Hey there everyone!
I returned from an uneventful moose hunt last week. A week of the Minnesota deer season had all ready slid by and I was anxious to get out.
First I'll update you on a couple of things here at 5 Pines.
The pond we built/ repaired last year has been a big hit with the ladies.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/21146841909_2c98929e3f_z.jpg)
He's back! Yes!
This past summer was filled with big projects.
We fixed another but much smaller retention pond by mixing in 1000 pounds of Bentonite into the soil of a pond that would no longer hold water.
This picture was taken after the first 1.5 inch rain after the work was done.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5781/21705921560_6dac701191_z.jpg)
its going to be another killer of a spot. Heavy bedding cover all around. one of those all day spots come November.
So happy this thread is coming back, really enjoyed it last year. Good luck this season
2300 linear feet of forest road leveled and seeded.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5653/21882040592_7361f0523f_z.jpg)
Some serious erosion damage from flooding we had back in 2008 was finally repaired as well.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5754/21706192088_40cf127f10_z.jpg)
My beet food plots are looking awesome , but the rape seed is not.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/21272935583_7fa17ae643_z.jpg)
I also took the 10 acres of ag field I rented out of production and installed 8 acres of new prairie along with 2 more acres of food plots. The apple trees are heavy with fruit and the deer are fat!
Some great bucks have been hanging out along with an entire entourage of up and comers!
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5780/20712654333_a307125be5_z.jpg)
the buck in the video below was my #1 hit listee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51550276@N08/20353090046/in/dateposted-public/
:-)
Yes! Been waiting for this. I love seeing and reading about your land and your season!
I had Roman at hill country build me a new bow for moose hunting. it is 47 at 27. I have been shooting CE 250's cut to 28 with 50 grain brass insert and 200 grain Werewolves on the end. Giving me a 585 grain projectile.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8819/18015775178_1a750fdf7f_z.jpg)
As everyone knows I hunt a lot. So it should come as no surprise that I have been out every day both am and pm except once since I got back from Canada.
Yesterday afternoon, my three brothers from a different mother came to hunt with me for our annual get together. Despite the fact they all shoot Compounds I still seem to be able to tolerate their company.
Shortly after warm hugs were given and received we were at the target butt. I suggested a few of their favorite spots and we were all off to hunt.
We had a fairly stiff wind out of the NNE. I dropped Bwana off at the pond ( the one we fixed last year) and I headed farther to the south to the ladder known as Lefty.
The small plot in front of Lefty has a sad looking crop of Rape Seed (Canola) this year. But the strip of Clover along the spine of the bluff top has rich looking clover.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/21706359690_999f8f4ea1_z.jpg)
We were actually arriving at our spots a little later than I like and it was not long until I spotted a doe entering the clover strip just above the rape field from the North.
She was feeding in the clover as she walked and fed it was clear something definitely had her attention focused to the south.
I glanced that way and I spied 3 big does and 4 fawns feeding on the opposite end of the clover from her. 2 of the fawns got up on the spine of the bluff which I mow and use as a 4 wheeler and hiking trail.
They began to race up and down the length of the trail. Their hooves would pound as they raced one direction, reached the end spun and raced back. Soon the smaller of the two tired but the other relishing the colder temps kept running at its fastest. What a delight to watch from a scant 60 yards away.
The does were making their way towards me and angling right at the rape field. Following them was a very nice 10 point buck.
Three does and four fawns were now directly in front of me feeding on what little rape had grown. I turned slightly to my left to prepare for a possible shot and the stand squeaked. One of the does looked up and at me. I held my breath and it worked. The doe went back to feeding and stupid me turned a bit more and the stand squeaked yet again. Again the stare and the holding of breath but the doe went back to feeding.
The buck entered the plot and I decided not to shoot him. But then I flip flopped and just as the buck was almost past the shot window my bow came back and the arrow was gone.
The lighted nock tracked to the target and seemed to hit high and with zero penetration.!
