Will's 2010 Season Journal

[dagr8bilster]

Wishin I could pull all of my journals from the other board over here since this seems to be the new home...and having that journal is nice to reflect back on and see how I'm doing either better or worse.
Had a lot of rain today and I still managed to get my stand set-up, cleared the shooting lane a good bit for long straight away shots and close side shots. I put down 100lbs of corn. 50 cob and 50 shelled. I used the shelled to draw deeer into the cob pile. Set-up the Moultrie on the cob pile. Scouted the surounding area and found a good number of active trails, some bedding areas, and some small rubs on some trees. Hopefully, the corn pile set-up near a major trail intersection will have a good draw from several directions. I'm stoked to finally get to hunting that area. I'm a little concerned about the deer population due to lack of prominant deer sign and DEER. I did hear a fawn squeal last night when I was coming out. There are also a LOT of turkey on the property. I still need to clear out the side shooting lanes a bit more for my comforts. The stand is pretty camoflaged and seems to blend into the woods pretty well. I need to plan an all day hunt SOON so I can see what travels the woods regularly.

2 hunts, saw 1, took a 5 pt

[dagr8bilster]

Went out this morning with my 11 yo. Got into the stand about 6 am. Sunrise around 7. Some moon light to walk in by. The sun came up and the woods came alive. Birds ande squirrels. Then finally after a few grunts we hear the characterisitc deer steps creeping through the woods right to our left in the thickest part of the woods along the cleared area. Then all of the sudden out pops a huge doe just to our left about 25-30 feet. We freeze as she looks around a few seconds. She then looks right at us and jumps back into the woods. No white flag, no blowing, no tearing through the woods in the get away flight. So Im guessing that she wasn't awefully concerned that we were a threat. It was a doe day also so if I had a shot I could have taken her out. Zane got to antsy so we climbed down around 9 set up a couple mock scrapes, checked the trail cam and left out.

3 hunts, 2 deer sightings, 5 pt taken.

[dagr8bilster]

Went hunting Tuesday night. Sick from either a stomach flu or food poisoning.. NOT recommended doing THAT again. Told myself that I would check the trail cam after but I pulled the card first so I could track back some estrous gell to the stand. I should have looked at it first. I would have decided NOT to hunt due to all the traffic on the trail. I'm hunting an equestrian center with lots of trails and pastures and electric fences. I sat feeling nauseous and cramping stomach from 5 to just after 7. Witnessed several squirrels that were so large they simply lifted a whole cob of corn and returned to their tree. Finally after sunset, a rabbit came out. Then a huge coon. After several grunting sessions and trials thinking that I've been hearing deer walking through the woods near dark..nothing came out. So back at the truck I put the card in my laptop and find out that the trail I chose to set-up has WAY TOO MUCH daytime traffic from horses, people, dogs, golfcarts and teh same deer groups or does and fawns. Only 1 small buck got his picture taken. Its become apparent that I need a new set-up location. Back to the drawing board for me. More scouting and possibly a couple climbing stand outings before reseting the ladder stand. As for corn or shooting lanes...they may have to wait if I have the element of surprise with a climbing stand. I'm frustrated be sevgeral factors...location of hunting grounds, deer selection, time I have to hunt, remaining season, proximity to rut, etc, etc, etc.

4 hunts, 2 deer sightings, 5 pt taken.

[dagr8bilster]

Went out tonight and hunted from my climbing stand tonight near the marsh back in the back portion of the property. No shooting lanes, a couple trails, lots of traffic on the cut trail going to the marsh. The stand sits just off the trail and has several views of the cut trail and nearly the edge of the marsh. It was HOT. I was dripping when I finally got to my comfortable hieght. Some minor clearing will need to take place. A nice corn pile near the end of the cut trail should also help bring them in.

Climbed up after cutting several limbs on my way up. Used a whole bottle of estrous in and around the area. I tried some grunting, some doe can but no dice on seeing anything. Spent a couple hours in the stand. Right at dark I thought I heard deer creeping in from the marsh. I'm still trying to pattern deer movements on this property. I met Dennis also. He seems like a guy like myself. Im not sure the property is big enough for multiple hunters. We'll see...if I start seeing deer consistantly then there ARE enough deer but as of right NOW...there hardly seems like there are any deer on the property.

5 hunts 2 sightings, 5 pt taken

[dagr8bilster]

Went back out tonight to the climber stand. Got settled around 5 pm. Nothing moving until after sunset. Heard a shot around 7 pm. Tried grunting and the doe can again since I still had estrous out.

Right at dark I heard some running deer coming my way in hot pursuit was a dog. I called an informed the landowner who asked me about the dog but I couldn't see it. I may have to do the shoot and don't tell thing agian this year if the dog comes in on me while Im hunting.

I will be clearing some shooting lanes and putting out some corn. Apparently there are a couple deer on the property but without a trail cam out and barely any scouting I really don't know whats going with the property. I need a closer location.

