Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: vermonster13 on October 06, 2007, 09:48:00 PM

Title: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 06, 2007, 09:48:00 PM: It finally came, opening day. Christmas in October almost.

Thought I'd share day one with you all. Here is my private honey hole. The farm I hunt mainly has a private garden plot that only I hunt during Archery Season. The other hunters leave these 100 acres to me pretty much.

This sweet corn will be the only corn standing in a week from now. Lots of cow corn up still but they were cutting it like crazy today in the upper fields.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Ground.jpg)
Here is the view from my morning ground blind.
West
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/runway1.jpg)
East
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/runway2.jpg)
This is a little strip between some houses by a road and the garden. On the other side of the garden is beef and horses in a 40 acre pasture all wide open and surrounded by this on the south and soft and hard wood mix on the north and east. this little strip holds a huge covered runway. 6 different doe and yearlings gave me shots I passed on today here, only get to take two deer in VT and you get one general tag and one archery tag to start and I don't want to end it to soon unless Mr. Big shows.

The runway leads out to here.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Runway4.jpg)
Loops through the old orchard and comes out here.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/runway3.jpg)
The trees are loaded with apples and they were falling constantly.

The turkeys like it in here to!
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Turkeys.jpg)
I had a dozen or so off to the side of my midday blind but couldn't coax them into a shooting lane. Played cat mouse with them for a couple of hours. It was a blast.

More tomorrow if anyone is interested in it.

Good luck and be safe all.

Oh and Vance, I had prime rib(with fresh horseradish), baked potato and garden salad with ranch Parmesan dressing tonight. (Nachos for the app!)
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Forester on October 06, 2007, 10:00:00 PM: Sounds good - all the makings of a great opener (including the food)!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Chris Surtees on October 06, 2007, 10:03:00 PM: Dave, keep them coming. Looks like a great spot.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Pat B. on October 06, 2007, 10:09:00 PM: wow, thanks for posting the pictures..

Looks like a great bowhunting area.

Best of luck.

Please do keep your pictures coming. Interessting to where and how others hunt.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Ga.boy on October 06, 2007, 10:09:00 PM: Looks like a nice picture perfect area Verm. Corn, apples, garden veggies, pastures, wow! With that kind of a deer magnet, you are sure to get your chance to fill your tag soon. Wish I had an area like that to hunt. The areas I hunt are strictly hill and valley hardwoods with a sprinkling of pines. The small creeks on the property are dry this year thanks to the drought, and the White Oaks are bare, but the Black Jacks and Red Oaks are dropping, so all is not lost yet.
Good luck, and keep the pictures and stories coming.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 06, 2007, 10:12:00 PM: Food is in great abundance up here this year Chuck. A bumper crop of everything that grows it seems. Have to just wait them out until they feel like having whats on the menu in front of you at the time.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Ga.boy on October 06, 2007, 10:32:00 PM: David, just curious since I don't have any apple ohchads around here. Do the deer prefer acorns or apples when both are abundant? There are a lot of apple scent products on the market, but they seem to mostly attract yellow jackets. I have been known to pour a little juice from my bottle of Minute Maid apple juice from my stand in the morning, but can't tell if it helps or not. I've had older deer act spooky when smelling it and had yearlings and fawns actually lick the leaves it is spilled on. Maybe because it is not a natural smell in the areas that I hunt, the more mature deer go on red alert?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: ChuckC on October 06, 2007, 10:34:00 PM: Beautiful place Vermonster.
good luck
ChuckC
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 06, 2007, 10:35:00 PM: If it doesn't belong there my experience has been only the young ones will pay attention in a positive way. Deer don't get old by being fooled easily.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 06, 2007, 11:02:00 PM: Beautiful Dave,,,keep em comin bro. Go and get us a hero pic :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Ga.boy on October 06, 2007, 11:03:00 PM: In an area with both in abundance, which do they seem to prefer in your experience? Would they abondon any of their caution to get to the apples? Reason I'm asking is that I have the opportunity to hunt an area with a few apple trees on the property. The guy who owns the property doesn't even know what kind of apples they are; just says his wife makes great pies from the ones that the deer don't eat. He has 40 acres total. About 3/4 to one acre of apples right behind his house and the rest mixed hardwoods and pines. He says the only time they see deer in the apples is just before dark, but they think they feed there all night because of the damage to the apples that they see. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the hardwoods is by going through the apple orchard. Maybe I need to slip in an hour or so before dusk and set up on the edge of the apples just inside the hardwoods? Neighbors on either side do not allow hunting, so skirting the property is not an option.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 06, 2007, 11:11:00 PM: Go in mid day and find out where the trails are coming into the orchard. Move back a ways and set-up there if you can. Give yourself a little more shooting light and may not just booger up the apples that way.

