Sat. 8/24 - Opening day for early season. Turns out to be a bust as all the areas I hunt were closed to public access due to extreme fire danger. :(
Tue. 8/27 - After a couple days of rain, the timber companies opened up my hunt areas for foot traffic only. Yeehaa, headed to the woods. Seen two does on my way up before first light. Hunted 'til 10:00 am seeing nothing and decided to try another sight. I headed into this sight carrying my treelax tree seat in one hand, bow in the other, back quiver and haversack loaded down. Temp already reaching close to 80 degrees. As I headed down this old logging road towards a clearing, thinking I would setup on the edge with the tree seat, I see this beautiful blacktail doe coming straight towards me.
So, there I am both hands full, arrows in the quiver and me standing in the middle of the overgrown road. Slowly I knelt down and set the tree seat on the ground. Then I reached up and pulled an arrow out of the quiver making all kinds of ridiculous noises. :rolleyes: The doe stops and looks at me and then amazingly keeps coming. I roll my eyes because she must be blind or just stupid! :D Now she is within bow range and I think I am finally going to accomplish my goal of getting my first deer ever and with my HH Red Hawk.
No such luck! All she needed to do was turn broadside and it would have been over. Nope, the wind decided to swirl and she got one wiff of me and was gone like a water drop on a hot tin roof! :banghead: I was at first frustrated but, after playing it over in my head, I realized that was the most excitement I've had in ages! I'll be back at it again in a couple of day so, stay tuned :pray:
Off too a good start Wannabe! The most important thing to is to just enjoy your time out there. Keep us posted! I just know you are going to get one. Can't wait to see how this plays out! :campfire:
Keep at it, it will happen!
One thing that helped me get my first was something my wife told me.. "Just relax" , after taking her advise, I gotta first 1 week later, I just stopped putting so much pressure on myself , and SCHAZAM!
It's gonna happen for you brother and I cannot wait to hear about it. :thumbsup:
Here's a short video of the first area I was in. Turned out to be a beautiful day.
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/th_VID00001_zpsf82a279c.jpg) (http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/VID00001_zpsf82a279c.mp4)
Don't know who's luckier, you or her. Beautiful country you're in!!
Keep us updated :)
This is your year :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
If you keep getting close encounters, you will soon get your first deer. Getting close like that is the first important step.
Good job.
CHuckC
Sounds like your season's off and running TW.....it'll happen!
keep at it.. It will happen but only if you are out there... good luck and post pics of that awesome first success....
Sounds like you're off to a great start, Good luck and keep us posted
Luke :archer2:
Keep at it and it will happen :) .
Next time wear Old Spice. It makes the babes come arunning. Hap
Keep with it and it will happen. Remember it is the journey that's important not the destination.
Good luck!
Bisch
Sept. 5th
Well, today didn't turn out any better! Got off and going at 0430. Seen one doe on the way in and didn't see anything for the rest of the time I was out. Had to call it quits early due to some severe thunderstorms and down pours! :eek:
On a lighter side though, the rain is sure going to do the woods good! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Keep at it TW!
Persistence and patients...You'll get'er done!! and when you do........ :goldtooth:
Good luck TW! You're day is coming brother!
Thanks guys! The rain is still coming down so tomorrow should be good for sneaking.
Good luck. You are close man, keep after them.
I wish you the best! I'm itching to get after my second! (Getting after'em is the best part... shooting can be fun too)
One day all will work out. I remember every time when things didn't. Learn from each encounter...
Don't give up, it will happen. Just stay after them.
This is what its all about. enjoy this cat and mouse game. It will all come together for you soon. but when that happens there is no going back to the feelings you have right now. Enjoy it and have fun and it will come together before you know it.
Sounds like a good start to me! Best of luck
Eric
Great story! Those are the best memories
Did you get out after the storm?
Deer get pretty active right after a rain. Next time, see if you can stick out the storm and get some action as the weather clears. Don't forget to leave some dry clothes in the truck!
I didn't get a chance to get out after the rain due to a family situation but, will be heading out again Friday/Saturday. Weatherman is calling for 88/89 degrees for those two days and that will make it difficult but, gonna be out there anyway. I got some Ribteks nice and sharp and hopefully will get a chance to test one out on a deer!
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zpsf27dbec1.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zpsf27dbec1.jpg.html)
Those look nice!
Rooting for you!
Those will get the job done for sure!!
Stick with it and have fun. John3 is right learn from every encounter. Good luck!
Having lots of fun! Last couple of days have been a bust but the weather has been decent. I am going again tomorrow with high hopes and a glad heart to be in the woods. Will try and get a few pic ops but, primary concern is hunting. Stand by to stand by as the Army would say! :D
Good luck man! Anxiously waiting those hero pics ha
Good luck! I still got my fingers crossed for ya!
Bisch
If you get a really good shot- TAKE IT!... don't wait your hunting life away for a PERFECT shot.
I think when I started I probably passed on a half-dozen deer I would have killed if I had released a broadhead. Maybe I was afraid of a miss/wound, or maybe I respect our prey so much I wanted it all to be perfection, I don't know.
Once I proved to myself that I could kill a deer, others followed (not easily, but with regularity). I knew I could do it, and I did!
Hope this is your year!
Well, today's adventure started out on a sour note. I got to my hunting spot while still dark and just as I was about to head in, another hunter shows up. I was a little miffed but, we talked for a few moments and he told me he had a stand back in a ways so, I told him I'd go to another spot. I wished him luck and departed.
Got to my next spot and realized I somehow managed to loose my Eichler tab! :banghead: Good thing I put a back up glove in my haversack. Didn't see anything so, around 10:00 am I moved to the back side of Scott Mnt. and found me a real good area. Didn't see any deer here either but, had some great views and really enjoyed the walk in. Then the rain came and had to call it a day.
The walk in:
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zps6288b5ab.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zps6288b5ab.jpg.html)
Some views:
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zps71c03ef7.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zps71c03ef7.jpg.html)
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zpsd6e1f666.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zpsd6e1f666.jpg.html)
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zps4f808ad1.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zps4f808ad1.jpg.html)
End of the trail:
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zpsc6e8aa1d.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zpsc6e8aa1d.jpg.html)
My resting spot:
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/null_zps2220fcb7.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/null_zps2220fcb7.jpg.html)
I've got 5 days left of the early season and hope to get out at least one more time. Looking forward to the late season if I don't connect on my next go around.
Great Pictures. Keep at it and good luck.
Out of curiosity, What are the food sources for those deer out there?
Keep after them!
And good luck,
Bisch
Charlie, they eat a wide variety of plant life and also, berries and fruits. Funny you should ask that as I ran across a pear tree growing all by itself out there. I seem to find a lot of apple/pear trees growing in the wild with no others around them.
I love your attitude and because of it you WILL succeed!! Good luck and keep us posted!
Steve
Awesome photos! Keep at it!
Thanks for the info. It is really neat looking country. You will cross paths with a deer again soon! Hope it doesnt dry out too much or people will be driving in.
They won't be driving any motorized vehicles in this area. It is owned by Cascade Timber and they don't allow motorized contraptions down this section. I did see lots of sign though and I think the late season will be good for lots of movement in there. Plenty berries and plants for them and water is abundant also. If I don't score on my next two outings, I'm gonna really be banking on that late season. :pray:
Good luck!
Keep at it, it will eventually happen. You can't do it from the couch, so your on the right path.
Love this thread - keep it up!