6 hunts 2 sightings 5 pt taken

[dagr8bilster]

So I go out this morning with mydeer magnet 9 yo. We get to the hunting land and lo and behold a red dodge already parked there. Its 6:40...about an hour bfore sunrise give or take. We gear up and wlk to the stand...and wouldn't you know it somebody already sitting in MY stand. This is private land too!!! as we approach I give a whistle tweet to nitify him we're coming. He says..;Oh you must be Will. I'm like...Who the hell are you? He climbs down after saying that he and his dad are hunting this monring and got there since 5:45. I'm like...WTF is going on with this place. So after he climbs down he then walks straight back through the area the stand is facing...yeah right down the shooting lane to where the deer would typically come out. Needless to say I'm done with that hunting place. We sat until 10 and all we saw were 3 big dogs running through chasing squirrels and runndeer ing that we could't see. No collars either.

At 10 we climb down and go scout a bit...found a decent well travelled trail further in and a very large active scrape. I moved my stand to shooting range and visibility of the scrape, set a trail cam and put out some corn about 30-40 yards from the scrape. I also found another stand...looking abandoned and there for a while...very rusty...and a couple of office chairs along other poorly used trails. I'm at my end with this place. Between the dogs, other people, lack of deer, and the distance from the house I may have give up this sseason ...again.

7 hunts 2 sightings 5 pt taken

[dagr8bilster]

Got completely frustrated again tonight. Decided to hunt only evening due to the trial cam showing only deer at that time.
Got into the stand around 4 ish. Tried the doe can to entice a buck in but no luck...it was a bit windy but it settled down right at sunset. I was optimistic that something would show up due to the full moon and the corn pile looking like it was being hit. The trail cam had a few pictures but nothing to speak obout. The place seems to be lacking indeer number.

Must replace and bring the Thermacell. The sand gnats and mosquitos were in droves despite the bug net hood and the breeze. I'm really pissed and frustrated like never before during any other hunting season.

8 hunts 2 sightings 5 pt

[dagr8bilster]

I went out today for a few hours cause I had the time...nothing until 2:18 pm. Had a nice buck gallop through just beyond the trees in the marsh but couldn't stop him for a shot. He looked pretty good and most likely was the 7 or 8 pt that I have on camera. He looked more grey then the buck on trail cam though. I pulled the cam card and got a few pics from earlier this morning...if I had been in the stand at dawn I would have possibly taken a deer. I had several come through around 7:45-8:15am.

I don't know what that buck was running from or too but he caught me off guard. My shooting window into the marsh is only big enough to shoot through if the deer is walking.

Also had a huge turkey come up today also...he was at least 3-4 ft tall with a 9-10" beard. He hung around for a while feeding even though he looked right at me in the stand.

9 hunts 3 sightings 5 pt

[dagr8bilster]

Went out again today and sat for the larger portion of the day. GOt into the stand around 9:30 ish. Saw dogs, a nub buck that stopped when I "mmaaed" him. Kinda cool and windy. Saw a couple does running by or from something. Stopped one with the "maa" and had it slip and bust its arse then take off like a bolt the opposite direction. I stopped it again with a "maa" and then watched it walk off. It was funny. Kept hopeing the big buck was in pursuit but no dice. Got out around 2:30.

Went back to a different locale around 5:30 with my climber. Basically jogged in to a suitable tree, set up sprayed a little estrous gell from about 20-25 ft up and started doe canning.

It was still windy but not as bad. Sunset was 6:31. 6:10 had a spike flank me but stay in the trees. It was cool to see his reaction to the doe can. It made him nervous. 6:35ish saw a deer moving behind me. Scoped it out and saw antlers. Doe canned him and he came right in like on a string. Popped him at about 50 yards. Took out his rt shoulder but hit him a little forward. Got down quick to find him cause he went down in some seriously thick bushes. Found good blood at the shot. As I'm trapsing through I flush him out but he's not going to far to fast. Find him again too weak to run. Rather then watch him suffer and die I dispense him with a second shot.
Then the arduos task of draggin him out through chest high thicket. Wow what a tug of war.


All in all I am VERY glad I found him. Thank you LORD for a great hunting day.


10 hunts 4 sightings, 5 pt, 8 pt

[swampbuck]

pics!

[dagr8bilster]

Sat to night back in the climber where I took the 8 pt. Got in later than I wanted too. Spooked a deer getting in. Doe canned and watched patiently but all I got was squirrels. Had a deer walk in behind me right at dark but couldn't see it. Climbed down slowly and tried to creep out but it snorted and trotted off. Probably a doe anyway.

11 hunts 4 sightings 5pt 8 pt.

[dagr8bilster]

Got up early and sat in the stand with my buddy Steve this monring. Temps in the upper 30's. We're sitting there I'm doe canning...its getting light...I notice another new scrape. The suns cresting the trees and glistening off the full marsh and Live Oaks...when we hear a snap from right left under our stand. ITS A BUCK! Its at least 4 so I tell Steve take him...Steve fires and the buck jumps up then runs off out of sight.

We hunt another hour or so then climb down and start lookin for the deer. Dennis was also hunting with Kevin. We were gonna try to push a deer to Dennis but instead Dennis went out to the point and found Steves's deer. It was light 6 pt but hey...not a bad first buck. We took some pictures then hauled him out of there. Overall a great morning and a great experience with my longest friend.

