokill:
Looks like the cause of the crash landing was a massive hydraulic leak!
How tough is it to draw a tag?
It depends on the area. The area I hunt has alot of public ground and takes a non-resident 3-4 pref points.
Can't beat that!!! I will have it in April for turkeys. Great way to start it off Sir!
Mike
Well done Tracy!!!Nice pics and blind.
I got the buck home, skinned, cut up and in the freezer. I had a couple honey-do's to get done, then headed back to the blind to try for a doe.
I got in the blind at 3:30. I had a few PBS magazines to read to pass the time, and I needed to get caught up on my reading.
I caught movement out the shooting window at 4:30. While I was reading, a doe slipped in. She was close, 7 yards!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030063.jpg)
Hope and I bloodied another arrow.
The shot looked good. I could see her standing about 50 yards from the blind. All I could see was her back and rear. Her head must have been down. I was worried a bit.
I crawled out of the blind to get a better view, and to check my arrow. Arrow had bubbles on it, so I know I hit lung. I looked where she was, but couldn't see her. I snuck up over the rise, and she was down. I glassed her and could see that she was breathing, but her head was down. I backed out, and jumped in the blind for 15 minutes to give her time.
While field dressing, I found out I had hit the 7th rib, VPA broke it like a toothpick, then through one lung, out the intestines, then out between the 8th and 9th ribs. She was broadside. I just wonder if that arrow glanced a bit when it hit the first rib, or she spun so fast that the arrow got into her stomach? My friend watched it all from his blind, and thought I missed her. It happened so fast.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1030057.jpg)
Hope will be heading to MI to give Denny Sturgis Jr a visit in September.
Be sure to stay tuned in for Miss Hope's next adventure. I bet it will be a good one! :campfire:
NICE!
Atta boy Tracy! Some great eating right there!
Congrats Shedrock,you guys are breaking the bows in right.
Good job Guys. Hope and Faith are Killers for sure.RC
Great hunts! Congratulations.
Awesome animals sir! Way to go!
Great stuff! Congrats! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Good stuff! :thumbsup:
Gotta love some speedgoats!!
Tracy I envy you man, good going and Congrats on a great hunt.
Congrats to both August hunters! Way to document such an intimate experience. Man that was good stuff...
~CB
Excellent hunting and story tellin there Tracy.
Congrats on two fine animals.
:bigsmyl: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Congrats!
Very cool :archer: :archer:
Excellent
Congrats Shedrock! Way to break Hope in. Two in one day is an awesome start for her!
Congrats again,
Bisch
Wow that didn't take long. Way to go, congrats Tracy !
Looks like a good blind bow that did the job for you. Congrats on a successful hunt.
WAY TO GO Shedrock!
Nice blind - awesome shooting - delicious eating!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Great start to a great story - St Judes, 2 bows, bunch of hunters and the 2013 auction of the 2 no doubt well worked in bows.
Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all.
We are not worthy!!! Fantastic stuff Shed. :notworthy:
Excellent!!! Good shooting, thanks for sharing. Congrats!!!! :thumbsup:
Very Nice!
Nice job Tracy.
NICE! I just read your thread on your blinds, excellent job.
Great story telling Tracy. It seems even when I hear the story first hand its still fun to come home and read them again.
fantastic!!! :clapper:
:thumbsup: The St Jude MOJO continues
Fine shooting Tracy
Very nice Tracy. Great stuff and congrats :clapper: :clapper:
Lookin good guys keep it up. Can't wait to my turn
What are you shooting out of Faith, Chinook?
Brace?
Arrows?
Arrow length?
Point weight?
Nocks?
I'm not sure I'll have what she needs so just checking to see what's working (and obviously well) with you?
Bud- my regular bow is the same draw, and my regular arrow set-up shoots well with the Faith bow. Grizzlystik Alaskans, ~28.5" bop, brass insert, 200 gr head, total weight ~650 grains. I use a single string nock, and there was one already on the bow string.
Miss Hope left Wyoming today, and is headed for Michigan. In the short time we had together, we made the most of it. Two pronghorns in the freezer.
Good luck Denny! :archer2:
Spine for Faith?
Can't say exactly on spine Bud. The alaskans are for bows up to 65 or so I think.
Thanks. I have some 55/75s I think will work.
Great pics and story, Tracy! Congrats on the buck and the doe!!! :thumbsup:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/IPinOak.jpg)
Miss Hope arrived safely to Pin Oak in MI today. We just had a short visit and she will be heading to Georgia tomorrow. I have been super busy with work and making new friends in Africa.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ibaboon.jpg)
Anyway I have two hunts coming up, but they are both remote fly-in deals that would be difficult with a one piece bow. I called Terry and he graciously traded Sept. for Oct. with me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/IshootingHope.jpg)
I did take a few shots though. Really nice bow! I paper tuned and know what I need when Hope returns in October to hunt some Michigan Whitetails.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/IpapertuneHope.jpg)
My daughter, Alexa helped take pics and shot with me tonight.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/ISisshooting.jpg)
She tried to draw Hope, but she was a little too heavy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/ISisHope2.jpg)
Congrats guys and thanks Terry!
Great pics with Miss Hope, Denny.
Hope she serves you well in Oct.
Your African friend looks a little under the weather :scared:
Chinook,
I sent you an email ref Faith in Sept.
Keep us posted on any more hunts you've had. Looking forward to more pics of AK!!
Not much more time left with the Faith bow, I'll be sending it to Bud in less than a week.
Got out again, no action except for a spruce grouse that cost me an arrow. Note to self: don't shoot at grouse in trees !
Anyway here's some pics of the day.
Finally out of the trees and getting a better view. The bow with some bear berry (the red-leaved stuff). Notice only 3 arrows in the 4 arrow quiver :knothead:
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd001-2.jpg)
No mt goats around today, usually see some here.
A little snow,a little view, a little bow.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd005-2.jpg)
.
Nice bowl at the back.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd004-2.jpg)
The flowers are called moss campion, brought some home for my wife in a little ziploc blown-up to pillow it in the pack. She likes it when I carry flowers a long ways for her :)
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd006-3.jpg)
.
Don't know when the Faith bow will be in the snow again, but here's the first time. A lot more snow up top this year from our record snows last winter, and cold spring and summer. It's nice though in that it's a source of water where normally there might not be one.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd008-2.jpg)
.
And it looks like this wolf ate well.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd021.jpg)
Almost at the top now, time spent on the eliptical or hiking sure helps in the fall.
.
Cool looking rocks.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd015-1.jpg)
.
And here's a nice little hide out of the wind, just big enough.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd016-2.jpg)
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And looking out from the hide.
.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd014-2.jpg)
Should be able to get out one more time, maybe a boat trip. See ya.
Lord I miss Alaska. I hiked/hunted along the Mat-Su Valley in 86-87. Views like that are only seen in that great state. And at 3am in places. I really miss those long days of summer there.
Thanks for bringing back the memories Tim.
Dang, chinook! That sure is some beautiful country you have up there! Good luck on your last outing.
Bisch
Thanks Mr Bisch. Was not able to get out again...
Had a great time with the Faith bow.
Time to pass it on to Bud B.
Bud, put it in the mail usps priority to you today, should be 3-5 days. Hope all goes well with you. Feel lilke I'm passing a baton lol.
Tuesday can't get here quickly enough. I hope Faith finds her way to my door then :) I have some arrows that should arrive Tuesday also.
Anyone shooting carbons with Faith. If so, what's your setup?
Ken
I'll be trying 2219s. If they don't work I'll have to punt.
Faith arrived safely in NC.
We got acquainted at the 20 yard line with some 2216s.
Sorry for the cruddy photo.
Magnificent bow!!
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/stjudefaith2013.jpg)
Good luck with her, Bud!
Bisch
QuoteOriginally posted by ken613:
Anyone shooting carbons with Faith. If so, what's your setup?
Ken
Ken,
I just tried GT Trad 55/75s that are 30.5BOP 3 5" Shields and a 100gr brass insert tipped with 200gr points. Bohning Signature nocks. I'm drawing just a bit short of 28 with her.
I'm shooting this bow seemingly better than my Super Grizzly. It has been easy to pick it up and get good groups almost immediately. I threw some 225gr points on it too and it's grouping well with them also.
I switched over to 2 blade Magnus and Eclipse at 200 and 225 (steel inserts) and they are hitting VERY well. (within 2" of where I'm looking at 15, which is going to be just about my max range in my hunting spots)
The only thing that I see that's unusual, to me anyway, is the high nocking point. I shoot two under and I had to set the nocking point a little higher than what I consider normal, but with it hitting where I'm looking and flight with BHs being good I ain't going to gripe.
Now to sharpen the BHs and wait until Saturday. These carbons are what I'm going to use. They're in the 610gr plus range with total arrrow weight.
