With all of the venison hitting the ground across the country, I begin to wonder if I'm the only Kansas boy hitting the woods. I've had a few close calls on a doe and a couple of young bucks sparring in a soybean field so far, but have yet to bust a ribcage.
Who else is out trying to make meat in Kansas? Let's hear it!!
I was out sunday evening and had this buck at 10yds with no clear shot to the vitals.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0033_zps2ef1b69e.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0033_zps2ef1b69e.jpg.html)
Had a similar situation with a doe at another stand where she was at 12yds but I had limbs in the way. I now have those taken care of. At that same stand as the doe I saw a coyote at 25yds and just barely missed, taking some fur off of his belly.
Good luck to you on your season and keep us posted on how you do.
Man, that's a bruiser Cookie! Hope you have at least another encounter with him!
Same here but since I haven't taken a buck with traditional gear yet I'll be excited with about anything I get. The smallest buck I have on camera is a neat deer with an extra main beam.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0009_zpsa6b6dac7.jpg)
This buck is a neat looking deer.
again anything I see gets me excited and since I'm hunting with mu grandpas old Bear recurve it means even more and it gets him excited too.
Got to see 4 mule deer does this morning from the stand. The first mule deer I've seen while on stand this season, Pretty excited even if I don't plan on shooting them. Had a coyote come by about that time as well and passed on him so not to cause awareness to the mule deer as they made their way to me.
I'm trying. Been out a few times without much luck. Had an old doe with fawns get close this morning....and got blown. Wind was right and everything(so I thought). Good mama I guess. Be there again in the a.m.
Looks like Kansas action is heating up!
I got out yesterday morning. I had a buck pass me to the south (no shot opp) headed toward my buddy's stand 100+ yds away. Around 9am I had a yearling show up from behind my stand. He slowly made his way down to the creekbed to have a drink. I whipped out the cell pone to take some pics and he finally spotted me. I had no intention on taking this deer, but when he threw his tail up and started stomping in the creekbed, I knew it wouldn't be long before every deer in the county knew where my stand was. Where he stands in the first picture is where he turned broadside and I gave in to the temptation of tender yearling steaks on the grill. I focused on a tuft of hair just above the elbow, hit autopilot and hit him low, deflecting off the top of the elbow. This flattened the angle of travel and the arrow went flat through the heart. He bounded twice and fell over. The second picture shows where he lay in relation to where he was hit. Nice size for dragging 700+ yards back to the truck!
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/IMG_20131012_092251.jpg)
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/Yearling_10-12.jpg)
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/Yearling_10-12-13.jpg)
Now it's time to hunt for my first big buck (any decent antlers will do!)
Equipment:
Holzrichter Custom Longbow 50@ 28"
Easton Axis Traditional 500 shaft (full length)w/75 grain brass insert
Muzzy Fred Eichler series Phantom 150 grain 4 blade broadhead
Total arrow weight: 509 grains.
Looks like a great shot. Congrats
bretto
Very nice, can't complain about a deer like that, they are great eating. I almost shot a little doe at 10yds this morning but passed since I'm heading to the Tired Iron show to watch the antique tractor pull with my grandpa. This evening will be a different story. Good luck on your quest for a buck.
Congrats rw. Right in the pocket. Saw my first antlers of the season this morning. To bad they were at 50yds. It won't be long...
I just spent a week in KS hunting. Shot two coyotes with 2 different recurves. No shots at deer.
You must have been in the N.E part of the state Keith. Very few deer after last years EHD and tons of Coyotes.
bretto
Cookie125 good luck at one of those bucks i am hunting with my grandpa's old bear recurve this year myself our season opens tuesday finally!and i am gonna be in a tree for sure.even got some old bear heads to use as well!
Good luck to you too hnt2mch. My first deer with this bow I used razorheads, they're a great head. I've now switched to the Kansas made magnus stingers though lol. Both work very well.
Thanks all. That's the best shot I've ever put on a deer. Ready to be back in the woods already!
Congrats, Great shot! Good Luck :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
cool pictures
great pics. im thinking the pic department on here will get a bit better in the next month
Congrats Rory. Fantastic shot!!
Wow, how long was that shot?
TJ, I didn't even think to walk it off after the event. If I had to guess, probably right inside 20 yards or so.
Very Nice! Congrats!
Steve
Congrats!
Cookie, I think I'd like to see a picture of you, your grandpa's bow and old triple beam buck!
They are the best eating good job. Widow
Congrats! Had a good morning Saturday and I'm thinking tomorrow morning is going to be just as good.
Cookie-where are you at in KS?
Rwbowman I'm doing what I can to make that happen haha.
Snakebit40 I'm near Larned.
Really like the before and after shot - also makes it look really far. Would have guessed 30 yards or so, not 20.
Hope to get a KS deer in Nov!
Yes you did Jon. Go get 'em!
To be completely honest, I rarely think in yards. I know my limits as to what I can hit and as long as I know whether a target can move (live game) or not (paper or 3D) and use this information to make the call of shooting or not, I base my course of action accordingly. I try to think more on the lines of "good deal or too far". It's taken me a while to learn the discipline and satisfaction of letting down, but I'm growing.
