Elk season draws near. Deer season is hot on it's heels. Though I won't get to elk hunt until 2015, I am PUMPED about deer season. So here is my question. Are you guys ready? What have you been doing to prepare? What will you be taking to the woods this year? Let us know about your planned tactics and quarry.
I'll start....
I haven't stopped preparing since last season, when closing day left me so close, yet still so far from my first traditional harvest. I have shot literally thousands of arrows in the past year. I have had cameras out at all my hotspots since last season, with lots of good numbers and some really nice bucks. I am making a trip to my lease in central Tennessee at the end of next month to get work on our food plots and move stands if need be. I have spent every available opportunity in the woods. I will be taking my Foley recurve, 53@28 and shooting fmj .400's with brass inserts and Simmons interceptors out front.
Can't wait to hear from everybody else!
Jake
I shoot around 3-4 times a week, sometimes more if I have time. I focus on meaningful shots and use a target with vitals and practice broadside and quartering away shots from distances 10-30 yds. My no.1 weapon of choice this year will be the 56" 2pc Javaman Elkheart I won on the St. Judes auction. I also have several other bows that I plan on carrying during different times of the season if I feel like it. I practice with all my bows and generally before I go out on a hunt at the WMA near my house I do a few warm up shots with the chosen bow either the night before the hunt or the morning before if I am going out in the afternoon, to 'calibrate' my brain. But generally I will be sticking with my Elkheart. Love that bow. Will be shooting my choice of full length Beman Centershot 400's or Easton Axis Trad 400's, either with 50 or 75g inserts and my choice of Magnus Stingers or Snuffers depending on what I feel like installing that day.
I haven't had much time to scout this year but I was fortunate to draw a quota tag for hogs a few weeks ago and do a summer hunt in the area I like to go. Saw 4 nice deer and even put an incredible practice stalk on one, so feeling pretty danged pumped for September. Just put one in range and I plan on sealing the deal! ;)
I,m getting the itch bad also.I have switched to a heavier broadhead this year.Going to use 200gr. ACE.Have my cedars cut and tested.Will be hunting with my HH Cheetah that's 66in. 48lb at my draw of 25in.Been shooting from seated position most.Going to ground hunt with my ghillie.Made a few ground blinds this past spring during turkey season.Hope to get out real soon to do some scouting.
Hey Nine, I followed your hog hunt thread, sounds like an awesome time was had for sure. Best of luck this deer season. 3feathers, best of luck to you as well, one of my long term goals is to go after deer from the ground. I need to get a couple under my belt from the trees first though :)
Jake
Thanks brother, best of luck to you too!
16 days and I will be swatting sceeters dodging snakes redbugs and ticks, in a tree stand after whitetails. Broadheads are sharp and in quiver, checking stand sites this weekend. Hogs are also on the menu. Clothes are washed and ready. Hoping for a cool spell that weekend.
16 days!!!! Man you're lucky!! Best of luck! :bigsmyl:
Jake
I also have switched to a heavier arrow and broadhead this year - Axis 340's with 75 grain inserts and 160 grain Eskimos. I've been enjoying sharpening knives and broadheads, and my countdown is on!
I've been practicing from a tree stand and a short bucket as I plan on hunting a little more from the ground this year!
I have one trad harvest to my name, but after a rough 2013, I'm now feeling more confident than ever.
Leaving WV on August 29th... hope to be on the mountain in elk camp on September 1. I've been losing weight and dealing with kidney stones.
Shoot everyday, sometimes twice a day. Will be hunting with the bow in my signature. WW BHs on gold tips with 100 grain brass insert.
Have to be back by the 19th so my son can return to work.
After that it will be whitetails and squirrels. One week of turkey in the fall here in WV.
Good luck to all... be safe!
I have been shooting once a week or so.
I think of hunting non stop. Days have been cool lately and my thoughts are constantly in the woods.
I have scouted public land and will be getting my climber in there sunday to make sure my spot is set.
I still have to scout a couple "back up" spots in case someone is in "my" area.
I have been shooting a heavier bow to build strength. I cant wait.
Can't wait to go. Arriving at camp the evening of August 29th. Several days of scouting and then game on. Muzzy phantom Mx, easton axis traditional, 75 grain inserts, new Asolo boots today.
First I want to thank all of my tradgang friend for the prayers and support that have helped me get through a rough road dealing with cancer this past year. I was diagnosed with lymphoma two days after winter bow ended. That last hunt of winter bow with my friends was memorable, and the best hunt I had all year.
I will be starting this season with re-newed health and vigor now that I am clear of my illness. I'll be hunting the same mountain as always. Hunting tactics will morph as needed.
I dropped arrow weight a little from 765gr to about 650gr. I'll be shooting my 70" 55#@28" yew Mahantango longbow again. I just can't put that thing down. Shooting this past week at Denton showed my re-newed strength, and I shot well.
I can't wait to start another season with my long time friend and hunting buddy Deadsimple. Thanks for your prayers buddy. Life is good, and God is great.
Best of luck to everyone.