:bigsmyl:
Bud,
Thanks. I'm shooting 30" AD Trads with 100gr insert and 200 gr heads with my #60 @ 28" Recurve so think I should be able to come close to what you're shooting.
Thanks, also, for the head's up on the high knocking point.
Getting really anxious for December.
Ken
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith012.jpg)
C'mon, Bud. You have to tell the whole story here and it looks like it will be a good one! :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Faith arrived in NC on Tuesday. I was out back shooting when the postal carrier came driving up. I quickly unpacked her and strung her up. I had prepared some 2216s and bought some 2219s from a fellow tradganger to try out on this year's beefier recurve (poundage-wise, mind you), and the 2219s arrived with Faith.
After several attempts to get a good tune I thought I'd give my GT Trad 55/75s a try. With a little a nock adjustment with the new double string nocks I had tied I was able to get prompt and pleasing results. Then the broadhead tune came in, and that settled in nicely too.
I shot Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday came and I had to work, but I did manage to get in a five minute or so session before leaving. My last two shots at 12 yards were within about one to two inches of where I was looking. I stopped and let those two shots burn in my mind and left for work.
The NC deer opener was today, Saturday the 8th at 30 minutes before official sunrise. I had checked the sunrise table online and it was reported to be at 0656am EDT. That meant an 0626am buzzer opener. I had hoped to get in my stand before 0545am, but road construction delayed that by 15 minutes. I still managed to get settled and the Thermacell rolling by 0600.
Acorns were dropping all around. The humidity was so thick I could feel the moisture as I inhaled with each breath. Rain looked imminent. The new moon fuzzed the misty morning. I still heard acorns dropping, but thought I heard rustling of leaves as well, even in the damp carpet that underplayed the canopy. My heart began racing a bit, thinking of what I hoped would be the cause of these sounds I was hearing.
As daylight began to slowly take over through the cloud cover I noticed an image coming down the trail that I had used to get to my stand. I had sprayed vanilla flavoring on my boots; an idea taken from my TradGang readings. I think the vanilla worked. The image appeared to be a doe walking ever so cautiously but still with determination in her step. She went past to my right at about eight yards but I still could not pick a spot as she closed the distance. As light still became brighter I hoped for the best and that she'd stay nearby. A second sound of rustling then came from behind me. She was not alone.
:campfire:
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
:saywhat: :saywhat: :saywhat:
Oh yeah! Can't wait for the details!!!!
Out with it Bud! The suspense is killing me.
I'm tuned in, but it looks like congrats are in order.
Bisch
I looked down and to my right and I caught the nose of a deer sniffing around. It was about five feet to my right side and back about five feet. I was 12 feet above it in my homemade treated wood ladder stand. I froze. I thought I'd surely get busted and off to the races they'd go. After what seemed like 30 minutes, which was really like one minute, the nose backed up. I lost sight of it but could hear its close steps. My heart was now thumping like a message drum. I knew it was going to give me away. I could actually hear it beating audibly. I tried breathing to calm down. In my attempts to control my breathing I saw movement of the first deer. It was heading away from me and I had no shot. If I moved I feared the one behind me would see me and end my hopes. The lead deer went about ten more feet away from me and stopped.
The area where I was hunting was on my father's land. He owns only 12 acres and is surrounded by occupied country homes. A woman began talking to her kids from a home about 200 yards way. The sound carried like she was closer than that. She sounded only 50 yards or so away. The lead deer had heard her clearly and also appeared to be confused and alarmed. These deer are used to nearby humans, but are just as wary as open forest deer when they feel danger is near. This deer was obviously concerned. After a few minutes, maybe 7 or so, it turned and began walking back up the trail it had come down. This was bringing it back towards me and would present a 7-8 yard shot if it stayed the course. It did.
By this time the daylight had brightened things up enough that as it came back I could see it was a young buck still in velvet. He walked along the same footsteps in which he arrived and unbelievably stopped broadside and looked back away from me towards the direction of the woman. This was my time to draw. But I thought about the second deer and hesitated.
:notworthy:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
:notworthy:
What happened next I really can't say exactly. I remembered thinking that if I could just get the bow back I could get a release before I got busted. Then the buck turned back towards the trail ahead and I thought I had lost my opportunity. As soon as I thought this he reached down to scratch his front leg with his nose, or vice versa, but I drew and released. I remember the draw, but not the release. I remember arching my back to straight, while still seated, but nothing of the arrow flight or where it hit. I remember looking hard at the lower chest near the heart, but not if he dropped or not upon my release. The next thing I can consciously remember was the sound of hair being cut and him exploding away from the hit. He crashed through the woods with authority. I heard him run towards the road and hoping I'd hear a crash before he got that far. I heard a soft crash, but then it all got silent again. The second deer was still just behind my stand when I shot. It ran in the opposite direction of the hit deer, but did so as silently as it could.
I left the stand and went back to the house. I waited for 30 minutes and returned to find the blood soaked arrow behind where the buck had stood. Needless to say I was stoked! I knew I'd find blood immediately, but was soon jarred into reality by no blood trail. I knew the way he'd run, so I headed in that direction. I soon found blood, about 20 yards from the hit, but not the copious amounts I had envisioned.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith014.jpg)
The blood trail was sparse. I soon gave up trying to look for specks, but did see some here and there. Some had bubbles, which were encouraging. I focused on heading towards the area where I had heard that final soft crash. After about a 40 yard walk I found him. I walked up to him and touched his mouth area. He was already stiff. He died a relatively swift and humane death thanks to the Magnus two blade and the sharpening skills I've read about over and over on this site until I finally figured out how to get'em shaving sharp. I got his lung tips and a touch of liver. Most of his blood was internal and into his lungs. The hit was high and angled down and back. Not exactly where I had intended, but with equal results.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith019.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith017.jpg)
As I was dragging him out I stopped to retrieve some dropped gear. I turned back and saw this. I thought it was a pretty cool sight with the sunrise glowing through the wooded plot so I snapped a shot.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith020.jpg)
Thank you Terry Green for the opportunity to have Faith in September, this site, and for what you and your helpers do for St. Jude.
Thank you Hill Country / Kenny Yoder for a magnificent bow!
And thank you Lord for a successful opening day with Faith!
You are the man! Great job Bud!
Oh yeah! Velvet buck mojo for Faith! Way to go Bud! Congrats on a great hunt with great story and pictures.
Thanks guys! :)
Chinook started it.
She IS a shooter!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Congrats
Thanks for stopping by today so I could shoot her myself. Faith is definitely a shooter and packs a punch too! I really really like her. I know she will get several more opportunities to harvest more game.
Congrats, Bud!
Now go get another one!
Bisch
Bud, :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Thanks Bisch. I got about three hours sleep last night and it's raining pretty hard here and there in our area.
Time to relax.
I'll have Faith near some hogs on the 17th.
I'm heading to my other deer spot Monday.
Good stuff Bud! Great story and pics. :notworthy:
Congratulations Bud!!!! What a great hunt and story. That last pic says it all. :thumbsup:
Awesome Bud ! That didn't take long. It's a little odd seeing pics of the bow. Can't wait to see what hog or other deer you get. Way to go.
:clapper: :clapper: Congrats!
Thank you all!!
That's just awesome Bud, thanks for the pics and story!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: The St Judes mojo continues ... Congrats Bud
Congrats Bud! Gotta love it!
Forgot to mention one thing....
This is my first Trad buck too :) Faith will hold a special place in my heart forever as will the little velvet buck.
Congrats! :thumbsup:
Congrats!!
First rate story telling and pics to match. Way to go!
Hunting with Faith.
Yesterday, before daylight, sitting in the stand.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith001-1.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith003-1.jpg)
My quick release back quiver has its advantages for treestand hunting :)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith004.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith007.jpg)
My small area of opportunity. This is a ten year old or so clearcut cutover piece of land. It's hands and knees crawling thick, except for a few places where some trees of size were spared.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith012-1.jpg)
Yesterday's sunrise.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith005.jpg)
After climbing down tonight, Faith, my quiver of arrows, and a little bit of light from my headlamp as we prepared for the walk out.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith013.jpg)
I got Faith into the swampy woods of Columbus County Game Lands near the Waccamaw River here in coastal NC. Saw lots of hog and deer tracks. No actual sightings though. The mosquitoes were as big as yellow jackets and louder when buzzing my head and ears. I have never seen mosquitoes this big. And I've lived in Louisiana and Alaska, where mosquitoes have lore written and spoken about them. These buggers ignored the Termacell. I had to coat myself down with Deep Woods Off to even begin to throw them a curve.
I took a few pics.
Will post later.
Go get 'em Bud!
I found an old treestand way back at the edge of the cypress swamp and some paper mill pines.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/100_6237.jpg)
Some hog tracks in the sandy soil.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/100_6240.jpg)
I went back yesterday evening. Only saw one squirrel and a garter snake.
