Labor Day weekend is one I've always spent hunting or scouting (or both).  I spent yesterday carrying the 2011 Miss Faith on our lease in Wise Co., Virginia looking for squirrels and scouting for bow season.  Unfortunately, no squirrels were harmed in the taking of these photos.

Starting out yesterday morning (even before I got my clothes changed and boots on) found something interesting.
   

A buddy and I made our way around some of the property.  Found some huge deer tracks.  Here one is next to his boot for reference.
   

On we went. We've got a few bears.  Seems like they've been very active lately.  Here's where one was "grubbin" and made a mess...LOL
   

Made our way to a retention pond around one of the many gas wells.  It had dried up, but the bottom was still wet enough to catch tracks.  Found these and reminded us to make sure to pay a little more attention and not accidentally get between momma bear and her cub.
   

A closer look at momma's track.
   

Stayed out until the heat just made it unbearable (no pun intended...LOL) Headed home.  Got up this morning and shot quite a bit until the heat drove me indoors.  I'm trying to work up in weight for my month with Miss Faith in December.  I came across a Bob Lee 1 pc. #60 @ 28" and bought it about a month ago.  Been putting in a lot of time with it.  Feel like I've got it pretty well dialed in.
   

Actually took this photo last Wednesday, chased this bull and his harem around for two days, had to come home and work yesterday and today, but am heading back up in the morning to give them another try! So this saddle is where I'll be physically tomorrow and where my mind has been for the last three days!

Headed up to my brother-in-law's farm in Pike County Missouri.

The recent rain had the entire area all fogged up.

Got a few great stands hung and made a few mock scrapes in final preperation for early bow season starting September 15th.

Leaves are already starting to fall here...

Called in with squeaking on the back of my hand to less than 15 yards.  I was standing on the ground.   35 yard recovery

Centaur 64#@ my draw.  Cedar shaft 300 grain Tuffhead. Very very easy to follow blood trail

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Way to go Ray!  Wish we could get rid of them all!
Ken

Nice shooting Ray!!

nice coyote!  Great shot!

Very enjoyable pictures guys!  Great shot Ray!  That's the way to start the season!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Nice Ray.  

I walked around the field last night and was looking at the drainage ditch the farmer just cleaned out, I turned around to see what the wife and kiddo was looking at and 40 yds to my right stood a nice 20" 8pt. I waved the girls up and we watched him trot across the field.
A real Nice Buck.
No pics but thats my story.

CTT

My Labor Day weekend is special indeed!

Cool pictures . Way to go on thye coyote Ray.      Im working all weekend. Wow nice buck.

QuoteOriginally posted by wapiti1997:
My Labor Day weekend is special indeed!
 
 

now that is NOT fair!!
SUPER buck!!!  are those drop tines?

That is a super buck.
Also, to shoot a yot on the ground is wonderful.
Let hunting start.

Great wt wapiti congratulations!! Whatever else happens your year is off the charts!!!!!

Guys thanks.  The South Carolina DNR studied outr part of the state for effects from the new to us predator species- long story short- 70% fawn mortality!

We are going to focus on them and see if we can't cut the numbers down a bit

Awesome stuff, & man what a buck!!! just unreal, can't imagine how excited you were, Congrats!

Congrats.

Darren

Wapati nice buck brother and awesome shot way to go Aloha Ron

Wapiti-  That is an awesome buck!  Congrats on your success.

That is a very nice buck and that rack is awesome! Congratulations!