2011 Southern Indiana Bowhunt

John Scifres · October 05, 2011, 10:34:00 PM

I'm bunkin' with Stiks. He said he will have the room. I appreciate the offer though.

He'll have boots on the ground tomorrow and promised to have some sorta camp meat by thte time I arrive

I pulled the button back hindquarter out of the oven a couple hours ago. I had to sample it. You'll all be lucky to get a share I tell ya'!

tecum-tha · October 05, 2011, 10:35:00 PM

Darn, the weather looks to be really warm.
Anyways,I'll bring some of my toys and a friend or two may drop by as well. Still a good idea to set up some stands fo when the weather turns cooler...and we can always have fun on the archery range...

willob · October 06, 2011, 09:50:00 AM

Do you guys actually see grouse on the forest. I used to hunt them back in the 80's and 90's, but I haven't seen one in that area in over 15 years.

burnt · October 06, 2011, 10:20:00 AM

I will miss you Derren, I'm in need of some kinda primal tracking experiance and from what I remember you the man. Waiting for Billy to pick me up. Think I will go shoot some. Cant wait to see everyone.

John Scifres · October 06, 2011, 11:23:00 AM

I've never seen a grouse down there near the campground. I have seen and heard a few near the Sturgeon Hollow section of JWSF which is close by and has some great deer hunting and turkey huting too. Nice lake to boot. Darren and I have hunted there a couple times during this hunt in the past. Got turned around there too stump shooting in the dark. "Cost" us an extra 30 minutes of hiking. Dang!

It's about half hour minutes away from the campground.

John Scifres · October 06, 2011, 11:23:00 AM

Good luck tonight and tomorrow Brent. Call me when you kill something.

John Scifres · October 07, 2011, 04:54:00 PM

OK, I am off work and headed South. Look for kill photos on Sunday!

tecum-tha · October 07, 2011, 07:19:00 PM

John, I'll came home later from work than planned and won't fight it tonight. I will be there approx. 10 am tomorrow morning, pitch tent and then see what I'll do. Will probably place a stand on some private land I have permission to hunt on to replace an older stand. Then we'll see what time is left.

John Lipinski · October 08, 2011, 02:05:00 AM

hope you all have fun, i'm still bummed that i couldn't join you but I should be able to get out there soon if a friend will take me.

Osagetree · October 08, 2011, 07:15:00 AM

Sorry I could not make it either. Next year for sure. I hope that everyone has a fun time! I also hope you all post many pics!

Stiks-n-Strings · October 08, 2011, 08:42:00 PM

Just rolled in the door. Had a great time and met some fine folks. Was in great company for sure. The deer just didn't seem to be moving but maybe the boys and Bona will tag one tommarrow.

Stiks

stevewills · October 08, 2011, 09:07:00 PM

we came late seen 3 deer,1 squirrel and 2 grouse....turned into the best stump shooting day ever.......

Osagetree · October 09, 2011, 08:05:00 AM

Glad that those at home made it safely!!

Okay guy's lets get some pics up today!!

John Scifres · October 09, 2011, 08:01:00 PM

I'm hanging with the fam tonight so no time to upload pics. As for deer, well they weren't exactly moving

I did have one come into my setup last night but she got downwind of me and blew out. Troy Breeding was squirrel hunting with blunts when a forkie pops up less than 30 yards away this morning.

Overall it was a great time with about a dozen atttendees. Stories and pics to follow. Thanks to all that came.

Billy · October 09, 2011, 08:48:00 PM

Home and mostly unpacked...

Like was already said, Good times, great food and Better Folks..!!

Did manage to see three does and part of one buck....no shots and lots of warmth!!

All adds up to; I will be back next year!!!

Hope to see more "newbies"; then!!

Troy Breeding · October 09, 2011, 09:17:00 PM

This was the first group I have been on in years. Had one heck of a time. I'll darn sure be there next year.

Best camp cook award from me goes to Stix. That dude is a walking camp store and dang sure knows how to put on a feed bag. Thumbs up Chris!!!

Looking forward to next year.

Troy

b.glass · October 10, 2011, 09:12:00 AM

I had a doe come in on me at 30 yds. I can make the occasional 30 yd shot on targets but won't try it on the most beautiful animal on earth. Especially with like a dozen saplings in between!

Two fawns ran through with her and they came back. I tried some calling to try and get one to come within range but it winded me. Stood there and blew 20 times. Then another 50 times as she ran the hills.

Where I hunted the most would be a great place to train for an elk hunt!

Great folks there! Great food! Had a blast! It was my first time but I will definitely NOT be my last!

Bona

Rob W. · October 10, 2011, 03:55:00 PM

I had a great time! Going back to work after a weekend like that is a real bummer.

I want everyone to know that if your ever in my neck of the woods it would be a pleasure to hunt with you guys and gals again.

Already thinking about next year!

Rob

Osagetree · October 10, 2011, 04:50:00 PM

John Scifres · October 10, 2011, 06:10:00 PM

I arrived Friday night to find a bunch of people already fed and sittin by the fire. In the past we have had 5-8 people show up. I think we had more than that. I'm sure I'll forget someone but here goes (forgive me my North-of-40 memory on some names):

Me
Billy
Brent ""Burnt"
Chris "Stiks..."
Troy Breeding
Bona and ???
Rob W.
Eric and wife (Angie?)
John "American Hunter7" and family
Merl
Roland "Tecumtha" and ???
Joe "Nighthawk" and ???

We all shot the shoot for a while and I hit the bed before midnight. Some folks, who won't be named (Brent and Chris among others I am sure) stayed up 'til after 2:30!!!

Up at 5:30 and out to one of my favorite inside corners in the world.

The colors exploded like a fireworks show with the sunrise.

The weather was good in the early morning but it warmed quickly on its way to 85 for the high. The early October timeframe and the hot weather made for some tough deer hunting.

Lot's of squirrels were spared a shot this morning. By the time I'd concluded that I would not hurt my chances at the deer, they had all cleared out. I spent 3 hours in this spot and then stillhunted through some bedding areas that had oaks dropping acorns. Not a deer was seen or spooked and little fresh sign was found. Yikes!

Back at camp, I found most of the others had the same experience. Here's a pic of my first night's accomodations.

That's "Stiks" sticking his head out of his cabin tent. Here's another view.

It sure was a nice room for very little rent.

The afternoon was whiled away with trading, talking, snoozing and eating.

Stiks with a quiver demo.

Billy and Stiks fixin to fight I think.

Brent, Rob W. and Merle comapring warpaint.