On my walk in yesterday morning I left good size-12 footprints in the sand as I walked in on the fire road. On my way back to the Jeep I saw my footprints had been over printed by a doe and fawn. Just my luck. I probably pushed them out as I went in. Stepping on swamp oak acorns makes a nice POP when they crush. I'm sure everything alive in the swamp heard me coming. And smelled me with all the Off I had to use.
Last night the mosquitoes had plan "B" in action. They ignored the Thermacell AND the Deep Woods Off. I had sprayed my drawing hand with Off since it stays uncovered except for my Neet finger glove. They bit into my Off coated skin like thr repellant wasn't even there.
I have never experienced mosquitoes like these. NEVER. I feel for the wildlife we hunt that has to put up with them.
Heading back home today.
I got Faith out again last evening. Two fawns browsed near my stand for at least 30 minutes. One was a little button buck. About 30 minutes later I saw movement to my left. About ten turkey came strolling silently through. Then just a few minutes later a grey fox trotted through without making a sound. He stopped broadside right in front of my stand but I didn't even think about shooting.
All these critters hadn't a clue I was there.
Still trying with Faith.
:thumbsup:
I emailed Paul and we're working on the info exchange :)
Going out again this evening.
Anyone hear anything on Ms Hope? What is she & Denny hunting in September?
CONGRATS BUD!! Great hunt and very nice pics. Miss Faith is being treated well so far that's for sure!
I sat 'til sunset last night with Miss Faith. About an hour before sunset some fellow and a few others decide to target practice with a pistol. He probably shot a box of 50 rounds from a six-shooter. Needless to say I saw nothing but two squirrels and a bunch of songbirds.
This Thursday will be my last chance with Faith. Then I send her to Paul.
Just before climbing down and right at dark I shot at a rotten stump I had been eyeing my last few outings. I was about 20 feet up, higher than I usually go but in this area I have to go that high to get over scrub growth. Wish it had been a deer. I drilled it with the very flat shooting Miss Faith. By the time I climbed down to retrieve the arrow it had gotten completely dark. I nearly couldn't find the arrow.
One more hunting day with her and it's over for me. :(
Denny swapped Sept for Oct....I've got Hope....
I'll try and get some pics up soon. Haven't had a lot of chances to get out with here since our season has only been open two weeks....but she's been in the Cohutta Wilderness chasing bears....
Terry - Good luck on the bears. There is always time to get one down. Look forward to pics of Cohutta.
Bud - Congrats on the deer. Looks like you charged up the mojo on that stick for the next guy. Good job.
Well....I've only been able to get out 3 afternoons after the bears....don't know why I didn't take a pic of the 1st bear sign I saw, ....a BIG pile of scat...I guess I was so surprised at the size and freshness I just started looking for the bear. Hope saw it though....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012a.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012b.jpg)
We found 2 more fresh piles in the area, but not enough to keep us around as Doug and I did our 'rounds' in two directions....here's a few shots of the area....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012c.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012d.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012e.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012f.jpg)
We left out for a 45 minute dirt road drive to another area just in time to hunt sign or no sign. Its an area we know well, and always have confidence there....
About a quarter mile in Hope got in range of a 200#+ boar hog that just caught all the movement it needed to swap ends,....oh so close......here's the track...don't mistake the blackish 'v' shaped leaf in the middle of the track....the front part of the hoof is to the left, the leaf is IN the track. No doubt this one was a bruiser.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012g.jpg)
More fresh sign in the next branch in....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012h.jpg)
Pic of the area I set up in.......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012i.jpg)
Next trip I went into an area blind...but yet again, another area I have confidence in and where I had one two years ago walk right by me at 15 yards but I didn't shoot cause it was walking toward the St Jude winner set up 100 yards away.
This area is known by us as The Legacy Tree. There was sign all around the Legacy as it had been climbed as stripped, but I didn't want to scent it up....but I did take a pic of a tree 15 yards from it showing claw marks from last year. The Legacy is twice the diameter of this one...
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012j.jpg)
Here's a pic of the area....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012k.jpg)
This was from last night....we had fresh sign of a nice bear and hog and set up quick for a 2 and a half hour stand.
Bear Track....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012m.jpg)
Left by another large hog....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012n.jpg)
A thunderstorm with high winds just ran Faith and me out of the woods. If no rain in the AM I'll hunt for a few hours and then ship her off before noon.
I hate to see her go. This is a fine little bow that hunts the woods well and is nimble enough to get through a overgrown ten year old cutover.
I have some pics. Will post in a bit.
A friendly snake from down east a few weeks ago.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith016-1.jpg)
Stumpin' from the stand at dark before coming down.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith017-1.jpg)
The oncoming storm about an hour ago
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith019-1.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith020-1.jpg)
Awoke to rain and pending rain looking at the local Doppler. No hunt with Faith this morning :(
I went back to bed.
I took these a few minutes ago just before packing her up to send to Paul.
I'm gonna miss her.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith022.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/faith027.jpg)
UPDATE: She's on her way Paul.
Man it's sad to see her leave ya Bud. I was enjoying the story telling and the pics. Hopefully I may get her in November. Who knows;0)
Has Faith arrived Paul?
Go get'em!! I'm looking forward to the next series of hunts :)
UPDATE:
She's safely in Wisconsin :)
Denny wont be back till the 11th...so I hope to get out again a time or two....
Here's the hunt from yesterday afternoon.
Just before getting to check a scent post, Hope got to see a bear come out of a tree....the canopy was quite open where I was and the bear spotted me before I ever knew it was even there.
This is a Black Bear Scent post.....you can see how high he's been rubbing and how high he's been clawing......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012o.jpg)
And another large hog track.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012p.jpg)
60 yards further up....fresh bear scatt...
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012q.jpg)
Here's the set up.....
North.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012s.jpg)
North/West....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012t.jpg)
West...
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012u.jpg)
South/west....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012v.jpg)
South....(my back drop)....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012w.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012x.jpg)
OK....here's the reason I chose this set up....
.
.
.
.
***** CLICK HERE TO SEE (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/MVI_4359.MOV) *****
(Guys, let me know if the vid plays for ya please)
.
.
.
.
Now...it was raining acorns and I had high hopes even though the moon was not in my favor.
I was on point pretty hard from 430 till dark as it had rained for two days and bears can be pretty quiet even when its dry, so I knew something could be on me before I knew it if I weren't paying attention.
About 630 from the north.....I hear something I know is not a squirrel rustling toward me from about 50 yards away in the saplings coming down the knowl.....then it stops. But now my eyes are focused north along with my left shoulder and it starts up again and I see saplings parting in my direction.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012s.jpg)
Then out busts one of the biggest hogs I've ever seen in Cohutta, a HUGE red one that looked like a tank. I've telling you if it would have been black it would have looked like a 250# bear, but hogs don't have hair that long so this thing was pushing 300#s I'm telling ya.
He turned to his left and went down in that little valley behind that log and up onto the larger hill directly behind me. He was going somewhere and not wasting any time doing so. Dang that boy was brute. A scene I'll never forget.
So....Hope and I have given it a good run at Cohutta, which is a tuff assignment. She's seen two large boar hogs and one black bear. Not to bad for just 4 afternoon hunts.
I'm going to try my best to get out again before sending her to Denny....even if its just to the deer woods.
Really cool bud :clapper:
C'mon Terry, skip work and go hunting. You only live once!
Great pics by the way. :thumbsup:
The bow is on the way back to Denny....I did get out two more times, and got within range of 90-100# black hog in the same area as before. Nothing but a head shot till he turned into those saplings and disappeared.....so, close but no shot.
Hope got a lot of miles put on her in Cohutta, and got to see some critters up close and a lot of beautiful country. I really enjoyed having her along.
Didn't hear back about whether anyone could see the video or not...so here's a pic....Freshest Bear sign I ever found, complete with with a cherry on top. :D
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/HopeSept2012r.jpg)
The vid worked for me bud, froze a few times but that may have been my system. Glad you had some action out there. Sure is some thick cover.
Hope arrived back in Michigan on the 12th. (smelled a little funky though) :) We put a little practice time in on the range and headed to "little Pond" on of my favorite stand locations for an evening hunt.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ihopelittlepond.jpg)
view from the tree stand
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Igameface.jpg)
serious game face! :)
:campfire:
I saw 9 does over the hunt and 6 came in to drink.I wanted to shoot one, but not at this stand. The first buck to come in was a 3-point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ihope3point.jpg)
Near dark 2 more 8-points drank, but I wanted to wait for something bigger before I started filling tags this early.
This picture looks a lot darker than it was and I forgot to turn off the flash.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Idarkbuck.jpg)
All and all a great evening hunt with Hope.
Good stuff so far Denny :campfire:
Got out again on the morning of the 14th. We hunted a new ladder stand in a cedar/juniper type tree. Saw 14 does and a couple bucks go within shooting distance of another stand in a pin oak across the field. The bucks were not big, but a tasty doe will be in order when the wind is right for that stand.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ihopeincedar.jpg)
Leaves are at full color right now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Iscenery-1.jpg)
Beautiful pics. Love the fall colors.