There are so many apples on these trees I don't think the deer can keep up. They also have acorns right up behind the apples and beechnuts within 400 yards. Plus the garden corn is sugar and gold and that is like candy to them. These deer have so many choices which is why I set-up on a travel route instead of a particular food source. Gives me a better shot at them while they stage up and decide where they will nibble first and I can keep my sent blowing towards the houses instead of the trail and feeding area so long as I pay attention to the wind.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Bjorn on October 06, 2007, 11:27:00 PM: Great shots Dave, you live in a fabulous hunting area!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: 4runr on October 06, 2007, 11:36:00 PM: Nice pics Dave. Looks familiar. Is that where I was set up the first morn for turkey?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 07, 2007, 12:23:00 AM: Looks good, from an easterners view! LOL :bigsmyl: Keep the pictures coming!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: cjones on October 07, 2007, 12:50:00 AM: Looks like there should be a buck in there somewhere. Now ya just have to find that big one!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Stone Knife on October 07, 2007, 06:39:00 AM: Looks like a good choice of spots. Nice photo's to go with the story, I hope you connect soon and report back with some more pics.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: bentpole on October 07, 2007, 07:03:00 AM: Dave great looking spot.Lots of potential. Keep the stories and pictures coming.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 10:16:00 AM: There are a big 8pt and a monster 14 that one of the other guys who hunts the farm has pictures of. The 14 is a deer of 4 lifetimes for here.

Had the turkeys this morning but on the wrong side of the fence and posted sign. Temps went from 80s yesterday to 50 today, so I have high hopes for some earlier action this afternoon.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Izzy on October 07, 2007, 10:22:00 AM: Thanks for taking us along Dave.Ill be in Manchester today with the family.Ill be crossing my finger for ya if your out in your blind today.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 07, 2007, 12:21:00 PM: Hope you come home with a tale to tell bro.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Numitokayo on October 07, 2007, 12:41:00 PM: That area is absolutely incredible David. Your ground blind seem to be right in the middle of Pope and Young Alley. I have the feeling Mr. Big will be walking right in fron of you very soon !!!!!

As it was mentioned before, those pictures are also breathtaking.

Good luck and shoot straight !!! :)

Daniel
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: geno on October 07, 2007, 12:45:00 PM: man David that place looks great. I love old orchards..Keep it up. When does the rut start up there?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: IB on October 07, 2007, 12:52:00 PM: I just love seeing where everyone hunts, kinda like the Travel Channel of Huntin
with a MENUE :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Huntrdfk on October 07, 2007, 01:15:00 PM: I had wondered how it went, now I know two things, one, it looks awful good there, and two, I need to get my but back up there!!! Good luck this afternoo......

David
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: T.J. on October 07, 2007, 01:49:00 PM: Kenny, weren't you supposed to be up there with him this weekend?

Those pics look great. I've never seen that many apples!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Osagetree on October 07, 2007, 06:19:00 PM: Dave, after seeing your apple tree shot, I sure wish we could have made it up to hunt! I love huting around fruit tree's. You never get too hungry that way! :smileystooges:
Great pic's and stories! Keep them coming!!!

T.J.,
Kenny could not make it up, so he came and hunted the weekend with me. We had a great time and I'm sure there are some stories forth coming
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: T.J. on October 07, 2007, 08:49:00 PM: Osagetree- Great I can't wait to hear em.

vermonster13- Great luck, looks like a great place!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 09:41:00 PM: Today was an exciting one. The temps dropped down to normal finally and the woods were a busy place to be at times.