Let me get the popcorn.......glad your doing this again. I can follow you while I rehab my knee....
The buck flew out of the plot and crested the bluff and was gone.
I sat down and thought very negative thoughts!
With the hill blocking my view and hiding my movement I got out of the stand and went to where he was standing. BLOOD! This plot is only 25 yards wide but there was blood the width of it.
I went to get Bwana. We decided to wait a bit and went to meet his brothers.
Returning an hour later. We found only a few more spots of blood. So I walked up and over the spine of the bluff in the direction he had run. Walking thru the chest high prairie I walked 35 more yards down hill and saw a white belly staring at me. The arrow still in him but under him hiding the red light from our view. The arrow went all the way thru the top of his chest and stopped in a rib on the far side. He had run only 85 yards and had been dead in seconds.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/622/21881748552_b481d922a6_z.jpg)
Clearly this buck was not the one on the top of my hit list. For a few minutes I mentally kicked my self for ending my season so early on a younger buck with so much potential. But then I remembered it's more than just about how big he was.
Having great friends along to share in the adventure made it even sweeter.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/754/21706862969_953b63434a_z.jpg).
And now I got to run for it's time to get my friends back out in the stands and make more memories.
Congrats on your buck, it was nice meeting you and thanks for keeping the fire going.
Wow congrats!!! Just remember all the shots last year around your property, don't pass on the first day what you'll take on the last. Congrats on a beautiful deer
Plenty big enough......and he will eat well!
QuoteOriginally posted by Kopper1013:
don't pass on the first day what you'll take on the last.
True words! Congrats, he looks great!!
So glad your back at it brother Jim what a fantastic buck and as always looking forward to a awesome thread you create every year!! Now fill the freezer with some of those mamas!
In for the 2015 season chronicles. Congrats on your buck!
I'm glad this thread is back! Congrats on your buck!
Congrats...glad u r getting this thread rolling again! Fantastic buck!
I have been waiting for your thread. Nothing wrong with that buck. Congrats and thanks for taking us along. Ken
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer:
Nice looking buck Jim, a real dandy I'd say! I've been looking forward to this thread too. Your property is looking very nice. Good luck on the does.
-Jay
What a gorgeous buck!!!! Congratulations!!!
Congrats on the buck.
congrats on a fine buck
Congrats on a fine buck, and thanks for bringing us this thread again this year!
That's a buck worth taking any day of the season. Thanks once again for taking us along to your little paradise in the bluff country. Looking forward to the remainder of the season, because I'm sure you're not done yet. Congratulations!
Congrats on a fine buck! Looking forward to seeing and reading more stories from Minnesota this year!
I love this thread every year! that said, I can't imagine being able to shoot one buck and your season being over.
time to get on the does!
Thank you every one.
If any of you remember I had just about finished making a walk in cooler last year. While we did hang the buck out side last night, the temps rose to 45 by 9 :30.
So we skinned and quartered the buck and inside Da Cooler he went.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5669/21903336911_c94cb057be_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/626/21272613223_c5cf7c54b6_z.jpg)
The room is 6 X 10 X 8. Powered by a 15000 btu window A/C that has been modified and is controlled by a device that allows you to run the A/C down to below 40 F! Cool stuff. The room was at a constant 41 F all day.
Ok I have to let everyone know that I won't be blogging every day this year. The time required ends up with me on the computer when I should be with my Jayne. Since I am in the woods morning and night for 100 days straight , something had to give.
I will give you updates now and then when ever something good happens.
Hope you all understand.
awesome buck! dandy for sure. way glad to see this post on here too, been looking forward to it. love your stories and pics!
I am jealous....
Good going, Jim.
Having good friends around to share in the "glory" is a great added benefit to your harvest. He's a good buck. Love the cooler idea.
As usual, I always learn something from your posts. Who knew that breath holding could be so effective?
Very nice!