Terry- nice job getting so close in stuff that thick.
The next morning the wind was right for the stand all the deer walked by.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Iglasswithhope.jpg)
When a big doe paused at 15 yards, Hope delivered a Woodsman tipped carbon and closed the deal.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ihopedoe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/Ihopecu.jpg)
Congrats Denny on a nice big doe!!
Way to go Denny!
Congrats Denny! Keep it up and whack something else!
Bisch
Awesome Denny! Good shooting!
Congratulations Denny!
Way to go Denny. Nice doe and some really great photos.
Good shootin Denny! :thumbsup:
Nice shooting! Those Hill Country bows are good shooters!
Nice :thumbsup:
Nice Deer Denny! :thumbsup:
Good luck Terry.
Any new tales of Hope and Faith????
Yeah...working on one for Hope now..
I have a few pictures of the area that I hunted with Miss Faith. I will post them soon.
Also Miss Faith needs a new home for the month of Nov.
Congrats on a big old nanny Denny!
I saw the arrow enter the heart, and she entered the pond's wood line for two bound then turned right for 4 more bound and was down.
He's some better pics....
She was a big Girl.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mizzu2012herodoe1.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mizzu2012herodoe2.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mizzu2012herodoe3.jpg)
Well done Sir!!
Nice shooting Terry! That's a big ol' Roman nosed girl.
Congratulations!
Way to go Terry!
Bisch
Congrats Terry!
Nice mature doe.
Way to go Terry!
Nice! Good shootin' Terry :thumbsup:
Nice doe! I have been working out getting ready for June when Miss Faith hits the auction. These look like sweet bows and they are really accumulating some mojo
Miss Hope arrived here in Kansas a few days ago. Im working nights but found some time to shoot her, Sweet little bow and I have some carbons that shoot just fine but no woodies dangit!
The rut is really starting to heat up around here and I will have a few days off to hunt. Sure hope to add some Mojo to this bow.
I'm going to be spending as much time as possible hunting these guys if my son dosen't get the big one first. :D
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/e3.jpg)
Tracy
Wow. Um, which one is the small one lol.
:eek: :scared:
WOW!
Tracy, I hope you get a chance at one of those brutes!
Good luck with her,
Bisch
Thanks guys! I had a good sit tonight, turkeys close a coyote at 50yds that wouldn't come into my squeaking and I passed up a couple doe shots.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/D8C81020-986C-4ABF-854F-2763FCFB0B7D-457-0000003285275E74.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/63331A9A-5163-4AA1-A7B2-61184AF10AE8-457-00000032524C3C86.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/AC36BA7B-EF73-4153-A9B4-F1966A1919B0-457-000000320757C3AB.jpg)
See what Hope and I can find in the morning. :bigsmyl:
Tracy
Good luck! Knock 'em dead!
Bisch
Anybody who has shot Faith....can you please post your arrow setup? or PM me?
I get her in December.
Thanks
I shot 55/75 GT Trads cut 30.5 with 200gr two blades up front and a 100gr brass insert.
Flight was excellent.
Thanks Bud.
I've got some 30" AD Trads with 100 gr. inserts and 200 gr. WW Elites that I shoot from my #60 Bob Lee....that should put me very close.
Thats a good one Terry! :thumbsup:
K.S. Trapper I would give them little fellers another year. :p
Rob
Good luck Tracy! Them are some beautiful bucks!
I would like to write an article or column on hunting with Hope and Faith and about TradGang and the St Judes auction. If you hunters can help me it would be much appreciated. I could use high res. pics of your favorite day of hunting or success via email and possibly a short phone interview.
My email address is dennysturgis@gmail.com
I'll be glad to assist Denny.
budnstefb at aol.com
BTW, I wrote Ramon Bell, current President of the NC Bowhunter's Association, about my success with Faith. Ramon and I used to work together years ago. He is now retired. He asked if he could publish my story with Faith and what Tradgang does for St. Jude. I of course agreed and it was in this month's issue of the NC Bowhunter's Magazine.
Hope and Faith should be headed for new hands soon. I'm looking forward to the reports and stories.
Whoohooo!!!!
Heard from Curt this morning...Miss Faith is on her way to me.
Timing is perfect....our gun deer season closes Saturday and bow reopens Monday.
Looking forward to getting to know Faith and taking lots of pics.
Stay tuned!
Good luck with Faith, Ken!
Bisch
Well Faith has made it to Virginia!
She actually got here Monday, but I didn't have time to pick her up until today.
Got her strung up and my nock point set and started shooting. Wow! The grip is probably the best feeling recurve grip I've ever put my hands on. Really fits me well. As expected, the craftsmanship is spectacular.
Opened up my little work shop where I can get 12 yards to the rock wall on the porch and started shooting. This is one quiet recurve! Hmmmm...
After a couple of 3 shot rounds, here is what I ended up with.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithday1.jpg)
Anxious to get Faith out in the field, will have just a bit of time tomorrow evening to see if Simmons Interceptor Safaris will work well with the arrows I'll be shooting.
Virginia's gun deer season went out (in this part of the state) Saturday and bow season came back in Monday. December is the month that has lots of opportunities as virtually every season is open at this time of the year.
Oh! Almost forgot....will be taking Faith to a family reunion this weekend...you won't want to miss those photos....I'll give you a hint...it's not my family, it's hers.
Sounds like a great time of year to be in the timber in virginia! looking forward to some pictures from the adventure!
Hey Ken that bow looks familiar ! Enjoy your time with the Faith bow.
Miss Hope arrived safe and sound in Indiana today. I didn't have much daylight but it seems my arrow guess was pretty good. So far I'm very impressed with this bow. Quick, Quiet, and smooth.
Weatherman is calling for rain and warm temps for the next few days but I should get out this weekend. We have another new bow in the house this week as well. So one day will probably be devoted to my balloon popping crew. :D
I hope Hope can witness a Indiana shark attack(Thanks Owlbait)!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010493.jpg)
Good luck to you both, Rob & Ken!
Bisch
Well, don't tell anyone, but I snuck out just a little early from work yesterday. Shot Faith with some broadheads, and, well, decided to go hunting.
The arrow I've settled on is a 30" AD Trad with 100 gr. insert and 205 gr. Simmons Interceptor Safari.
It was great to be out and Faith was a joy to carry. Felt good to be heading out to one of my blinds without a bunch of gear hanging off of me. No better feeling than walking into the stand.
After getting settled, I figured out one reason I felt the way I did about all the excess gear is that I had left my camera laying in the back of my truck...LOL...oh well...mark 1 up against me.
I got settled in a blind we repositioned about a week ago. It overlooks a hayfield that is 6-8 acres in size.
I took a few photos from the blind with the camera on my cell phone, but it really couldn't handle the contrast very well.
The only photo that was halfway usable is one of me in the blind.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/2012-12-05_15-49-03_887.jpg)
At 4:30, 2 does entered the field about 150 yards away. They fed slowly across the field. They had closed the distance to 55 yards, when the guy from the neighboring farm drove the fence line feeding cattle. Well, needless to say, the 2 does didn't tolerate that and exited the field stage left.
Plans are to get out with Faith again this weekend, but then won't be able to hunt until the week before Christmas.
Oh, and I'll be posting pics of that family reunion a little later!
No hunting with Faith this evening. We had a family reunion of sorts to get to.
I joined tradgang in 2006. Really just gotten serious about it though in the past 3 years or so. Sad to say, however, last year was the first year I really paid attention to the St. Jude's auction and to the Hope and Faith bows.
Since my "discovery" last year, I've read all the the Hope and Faith threads. It is a marvelous idea that obviously lots of our members follow pretty intently.
Last year, after becoming nearly infatuated with Miss Faith 2012, I was fortunate enough to win her during the auction.
Fast forward to this year....when Curt confirmed to me that I would be receiving Faith this December, I knew I had to treat the two gals to a short "family reunion". So, tonight, I took a bit of time to get the 2 cousin bows out and take some photos of them together.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithbows2.jpg)
Both of these bows are quality pieces of equipment. The attention to detail on them is unbelievable. But, what strikes me is how different of an experience shooting each of them is. Both are fast, quiet, and shock free, but the experience in shooting both is just so different.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithbows3.jpg)
What strikes me about this year's bow is how it is such a neat, compact, little powerhouse of a bow. This photo shows the risers side-by-side.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithbows1.jpg)
I feel very fortunate to have 2 of the finest bows made in my house that are being used for such a wonderful cause as St. Judes. These are 2 bows that are so different from each other, but share the commonalities of being dedicated to help the kids. Two bows that share little except excellent craftsmanship and the name: Faith. Two bows that I truly feel honored to have in my possession at the same time even if it won't be but for just the month of December.