The wind was wrong to hunt the stand so I took Spooky for a walk in the shadows.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Swan.jpg)
Had to use flash so you could see her.

It's a different world hunting sugar line woods. need to be real careful, cutting a line will cost you a hunting spot for sure and they are everywhere. Set high enough for the game to pass under easy enough and just high enough to be uncomfortable to cross over for us healthy sized guys.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/matrix.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/matrix2.jpg)

The lines all lead here. Mmmmmm maple syrup.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/sugar.jpg)
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 09:42:00 PM: At the bottom of this side is a small brook. Plenty of water and a good runway.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/rub.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/river.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/river2.jpg)

Did you see it? Hard to tell how big by a small sapling, but the boy made sawdust out of it and not to long ago.

Lot of feeding going on on these. The turkeys are roosting down here in the bottom too. Extra credit if you can identify the nut.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/nut.jpg)
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 09:42:00 PM: Some pretty good runways along the inside edge of the woods along the cow corn. Just happen to have a stand here and the wind is right.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/maple.jpg)

Watched a mink hunting in the brush of my stand for a while.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/maple2.jpg)

Gray squirrels and deer sign all over the place.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/maple3.jpg)

More story from today tomorrow.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 07, 2007, 09:50:00 PM: the only nuts we got here are coconuts (and me) and that ain't either one of em. nice pics bro,,,never saw how they got maple syrup before,,,maple on tap eh?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 09:59:00 PM: When I was a kid, we collected 5 gallon pales of sap trudging through very deep snow. The new system is much better for the back.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 07, 2007, 10:09:00 PM: but think of the character you built thru hard labor bro! i love the pics,,,hawaii is called paradise and maybe it's just because i see it everyday but,,, i think YOU'RE surounded by a slice of heaven there. beautiful,,, i like nature,,, can't get wound up in the woods.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Gil on October 07, 2007, 10:11:00 PM: Hi there vermonster13,
Nice hunting ground you got there.
I would like to know the specs of Spooky. Thanks.

Gil
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 10:16:00 PM: 64" TD2 Black Swan Hybrid pulls 56@30
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Slasher on October 07, 2007, 10:18:00 PM: Awesome... meat wise speaking, l I bet 2 tags equals about 5-6 of our does... so don't feel bad... plus your seasons are accurately timed to the seasons.. here it all opens at least a month too early... man, you have me stoked...

Us southern boys love our food and southern ways, but, dang, I think you Yankees have it going on when it comes to deer hunting.....
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 10:27:00 PM: The biggest doe I've taken to date was 165 dressed. The biggest buck was 239 dressed. Thing is up here folks are more interested in how much it weighed than what the head-gear was. If you don't include weight with the points, you aren't telling the story right(here that is).
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 07, 2007, 11:11:00 PM: Here we go another looooong story. I really need to learn to be more tolerant of these eastern traditions! LOL!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2007, 11:14:00 PM: Would you prefer. I saw a red-tailed hawk take a red squirrel. Watched a coyote hunting field mice out amongst the Beef Cattle and saw a bunch of deer but wish I had one of Vance's Ghillie suits when a certain one and I had an encounter but was pleased to not have him get a whiff of me? Passed on two more does and was surprised by 4 others.

Just doesn't read the same when you cut it to the bone.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 07, 2007, 11:17:00 PM: You are right, but when you get rid of the hide, bone and all the other stuff that you can't eat it sure taste better! :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 08, 2007, 12:27:00 AM: it's all about the journey Tim,,, glad Dave is taking us there.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: sticshooter on October 08, 2007, 05:47:00 AM: Wow Vman great hunting area. Looks like you should score easy. Awesome landscape ya hunt buddy. Now lets here about that prime rib.. :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: <><
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: T.J. on October 08, 2007, 06:41:00 AM: Doing good, can't wait to hear the rest of it and great pics!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 09:37:00 AM: Now the meat and potatoes version for you guys. lol

The morning started with a flock of about twenty turkeys on the far side of the cow pasture(about 150 yards away). I could here them calling to each other as more came down from roost down by the stream in the pics. I had a callmaker box call with me that John Cooper had given me. So I did a little bit of calling to see if I could coax them to me. They answered as did another flock up the ridge, but I couldn't get them to come to me, they had other ideas on where they wanted to feed.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 09:41:00 AM: So I still hunted down through the evergreen stand along the edge of the sugar stand. The squirrels where everywhere in there. I sat on a stand I have along the edge of the sugar field and the drainage where the brook flows and that's where the nut I took the picture of(no one has identified yet by the way). Hundred of husks littered the forest floor. I sat there for a while and not much more than the squirrels were happening. Though I could here the second flock feeding away from me in the hardwoods above me.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 09:46:00 AM: All of the sugar lines lead down to the tank I pictured and when I took the pics of the brook bottom I saw the rub. That sapling was still wet and destroyed. Some decent size tracks running through there. The wind was changing so I decided to work up to the edge of the cow corn and see how things looked.

I watched some P&Y grays running around having a grand time. I was tempted to loose a broadhead at one but fought of the urge. One sat on a stump not ten yards in front of me, very tempting. A little red chased him off and sat on the stump scolding him, when boom, a big Red Tailed Hawk took him off the stump. Red's make an awful noise when that happens. Was cool to see another hunter in the woods be successful though and I took it as a good sign.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 09:50:00 AM: The wind changed again and the sun made an appearance. It was a good wind for the lower stand and I had a little less than 2 hours of light left so I decided to still hunt down to it. I knew I would have a good chance on coming up behind on some deer also as they liked to bed in the sugar stand where new growth had come up real thick where all the old trees had been cut down.

A lot of trees are down all over the place also from the storm we had this spring and a couple others from late summer. Blowdowns a plenty with potential for ground blinds. Made a lot of notes for next year.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 10:17:00 AM: Working down a very overgrown path that Hope and I had an encounter on last year history repeated itself. There is an Oak along this path that is a few hundred years old and is not very tall but as big around as a dining room table. I was about 35 yards from it working through the raspberry bushes when I saw some ears flicker by the farside of the tree. A glint of antler and a big body standing in some real thick stuff. A smaller bodied buck stepped out into the little opening first and looked right at me.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: aroflyte on October 08, 2007, 10:31:00 AM: thats a hickory nut. tree rats love'em
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 11:26:00 AM: Sure do. The deer seem to hit the Beech first when we have them, then acorns and will crunch a few of these as the others start running out. But apples are first on the menu and corn. The soybean leaves have started browning and once that happens they don't eat them anymore until first snow melt when they will pick over the cut fields until things start to green up.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 12:03:00 PM: The second buck stepped in right beside the first. Looked to be an 8 and a 6 running together. Unfortunately there was no way to draw and shoot with 4 eyes watching and even if I could the odds were both would be hit so no dice. We watched each other for about 30 seconds and they turned and went down the path away from me, looking over their shoulders.

I stepped off the path and bleated at them once and they stopped again about another 20 yards away. looked for a minute and headed off slowly. I took a guess at where they were headed and took off at a 90 degree angle to them to another path that leads to the fence line along the cow pasture and garden.

When I got to the fence line I saw a pretty cool sight that cost me a few minutes but was well worth it.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: swp on October 08, 2007, 12:48:00 PM: AND????
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Hogtamer on October 08, 2007, 12:48:00 PM: Vermonster, it just isn't fair! Still 90 and humid down here though relief in site for the week-end. Ah heck, I hope you enjoy your short little season....I'll have to post some hog hunting pictures in January to get even, though...
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 12:49:00 PM: Out where the turkeys were in the morning, a coyote was hunting. I watched him take a few mice and then a cottontail ventured out. Bad tactical error for the rabbit. It was an incredible chase. If cars could corner like those two did it would be an amazing ride! The yote took the rabbit and went to the field edge to have his prize. He looked to be a young on out on his own for the first time but he had been taught well. I admire other hunters with skills, though if he ventures near me I will be using my own on him. The farmer here wants them all shot when ever possible. They cause troubles with his milk cows and when calves get dropped in the field.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Shawn Leonard on October 08, 2007, 01:12:00 PM: David, nice pics. I am heading your way now. Family and I are taking a long ride fro foliage. i should be within 10 miles of ya! Shawn
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 01:15:00 PM: Can you bring a bow and a climber? I have a great spot for you and lots of targets.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 01:24:00 PM: SO after watching the show in the field I worked my way down the edge of the cornfield and up to the trails pictured by the apple trees on either side of the tractor road at the beginning of the thread. I wasn't alone......

Still interested in the story, or am I boring you folks now?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: hormoan on October 08, 2007, 01:59:00 PM: Just came into the story Dave. You are doing great!! Thanks for sharing it with us, cranky winers (at times) :D

Brent

Were still waiting for the potato's and venison :thumbsup: version!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 02:13:00 PM: The deer where everywhere now. There were two standing on the trail that leads from my stand on page one and several more in the woods behind them. The does took a look at me, weren't sure what I was so went back into the woods as I was watching them two more came out from my right and headed up the trail behind them. Either of those girls would be shooters next weekend but not today(I know shoot on the first day what you'd shoot on the last, but it's a short season and I like to make the most of it). I could hear several more in under the apple trees chowing down and light was fading fast. I eased into a hay blind I have on the corner of the road that let's me see the heavy used trail from under the apples and the corner of the corn for a little bit. I could hear deer all around up behind me and in the apples.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 03:03:00 PM: The bucks didn't show and I needed to get home so I headed for the truck. As I finished stowing my gear some movement caught my eye in the little piece of woods between my truck and the house on the other side. In the light from their garage I saw two shapes in the woods, the boys had come to say good bye to me. Wasn't that nice of them? :knothead:

I'll be back boys.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Glenn Carl on October 08, 2007, 03:03:00 PM: Great story so far keep going. Glenn
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 03:06:00 PM: I hope to get there again tonight for the last hour of light or so. Hopefully things will still be busy in my little honey hole. It is a much better evening spot for deer than a morning one. But the turkeys can be a lot of fun for most of the day and you never know when you'll see a yote or bear.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Glenn Carl on October 08, 2007, 03:14:00 PM: Hopefully one of the boys will come out and play tonight. I assume you have a turkey permit in your pocket if you have a fall turkey season in Vermont. It is finally supposed to cool off here in IL. after tomorrow so maybe our deer will start moving during the daylight. Good luck and keep us posted. Glenn
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 03:15:00 PM: Turkey, deer and bear all waiting to be filled.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: bentpole on October 08, 2007, 03:37:00 PM: Dave, Great stuff! Man oh Man action, suspense, you have it all! Keep it coming...
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 08, 2007, 04:21:00 PM: It is refreahing to know that you aren't a "Dairy Farmer", though a few of us may be beginning to wonder. Dave they only milk cows twice a day, not 8 or 9. LOL!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 04:22:00 PM: Have you posted your Montana stories yet Tim?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: BillyBobHowdieVern on October 08, 2007, 05:17:00 PM: dave glad to see you are getting some good use out of that call. ifn you kill one post some pics for all of us to see.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 08, 2007, 05:48:00 PM: Dave,
Yes I did and it was over and done in less time than it took me to post it! Actually I added it to the I would be closed for a couple of weeks post. Probally back on page 27 by now.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Osagetree on October 08, 2007, 06:03:00 PM: Dave, we are waiting for the next round!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 08, 2007, 06:29:00 PM: how do ya keep a turkey in suspense? :biglaugh: man am i glad i have a computer at work.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Huntrdfk on October 08, 2007, 06:42:00 PM: Keep it coming Dave, love reading this stuff......

David
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 08, 2007, 07:23:00 PM: Dave,
The cows are in the Milking Parlor.................At the rate this one is going we will be milking for cheese! :p
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 08:09:00 PM: Went back tonight. Got there with only 45 minutes of light left wearing jeans, grey shirt and took one arrow. I did have my TG doo rag on and it's camo. Saw 4 deer in the upper pasture on my way to the garden and was thinking they're out early because of the rain today and the sky being clouded over. I am probably to late. But what the heck, beats staying home wondering, right?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 08, 2007, 08:16:00 PM: a bad day hunting is better than,,,
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: 4runr on October 08, 2007, 08:18:00 PM: AND?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 08:25:00 PM: I headed down the tractor path to the garden. The ground is wet and very quiet, no wind, perfect sneaking weather. As I come to the curve in the trail where all the deer were coming out last night on the other side I slow down to crawl speed. Bow ready just in case.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermontrad on October 08, 2007, 08:28:00 PM: Great story David, I'm sure the near to come chapters will have an delightful outcome!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 08:29:00 PM: When you coming down to chase a few Bryan? I have plenty of room for you.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermontrad on October 08, 2007, 08:34:00 PM: I'll be down Sun-Mon if it works for you...
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 08:47:00 PM: Sunday works good. Monday I could only do the evening, but I could point you in the right direction Sunday so you could go back Monday morning if you want.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermontrad on October 08, 2007, 08:49:00 PM: He He He! Can't wait!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2007, 08:57:00 PM: So I get to the spot hoping to catch one coming down the trail on either side again. It is darkening pretty fast and I see some movement in the cornfield 60 yards down the hill. As I stand there and watch a dozen deer slowly feed through the corn. I was to late tonight, but that is easy enough to fix soon.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Bjorn on October 09, 2007, 01:08:00 AM: I'm pullin' for ya'! Back on Friday-maybe you'll have one on the ground by then!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: cjones on October 09, 2007, 01:41:00 AM: Keep after em Dave. I'm sure one will slip up soon enough.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 09, 2007, 12:37:00 PM: :pray: More Please.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: pjsnell on October 09, 2007, 04:24:00 PM: I'm totally jealous.
My favorite spot is just a memory. Until last year, I was the only bow hunter in my family, and no one else hunted turkeys. Now they all have crossbows, and if I don't camp out in the driveway the night before, there's a truck parked there when I pull up in the morning.
I really can't complain, since they were hunting this spot when I was still a gleam in Pop's eye. I know how it feels to have your own "private" honey hole.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Osagetree on October 09, 2007, 05:36:00 PM: One arrow,,, now that's confidence! You been hanging with Mickey?
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 09, 2007, 07:38:00 PM: Hunting with so little light left one shot is about all you'll get Joe.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 09, 2007, 09:40:00 PM: Is your hunting season over yet? It would be nice to get the "Happily Ever After" part!

Really these remarks are a sorry attempt to keep this at the top!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Osagetree on October 10, 2007, 03:30:00 PM: Next round ASAP please!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Seven on October 10, 2007, 03:33:00 PM: Dave, being a fellow VTer I'm watching this thread. I'm hoping that the reason you haven't posted today is because you've got a lot of work to do cleaning and skinning and such.

-Chad
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 10, 2007, 03:45:00 PM: Today and tomorrow are non-hunting days on the homestead. Family things to do. Be back at it on Friday.

Saw six bucks in the high pasture last night while it was raining like crazy. Didn't really hunt, went to observe. As thick as it is in there and with the rain pretty much guaranteeing a washed out blood trail with dark so close I opted to let it rest and just see what was to be seen.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: hormoan on October 10, 2007, 05:47:00 PM: Wise choice!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: bentpole on October 10, 2007, 05:54:00 PM: Dave I have to get up there!Big day tomorrow MRI.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 10, 2007, 06:27:00 PM: Good luck with it Tom.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: bentpole on October 10, 2007, 07:37:00 PM: Thanks Dave. Post some more pics if you can.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 10, 2007, 07:39:00 PM: If it wasn't raining so hard last night I would have posted some pics of the 14 point and his friends together. And one of him with me had the weather cooperated. But I couldn't risk turning him into yote and bear food or any deer for that matter.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tim roberts on October 11, 2007, 07:34:00 PM: Well it is appearing that Dave is learning how hard it is to leave the milk sit in a cow and then try to milk out cheese!
Or maybe he got to go huntin' and is trying to remember how to finish the job?????
I am sure he will be back to let us know.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 11, 2007, 07:37:00 PM: No hunting today Tim. Tomorrow I'm back at it.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Shawn Leonard on October 11, 2007, 07:42:00 PM: Does th ethreat of hard rain or actual hard rain stop you from taking a shot? It will me on certain occassions but I still take the shot most of the time. I have lost deer for many reasons, including several to yotes, but none due to hard rain and I have shot quite a few in the rain. Shawn
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 11, 2007, 08:23:00 PM: I don't take a shot in hard rain in a spot like this. There are three bears(that I know of) and numerous coyotes and the cover is very thick. Where they escape to is hands and knees area for us. There would have been no blood trail and very difficult to hear one fall if they did so in range of hearing. I'd rather not risk wasting the animal. It would be dark within the hour easy, to many negatives for me.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: BillyBobHowdieVern on October 13, 2007, 07:26:00 PM: more dave more we need pics
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Glenn Carl on October 15, 2007, 10:39:00 AM: Dave, its update time.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 15, 2007, 10:51:00 AM: I didn't take any pics this past weekend. Had lots of encounters but held off taking a fat doe on Sunday because a new fellow from the site was supposed to come down Sunday to hunt and I wanted a tag for that. he ended up getting permission to hunt some good land near him and I got an e-mail Saturday night that he was not coming. No biggie.

Sunday morning the turkeys were going crazy and I thought a coyote was in them. Deer sitings were zero which is very unusual for this spot. When I went out for lunch I ran into a woman parked by the road looking for a dog lost Saturday, seems they were in searching the ridge above me which explained the lack of activity.

Sunday afternoon things were back to relative normal. I had a nice doe all lined up but she was saved by the two buttonhorn fawns that followed her from the corn. I let down and then she stared right at me and proceeded to blow and stomp for about three minutes. She decided things weren't right and took the boys over the fence into the posted property and the woods behind.

For the last 15 minutes of light three or four were on the crest behind me wheezing and stomping. It was fun and I'll be back for more.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Jeff Holchin on October 15, 2007, 12:06:00 PM: Nice story and photos. Was thinking maybe soon some snow will show up in your photos? You have a good looking place to hunt, that's for sure!
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 17, 2007, 03:56:00 PM: Jake and I went in to do a little midday looking around after he got out of school today. Thought we'd share.

The tractor road in.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout009.jpg)

Colors are changing late down here.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout010.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout013.jpg)
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 17, 2007, 03:57:00 PM: The deer are still real busy with the apples.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout012.jpg)

Plenty of corn too.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout014.jpg)

Jake wanted to sit in my blind before walking out. Gives a view of corn and apples. 6 trails lead into here.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Jakescout011.jpg)
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Huntrdfk on October 17, 2007, 05:54:00 PM: Hey Jake! Hope you gave your dad a tip or two on shooting one of those deer, though I'm not sure he needs it.

David
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: bentpole on October 17, 2007, 06:28:00 PM: Fine lookin' son you have there David. What a nice piece of property. I hope I have an opportunity to get up there one of these days.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: 4runr on October 17, 2007, 07:45:00 PM: More nice pics Dave. Jake is looking more grown up all the time. Tell him I said hi, will ya.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: tippit on October 17, 2007, 07:55:00 PM: Jake looks like he's ready to go huntin' with you. Do those Vermont deer really decoy into candy strips :thumbsup: Doc
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 17, 2007, 07:58:00 PM: That's early snow camo Doc. If we get snow on the sugar maples before the leaves drop, they look just like that.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: Bonasus on October 17, 2007, 08:23:00 PM: Vermonster 13,
Do you print out these threads, with pictures, to pass on to Jake when he is older? Like a diary in a way. I'd love to know something of my father's life and thinking from the time when I was Jake's age. Just a thought.
Bonasus
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: vermonster13 on October 17, 2007, 08:44:00 PM: I have a folder and CD-Roms burned for Jake of our exploits together. I just hope the land is still there when he can hunt to.
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: kawika b on October 18, 2007, 04:04:00 AM: boy Dave,,, Jake sure has grown fast. gonna be a heck of a hunting buddy soon to come. cherrish him bro,,, soon he'll be asking for a cell phone and mp3 player and,,, well you know what i mean,lol. keep the fire going in him :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening day in VT, New pics and some scouting
Post by: BillyBobHowdieVern on October 20, 2007, 08:38:00 AM: c'mone dave we need an update and pics plzzzzzz