Glad to hear you are better Jerry. I almost didnt get to see another hunting season myself. I had a pulmonary embolism and spent 14 days on a vent. The 15th day when i woke up the doctor asked me my name and what month it is. I answered my name is mike and i hope its not september because ive got to go elk hunting. He said dont worry its february. So ive been getting ready since feb. Im back to my hunting weight bows and cant wait to get after the elk, only 30 days until i leave. My hunting bow is a 64" 63# GN Critter Gitter shooting a 650gr GT with a grizzly head.
Good luck to everyone this fall.
50 days until I leave for a drop camp elk hunt in Colorado. I have been shooting 75 arrows a day with my 60# Silvertip.
I also now have my own small piece of whitetail property in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. I have been doing habitat projects all summer preparing for the upcoming October 1 opener. I am very excited about that. Many traditions will be started and memories will be made.
D.P.
I will hunt with one of my 1960 Kodiaks...I will use arrows with sharp broad heads...I will hunt legal game...I will only take high odds shots...so as ready as I ever am
DDave
My two sons and I will be in Co. chasing elk with our bows 2nd week of the season. It's a little over 30 days away for us. I can't wait!
Been shooting daily. Torn between broadheads either using Simmons Treesharks or Magnus 135 grn 1.5 inch with 100 grn adapter. Both sharp as razors, but for some reason that Simmons looks intimidating to me for making 2 holes in game, but may just be cause I have not shot anything with them. Will be in the woods with both a 65# and 58# Toelke takedown whip.
Counting the days till the beginning of November headed to S.E. Ohio to chase big whitetails with my longbow for the first time. To say I have no anxiousness about not using a compound would be a lie, but good, bad, or ugly I am going for it. I have noticed a transition in the last 2 years of my hunting, and I am enjoying the overall experience of the hunt, not just the kill.
Blessings of safety, opportunity, and flawless execution to everyone this year!!!
Shooting almost daily, and working out a lot. Not least, bought my license online at lunchtime on Tuesday.
been shooting everyday, and running my aching butt off. im ready.
good luck all..
Building a ghillie suit and new heavyweight arrows, and practicing with my 70# warbow, which is almost to the first goal weight I set myself, and so I'm setting the bar further to 100#. Went on my first solo hike since the stroke, and my first camping trip. Just plain stoked since last year I didn't know if I'd walk again. Still not very stable, but I'm not quitting.
Picked up another area to hunt this year that can only be accessed by boat. Very little pressure on the deer and surrounded by lots of bean fields. Watched some of the neighboring bean fields from long distance with a spotting scope and observed at least 4, maybe 5 fully mature bucks along with countless does and young bucks. The area I have access to is prime security cover and mast trees near these fields. Been looking for places to set up several hides for different winds. Knowing there are so many mature deer in the area has me beside myself with anticipation!
Just shooting and trying to line up some new land to hunt. Have my usual haunts but this yr I have the addition of a kayak. So plan on some hunts from my kayak. Alway been a dream to kill a deer from a canoe or kayak and pack them out - so that is my prep. Keep shooting - and try to prep for some overnight kayak trips.
I have been shooting daily and working on form blind bailing and working with the formaster. Just sharpened my last broadheads and have a dozen A team ready to go woody goat arrows.
The biggest part of getting ready for me this season is logistics. Who's packing? How many mules? What do I do if my buddies shoot an elk while I'm goat hunting (because they can use rifles)? What food and how much? Where will camp be? Sleep in my sleeping bag or down hoody on the mountain? How many more ounces can I shed from my pack? Most of these questions are getting answered. I am so nervous, anxious, and excited and the visions running through my head at night are exhausting.
I've been shooting 3D just about every day for the past month or so. I am more than ready!! New land this year looks promising and of course the old stomping grounds will see a stand or two of mine this year as well.
Im about as ready as I can get I guess. Shoot all summer broads heads are the same as last year. Stand is hung. Couple trips planned for up north in MI. Just waiting....
Three friends and I will be heading to Colorado during the 3rd week until close of archery season for elk. I have lost 29 pounds so far this year and have been shooting everyday for the last 6 months. I can not wait to get back up in the high country. I really hope I have a good story to share with all of you.
I have been shooting 2-3 time a week this the summer. i have been mostly shooting my longbow but will probably switch back over to my Hatfield recurve in August, i shoot better with it. I haven't got out exploring / scouting as much as i was hoping to, i have been spending my free time up at Mom's helping out. The dog and I went for a 16 - 18 mile hike yesterday and are both chillen today. The GPS said 9.6 going in and 7.8 going out on the same trail. i did pick a few huckleberries on the way back. I might need a newer GPS. Yes - Getting Ready for the archery Elk Quest. :)
Been shooting 3 to 4 times per week. Used to shoot almost daily when I lived in Washington State, but have to go to the range now that I live in Montana. My archery antelope license arrived in the mail yesterday. I can start getting schooled by speedgoats beginning August 15th. The archery deer and elk seasons open in early September. I'm definitely anxious and ready to go!