Good stuff Ken, I agree about the 2 bows being very different. Good luck!!
Looks like we have a potential bidder on our hands...again!
Great posts Ken.
I too was fortunate to have handled both last year's and this year's Faiths. Although very different bows, the craftsmanship given to each by their creators was equal in passion and detail.
Look out St. Jude 2013 Faith auction bidders :)
Got out this evening for the first time with Hope. More of a quick scouting trip with some stumping.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010495.jpg)
I have been wearing plaid most of the year but figured since my date showed up in camo I should do the same. I'm really liking this bow!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010508.jpg)
I hope this guy is still around.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010509.jpg)
wow Rob is that from a deer?
Yes, I hope you find what ever did that with Miss Hope in hand!
ceme24, it is from a deer. Pre-gun season fresh but I haven't heard of any big ones falling in the area. He just might still be lurking this valley.
I'm waiting on the right wind and work to slow down to get into some of my other spots.
This morning was one of those foggy/misty mornings I love but a small buck was the only visitor.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010519.jpg)
I will be back at it next week with a new plan and and hopefully a NW west wind. Maybe even some snow:D
So far this weekend looks like more warm weather and rain but I have 3 days off and a change of tactics.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121214_165944.jpg)
I'm hunting a spot that I haven't been all year and I'm hoping not many others have either.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010523.jpg)
I love this spot but it a pretty long drive and paddle. Right here the ridge necks down to nothing with a nice blow down in the middle.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010521.jpg)
It seems that rain has followed me around all year and today was no exception. I did find a nice dry place to have lunch though. I thought yotes would be using this but there were mostly deer tracks and droppings.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010526.jpg)
On the way out I was suprised by a super fresh rub line the length of this old log road.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121215_110037.jpg)
I had to head back for some honey-do's but I think I know where to be in the morning.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010530.jpg)
by the looks of it that's one nice place to hunt!
Beautiful scenery. Hope is an adventurous lady as is Faith.
Keep the pics and updates coming :)
Most action I had this morning was this stump that was asking for it.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010538.jpg)
I wish I could shoot this good all the time. :readit:
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010539.jpg)
The rest of the day was spent picnicing and shooting bows with the family. Miss faith showed them how it was done. :D
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010546.jpg)
Looks like you got "heart wood" on that there stump, Rob!
Good luck and keep after them.
Bisch
That's great stuff right there Rob...keep on 'um!
Great pics, good luck!
Great report Rob.
I'll be getting back out with Faith again this weekend and then a bunch next week.
Am enjoyin' your adventures Rob!
Thanks for sharin'!
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight,Shinken
:archer2:
Will do Denny....just catching up on this one!
Rob, when I saw your name on this thread I started following. Looks like your having a good time anyway. Good luck!
Bona
>>>-------->
Finally got some colder weather and a little snow. Hunted with a buddy this evening with no luck. I have the next 10 days off so I will be hunting hard to put another in the freezer. December has been tough to say the least but maybe this weather change will bring new hope to me and Hope.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010550.jpg)
10 days off sounds goooood. :)
Go get'em!
Had to take a hunting break for Christmas. What a wonderful time of year. Friends, Family, good food, and as of this morning a good SNOW! Which I love to hunt in. Hope to get some good pics of my last few days with Hope.
I did snap a pic of Hope presiding over some of the family feastivities. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121225_165805.jpg)
Had a lone doe wind me at 30yds. this morning. Getting down to the wire but with the new snow I have a better idea where to be. Swirly wind and ground hunting is tough. Pretty morning though.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020023.jpg)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020026.jpg)
Well, with Christmas over, I was able to head over to our family property for the last few days of the month with Faith.
Got out today a little after daylight and hit the woods.
Weather hasn't been very cooperative the past several days. Winds today are 10-15 mph constant with 25 mph gusts. Not the best conditions for sure, but I've been waiting all month for this week to hunt with Faith.
We had a skiff of snow last night. Very fine snow falling this morning. Took a moment before I headed in the woods to snap a photo of Faith.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Goingin.jpg)
A lot of our place is an old strip mine that was reclaimed about 30 years ago. Most of it was planted in white pines. Here's a shot of the trail leading up one to the ridge directly behind my house.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Pathup.jpg)
Easing up the trail, I came across this. I haven't hunted here since early bow season in October. This wasn't there then. Not a big tree, but this rub goes way up!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Rub.jpg)
I've got 5 popups set on our place (91 acres). Also have 3 ladder stands, but too much ice on everything to climb into one of the ladders. This is the first popup I came to in this area. Snow and ice has got it a bit lopsided, but still huntable. My sights though, were set on making it to the next blind.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Blindapproach.jpg)
The next blind sits on the edge of a 12 acre hayfield. We've got it positioned on a small finger that comes out into the field. As I got closer to the blind, I could tell something was wrong...it was gone!
Looked around a bit and found it back in the pine patch on its top....LOL...wind has been horrible the past couple of weeks. Guess those stakes didn't hold. While I was standing there contemplating my next move, a doe eased into the field in what I call "the pocket". Its the small corner to the left of the blind. Maybe an acre in size. Wind was good, but the ice underneath my boots wasn't.
She was 50 yards away and all I could do was hope she would pull back in the pines and come toward me.
After 20 minutes, she eased back into the treeline. Then headed down over the lip back to the bedding area.
I eased over to the pocket and hastily set up infront of a large pine hoping she would come back. Here's a look at "the pocket".
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Ready.jpg)
Just had to get a salute to my brothers and sisters at Tradgang. Without you all, I'd still be lost in traditional archery, or worse, back to hunting with wheelie bows and crossbows.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Caponstand.jpg)
I sat on that edge for a couple of hours. Nothing moving but the trees. They were really rockin' from the wind.
I packed up and headed back to the first blind. It is in a protected area from NW wind that was hammering us.
As I made my way back, took a moment to snap a photo of the area I had just come from.
Don't know if you can see it or not, but you can just make out my upside down popup in the left part toward the edge. I'll have to reset it Sunday (no hunting on Sunday in Virginia).
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/CreekCrossing.jpg)
I made my way back to the first blind and crawled in. Much better! I really hate hunting in the wind.
Now that was I set for a while, thought I would show you my view. Next 3 photos are the left view, center view, and right view.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Left.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/center.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/right.jpg)
Faith was ready!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/intheblind.jpg)
I guess the wind just had most everything holding tight. Only other animal I saw was a gray squirrel that climbed the diagonal limb you see in the picture of the view out the right side and sat there. It spooked as I made a little too much noise changing my broadhead arrow for a blunt. That diagonal limb is only about 7 yards from the window.
Time to head out of the stand and make my way home. Took a moment for one last photo of me and faith.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Meandfaith.jpg)
I'll be back out tomorrow. Will hit the other end of our property.
Thinking I may take Faith on a predator hunt Saturday rather than deer hunting. Will depend on the weather. If more snow and ice will hold off, I'll be able to make it to our lease. If not, we'll be right back here at the family place.
Great pictures! Looks like fine property you have there. Good luck!
Good luck, ken!
Bisch
Finally seeing some deer here. A couple took this trail up the ridge. Moving to it for morning.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121228_110145.jpg)
Thought I would share this. Found it during spring turkey scouting. Not sure what did it. Goes all the way around tree.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121228_102921.jpg)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121228_102946.jpg) :dunno:
:campfire:
Out again after whitetails with Faith. Mid-morning I headed out to the other end of our property. Was headed to what we call the saddle blind. We've taken a number of deer over the years on this saddle. Weather today was calm winds, partly sunny, temps in 20's this morning.
Faith and I mounted my Honda Rincon and headed away.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/FaithonHonda.jpg)
I parked at the family cemetary. Said a quick hello to my father who died June 23, 2009 and started my walk to the saddle.
Here's a road that leads to a trail that heads off to the east end of the property. Got lots of trailcam pictures out there, but, for whatever reason, the deer moved off of it in October and haven't been back.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/shortroad.jpg)
A quick note about dad. He first took me deer hunting in 1979. We also did some rabbit hunting and a little squirrel hunting. In those days, deer were few and far between here. I finally killed my first one in 1986. The day I killed that first deer, was the last day my dad ever hunted. I always believed he took me hunting to give me the opportunity to decide for myself if it was something I was truly interested in. In all the years he took me hunting, I never saw dad kill an animal. He did it all for me...To give me a choice. Thanks Dad!
Back to the hunt: The recent storms have blown down a lot of small trees on the trail. My approach was a little noisier than I had wanted, but I soon was at the blind.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/saddleblind.jpg)
This blind sets right on the property line. The field behind it is not ours, but we have the bedding area on us.
I saw very little fresh sign on my way in. That was disappointing. I got settled. Here's the view from this one....left, center, and right.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Leftsaddle.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/saddlecenter.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/saddleright.jpg)
I was ready, Faith was ready, and Simmons Interceptor was ready. Unfortunately, the deer weren't.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/SimmonsInterceptorSafari.jpg)
I sat until early afternoon and nothing was moving. Headed out to stop by the house. Then was planning to head to the western side of our place and meet one of my buddies for the afternoon.