I was gonna try to hunt that same evening but got somthing in my right eye and it hurt to blink and was watering so badly I decided against it.

12 hunts 5 sightings 5 pt, 8 pt

[dagr8bilster]

Went out Mon and Tuesday evening to my climber satand where I killed the 8 pt. Had a doe come out Monday long way off and nothing Tuesday. Heard some blasts right at sunset. Someone got something but it wasn't me. Found a huge rub on a tree just up from my climber stand.


I sure would like to meet the buck who did that. I'm pretty sure it wasn't my 8 pt.

13 Hunts 6 sightings, 5pt 8 pt

[dagr8bilster]

Went out tonight in the wind and scattered rain. Tried the steamed veggies thing but I think it was just too darn windy. Just when I was about to give up right near dusk and the end of shooting light (5:35) ...out comes a large doe and right behind her a shooter 8 pt. I could not get a decent shot on him despite me moving my climber stand around the tree while watching him and because of the wind he couldn't hear the doe can all that well.

I was let down but at the same time I knew better then to take a shot I didn't think I could make. He was probably about 175-200 yards away.

I'll try again tommorow. More veggies too. Somethings gotta click for me soon. I want to take at least 2 more deer this season to fill the freezer.

14 Hunts 7 sightings, 5pt 8 pt

[dagr8bilster]

Nov 17.
Hunted over the steamed veggies again...Nothing. Sat during daylight until about 4:45-5. All the time I had.

15 Hunts 7 sightings, 5 and 8 taken

Nov. 20

Tried a morning hunt at the marsh spot. Got in right at dawns first light. Weather was in the 50's. Sunlight got brighter and the rattling and doe canning drew in nothing. At 7:15 I saw a doe running out in the marsh...running from the pit bulls. I "maaa"ed at the dogs and they stopped but didn't give me any shot opportunities.
Tried some more rattling with no success. Climbed down at 9:30 and spent another 30 minutes clearing shooting lanes. Next time should be better visibility in several directions.
I walked the power line and found a couple nice deer crossings through the 4-5 strand barb wire fence. Maybe the powerline is a better spot but I don't want to abandon the scrape line Im set-up on. Esecially since its still seeing action. Corn pile is done.
Season is so late though i don't think I want to put any more corn out.

16 Hunts 8 sightings, 5 and 8 taken.

[swampbuck]

Never too late for corn if it's legal.. It's like candy to the deer.. I often use corn before season to move a travel corridor slightly before season..

[dagr8bilster]

Thanks for the heads up Swampbuck.

[dagr8bilster]

Went out tonight after a warm day in the 70's. Slightly overcast and I was optimistic that deer would move if the temp dropped a bit. I moved my climber so i could get a better angle and NOT miss that 8 pt again if he showed back up. Sprayed some doe estrous gell around my stand and on my boot walkin in. Got into my position around 3:30. Squirrels and more squirrels. Must be a LOT of acorns. I'm doe canning every 10 min or so with no results. Heres my view I'm looking for deer in.
i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/William_Little/2010 Hunting Stand Pictures/1124101547.jpg[/IMG]
So right at sunset I hear a shot or two and I get ready thinking that the deer are starting to move. I turn to my left and see a doe just inside the trees. I scope her to make sure its a doe. Rigth behind her is movement and low and behold its the buck. He steps out just left of her. Im shooting right handed now and squeeze one off right under his chin. He drops like a sack of spuds. The doe scampers off.
I climb down and put my hands on my prize.
i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/William_Little/Taken Deer/1124101725.jpg[/IMG]
i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/William_Little/Taken Deer/1124101732.jpg[/IMG]Im very excited seeing the biggest deer I've ever shot...dropped with no tracking or wondering where he is.
I call me dad and let him know that I just shot my first wall hanger. I'm pumped beyond belief. I take him home for pictures.
i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/William_Little/Taken Deer/IMG_3872.jpg[/IMG]
He fills out the tail gate pretty well. I get him over to my buddy whois gonna do the taxidermy and he capes the deer out then to the processor. The big guy was 172 lbs. Truely an excellent hunting experience.

17 hunts 9 sightings 5,8,8 taken

[dagr8bilster]

Hunted the Marsh stand this morning. Cold and WINDY. A nasty hunting morning. I guess I should have worn the coveralls. Had the tarsal glands hanging from a tree, tried doe canning and some grunting. Heard a bunch of dog barking but no dogs and no deer. Had a good back and forth with my buddy Swampbuck on the texting phone. Sat from 6-11 and saw a fluffy cat walk through and thats it. The wind was too gusty I think for the deer to feel comfortable enough to get out and about. Last doe day in NOV.

18 hunts 9 sightings 5,8,8 taken

[dagr8bilster]

Checked out the Marsh hunting area this evening on route back from an appt. Stood along the powerline for 20-25 minutes and hoped for a lucky buck sighting that you hear about all the time, but no luck. Saw a doe in the field on the way out put the gun on her to make sure and she stayed put. No doe tag though otherwise she'd been at the processor right now. She was a good sized doe.

19 hunts 10 sightings 5, 8, 8 taken