Well here we go, out of the blocks at a sprint .... great thread, thank you for all the efforts your farm is awesome :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Jim, thanks for sharing your farm and hunting with us again this year, and I like a story that ends with a guy who can spend more of the hunting season with his sweetheart rather than being up on a stand on a cold night in late-November, sleet in his face, still trying to fill his tag.
I look forward to your thread every year. Thanks for taking us along. Great posts and congrats on the great buck.
Congratulations Jim, that's a very nice buck! I also look forward to your sharing hunts with us, but certainly understand the time involved with doing this. You're truly a steward of the land and I commend you for making your farm better. Good luck as you continue your fall hunts.
Bernie
Absolutely totally understand my wife wouldn't be too thrilled about me being glued to a computer every night Jim!..now get after them mamas!
QuoteOriginally posted by LITTLEBIGMAN:
2300 linear feet of forest road leveled and seeded.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5653/21882040592_7361f0523f_z.jpg)
Some serious erosion damage from flooding we had back in 2008 was finally repaired as well.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5754/21706192088_40cf127f10_z.jpg)
Is that Sorgum on the other side of your tractor?
I know how you feel with your buck.
Last year I took a smaller buck but my brothers were there with me, having good friends to share that experience with is what it's all about!!!!
He's a nice looker :thumbsup:
Congrats Jim,Thats a nice buck anyone could be proud of.
Charlie is here and also says congrats. We understand the time commitment of blogging and agree loved ones should come first. I hope the rest of your season goes well, Good luck and we look forward to the updates.
I look forward to this thread every year...congratulations on a beautiful buck.
Way to go Jim! Better and better every year!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
Congrats on a fine buck Jim. I always enjoy following your hunts. Good luck on the rest of the season.
That's a shooter in my neck of the woods,Jim! Congrats on a beautiful buck! :thumbsup:
Awesome!
Congrats on your buck,
Bisch
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: You have a great place and I always enjoy your stories.
Very nice buck Jim. Love to read your stories each year. Congrats Jeff :archer:
QuoteOriginally posted by LITTLEBIGMAN:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5669/21903336911_c94cb057be_z.jpg)
.
What???? I thought that was a changing room.
Congrats on that deer Jim! The Hill Country was suffering from pent-up-demand is all.
Well Done!!! :clapper:
Great job! I love your walk in cooler.
Gabe
Not much hunting for me since Thursday.
I spent a lot of time over the weekend helping buds add to the score card.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5793/21839455029_316a2a49ae_z.jpg)
A new blind set in the tall Egyptian grass produced a doe 5 hours after setting it up
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/772/21404010234_3c6899c6b1_z.jpg)
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[
I also spent time butchering and working on a Euro mount.
The cooler is a wonderful tool. I have never cut up a deer that has hung for four days in a temp controlled room. What beautiful meat was made!
I over did the heat on the skull and lost a little of the nose.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/618/22036241371_21e802239a_z.jpg)
It hangs now in the yurt with others from the farm .
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/21403553994_a35020056c_z.jpg)
I was not the happiest with my shot the other night and have been in the tree stand set for practice daily. Still hitting high every once in awhile.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/716/22036265241_f26a468267_z.jpg)
Friday's morning forecast is finally calling for the wind to switch to the north. I'll be up on the top of Rattlesnake ridge if it does.
Can't remember if I said anything, if not congrats on another fine buck! And that's a sweet cooler!!
Nice buck! Your projects you been working looks great. Congratulations!
It's been rather quiet the last few outings. It sure doesn't take long before an undisturbed deer herd is taking note of the presence of hunters in the woods.
It wasn't until last night I finally watched deer on their feet prior to the sun going down.
Today was the coldest it's been here so far. 32 F on the nose. With calm winds out of the WSW I decided to hunt up in the bedroom on top of Rattlesnake Ridge.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/668/21403560874_4eeb1a102a_z.jpg)
Getting to this spot is no easy chore. There is a 650 foot change in elevation from the valley floor to the stands' position. Part of the way is literally straight up. It forces you to crab crawl using both your hands and feet to make your way up.