I mentioned yesterday about having some ladderstands set. Here's one I had to go by to get to the saddle.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Mikesstand.jpg)
You have a hunting haven Ken. Cherish it, as you so obviously do.
Love all the pics!!
About 1 pm or so I met up with DJ for the afternoon. DJ is one of only a few people I hunt with regularly. He's voiced some interest about trying trad. I push it as much as I dare. Hopefully, he'll read this and get inspired to take the plunge.
Got my gear together and got ready to make the walk in. I would be using my Millennium Tree Seat this afternoon. Its one of the most comfortable ground level seats made. Lightweight and comfortable..NICE!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithontailgate.jpg)
We had only made it about 30 yards when we came up on this.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/firstbigtrack.jpg)
Have to admit, that got us both pretty pumped. There's at least one good one apparently still around after gun season. Hope I can lay my hands on him before the end of season.
As we walked toward the hayfield, DJ whispered, "There's a deer right under the far ladder stand."
Sure enough, we could see not one but 4 within 15 yards of the ladderstand on the edge of the field. We put a hasty plan together. DJ was make a sneak on them undercutting a ridge and dropping into the pines. I would move forward to try to cutoff one of the potential escape routes should they bugger up.
I know this photo is awful, but the far hill side is about 200 yards away. That's where the deer were.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/deeronhill.jpg)
I eased my way to the last amount of cover and sat down behind a brushpile. That's when I started having problems finding all the deer we had seen. There was 1, 2, 3, 4....5....6...six!
Its hard enough to stalk 1, but pulling the wool over 6 sets of eyes, 6 sets of ears, and 6 noses is hardly feasible.
After about 20 min. 1 doe started blowing. They had made DJ. That went on for nearly 5 minutes and they decided they'd had enough. Off they went....of course, out of the north end of the field...I was on the west end of it. There were a total of 7. The one we had not seen had been bedded in the pines and picked DJ off on the stalk.
With that done, DJ and I split. He headed to another ladder stand and I headed to the far western corner of the field to set up watching a fence crossing. After I got my stuff set up, I took a moment to take a couple of photos.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Afternoonstand.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/FaithandMillennium.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/simmonsready.jpg)
Hunted all evening and nothing. I even snuck over to the fence line and looked at the neighbor's place....nothing!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Neighbors.jpg)
DJ and I met up and headed toward the trucks. We took about 5 minutes to reset the blind I told you about yesterday that the wind had blown over. Here it is after we got it reset.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/resetblind.jpg)
On the way we came across another one of the big guy's calling cards. He's been all over this place over the past day or so...really just added more fuel to my fire!
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/bigtrack.jpg)
Thanks for joining me today.
Weather tomorrow looks to be awful. High winds, rain, and snow. Not sure at this time if I'll get out in it or not.
I woke to another round of about 5" of snow this morning. Debated not going but season is almost over and I knew I would regret it if I didn't.
I met up with my buddy Perry (perry f. on here) at some public land we scouted in Sept. We got in a little late and to be honest really didn't know where I was going to hunt til I sat down.
Found a nice trail with a few fresh tracks and a nice rock outcropping that would blend in with my wool sweater.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020033.jpg)
Snapped this pic to see if I blended in at all. You would think a guy that has hunted like crazy and seen almost no deer wouldn't be smiling. Something about this Hope bow and snow has put me in a good mood regardless.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020037.jpg)
OK Rob...I saw the other post and pic....
OUT WITH IT! :thumbsup:
:campfire:
:thumbsup:
:nono: :nono: now, now, lets not rush a good story!!!!!!
The first hour or so was dead still. Saw one squirrel and started to think about kicking bushes for rabbits. I was lost in thoughts of my vacation ending soon when I cuaght movement to my left. Deer!!!!
She was walking perfectly down the trail I was watching in route to a shooting lane 18 yards away. She paused for a minute or so chewing on some sort of bush. I tried to get my glove off but gave up and raised up a bit to shoot of my knees.
One more step...One more ste...I start my draw and busted!!! She cuaght movement and we were in a stare down. I'm at 3/4 draw on a 64# bow and shaking like a leaf. I slowly start to let down and a limb 20 yrds. behind the deer snaps and snow falls everywhere. Thank you Lord!
She looks away , I let down, take a deep breath and put tension on the string again. She takes on step and the arrow is on its way. Still pretty alert she drops and spins a bit. The arrow hit back and high. I thought I saw it come out as she bounded away and things didn't look good.
oh yeah!
I HOPE this ends well!
I texted Perry that I shot one but the placement wasen't good. I thought about staying put but had to see the arrow. After about 5 yards or so it had come out and was sticking in the snow.
We debated what to do and he asked what first blood looked like. I crept up another 5 yards and saw this.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020043.jpg)
Perry asked what I thought was hit and replied "Artery". I was still worried but felt a little better. I backed out and met up with Perry to take up the trail.
As we slowly took up track the blood got better.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020044.jpg)
And better...
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020046.jpg)
And better!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020047.jpg)
After finding one bed we knew we had jumped the deer but given the snowy conditions and only one hole we decided to stay on the trail. Maybe 50 yards later The trail ended with a bedded, alert deer at the end.
Perry kept an eye on it while I stripped off clothes preparing for a sneak and shot. While the deer watched Perry I snuck to about 8 yards, took a hard quartering shot and sent the same Tree Shark through the vitals and into the off side shoulder.
I had just taken my second deer of the year off the ground. On top of that I had Hope in hand and a good buddy with me to share the moment.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121229_104738.jpg)
Man...now THAT'S hunting!!
Very well done!
:clapper:
I'm so honored to be a part of the Hope and Faith hunts this year. This is such a great cause and it's a win-win for everyone involved!
Tradgang is the best! :thumbsup:
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121229_105704.jpg)
Happy Huntin' Buddies!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1020052.jpg)
Good stuff!
Great job on seeing that through!
Way to stick with it Rob! Congratulations. Good idea on keeping the deer focused on Perry.
Nice pics threeunder! I almost feel like I'm out there.
Hey now that was cool ! Congrats !
Thanks for taken us along on your hunt!
Good on ya .... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Way to go Rob! Congratulations!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/IMG_1747.jpg)
congrats
As expected, this morning I awoke to a constant 15-20 mph wind and snow squalls. This was going to have to be my last day in the woods with Faith so not going wasn't an option.
I decided, though, to head to our lease and see if I could bump into some turkeys riding out the wind in some of the hollows on the leeward side of the mountain. Of course, I wouldn't turn my nose up at a whitetail if it showed up...LOL
Pulling up to what we call the new side, I looked over and confirmed that the wind was still indeed howling. You can see a snow squall building in behind this lone pine.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Lonepine.jpg)
I moved along, hoping the snow wouldn't get to laying on too much. This is heading out the winding road to the new side. It is 762 acres of Virginia mountain land. It is coal company property that they lease to hunters. Myself and 5 others have about 1500 acres.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Windingroad.jpg)
Here's one of the many gas wells on it.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Gaswell.jpg)
My plan today was to check all the deep hollows off the east side of the mountain. I figured these areas would be providing some protection for the turkeys. This piece of property has some deer on it. But there's not a huge population. It does harbor an older age class of bucks generally. The one thing it does have in spades though is turkeys, along with quite a few bears (not currently in season in this part of Virginia). There were probably about a dozen deep hollows I checked out. Here's a photo of a typical one.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Deephollow.jpg)
On the third one I found what looked to be 5 longbeard gobblers hanging out. Unfortunately they spotted me about the same time. No way I could even think of taking the 60 or so yard shot. They didn't hang out long with the intruder showing up in their protective little hideout and were gone.
Disappointed, but thrilled that my plan was working, I moved on to the others. I took this photo of Faith getting ready to check the next hollow after I bumped the gobblers. I put her down and nearly lost her! Love the colors on this bow.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithatthelogyard.jpg)
Here are a couple of photos of the "typical" areas we hunt on top of the mountain here. It is beautiful country as far as mountain land goes.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Typical25yrcutover.jpg)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Flathollow.jpg)
Headed to a portion of the lease we call Little Sutherland. Faith found another nice rub to have her picture taken with. I hunted this area hard this deer season and bumped the buck I'm pretty sure made this rub on day 4 of a 5 day hunt here. Got a little too anxious and made a not-so-smart move.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Faithandrub.jpg)
As I was leaving, I took one last photo of some mistletoe.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/ken613/Faith%202012/Mistletoe.jpg)
As I said, today is my last day with Faith. I feel honored to have been able to spend some time with her. She is a fine bow. Wanted, again, to congratulate Rob on sealing the deal today. Also, I wanted to thank Terry, Rob, Curt and all the others that work so hard to make tradgang such a great place...and thanks, again, to Hill Country for this year's bows.