OK Cookie. Didn't know you had mule deer down there thought maybe you were closer to me.
I ended up filling my doe tag this morning. Saw 9 does and finally one closed the distance and gave me a shot. She was quartering toward me a little so I should have hugged that front shoulder harder. Shot ended up taking one lung and after a 200 yard blood trail I found her in the creek. Her butt was still on land and had most of the meat ate off! Dang coyotes! HAHA I guess I'll have to trap harder for them this winter.
Good huntin' Jon! Sounds like we need to do some coyote thinning! They're bad where I hunt too. The gutpile I left near the creek was nothing more than a stain the next morning.
Yeah coyotes are all over here too stinks they got to the deer. Missed one coyote my first evening out and have seen two more sine.
congrats on filling your tag, you were able to get something off of her.
As for the mule deer you'd be surprised that we've at them were my family hunts in central Barton county and I've even seen a pronghorn in our parents yard when I was in high school.
Good luck with your buck tag.
I think next year if I can take some time off work, I'd like to head out west and stay a couple of days to see if I have what it takes to get a mule deer or a pronghorn. That would be awesome!
I found out that I'm in the eastern part of the pronghorn unit but haven't found any and a lot of people say there isn't any in the area maybe have to wait till my job gets a little more stable and plan a hunt. Ready to see what this snow will make the deer do.
Just had three does at 15yd. Drew back and choked. Missed right under her. After they left I drew back a couple more times and don't I quite got my anchor right. Normally I will come to full draw just to get the feel of my anchor as soon as I'm in my stand and today broke ritual.
Hope everyone is having better luck.
Glad you got a shot off and grateful that at least it was a clean miss Cookie.
Very nice thread!!
Well, yesterday morning was another one of those mornings that will not soon be forgotten. Aaron and I left town around 5am and hit the woods well before daylight. The moon was so bright on our walk in that we actually could have left our flashlights in the truck- with shadows cast before us, we crossed the recently partially cut soybean field as quietly as we could, but not quietly enough. Immediately we spotted a doe running from the center of the field. Not a good way to start the morning.
As we split up near the south end of the field, I spoke softly saying "hey, it's about to go down". We chuckled a little, wished each other good luck and parted ways. I found my trail with ease and noticed it could use another boot sweeping to clear freshly fallen leaves. As I made my way through the darkness of the woods, I shined my light on the creekbed to find that it had nearly filled from a rain we received Friday. I crossed the creek and climbed into my stand to settle in for the waking of the woods.
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/Creek_Bed.jpg)
As the sun broke the horizon, dew beagn to fall fromt the treetops, keeping my nerves wound tight and my bow in hand. It's hard not to turn your head from side to side with all of the 'noises' around you, but I tried my best. I could hear turkeys making their way onto the soybean field and was tempted to get down and try to slip to the edge of the field to intercept them, but I was here for the deer- turkeys will have to wait. Text messages around 9:30 confirmed that neither myself or Aaron had seen any movement and he was wanting to get down to move his stand to another location he'd scouted. I replied that I'd like to sit at least another hour and I'd let him know when I got down.
I tucked my phone back in my pocket and pondered filling my empty bladder relief bottle in my pack. As I turned to hang my bow, I gave a last glance across the creek and saw the grey flick of an ear in a small clearing 40 yards up a trail along the north bank. I spun back to face the direction of the movement and quickly could make out a small doe, then a yearling and finally a much larger body behind them. Unable to see the head of the last deer, I decided it had to be a buck, but soon found it to be another doe. Fine by me- I'm a meat hunter first and horns can't be filleted.
As they made their way down the bank, I felt the chill of the morning to my bones. They looked to be planning to cross the creek to my left so I put tension on the string, but then with noses facing me, they slowly turned back up the trail, one by one. They did this several times, eventually shuffling enough that the big doe was in the lead. She hit another trail that would lead her along the bank on the far side of the creek, so I slowly turned to the right in the stand to have a shot at the first large opening I could make out ahead of her. As she slowly approached the spot, I looked back to see the two smaller deer trailing her by several yards, staring hard across in my direction. When their heads turned back to the trail, I refocused on the lead doe and found that she had stopped right where I needed her to be. In a brief moment I picked a spot above her elbow, decided she was inside my instinctive range, drew, anchored and... At the fraction of a second that I told myself to pull through, everything kind of blurred in my mind, but only long enough for the arrow to be on its way home. She heard the bow and went into a spin to bear back on the trail, but not quick enough to avoid 509 grains of arrow confirming my shot with the audible "whack" I love to hear. My knees went jelly immediately as I crouched in the stand to listen to her run path and all went silent in a matter of seconds. I sat down and texted Aaron "#2 down between me and the field". I said a prayer that I had heard her go down, dug through my pack for a drink of water and my binoculars. I scanned the spot where she had been standing when I took the shot and spotted my arrow, broadhead burried several inches in the dirt, feathers a crimson flash in the morning sun. I slowly lowered my bow and climbed down and when I crossed the creek to the point of impact I found my arrow and frothy blood on the ground. I smelled the feathers and there was just the faint scent of blood- no liver or stomach. I smiled!