I also shoot almost every day, simply because I enjoy it. I am on a no-shooting restriction until Sept. 2 (hernia operation)though. All I can do is count arrows -- I can't even tune em!
God willing I'll be in the deer stand on opening morning, Sept. 6th. On September 27th I'll be flying to Alberta for the greatest adventure of my bowhunting life - a moose hunt with my recurve.
Don't know if I'll be hunting with a Bob Lee Ultimate or TT Titan.
Oh, I can learn to use my new GPS while I'm unable to shoot.
I'm absolutely getting ready on a new 980 acre lease. Finally getting the final position for my trail cams, getting stands setup, shooting nearly everyday, shooting from a tree stand, keeping a catalog of the deer I'm seeing. I'm pumped! I love the prep!
Shooting 5 times a week. Ordered some Simmons tree sharks. Place I am hunting has more hogs than deer so working hard on shooting more forward on my 3D deer target to make sure to hit the hog right. Joined this group couple days ago, what an immense amount of info in one site.
Taking the climber to my public land spots next weekend!
Shooting every day, got it narrowed down to two bows. My Bear T/D and a 69 Grizzly. I made myself a treesaddle, so I've been shooting out of it at 3d targets. Got a nice 8 point on the trail cam. My hunting partners recovering well from his knee replacement and will be ready to go by opener. Looking good!!
September 5th can't come soon enough. I'm looking forward to another great year in the deer woods. Going to chase some sika deer in the marshes of Maryland a bit more as well
Been hunting for a month now, bunnies. Deer is just a few days off.
Been shooting again after bicep tendon problem. No problems.
Went to lease today. It's been a wet season and a couple of beaver dams don't help. Been hunting this lease only two years and never seen it nearly this wet at this time. It will be different this year but I'll figure them out.
Building a box stand for the rainy days.
Just shot about 20 arrows from different range and angles. Yea , I'm pumped and ready to learn what this season will teach me.
I haven't quit shooting from last season, but I was tuning up some new broadheads today and I will be checking stands in a week or so. October 1st will be here soon!
I got out scouting this weekend. My brother-in law and I drove down to a new elk area that he received a tip about. It was nice, much more open than the stuff i hunt closer to home. We saw some antelope that were hanging out at 9,300 ft. a few minutes later we had a small herd of cows cross above us at 9,800 ft. the animals could not have been much higher. we could both feel the elevation. beautiful country, a few animals, and not enough O2. :)
I'm training as often as I can with my Mohawk longbow (53# at 28"). It's going well. Also building a new set of cedar shafts for it.
I'm low on places to hunt this year, so I'm looking for some new partners and whatnot. Can't wait for 9/13!!
I have don a bit of scouting in Maryland . I have 3 cameras out and one stand . I am going down 1-2 day early to put 1 more stand up .I will be in the marsh after Sika with a little whitetall also . Then back home for the 9/13 bear opening . I am shooting my Covert Hunter will and well be trying Helix broadheads this season .
May life's simplest things bring you the greatest pleasures !!!
Finally finished tuning everything tonight. Messed up some math and had an extra inch on my woodies, then was going wrong way with brace height. Finally lowered it and tonight for the first time in a long time I've got perfect flight for both BHs and FPs. Stoked. Finished my ghillie on sunday, a light screen camo top with strips of camo two-tone netting. Looks very good, and thats coming from a recon scout, haha. Got a file in the mail to get my BHs sharp enough to do the trick and then some, as well as a small three legged stool. Updated all my state and on-post licenses. Will be flinging a minimum of 50 arrows a day, often more. My spots are safe, its a lot of space and everyone passes them by. Excited, a couple of firsts this year:
1st year on the ground entirely
1st year with a long bow
1st year where im totally confident in both my skill and my set up (arrow flight is a large part of that).
Can't wait to read some of your guys' stories this season, always some great ones. I keep my expectations low. We're QDMA only this year, so I know my odds are low (even lower) but success for me means some quiet time alone in the woods and hopefully watch some critters doing their thing. The cherry on top would just be loosing an arrow or two at one. Best of luck to all, stay safe.
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, waiting for October 1st here in Indiana. I have been shooting nearly every day and checking my cameras about every 2 weeks or so. I will be hunting out of ground blind for the 1st season ever. I will be taking my Bear Super Kodiak to the woods with me. With this being my 2nd season hunting with a traditional bow I am still on the quest to get my 1st trad kill. I will slinging Beman Center Shot tipped with a Zwickey Eskalite. I will also be wearing my favorite camo which is the "old school" realtree that my grand daddy gave to me that he no longer wears.
I am getting ready. I shoot about 3 days a week. This year I am hunting with my Samick Verna, Easton Gamegetters with Zwickey broadheads. Nothing fancy but will put em on the ground. I hunt public land and will start to brush blinds next week.
Tom
Stands are up, except for two, which I will put up as the season progresses. Ghillie is made for ground hunts, longbow is shooting well, and can't wait to bloody my first Douglas Fir shaft. Sept 15 is only 26 days away.