I always give my self lots of extra time when sitting here. So I left the Yurt a full hour and one half before sunrise.
Half way up I was down to my underwear on top .
Once you get past the steepest part the bluff top starts to level and finally flattens out to a 50 yard wide bench about 1/4 of a mile long.
The deer bed here not because the cover is thick but because nothing can come up the ridge from any direction undetected. They will hear you coming long before they see or smell you. You would never know if you pushed one off for it would be long before you are ever near where they might have been.
The stand is just off of the bench on the East facing slope. Any Wind but straight East or South usually works. Two nice oaks growing close together provide my perch and cover.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/566/21452883063_1d4d506a06_z.jpg)
The sun had not crested the horizon when I spotted the first of 2 does to bed 45 yards from me. Then I heard hooves in the leaves behind me. I looked over my left shoulder and spied a doe being followed by a very late and tiny fawn.
While watching them the two bedded does either saw some thing or smelled something which made them stand. the larger doe started walking circles trying to find the source of her discomfort.
Then I heard more footsteps coming up the bluff . Two deer, one a large doe was being followed by a spike buck. My bow was in my hands and I was hoping for a shot at the big doe. I was trying to use just my eyes to keep track of all the deer now around and so very close to my stand. Yet another deer appeared. This one a 2.5 year old 8 point. He sparred lightly with the spike and then cleared a spot to lie down. as he lay down 20 yards from me , the spike followed his lead and lay down as well.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/756/21452862463_5a56ae402e_z.jpg)
The 2 larger does were still on their feet and were slowly feeding away from me. For the next 2.5 hours, I watched the 2 bucks. groom, chew, get up and change position. I hardly drew a breath for they were so near.
Every 20 minutes or so I would spot one of the does roaming and eating. Finally one of them was making her way back towards me and I hoped again for a shot. at 30 yards she too lay down and now I had 3 bedded deer inside 30 yards!
As the morning warmed , the wind increased and shifted ever so slightly to the S. It didn't take long and all three deer were on their feet looking for me.
Can you find the 3rd deer(the doe) in this photo. ?
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5634/22047884636_dbacb48dcd_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5650/21888100370_5d6c697531_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5718/21887152989_383c88d061_z.jpg)
This 2.5 year old 9 point will be real slammer if he lives another 2 years.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/707/21451180574_dd93fb77b7_z.jpg)
finally the doe had had enough and moved off. Where the other does and fawns were I did not know. The two bucks hung around for about 10 minutes , giving me great photos and big smiles and then they trotted off.
Cool stuff as always....... :thumbsup:
Congrats on a nice buck Jim. Roman will be thrilled to hear it was with one of his creations.
Nice buck Jim! I love seeing what's new with the farm! Thanks for taking the time when you can.
Jim, I earnestly believe that any new deer hunter should make your annual deer season thread must-read. You always include critical info on wind, thermals, fronts, water and food, weather fronts. It adds to my reading enjoyment that Im hunting with a certain Orion lefty that you put some 5 Pines mojo on. :thumbsup:
Congrats Jim on a very fine deer! And agree so much to learn from your annual read along.
Glad to see your posts again this year as they sure quenched my desire last year rehabbing my shoulder! Your pics & stories are awesome Jim! Thanks!
Congrats on a fine buck. I totally understand you giving your attention to Jayne. Just don't forget about us! Lol
Kenny
Love this post!
Beautiful ground. I Love reading this thread over the years. Keep it coming!
Sounds like a great Morning Jim. :thumbsup:
Jim, that Egyptian grass sure makes good cover. Is that why you plant it or are there other benefits?
Greg, I can't answer for Jim, but I've been looking at using Egyptian grass as a screen along the road north of my home here. I've got wide open fields visible from the road and I'm thinking that the deer would be a lot more comfortable using those fields if they couldn't be seen by cars. It might be a great option for screening your camp from the fields around you as well.