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/IMG_08152.jpg)
I stood there waiting for Aaron to make his way up the creek and snapped a couple of photos of my stand from the big doe's once point of veiw. Though the photo barely shows it, my stand is on the center tree across the creek.
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/IMG_08184.jpg)
Aaron made his way up the creek and we went off trailing blood. Ten yards or so in, Aaron said "there she is buddy". I looked up fifteen yards ahead and there she lay, just as I thought I had heard, a soft quiet fall in the grass without much commotion of twigs or timber, almost peacefully leaving the earth.
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/IMG_08201.jpg)
I took time to close my eyes to thank my maker and took a couple of photos.
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/medium/IMG_08232.jpg)
Field dressing revealed a low right lung entrance, through and out of the front left side of the heart, just behind the valves.
Equipment used:
Holzrichter Customs Longbow 62" 50# @ 28"
Easton Axis Traditional 500 full length with 75 grain brass insert
Muzzy Fred Eichler series Phantom 150 grain broadhead
Total arrow weight 509 grains
Nice doe!!
very nice doe glad to see someone having some luck. I get almost as excited seeing others have success as I do having success myself.
Thanks. Cookie, all is being held off for an awesome hunt for you buddy! Call it what you want, but I've got a good feeling about missed shots and what's in store!
Well one thing about how my morning went I am very excited to get back out after them. At least this time I will know to go over my mental checklist a little better.
Congrats RW! Nice doe!
Congrats Rwbowman! Your on a roll bro
Nice deer glad to see a few down. I have passed on the only shot I have had. A button buck walked right under my stand and offered me a couple of wonder shot opportunities. I have seen a few more but no shots offered.
That is an awesome hunt and a great shot! Congrats! :clapper:
Thanks all! It was a sweet surprise to see them come in.
What a shot. Great job. She will be some good eating.
Great story telling. Excellent shooting.
RW you are doing great. You tell a good story too.
Nice shooting on both deer! Congrats!!
Congrats RW. Great Doe.
Congrats! This is a great thread!
Thanks guys! I'm anxious to see who else starts connecting in the coming weeks. With the cold front coming thruogh this morning, the whitetails should be up and moving around for the next few days.
Rory,
Great stories and love the simple shot approach to your shooting, I try and do the same thing although my results are not as stellar as you're lol.
Thanks South.. It has only worked for me since about spring or so. I go to the indoor range and start thinking too hard or long about my shooting and fling some of the sloppiest groups at paper I've ever seen. I had to tell myself to just shoot last night and only then saw improvement. That said, I shoot better alone, or at least when I don't feel eyes on my results.
I am not seeing anything around Hillsdale. Where there are normally trails every year, they have disappeared. From what I have heard, Blue Tongue hit the Hillsdale herd preety hard.
Pretty thin around my place too Rick...
I rattled in a young 4x4 yesterday morning, probably 120"-125" class. I'm just starting to see some more scrapes and rubs! GOTTA LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!! Good luck all!
I haven't seen a buck in three weeks. Saw three youngsters sparring around in a field a few weeks ago and haven't hunted in that area since. Might be time to go have a sit over there in the morning. Sure been cold the past couple of days.
I have not seen any mature bucks at all. I have seen some scraps in a field I don't hunt but nothing in my area.
I have seen some does but only had a button buck in range and I try and let them walk. I will be out in the am for sure. I had 4 does walk in at over 250 yards but never came closer then 90. That is the only problem with sitting on cut fields. But We see dear more often then not in that field.
That's a problem I had over the past couple of years Kelly. I was more of a 'rookie' then and didn't realize that by watching those deer, I could almost pinpoint their trails used to access a field, then find a spot back in the woods to catch them moving. Granted, I wasn't very successful at first, this year I put that strategy to use and have done well.
We just started hunting but it's been very, very slow. My brother passed up this little guy this morning. He grabbed a few acorns hit a licking branch and off he went.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsb4d69f80.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps023c8308.jpg)
We've had a couple cams out but got 10 more out yesterday. That might tell us a little more it has been very thin does and bucks wise because of the two years of blue tounge all though a lot of good scrapes are showing up and some good big rubs.
Here's a couple crappy picks of a few decent bucks.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps4c2d096f.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsc093230f.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsb4f90881.jpg)
Should get a lot better picks here shortly not copies from my sons cell phone. Good luck everybody!!!
Tracy
I don't know that I would have been able to restrain myself if I had that buck by me. I haven't taken a buck with my recurve yet so I would be happy to take just about any buck with it this season.
Good luck on your up coming hunts.
Nice bucks Tracy! I went out this morning and find a rub line and the community scrape. As I was putting a camera over the scrape a young 4x4 came walking in. I'll try and upload the video tonight.
Trapper nice deer.
rw it is only a matter of time before I get my chance. I passed on a shot this am because I really could not tell if it was a buck or doe. I know it was a big bodied deer. But at less then 10yrds from the base of the tree I was in I could not make out its ears so I had to let it pass.
I have not seen any real pre rut activity yet here. They should be getting amped up over the next week or so don't you think?
Looking good Tracy!
I'm with you Cookie: I've yet to take a buck and I'm pretty sure that guy would have made a nice mount for my place!
I hear you on that pass Kelly.
Kinda quiet where we hunt, except for the late zone duck opener. I think all the shotgun noise put the deer in a "fowl" mood.
I had 4 people walk out in the field hunting Last evening and set up a camera until I walked over and asked them if they really were going to set up in the field I was deer hunting. The left but no deer showed.
Code of conduct : there should be a hunters guide written on it somewhere. I've had guys walk within 100 yds of me setup, see me and proceed to walk directly past my stand.
My wife and I'll be heading out to the Great Bend area of Ks Thursday the 7th. It is a week earlier for us this year due to the moon and it has me all worked up.
I have been seeing such great activity out there during the middle of the third week of Nov. that I hate to change. It will be a great time no matter what happens and I'll be ecstatic to be there.
Years past, I had enough buck activity to be able to pass on some of the younger guys without fear. This year I'm hoping to see some improved antler growth due to the ample rain my area received.
I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself...I guess I will know more about what went on by the time I come home :)
BigJim
BigJim it will be at bit early for the rut. They should be prerutting going on. But good luck.
Congrats RW :thumbsup:
:campfire: :coffee:
Big Jim good luck the Great Bend area is home to me and my family still hunts there, I haven't in a couple years but they have been seeing a few bigger deer than they have in the past. Hope your trip is a good one.
It will be good no matter if we take deer or not. we enjoy the company and the escape. Of course it is more fun to take or at least see a bunch of deer.
The last two years it has been hot and heavy ony 3 days after we are scheduled to come home...might have to stay longer :)
I am pumped! I had to cancel my Minnesota hunt at the end of Sept due to work so this will be the last of my travels for this year. I have had a couple of invited already for next year to look forward to but won't pass up Kansas.
thanks, bigjim
I think you will be right on time BigJim. I've had my best luck from the 10th thru 17th. If the weather is right you should see plenty bucks roaming. I'm leaving a week earlier than normal on Nov 1st because that's how my work schedule fell this year. If I haven't got it done in 10 days I will call in sick :)
Good luck to everyone!
well I finally seen another buck during the day light, just not the buck I'm looking for.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/20131102_175512_zps7e5178b8.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/20131102_175512_zps7e5178b8.jpg.html)
Checked cameras as well and they have me excited to get out there and hunt.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0033_zpsbebf427d.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0033_zpsbebf427d.jpg.html)
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0030_zps53fc3a66.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0030_zps53fc3a66.jpg.html)
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0025_zps74ed0499.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0025_zps74ed0499.jpg.html)
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0006_zpscff5f913.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/Trailcam%2013-14/SUNP0006_zpscff5f913.jpg.html)
Man Cookie, that first big boy looks to be getting ready for the dance. Nice big swolen neck!
Good luck Jim and Basin Boy. Kansas bucks are ready for ya!
Yeah it has me excited to see some rutting activity. Also too bad that the big boys are showing up when it's dark.
I went out all day yesterday. Lots of action from 3 1/2 year olds and younger. Had some chasing going on but no big boys yet. I did have an opportunity Tuesday morning on a couple big boys after a rain but things didn't pan out. It's getting started!
Well this morning at about 7:35 I arrowed a buck. I wasn't that confident in the shot since it was back. I caught the shot on video so sent it to my brother and a friend, those two and my dad have more confidence in my shot than I do at the moment.
Will keep you all posted on what happens, but please pray that it was a better shot than I feel it was.
Good luck cookie! I'll be praying!
Good news, we found him. I will post pictures when we're done skinning.
Great news, congrats!
Awesome!
So this morning I almost didn't go hunting due to the wind. Walking into my stand made me second guess my decision even more. Luckily I had a stand that works great with a south west wind and is also bellow a hill in a creek bottom that helped to shelter me from the wind.
Ten minutes after shooting hours I see movement coming from the direction of another stand I have and see a buck working its way south and up the hill that is sheltering me from the wind. when he gets to 30 yards west of my stand I realize it's the double main beam buck I have on trail camera photos. Just my luck that the trail he is on doesn't bring him my direction.
about an hour passes and I do not see so much as a bird when movement comes from the south west down the creek bank. I quickly see its a buck and I slowly reach for my bow and turn on my camera. When he enters into my shooting lane at about 15 yards I draw, hit my anchor point and the release felt like it was in slow motion. Watching the arrow in its flight it felt great but the buck reacts and then my confidence just goes out the window when I see the arrow enter back from where I aimed. As he runs off, still in slow motion I can see my fletch barely sticking out of his side and moving all over.
I gathered my things and backed out and reviewed the video, still not sure of my shot I sent it to my brother who shows my dad. I soon get a call from both of them telling me I was nuts for worrying so much that I was in the ribs and that my deer won't be far away. They met me and helped my track my deer and we found my arrow about 30 yards from where he was hit and I was filled with relief seeing the blood on the arrow. We followed the trail down the creek for about 150 yards from my stand to where he ran out of the creek and died in the tall grass.
I'm blessed to have family support and help when it comes to hunting. If I were to move further away from home I would be in trouble since its tough to trail blood when you're colorblind.
(http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i461/Wkcook/hunting/DSC_0007_zpsb39cd477.jpg) (http://s1095.photobucket.com/user/Wkcook/media/hunting/DSC_0007_zpsb39cd477.jpg.html)
Not the biggest buck but my favorite so far. The bow I took him with, my grandpa hunted and took his first archery with in 1965.