:clapper: :clapper:
Way to go Rob!!! I just had a feeling you were gonna connect on something. Congrats on a great doe with Hope!!!!
Nice pics Ken!
Bisch
I forgot to mention she ended up being a he. It was a button buck. Didn't notice til we found him. Not that it would have given him a pardon today. :D
Congratulations Rob!
Awesome on all accounts!!!
Congrats!! The combo of snow and the Hope bow is nice!
Congrats Rob! :clapper:
You guys are both doing great with Stories and pix...well done!
Rob, What an accomplishment bud...nothing tougher than late season deer hunting on the ground!
Kudos to you for your dedication :notworthy:
Thanks guys! I have really enjoyed my month with Hope!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010535.jpg)
That's a cool pic right there! Way to get it done Rob!
Jason
That's a nice doe there Rob, good 4 you.
Way to go Rob!!
Love the pics all of you guys have taken with the Hope and Faith bows. I try to keep Roman up dated on all the hunts. When the auction gets here I want to compile a bunch of these and put them on a storage device for him. He doesn't have a computer but does have a printer with a reader.
A parting shot.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1010537.jpg)
Nice going,congratulations!
Way to go Rob!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Faith is on the road headed to Wes in Oklahoma...Good luck Wes!
Haven't checked this thread in a while. Success stories are rolling in. Good going!
Hope hit the road yesterday as well. :archer:
Got Faith in Oklahoma today should be ready to get her into the woods by next weekend.
Lay it on'em Wes!
QuoteOriginally posted by wscruggs:
Got Faith in Oklahoma today should be ready to get her into the woods by next weekend.
Good luck! I hope you knock something down with her.
Bisch
Deer season is over didn't get to hunt much the last two weeks. The pigs better look out now.
Well done with the stories. Congrats to all who have done their part and posted pictures of incredible hunts.
Thank you!
Have the ladies changes hunters for February?
???
Would love to hear more about Hope and Faith...
Yes just got word that faith made it to MD today
Faith made it here safe and sound. Ladies at the post office were quite impressed with the packing job!
Heading to SC in a week to chase some hogs.
Good luck hope you kill a big one
Cold windy day here in Maryland......can't wait to get to SC next week!
Getting some shooting in with Faith this afternoon.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1360453475.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1360453475.jpg)
Looked really nice in the light.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1360453609.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1360453609.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by jcar315:
Cold windy day here in Maryland......can't wait to get to SC next week!
Good luck on your hunt!
Bisch
Nice shootin'!
I'm sure Faith is ready for some warmer weather!
Them SC hogs better watch out!
Hey jcar, was wondering if Faith made any bacon in SC?
Just getting unpacked and caught up with family......I was out of town on Valentines Day so really playing catch up.
Was able to sneak away for a mid February trip to SC with Faith......and as a tourist a stop at South Of The Border was in order for her.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565281.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565281.jpg)
Got there right after several days of rain and the water seemed to be a little bit higher than normal in a few areas.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565521.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565521.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565560.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565560.jpg)
After taking care of a few things in the morning the afternoon hunt was on. After taking this picture, not 15 minutes after leaving the truck, things got interesting.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565756.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565756.jpg)
After putting the camera away movement up ahead caught my eye. The arrow points the way.....
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565877.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361565877.jpg)
Stalking pigs in / around palmettos is just about as good as it gets. Plenty of cover with the tall weeds and the palmettos move around just enough to allow some subtle stalking.
This sounder included a couple of sows with young ones. Not on the menu but so much fun to be in their midst. After being really close for what seemed like a long time one of the sows caught me moving and off they went.
Next morning was cool and foggy. Great time to be in the woods.
Faith was right at home.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566362.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566362.jpg)
Making our way towards the swamp we ran into some turkeys. Little bit of gobbling going on while we were there.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566531.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566531.jpg)
Got into the swamp and didn't take long to run into a group of pigs. Slipped up on 'em but after looking them over for a while no big ones appeared. Just a mob of little ones.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566733.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566733.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566845.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566845.jpg)
Had to be nearly 20 +/- in the group but interesting to note that 2 of them had something wrong with one of their front feet. Hobbling around quite a bit.....might not be long for these woods in that kind of shape.
Stump that can't be passed up.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566989.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361566989.jpg)
Right at home hiding behind a tree.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569502.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569502.jpg)
One of my favorite places in the world.....on the way out of the swamp.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569618.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569618.jpg)
Shared camp with good friends.....
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569787.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569787.jpg)
On our way back in.....
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569859.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569859.jpg)
Did alot of looking this day but didn't do any finding.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569930.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361569930.jpg)
Plenty of daylight movement so we hunted quite a bit. On the way down the road one afternoon ran into this bunch and played cat and mouse for the rest of the evening.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570446.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570446.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570539.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570539.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570598.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570598.jpg)
Another picture of Faith.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570727.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570727.jpg)
Stayed right up until dark and then hunted our way back out.
"Green light means go??" Not so much for this bunch after dark. Was able to walk right up to them and almost touch one.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570275.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361570275.jpg)
Last day dawned nice and cool and the afternoon provided plenty of sightings. So much fun stalking them up and down the road.
As the sun was setting a group popped out of the brush and started heading my way on the road. Just happened to be near an old stand so I "scurried" up as quietly as I could.
They took their time coming up the road with a big group of slightly "larger" small ones but bringing up the rear were 2 sows and a nice boar.
Here they come!
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361571176.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361571176.jpg)
The smaller ones kept right on coming but the "Big 3" kept hanging back moving back and forth. Sun sunk just a little lower and the smaller ones were right under me.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1361571306.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1361571306.jpg)
With Faith in hand the temptation was great to drop the string on one of the pigs fighting /eating right under the stand but with the other larger ones in sight I held off. Big group moved through and the first big one headed my way!
I was ready but she went scurrying right through, moving way too fast, so she got a pass. One more was on the way though.....as she just ever so slightly slowed in my shooting lane the arrow was off!
But alas it flew just under her chest and off they went. They weren't quite sure what happened but spooked just enough not to come back.
As the sun sank my time with Faith in the swamps of SC drew to a close. High adventure, good friends, and a bow that I grew quite fond of.
I'll get her packed up and shipped out. Enjoy shooting her as much as I did fellows!
Nice pictures John! Looks like a great hunt! Thank you for sharing your time with Faith.
Awesome! Love goin' after them pigs. Thanks for taking us along!
Anyone know where Faith is headed next?
Ken
Most-excellent pics and story John!
Thanks for takin' us along - even though no pigs were hurt while filming!
Just means that next time you will have twice the opportunity to make bacon!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Man, that looks like a great place to pig hunt! I'm sure Faith enjoyed being those woods as much as you did!
Bisch
Fine pictures John ... you just can't beat carrying a St Judes bow into the hunting woods. Looked like some brushy stuff. Thanks so much for sharing !
Where has Hope been hiding? I wonder if the ladies make it to someone with a March turkey season?
That is what I was thinking ceme24, no hope in a while. I will have it in April for some turkey hunts.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Yancey:
That is what I was thinking ceme24, no hope in a while. I will have it in April for some turkey hunts.
Mike
Good luck with her Mike! I hope you get a big 'ol longbeard with her.
Bisch
Faith got out of town ahead of the impending storm and is on her way to AL.
Good Luck!
Just Received Hope. What a good looking bow. I will taker her outside and fling a few in just a minute.
QuoteOriginally posted by bornagainbowhunter:
Just Received Hope. What a good looking bow. I will taker her outside and fling a few in just a minute.
Get after those pigs, Nathan!
Good luck,
Bisch
Really impressed with the pictures and story. Thanks for taking us along.
Sounds like Faith had a great time chasing them piggy's. :thumbsup: Great story and pics. Faith will be with me in April for spring Turkey in VA. I can't wait she is a great looking bow.
Pigs are proving hard to come by this year. Seems to be plenty of them, but nowhere near close enough. Ms. Hope is sweet. I will try to post some pics.
God Bless,
Nathan
Keep after them Nathan!
Good luck with Faith, Ed!
Bisch
Good stuff. Thanks for the pictures J
Beautiful bows! I sure would like to take Hope out but I think it's going to be to heavy.
Come on guys! This story is too important to go dead... No one is hunting turkeys? Groundhogs even?
Anyone heard if the gals are hearing any gobbles?
Got Hope here yesterday and ran a few different arrows through to see what would work. I just got in from an hour of stump shooting and have decided on some 60-65 heavy hickory. I just got back from turkey hunts in Florida and Texas but have a few more places that I can go in April. I hope to have a story here in a week or so.
Mike
Good luck Mike!
Good luck, Mike!
Bisch
Go Mike. Looking forward to some bird hunting pics and storyline.
Going to MO. tomorrow for the season first week of season to hunt with Raghorns. Pictures to follow when I get back and hope some have feathers.