Dactyloctenium aegyptium
Egyptian grass
This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Click on an acronym to view each weed list, or click here for a composite list of Weeds of the U.S.
We deal with invasive honeysuckle around here, just a heads-up.
That was one of my concerns. I don't want to introduce something that I can't control. I know how some of those cute ornamental grass clumps that I have used in landscaping can really spread.
Sorry if I have mislead anyone, I use the term Egyptian grass just as a lose or general term fro anything like this screen plot.
The seed is from frigid forage and as far as I know is not invasive and will not reseed itself.
Yes the tactic works well. this screens the food plot 200 yards out my back door. Until we put a blind in it and killed a deer out of it the deer were found in the field at any time of the day.
Nice work as always, Jim! The pics and stories are greatly appreciated!
Pretty farm, pretty buck, it's all good.
Hi Guys!
pouring rain here this am. There has not been much to post of late. I have been in the woods each and every day. Shots on mature does have been hard to come by . The bucks seem to know I have NO buck tag though! Twice I have had bigger bucks than the one I killed with in 15 yards. One this week while I was standing at the bottom of the tree my tree stand was in!
I have also been really busy trying to put deer in front of buddies. Not having much luck there either!
The bucks are just starting to chase. We have started hunting over decoys as well, The very first sit we successfully decoyed in a small 6 point. It was if he read the script.
I do have some good pictures to share with you, Enjoy these while I try like hell to get you a good story to read.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5781/22011690164_638d667f71_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/707/22645684331_4f27013566_z.jpg)
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Great pics over the scrape.......as always, well done! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Any news from the farm....... :campfire:
Hi Ron!
It's been an interesting year to say the least! Not a single tag has been punched here in 6 weeks!
As is my norm, I have hunted nearly every morning and evening with multiple chances at bucks! Three times I had larger bucks than the one I killed give me multiple shot opps! NO TAG!
But to get a shot at an adult doe has so far been impossible. They either wind me, catch me reaching for my bow or have been saved by their 6th sense.
It was a wild rut this year. More bucks were seen chasing then ever before. This is our 6 season of 4 point APR in MN. Add that to our valley's land owners cooperating QDM policies and its really showing what a age balanced deer herd will look like.
The regular gun season just ended and now the 2 week MZ season has started. Some of my better bucks were still on their feet as of last week . My favorite has been incognito since this photo was taken. ( as soon as flicker gets back up I will post it for you.) I am hoping they make it thru and we have a great shed hunting season to look forward to.
Suffice to say it never ceases to amaze me how hard it can be to fill a deer tag when using traditional equipment. But that's how it should be. If it were easy everyone would be doing it.
You ain't kidding Jim, this Trad stuff is tough work!
Good luck on the remainder of your season.
here is SOG ( spawn of Godzilla) the last time he walked by a camera. I have not personally laid eyes on him since last July. Sure hope he is still on his feet.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/23149960680_30743261b7_z.jpg)
Hey if this was easy........everybody would do it.
Congrats Brother! Yep its the memories of the hunt that are way more important than the rack size. Great job.
Those are some dandy bucks!! I have heard that Louisiana is considering shortening our season and lowering our tag numbers, I think it would be very beneficial. I would like to see more deer, etc. With 6 tags and 4 months to hunt, there is very little management going on. Some deer weigh a little more than a house dog that make it out of the woods.
I would love to see some bucks like the pics you have posted.
Sog is very impressive hopefully he makes it through the rest of the season
Tonight was a very special night!
We got pounded yesterday and all of last night with rain. North and West of us Snow!
This year during late season I am trying a new tactic. For the most part I am skipping the early AM hunts and trying to head out to a spot near food around mid day. Then hanging in there till dark.
Today the sky was so grey and so low it was if you could reach above your head and touch it. I hadn't hunted a big food plot on the top of the bluff for a while and decided to make the long walk up around 1 pm.
On the near side of the bluff top the food plot didn't do so well. On the far side its full of food but with no trees near it you have to try and guess where the deer will come up the bluff side to reach it. I have two choices here and with a wind out of the SW I chose the Justin stand.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/655/23161159830_3bd61a8b63_z.jpg)
when I have a buck tag this is where I do a lot of decoying at. below me is a great line of rubs .
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5757/22828025454_ff163154dd_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5836/23088279969_a731e50bea_z.jpg)
Around 2 30 pm it started to snow lightly. The light kept changing from light to dark to light again and I spotted my first deer in the food plot about 80 yards to my West. Shoot it looked like I chose the wrong stand and should have been on the opposite end of the field.
The snow picked up. I had glanced to the East for just a second or two and when I looked back to the west towards the doe, there he stood on the cusp of the bluff and entering into the food plot.
It was SOG. He is at about 65 yards in this photo with no magnification.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5665/23089199289_02e1c27f12_z.jpg)
I got to spend the next 45 minutes watching him and taking his photo.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5736/23160475700_78ba3dbb40_z.jpg)
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I felt so fortunate to have chosen this stand to sit tonight. This is only the 2nd time I have ever actually seen him other than on a trail camera.
Several does had now fed into the plot and one was working my way. SOG was following her in my direction and they disappeared from view due the peak of the bluff. I picked up my bow hoping he would push her over the bluff back to my side.
Several minutes had passed when suddenly I could make out the horizontal line of a deer's back in the tall grass.
SOG popped up at 45 yards distant and stood looking in my direction. Despite have the wind in my favor, despite not moving nor making a sound, that old boy swung his head left and then right and then turned tail and trotted out of sight. Taking the does with him, I spent the next hour thinking about what I just got to watch.
If this isn't why we do this then I don't know what is.
:scared:
Man he's a nice buck, and to think that he's on your farm!!!!!!
Great Night and Great perspective :thumbsup:
How do they know? Mature deer are amazing animals and make us feel downright foolish sometimes to even try. Even though you didn't have a tag, his instincts made that fact irrelevant.
Cool encounter!!
Very cool I hope he stays on your property for the rest of the season
its just been pointed out to me that the buck I saw last night is a different buck than SOG. WOW they are right. look close. I sure hope SOG is out there still walking as well.!! I guy can dream I guess
going to call this new guy DG2 ( double G2 )
Awesome encounter man! They are just different critters, those old deer. What a pleasure to be in their company!
What a cool encounter.......that's near as cool as tagging him. Just shows the hard work you have put in on your place has it's rewards. There are folks that hunt a lifetime and never even see a deer of that caliber. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Great to read about your season again. I always admire your place and wish that I had your skills available on my ranch in Texas. You really know how to keep up your place and your writing skills are second to none. Merry Christmas!
I just have to do this, here is a teaser, update shortly...............
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/648/23802625212_8f71a36bb4_z.jpg)
:campfire: I am tuned in Jim your threads are simply THE BEST!!
Oh boy here we go!
Come on Jim, lets hear the story!
Great to see the updates Jim. I like the looks of that last photo. :campfire:
Magnificent buck and encounter! DG2 is a stud as is Son of a Gun, I mean Godzilla.
ok sorry everyone , I thought I could make it back here sooner than this!
So this season has been an almost duplicate of my 2014 season. Kill a buck early then hunt your butt off trying but failing to close the deal on an adult doe.
I have been really hunting hard Since filling this years buck tag back in early October. I did only recently slack off on the am hunts during the week. Got a little lazy I guess. But last night while on stand and only seeing one spike buck. I started to form a plan for today's morning hunt.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/764/23548291839_25449eac0e_z.jpg)
Stand #24 is known as the short ladder. It sits just off the logging road ( red line) that travels up the bluff face above my house.
The prior photo doesn't show you the food plots below , but the deer of late have been visible well after first light leaving the food plot behind the house and lolly gagging in the 10 acre meadow that separates my home from the timber. They then bed on the SW facing slope and reverse course in the late afternoon.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/750/23284139543_6bf4e7c1c6_z.jpg)
The stand is only 8 feet at most off the ground . I removed one section of ladder because the hill is so steep.
:campfire:
As the Google earth photo shows the stand is roughly 300 yards up from the house and a short 5 minute walk from the yurt.
We had another warm southerly breeze this am ( blue arrow) and over night temps above freezing!! Moisture hung in the air and water droplets were on all of the tree branches.
The bluffs tend to make the wind go up hill at this spot and the potential to get winded was minimal.
At about 8.30 I spotted an ear flick down hill from me. A doe had stepped up onto the road from the strip of woods that runs above the meadow.
Then I noticed some big white branches were they shouldn't be slightly behind her. The branches moved and I was looking a great buck with a bone white rack. I had forgotten to bring the bino's and I couldn't make a positive ID. So I am hoping against hope it was SOG. I tried getting a photo of him but between all of the bramble between us and the auto focus of the camera , I could not succeed. So I very carefully replaced the camera on it's hook and picked my Black Widow El Uno.
Then both deer bedded ( yellow stars)!
It was pressing on half past nine and I had work commitments in front me. I looked down to my right just as 3 does ( red arrows) were walking along the woods edge in the mowed fire break. Then over my right shoulder I spotted a 4th and she was on the logging road.
She was walking thru an opening where a deer trail crosses the logging road but instead of turning up onto the trail she took two steps past it and then stopped on the road. There were a couple of small trees in front of her here. She stood staring down hill.
I guessed her buddies had crossed into the woods and possibly had also stepped up on to the road.
Or maybe the buck had heard the does approaching and stood to get a look. I didn't want to turn my head. But temptation eventually got the best of me and when I turned my head back the doe was starring up at me.
When this happens I always seem to hold my breath as if that will make me invisible! She looked away and looked quickly back trying to catch me moving. After a couple of minutes she reversed her direction and stepped back into the open and stopped.
I had set this stand up to shoot deer on the deer trail at 15 yards but not on the road which is a long 25 yards and steep down hill. I now had an alert doe at 25 yards in the open and I decided to try and draw my bow to see what would happen. She is standing at the red square on the map.
I made it to full draw without her spooking. I focused on her shoulder and the arrow was gone!
Missed ! I laughed out loud as she tore off down the hill thru the waist high wild flowers. I just laughed again and then texted two buddies that I had just sent an arrow over the back of a doe after trying to get a shot now for over 10 weeks straight!
My black back pack is on the trail were she had been standing.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/770/23543029419_7fee25b0bb_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/632/23884853366_a834a4baca_z.jpg)
So I climbed down and went down to find my arrow. I fully expected it to be sticking in the dirt just past the road. Hmmm no arrow. Then I spied the red on the leaves in the first photo I teased you with. I couldn't believe that I did not see the arrow strike her or in her as she ran off. I mean it happened quickly but come on are my eyes that bad?
The blood trail was a short 75 yards. (https://farm1.staticflickr.com/601/23884834486_1cc940d1b7_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/577/23828433831_19c65743bc_z.jpg)
One heck of a shot....... :thumbsup:
I gave a shout of joy! Then I spent a few quiet minutes thinking about how hard I worked for this doe and what a great memory this morning will be.
I walked down to get Jayne and together we dressed her and brought her home.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5630/23284130613_36df197fca_z.jpg)
She weighed 120 dressed. I used my BW KBX. CE heritage 150 shafts tipped with a 100 grain insert and a 145 grain Eclipse werewolf single bevels. Anyone who shoots light weight like I do ( 40lbs) wouldn't do bad to check them out. My 500 grain arrow passed thru both lungs and thru the far arm as well. She was dead in 10 seconds.
While I still have 3 does tags for here at home, I am going to call it a season. I have a week long hunt coming up in Ill in 2 weeks. I also want to spend the next two weeks looking for a favorite bucks sheds. He showed up here Saturday morning missing his antlers. With the spotting scope I was able to see that he had a slug wound along side his tail. He was missing about a tennis ball chunk of flesh. I have watched him twice since Saturday. While limping he seems fully alert and intent on feeding and surviving.
Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
Well done Jim!!!!!
Merry Christmas Jim! And really appreciated this years stories.
On another note I to shot at a doe at about 24-25 yards and my arrow appeared to sail high over the her back.
When I went to get my arrow it had no crimson flow but was buried in a pine sapling :scared:
Good shooting!
As always jim its a pleasure to watch and read your threads buddy until next time MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :shaka:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer:
A great end to a long season, Jim! Nice doe and you clearly hit her right in the boiler room.
Merry Christmas!
Congrats Jim! You've worked hard for this moment. Good luck in Illinois! :clapper:
Bernie
Congratulations and thanks for another years post. Merry Christmas.
Joe
Great shot Jim! That is a fine way to end a very fine season. You worked hard for that one - as it should be! Those are the ones that feel the best.
Congratulations!
Congratulations on a great doe, Jim and thanks for taking us along on your journey. Best of luck in IL.
Thanks for your thoughtful sharing, Jim.
Great way to end the season, nice doe and some shed hunting.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Congrats Jim.
very nice Doe and good luck in Illinois.
Congrats!
Congrats Jim! Good luck in Illinois. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Ken
Congrats on the "miss" Jim. I always enjoy the thread. Thanks for sharing.
Awsome thread & awsome ending.
Thanks & looking foreward to 2016's thread.
Merry Christmas!
Denny
Happy 2016 Everyone!
I have been hunting for Floppy's antlers with out success. But I see him daily in the food plot behind the house. I am quite certain he is going to make it. Three other bucks have all ready shed their antlers and I am hopeful the ones in Ill. have not.
Two nights ago an older buck appeared in one of my plots just at dark. Then yesterday afternoon I watched him come out of the timber clearly trying to dislodge his head gear. I was watching with my spotting scope from our 2nd story corner window nick named the crow's nest.
He stepped into a thicket of Raspberries and when he came out one side was off. I watched him then for 30 minutes trying various tricks to dislodge the other. He finally gave up and came down into the food plot. He stood next to Floppy and clearly out weighed him. At dark he was still wearing one side.
the main beam is 21 inches long and the base is 5 inches. I have nick named him Grandad. I believe he is in decline.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1651/23481460663_ffa4cae01a_z.jpg)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1518/23481450883_2ea2dc9e05_z.jpg)
I am off to Ill. in the am. hoping for some late season luck
Congratulations!!!!!!... what a great read to start the new year off with superb pictures thank you so much for sharing and started my year off right.
:campfire:
It is my pleasure!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :clapper: :clapper: As always......great stuff.
As always Jim. ..FIRSTCLASS!! :clapper:
That Antler is from a stud!
Good luck in Ill and Happy New year Jim.
You don't get sheds any fresher than that.
Thanks for sharing.
:thumbsup: :archer:
Good deal Jim!! They rarely live long enough to decline most places!
I love reading this thread! I think Jim should write a book about his adventures, I would buy it!
Great stuff Jim.
Come to Texas when you can...
Paul
Nice job Jim on your season and finding the shed, good luck in Illinois!
-Jay
Great post!
Ernie
Really cool - I'd love to witness that!
Jim,
Looking forward to your posts for next season. It's a big part of what I look forward to each fall and I know lots of the guys here feel the same.
Best....Paul
What an awesome thread. I look forward to this thread annually. I also admire you're discipline and efforts while hunting. Your respect for your quarry and ethics are great!
God Bless,
Daniel
Got home from Illinois ( check out my post on that) and was able to find Grandpa's other side.
woohoo! Thanks everyone for the nice comments
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1505/23650187944_9eece12e96.jpg)