Here is the video with no editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1fiZEwOCmc&feature=youtu.be
Congrats Cookie. That is fantastic, it is all about what it means to you!
As much as I would like to see myself in another picture with a great Kansas buck, I'm really hoping to score big on a mule deer doe this year. The wife and I both have tags for them.
The first year there, I can't remember how many times I had to hold off because I didn't have a Mulie tag(including one very nice buck). Last year, the first thing I saw was a mulie buck and I took him....but no does within 300 yards.
Of course I would like to see my wife and our friends do well this year too as excitement and success is infectious.
I just know that I'm pumped like I can't remember when and a little apprehensive knowing that when I come back, it will be another year before I get to go again. I got to thinking, ya think my customers would be upset if I decided to stay two....or maybe three weeks .....only if necessary of course :)
BigJim
Congrats Cookie. That is fantastic, it is all about what it means to you!
As much as I would like to see myself in another picture with a great Kansas buck, I'm really hoping to score big on a mule deer doe this year. The wife and I both have tags for them.
The first year there, I can't remember how many times I had to hold off because I didn't have a Mulie tag(including one very nice buck). Last year, the first thing I saw was a mulie buck and I took him....but no does within 300 yards.
Of course I would like to see my wife and our friends do well this year too as excitement and success is infectious.
I just know that I'm pumped like I can't remember when and a little apprehensive knowing that when I come back, it will be another year before I get to go again. I got to thinking, ya think my customers would be upset if I decided to stay two....or maybe three weeks .....only if necessary of course :)
BigJim
Congrats and nice buck!
Awesome Buck Cookie!!! I told you- I knew it was coming buddy! Good hunting!
Congrats on a fine Buck and great video!
Thanks everyone this buck meant a lot to me and after recovering him I would have to agree with my family and wonder why I was worried about my shot. Glad I have them.
Great buck and great story! :campfire:
Way to go! I Don't know if i could pass him up either.
Good Job Cookie, I liked the vid, what camera set up are you using?
Kelly I'm using a cheap jacket everio I bought at Walmart a few years back while it was on sale. I have it on a gorilla camera arm. Not the best set up but it's got me by. I'm hoping to upgrade in the next year.
Congrats :thumbsup:
Sorry I meant bluegill
I seen 6 deer out on my way home. They are moving. A buddy of mine said he left some buck urine out and it was tore up when he went back.
Not much movement here. I have only seen 3 deer in 3 days. One was a dandy of a buck who was running full tilt at me yesterday and if I did not try and knock an arrow I think It would have been a hit and run. That really got my blood a flowing. Jumped a doe on friday I had tried and put a squirrel hunt together for some soldiers who never hunted and none showed. Just me and 2 others who were going to take them. I started to take my bow but opted to leave it in the car. I knew as soon as I did we would see a deer and we did. She was only 20yrds or so broadside wondering why we were talking I guess.
Today the birds hunter got a little guy up and moving he went past my stand at about 45yrds or so.
I have seen a few scraps and rubs but not much. It has gotten hot the last two days.
How is everybody else doing?
Been movin where I'm at.(n.e.) Had two good mornings of younger bucks chasing and grunting. Saw a good one this morning cruising by himself.
Evenings have been slow compared to mornings
I saw the same spike and small six two mornings in a row this weekend. A buddy hunting 1/2 mile north saw five good bucks yesterday. Looks like they're in the mood!
Congrats cookie!
Things are turning up nicely with a litte chasing and a few of the bigger ones starting to show up. Passed a lot waiting on the right shots its time to hunt hard. We have some weird racks this year but cool looking, here's a couple big ones and a couple future ones.
Nice main beams!
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsba9ab7fa.jpg)
This buck is 6.5 and needs to go.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps7241eb9a.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps18568e7f.jpg)
Give this 8pt a couple years and he will be a monster.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps7f0d8dd7.jpg)
This guy too!
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps8e0e1dbc.jpg)
Tracy, that top buck is a pig!
He's been chasing some this last week sure hope he makes a mistake Travis.
Tracy
Looking good Tracy! Go get em!
Tracy Let me know when and I will try and take the 6.5 out for ya that way you don't waste and arrow or a tag.
Thanks for sharing,
Kelly
It's cold!
Very nice thread guys. Keep the updates coming.
QuoteOriginally posted by dhermon85:
It's cold!
Oh boy was it. Windy too...
Bumped a small basket rack buck while walking in. Saw a bedded doe but it was on adjacent land. Almost got a shot at a coyote but the brush was too thick. Going out this AM for another try.
Yea it's cold, had to break out my sleeping bag and fur hat but that wind is still tuff after 3 or 4 hours. I have a hard time sitting at home when the bucks are running. Lots more picks today but I will just show a few.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsfd332002.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps70ca88d6.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps104e8cf5.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps9d8b0424.jpg)
Getting a lot more daylight picks this week, I like that!
Tracy
Coaxed in a beast 150+ 4 x 4 on Monday at 1115AM. Got him to 15 yds. - two more steps. . . he winded me. Arghhh. Saw 5 other bucks that same AM. Saw 3 bucks today. Again at 1100AM. 2 were 3 yrs old I suspect. Also road sighted three different mature bucks tending does in the past 5 days.
I've been at it for 13 days straight. Saw a 160 on the 4th day. A twig deflected my arrow. I passed on many young bucks. Saw a 150 class 10 pt yesterday eve chasing hard. Came by at 8 yards but when I tried to stop him he ran faster.....
No wind this evening and the deer didn't move, Saw one doe.
Going to hang around a few more days then I'll have to head home. Good luck everyone
Corey
Hunted a new spot this evening. Had a nice buck come across a field and walk down the edge of the wood lot I was hunting. If I had trimmed some branches I could have had a shot at 18 yards. Back after them in the morning.
Congrats Cookie on a fine buck
Not much to report here. My wheelie friend have been seeing them but not I. The bird hunters had my area sounding like a war zone last weekend but my son filled a tag with all that going on. It was quite this week end had something come in about the time the moon set this morning but no hit of sun yet. So I don't know what it was. I a sure it was deer by they sound of it walking.
I saw 2 nice bucks this evening. This big 9pt came into 30 yards. He was tending a hot doe.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f205/BasinHunter/0314DA35-8A29-4CF4-928F-9A68572B19E0-1320-0000008A8B858198_zps73bc60ae.mp4
Cool video. Haven't seen much this weekend. Maybe the wind, locked down bucks, mid 60s? :dunno:
Deer are moving good here wind and all, I snort wheezed one of our shooters in Friday morning and blew it. Didn't want to stop him he was to close and was to busy looking for openings in the branches and forgot to pick a spot. Oh I looked last second just didn't concentrate on the right spot, put it right over his back. :knothead:
Lots of bucks getting wacked around here by the wheelie guys the last few days I'm getting text picks everyday. I had 130pt chasing a doe around my yard Saturday.
Tracy
Tracy I think i'd start hunting OVER my cameras!!! Nice bucks
Had a young buck come by this am. He stopped just out of range and went down in a old creek bed and pasted behind me.
I am happy and blessed just to have seen him. I most likely would have let him walk anyway.
Made it about an hour ago. That 16 hour drive is rough but when I look in the rear view mirror and see the rack it makes a little easier. I hunted 15 days only missed two morning hunts to recharge my batteries. I saw many nice bucks and let a bunch walk. I missed twice, deflected on a branch on a 155-160 and missed a huge 150" at 8 yards as he trotted by. When I bleated to stop him he sped up and I lost focus shooting under him...
Had planned to head home this morning and picked all my stands and cameras after the morning hunt yesterday except for the one I would hunt that evening in a last ditch effort to fill my tag. Got setup by 2 and waited and waited. I had seen 12 deer from this spot the evening before but nothing was moving this eve. It was just about the end of legal shooting time and I hear leaves crunching! I grabbed my bow and got ready just in case it was a good one. Sure enough here comes a nice 8pt. I had to turn to my left as he was going behind my stand. I drew and bleated, picked a spot and dropped the string only to hear a loud crack! My bottom limb hit the seat of my muddy lock on. Of courses arrow went low missing the buck. He ran a few yards and stopped for a few then continued of crossing the creek and then up the other side to a scrape. I nicked another arrow and as he was working the licking branch I sent another arrow. He buck kicked and ran out across a crp field like he was on fire! I felt confident it was a good shot even though I couldn't see exactly where my arrow hit him. I pulled my stand and left to go eat a bit to give him plenty time. My wife and I went back and found blood where he was standing. We followed the trail into the crp where it got difficult to follow. I then found my arrow fully coated with good blood and bubbles. We couldn't find blood again so we spaced out and started a grid search and on the first sweep I spotted him. He was dead in seconds, already stiff an hour later. 15 days and over a 100 hours on stand, I'm happy to have this beauty :)
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f205/BasinHunter/9098F613-5852-40D4-B8D7-0AA5D4F5362D-1083-000000B8C779D85A_zps68cb66d8.jpg)
Activity seemed to slow down last week around where I hunt. While driving around today saw a doe with 3 bucks in the wide open at 11:30. Nice 10 holding off 2 smaller bucks. Hope they keep moving this weekend!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/whuguet/FieldShot_zps211c721e.jpg) (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/whuguet/media/FieldShot_zps211c721e.jpg.html)
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=133579;p=1
Lookin good guys!
Hermon, I hope the cold front I feel on my toes gets 'em wound up for the weekend. It's gonna be a good weekend!
Looks like meat is starting to hit the ground. Congrats guys!
Nice deer guys! Just out of curiosity, is baiting legal in KS?
Yes, baiting is legal in Kansas Mark.
Tracy
After a hard hit from EHD, finally had a couple older bucks show up the last 2 days on camera. I have the next 10 days off, gonna give it heck and see what happens.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bryan pinick:
After a hard hit from EHD, finally had a couple older bucks show up the last 2 days on camera. I have the next 10 days off, gonna give it heck and see what happens.
Yes sir EHD put the hurt on the deer herd. Numbers were down where I hunt and no monster bucks on camera.
Good luck!
Great deer guys. I haven't seen a doe in 3 weeks... Activity has been good though. Had one sneak in on me the other morning at 10ft on the ground. Circled, came back straight at me, no shot. Could hear him breathing, or was that me? Anyway, saw a half rack this morning. Rattled both of em up early a.m.
Nice bucks fellas. I have not seen much movement here. I had doe at 30 yrd. I just placed a new natural blind in some CRP where they have a good trail cutting through it and a few scraps and rubs. On rub was made last night sometime. I most likly will not hunt it until next weekend. Maybe Wednesday night.
[ (http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr64/huckbuck_photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg)
Huckofabuck huckbuck!
Congrats Huckbuck that's a fine one!
Some great looking bucks guys.
I hurt my wrist the week after I shot my buck and haven't been able to grip my bow very well so haven't been after any does since.
Good looking buck Tony! Congrats! Tell us the story, the where and when!
Huck
Nice buck for sure.
Looking at those bucks the first one looks like his neck might be swollen but the last two do not are they rutting or not? should be but I have not seen much sign here at all.
Kelly- Bucks are tending does right now in the peak of estrous. Chasing is done and bucks are in lock down mode for the most part (Most mature deer are with does). This is all accurate for NE, N-central, and N-west KS. There will be the occasional mature one moving on to another doe. The key at the end of this week will be the big mature bucks cruising for the remaining does. Can seem dead in the woods, but the biggest and baddest can show up anytime checking/looking for does. Find funnels and downwind of doe bedding areas.
My 2C
Dan in KS
Congrats on the deer guys. No buck for me in Ks this year but I had a blast regardless. Good luck to those of you still after them.
Saw a stud all by himself Sunday morning. The does came through a half hour later. Think he was looking for the last ones.
KSdan,
I have not seen much of anything here. I kill that buck in my avatar on the 16th of Nov 2 years again and his neck was really swollen.
I know they should be breeding but I have not seen many moving at all.
This time of year I should see a lot of road kill and I am not seeing it. So I was just asking.
Thanks
Kelly,
With my crazy hours I drive a lot at night and in the early morning between Lawrence and Topeka. I am just not seeing the numbers of deer that I have in the past.
I did hear of a 160+ taken by a teenager from our area out at Lake Wilson though.(wheels..)
Paul there have been a few nice ones taken here also, but this time of year I should see a lot more moving and I am not seeing that many.
I guess the populations number are down after the past few years of drought. I have seen a few young bucks but only one mature fella.
I just need a fat doe to come by and make me forget out bucks anyway.
Happy hunting
Same here Kelly...
Good hunting and a Happy Thanksgiving.
:wavey:
We are seeing a lot of young bucks running around in the daylight working scrapes and harrasing does and fawns. Every once and a while the big guys show up grab a doe and are gone for a few days to a week again. Still seeing some fighting and bucks showing up broken and limping but it always happens this time of year. It's a good time to be in the woods you never know what's going to show up next. Here's a few of the smaller bucks I've had in front of my blinds in the last week maybe it will fire you up to get out there some more.
This buck is limping very bad on a back leg but still hitting scrapes .
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps91f3269e.jpg)
He new I was in the blind and kept coming back
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps239057c0.jpg)
Nice body for a young 8pt
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsf307b237.jpg)
Lots of 8's this year
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpscc5037bc.jpg)
Really nice 4 year old but both G1's are broken off
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsf89866ac.jpg)
My brother did take a very old buck last weekend that had been missing for a couple years but showed back up. He had gone down hill a lot but but was a awesome character buck with some crazy bases. 20 points total and we pulled his jaw/teeth and aged him at 9.5yrs old. I have picks of him back to 2007.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zps2c02d669.jpg)
Get out there! And Happy Thanksgiving
Tracy
Tracy,
thanks for sharing. I get out when I can. I hope to be out tomorrow evening we shall see.
I hope to see a good mature deer buck or doe. 20yrd or less and I will do my best.
Thanks again,
Kelly
Every one fired me up! Heading out in the morning.
Well I finally got it done last Friday. Made a stalk and closed the deal on my first trad muley.
(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k567/snakebit40/e641653e-2d54-4081-8ec9-48e9ab4de91a.jpg) (http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/snakebit40/media/e641653e-2d54-4081-8ec9-48e9ab4de91a.jpg.html)
Congratulations! Nice buck!
Nice muley Jon,
I miss chasing those.
Great looking muley Jon, Congrats! I would love to hunt those one of these years!
Huck
Great mule deer Jon! I was hunting an absolute beast out your way this year. Never could quite get a shot at him, thats why they get giant! Shot this 8 point whitetail on the 23rd of November. Congrats to all my fellow trad bow hunters in Kansas.
(//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/lfSEJOI%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/lfSEJOI.jpg?1)[/url] [/IMG]
Awesome Muley Jon! And that's a good looking 8 point Nuctech! Good to see you guys getting it done! I fear today's firestick opener as I have never seen a buck afterward where I hunt. Fingers crossed..
Congrats guys thats two fine bucks!
Thanks guys! Nice buck Nuctech! Nuctech have you ever tried a heads up decoy on a muley? I have the doe and they work! May help on those stubborn old bucks. Might be something to put in you arsenal. :thumbsup:
Thanks fellas! Hope everyone is enjoying the deer season. Its getting about time to watch the orange army come out of the woodwork. Snakebit40 I have used a montana decoy with success but I plan on getting a heads up doe like you said, I have heard great things about them. Do you attach it to your bow somehow or whats the best way to use it?
Got this guy on November 19th. He came in around 5:00, walked right under my stand, I stopped him at 8 yards and made the shot. I was using my new Wild Horse Creek Mariah recurve.
(http://i.imgur.com/yPHLhgw.jpg)
Wow that's a great one KSCATTRAPR!
Nuctech-I have attached it to my bow but haven't had great luck that way. My favorite way is to have a buddy working with me. I like to set up 50 yards in front of the decoy if possible. Although I did decoy a great muley to 5 yards this season so it's not a must to set in front of the decoy.
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y532/ckmonroe/2013-11-23_09-00-14_298-1-1_zps2e2a3eeb.jpg) (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/ckmonroe/media/2013-11-23_09-00-14_298-1-1_zps2e2a3eeb.jpg.html)
Here is the deer I got on November 23. Very nice bucks guys.
Nice job everyone. Some really nice deer taken.
Be careful if your hunting during the rifle season. I fear with this cold snap coming for the next week there will be a lot of road hunters shooting randomly into parts unknown.
bretto
Nice deer fellas.
Snakebit that is awesome. I think less of them are killed in KS then Elk. I would love to head out to western KS after them one year.
My hunting is not going well. Work and family commitment is really keeping me out of the woods. And I still am not seeing many.
Congrats to all on the fine deer taken!
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h384/rutandstrut10pt/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb7d6b2fd.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/rutandstrut10pt/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb7d6b2fd.jpg.html)
shot this buck in Howard, Ks on 11/13/2013. Buck gave me a 15 yard shot I couldn't pass up. Shot him with a 4 blade magnus stinger out of my 50# Bear Super Kodiak (my favorite bow!) The buck took three big leaps, turned to look at the doe he was originally chasing pass my stand, and dropped stone dead! This was the first time I have ever hunted Kansas and not my last, very cool place indeed.
Nice buck RutandStrut and glad to see this thread still plowing on.
Nice buck RUTANDSTRUT! I wouldn't pass him up either!
He is a good one for sure!
Nice deer rutandstrut! sweet looking bow. Hope you all are staying warm!
Great Buck guys!
Have you fellas been seeing many does? I haven't seen nearly as many as usual and it has me a little concerned. And I'm not talking in just one small spot. I hunt three areas. ... two near Wichita, one by Topeka. I've seen a total of 6 this year!
Hmmm that's to bad bronz. I've seen just as many as I normally do. I went out this last Thursday with my uncle and saw over 50 does, and we weren't hunting very hard.
They kinda disappeared for me during the rut. But they are back as usual I think...
And good job on the deer guys!
I am not seeing many deer at all in my area. Also, when I drive between Lawrence and Topeka along 24 and don't see deer then either. :thumbsup:
I have a friend who is is local law enforcement and the said the rut could not have started because h is only seeing one deer killed a week on a local road that averages 3 a week during the rut.
I am not seeing the number of deer I normally do but I did see 6 tonight in the middle of the field as I was coming out. One looked like a good deer. I did not spook them and I don't work tomorrow we have 3" of new snow. Should be a good morning.
Good luck Kelly
Well I saw 12 prairie chickens but no deer.
Well, I've all but given up on the rest of the season this go round. Decemeber and now January have been tough months on the family this year. My dad found out that he was anemic and after a weekend in the hospital, he's back to being Dad. A week later, my father in law in MS had a stroke while on stand and fell to the ground below, breaking his back and taking a massive blow to the head. He's still in the ICU in Jackson after two weeks and has been stable for several days. Needless to say, hunting took a hard backseat for a long while.
I did get out on New Years Eve with a wheelie buddy, who shot low through the brisket on a doe, rather harmlessly, as when on the trail later that afternoon, blood was spotty and very transparent for over a mile. Hate to see that happen, because as easily as we followed her signature tracks, I'm sure a coyote or two caught up to her and gave her a hard time.
I may try to get out this weekend to hunt another doe for the freezer, but we'll see.
Hope things get better for your family Rory.
Well now that the season has come and gone, I'll say it was a good one. Thanks for the time spent reading and sharing.
I returned home this past Sunday after saying goodbye to my father in-law in Mississippi. He never recovered from his stroke and the fall he took from his treestand on December 19th, and was called home by the good Lord on Monday, March 24th.
He was a good man and would have given his last to anyone who would have asked him. I remember four years ago, going to visit him for Thanksgiving. He decided he'd take a sworn fisherman into the woods for my first deer hunt ever. I couldn't have been any happier when the opportunity came and I put my first deer in the bed of the truck with him. I hope there's hunting where the angels sing, otherwise he'll be raising cane!
Until we meet again Jerry Stewart (Big Jerry)
Sorry to hear that Rory. May he rest in peace...
Thanks Corey.
Sorry to hear about his passing! Will add you and your family to our prayers tonight! May he Rest in Peace.
Thank you Brian.