Mike
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/mohunt001.jpg) (http://s887.photobucket.com/user/mikeyancey/media/mohunt001.jpg.html)
Just back from a turkey hunt in Missouri with raghorns. Weather was real bad with rain most every day. Had a few come but no big birds. Saw an albino hen and missed a jake by inches. We had a great time working on bows in the afternoon.
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/mohunt004.jpg) (http://s887.photobucket.com/user/mikeyancey/media/mohunt004.jpg.html)
Here is one of the albino hen.
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/mohunt005.jpg) (http://s887.photobucket.com/user/mikeyancey/media/mohunt005.jpg.html)
Here is Lyle with the bamboo backed hickory he made while I was there
Misses stink.....but they are part of the game! As long as you had a fun time, that is all that matters!
Bisch
Mike,
An albino hen - that's pretty neat.
Any tips you have on what Hope likes for arrows would be helpful. I need to get some arrows together as she is a little stiffer and shorter than my other bows.
I have two turkey tags lined up for her in May. The birds have not really got going yet around here. It is snowing again today; not very spring like weather for them. It has them rather confused. I have some captive pheasants for dog training, and they just started to lay last week.
That's awesome! I'd love to see one.
Keep at it Mike.
That's awesome! I'd love to see one.
Keep at it Mike.
Mike,
I really enjoyed chasing those reluctant gobblers with you. I would like to say they have straightened up their act, but they are still messed up with this strange weather.
Thanks for all the help on the bows...and for your answering my 1,000 questions about bows, arrows, hunting, and gardening.
Lyle
Those that end up with the bows last...please hold them till the action is over so you can ship them to the winner.
Thanks!!!
Hunted Arkansas this morning and heard three birds. Called one into around forty yards but he would not come around a blown down oak tree. Stayed there for an hour but wouldn't come any closer.
Miss Faith arrived here today and the forcast for the weekend is not like much turkey hunting. The TN Classic this weekend will probably be more or less a "rain event", at least Friday and Saturday. I'll see what time I can put in to try to chase birds. Saison ends in 10 days...
Miss Hope showed up this morning. She sure thumps an arrow.
Rain forecast off and on this weekend. Luckily the birds have been slowed by the colder weather this year, which should make the later seasons better than last year. Looking forward to some blind time, and the sounds of the birds waking up the squirrels in the morning.
Good luck to both of y'all!
Today was the first day I could hunt on one of my 7 day turkey tags, although it is the 4th day on the tag. Here in WI, you buy them for a week at a time, starting on a Wednesday, and ending on a Tuesday.
I will admit, I am no turkey expert like you southern boys, so I make no such claims here. I learn something new every time out, and I don't think I'll ever quit learning. With our short seasons, it is hard to put much time in on turkeys, really.
So here goes . . .
I setup a blind some time ago, in hopes the turkeys would get used to it. My trail cams show that they have, as they haven't altered their travel patterns because of the blind. I have a small meadow which seems to funnel the birds from one piece of woods to another. They seem to feel secure here, or so I thought . . .
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/WI-Canner/2013_5_04LittleMeadowFunnel.jpg) (http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/WI-Canner/media/2013_5_04LittleMeadowFunnel.jpg.html)
I got into the blind a little late. It was still dark, but not as early as I would have liked. First day out always has you collecting that one last item to stuff in the pack. But as the light came up in the woods, I was where I was supposed to be, in the blind listening to the toms gobbling off their roosts.
The one thing about my turkey hunting spot, I have found that the toms come in later in the day once they are done with the live hens. They tend to favor the higher hay fields, vs mine which are a little lower. So you need to stick it out, and not give up too easy.
So, I set my decoys out, hit the call a few times to let them know my foam 'honeys' are on the ground, and wait a spell to see how the chatter among the live birds develop.
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/WI-Canner/2013_5_04Setup.jpg) (http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/WI-Canner/media/2013_5_04Setup.jpg.html)
The birds were down off the roosts around 5:30-6 am, but true to form, my first bird in was around 9. But darned if he didn't come in on the wrong side of the fence. Most of the time, the birds run the fenceline, but MY SIDE of the fenceline. Except today. Here he is, at 35 yards staring lovingly at my foam offerings.
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/WI-Canner/2013_5_04FencedOut.jpg) (http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/WI-Canner/media/2013_5_04FencedOut.jpg.html)
Keep at 'em Mike!
Great pics!
Now this fenceline has plenty of breaks in it. From the picture above, there is one to the left only about 5 yards. There is another to the right about 15-20 yards. So he had opportunities to walk on through to the decoys. But he was hung up, and hung up good. I don't think it was the blind, as he would have left had I given him reason to.
He strutted on the other side of that fence, for and hour and a half! Here he seems to be contemplating, "Is she worth it, or not?"
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/WI-Canner/2013_5_04Evaluation.jpg) (http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/WI-Canner/media/2013_5_04Evaluation.jpg.html)
I have coaxed turkeys around fences before, but this guy was having none of it. I would let him get all lathered up, cool down, then tap on the box call real lightly, then he would get lathered up again. I would let him get close to the fence opening before I work him up again. I let him wander off in the direction of the other break in the fence, thinking he may have crossed 50 yards farther up the fenceline, then I brought him back again. I knew it was the same tom from the split in his tail feathers. He was definitely interested in those decoys, just not crossing the fence to get at them. He had another smaller tom with him that fed but never displayed. I thought that kind of strange.
A question for the turkey experts; What do you think was causing this tom to hang up so? He certainly was interested to stick around sooooo long. He must have been really disgusted with that foam hen.
I finally let him drift off feeding with the other bird, in hopes of drawing in a different bird. Around 1 pm, I had 4 different birds gobbling, but they didn't want to come off of the ridge. They had a great competition going among them trying to bring in that reluctant hen. So it's a good spot for tomorrow, but I setup another blind this afternoon, a little farther to the south in a large field. I'll be there in the morning. Perhaps 'Ms. Hope' can bring me some magic and draw old Mr. Split-tail over the fence in a different spot.
Good luck today Mike!!!
Thank you for sharing and the cool pics. It's great to see the girls out in the field!
I can offer you no insight on getting them around the fence. The only turkey I've gotten past a fence is a butterball in the trunk of my car!!
I have come to really enjoy turkey hunting, but I only have 3 seasons under my belt and I have quickly learned that they are a lifetime endeavor!!
Good luck, Mike!
Bisch
You can DO IT Mike!
:pray: :pray: :pray:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
The forecast was good, high pressure moving in, & mild temps. The day was going to be a good one for the turkeys, and hopefully for one hunter.
Got to my new blind and setup the decoys. The birds were talking and getting excited.The little birds were getting at it too. Everybody was waiting on the sun, me included.
I wasn't hearing quite as many birds as the day before, but still 2 or 3 up on the ridge. Turkeys in our area like to rotate around a bit, working a total of three ridges over a couple of days.
I worked the call sparingly, a little every half hour or so if I don't get a bird that flies down right away from the roost. The roosts are generally on the ridges here, so my little fields aren't always first choice for breakfast for the birds. I more often end up serving lunch and dinner.
So things are going as usual, I am relaxing in the blind, reading a little 'Once upon a Tine' by Uncle Barry, when I hear a "BOOOM" up on the ridge a few minutes before 8. Oh OH. A weekender up on the ridge hunting. The gobblers up on the ridge just received an education. Rats. Such is life where land division is in parcels under 100 acres. You have a lot of company on the weekends.
After that shotgun report, the birds shut down for the day, sad to say. I stayed out until 11, but never heard another gobble. I am sure that they are still there, they were no longer in the mood and probably a little call shy. I'll have to wait a few days of non harrassment for them to fire up again.
But the forecast is for sun the next few days, and no tom turkey can resist that for too long. I'll just have to sneak out before work and hope that they fly down to my fields a little earlier than usual. That, and I'll get out a few evenings too.
Stay tuned.
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa460/WI-Canner/2013_5_05Waiting.jpg) (http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/WI-Canner/media/2013_5_05Waiting.jpg.html)
Thanks for the update Mike!
Way to stay after them!
A couple days rest and they'll have that romantic feelin' again.
:jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Just be patient - you'll get your reward!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Miss Faith went hunting with me for only 3 days. The weather was extremely wet in the days I had her for turkey season, especially on the weekends. The mornings I could go, the birds were not really motivated to even come close. I guess there were many hens with destroyed nests around from the bad weather calling again to be bred. Anyways, I hold her for the highest bidder of the auction and send then to him upon notice that the money is received.
Due to the wet conditions, I left my camera at home,too. Didn't want to get it muddy and scratched up..
The winners are going to get a couple of awesome powerhouse bows that dripping with mojo.
I had a blast hunting with Faith in December.
Let's bid'em up guys!
I'll be moving this to memorable hunts...and unlocking it.....thanks again to all that have participated in this effort.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: