What dreams are made of..........

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:15:00 AM

Our Archery season is done for now. It will return the day after Christmas. Of course you can always hunt with your bow during the gun season and that begins the Monday after Thanksgiving.

I took a walk up on the Ridge Friday afternoon to see what was going on. Just me, my binocs, and camera. 26 degrees at the top with a strong north wind left you know you were alive.

Have not seen as much buck sign as last year. Actually saw 5 different buck this season.

What sign I was finding was nice though.......

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:26:00 AM

I have been trying to connect the dots with this particular buck for two years now. I don't do trail cams so I never have seen him in a "still" state. Twice now I have bumped him.

Right after taking this photo I slowly was working my way down over to check out an area. Loud crashing to my left brought me to a quick stop and I studied the woods hard across the small saddle.

Up over the top he went, lots of white horn and a good sized body...

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:29:00 AM

At the head of the saddle....

I put some notes in the "mental library" and for upcoming hunts and felt thankful to see the big fella "again".

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:32:00 AM

Worked my way down towards home and was glad to see some "fresh" sign. This one was really fresh. ( Check out the rub behind it)

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:35:00 AM

Got down into the creek bottom and saw that this scrape was still free and clear of leaves. I hunted close to this earlier in the season.

Lots of swirling winds really make it a hard one to hunt.

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:38:00 AM

Have you ever come across something in the woods that just makes you stop and go hmmm....... This was one of those moments for me.

It has been colder but no precip of any kind. Food all over yet. And wouldn't you think if it was a predator kill it would have been just a pile of feathers?

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:41:00 AM

It must have been shot with something as the whole bird was intact.

A nice young gobbler with about a 4" beard. Someone lost a really nice bird.

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:42:00 AM

Spurs were on there way......

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 09:46:00 AM

I love feathers, have all kinds at my house, inside...outside I drive my wife crazy.

These three breast feathers were lying on the ground,couldn't resist bringing them home.

Good Hunting,
Craig

November 22, 2014, 10:15:00 AM

Good day in the woods!

I hope you get a crack at the big boy!

Bisch

Wannabe1 · November 22, 2014, 11:27:00 AM

Great pics Craig, thanks for taking us along on your walk. Hopefully you'll get a crack at that buck and make good on all your efforts! Stay safe and shoot straight.

Dale in Pa · November 22, 2014, 11:50:00 AM

You mean you didn't save the primary wing feathers?

KyStickbow · November 22, 2014, 12:23:00 PM

I hope u get a crack at ol big boy!! And those woods u hunt are beautiful!!

Tim · November 22, 2014, 12:58:00 PM

Nice Craig! Enjoy the lull and get back after them after turkey day.

Jayrod · November 22, 2014, 02:30:00 PM

Definately some good sign there hope you get a opportunity at him!!

Cyclic-Rivers · November 22, 2014, 05:07:00 PM

Great Pictures Craig... as usual... I hope you get a look at the buck while you are hunting him.

Keith Zimmerman · November 22, 2014, 06:35:00 PM

Why hang the bow up? U still have rifle season and after Christmas.

ISP 5353 · November 22, 2014, 07:32:00 PM

Good luck! I hope you get a shot at him!

fmscan · November 22, 2014, 07:35:00 PM

Great photos, the breast feathers one is stunning. I like a trail camera to get a look at what's around. I do not use them to pattern deer or to make it easier to hunt them. Trail camera are just another way to enjoy the woods and nature. Would be real nice to see what that brute looks like! He knows what you look like!

monkeyball · November 22, 2014, 07:47:00 PM

Thank you guys.

Dale, took a woods walk this morning with my Whip. Killed a couple stumps and figured if the Gobbler was still there I may have to do a little snipping. He was still there, and like I said, I like feathers.

Keith, not sure where you read anything about hanging up the bow. I'm in the process of getting use to this Whip so we will be ready to go at it again.

Good Hunting to all,
Craig