Ethan Givan

You cant go wrong with either one. I am using the MX3s this year, and I like them. Only shot one deer with them so far, a doe. Not much difference between them really, except about a 1/16'' in cutting diameter. Both are good heads.

Sounds like an awesome weekend, makes me kinda wish I had went out. I think you are right about this weekend, should have some nice cool temps moving in.

I havent been out since Sept. 30th when I killed a doe, but I plan to start hunting hard this coming weekend. Supposed to have a cold front push through Friday night, and then daily highs in the low 50s and lows in the 30s for the following few days. That should get things going pretty good I would think. Been seeing a little more daylight activity on the trail cameras. Im ready. BTW my brother is hunting tonight, and he just called and said he had some smaller bucks sparring in the foodplot.

I have gotten alot of pics of big mature bucks on an old Moultrie camera that has flash. The same bucks stuck around for multiple pics for multiple days. Im not saying flash doesnt spook some deer, but it doesnt seem to bother them around here.

Hunting is my passion, something that has been a part of my life since I was born. I cant live a day without thinking about it in some way. There is a never ending drive deep inside to be in pursuit of prey. I love the challenge, the preparation, the strategy, and the thrill of hunting. Ever since I was old enough to walk, I have been in the woods. I am always trying to expand my knowledge, whether its tree identification, or how to do TSI or plant better foodplots. I have a love for the outdoors, and a deep respect for the animals I pursue. I cant imagine my life without it, because I have invested so much of my life to it. Its an emotional thing really, what hunting means to me.

Whats your theory behind the rut being early? Moon?

As long as the wind is the right direction for the stand you are going to hunt I would definitely hunt. Sounds like you are getting a big cold front to push through with the temps tanking like that. Deer usually move well right before and after a front pushes through.

Depends what part of the country your in. I would take Nov. 3-12 around here, and hope for cold weather.

I have taken my little brother turkey hunting and deer hunting. I have been with him on all three of the turkeys he has killed. I enjoy it alot. He turned 16 this yr so he can go on his own now, but if I had to guess, he will probably be asking me to go with him anyway lol

I added him up to around 162'' but he looks bigger than that.

Thanks Pat. Like I said alot of my decision making will depend on what the trail cameras show me. If this buck doesnt seem very visible, then I dont know that my confidence will be there to let another good deer walk. I know my best chances of seeing this deer is in that window between Oct. 25th and Nov. 15th so I wont be hunting until then. Just dont know that I have the will power to let another big buck walk, and knowing this property's past, there are some other bruisers around. Maybe something even bigger, who knows.

Thats a great buck. Congrats!!

3.5 and 125''

Yeah the good thing is I feel pretty confident in the chances of a deer I pass making it through the season. If this drop tine buck continues to show up on camera over the next couple of weeks, then that will definitely impact my decision making. If he is hard to find on the cams, then I will have a hard time letting another nice deer walk.

Yep midwestwhitetail.com is a good one. Also www.realtree.tv has alot of hunting videos on it. Heartland Bowhunter and Whitetail Properties are my favorites to watch on there.

No doubt that will be the problem. I really dont know what bucks we have to go after this year, because I had such a hard time getting pics early with the corn and all. Now the corn is out and there are 3 cams running on the farm. Probably should take a couple more over there, but Im trying to find and keep tabs on a couple bucks here at the house too. I might actually think twice on other nice bucks, just knowing this buck is around. It would be the highlight of my season just to see this deer on the hoof while on stand, regardless if I got a shot or not. My cousin hunts this farm some too, and I would be just as happy if he got him. Im just gonna stay off this property for a couple more weeks, except for going in midday maybe next weekend to hang a stand real quick. After that I will start hunting.

Checked a couple cameras at the other farm today, and got a pic of this nice buck. I hope he sticks around, because here in about 2 weeks I will start hunting hard again. All the corn on the farm is out now, and I saw several rubs and scrapes today while pulling cards. Cant wait to get after him. [TABLE=width: 750] [TR] [TD] WGI_00061_zps7334c191 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

I always shake my boots out if they have been setting somewhere other than inside the house. I have had spiders fall out of them before.

I wont put up with dogs running deer, especially on my own property. If I see a dog running deer, and I know or suspect who the dog belongs to, then I would go to the owner first. If that doesnt work, or i have no clue who the dog belongs to, then I will eliminate the problem. I have three dogs, 2 labs and a beagle, and none of them will chase deer. I dont let them run all over the country either. I expect the same from neighbors.

I would first decide how much you want to spend on one. Then after you have a budget, go look at, handle, and shoot as many bows you can that falls inside that number. Buy whatever feels the best to you. Most of the bows being made today are good shooting bows, its just personal preference.

Yep sounds like they were trying to leave you out on purpose, so they would have an excuse to suspend you. I would be looking for a new lease.

We found a doe hung in a fence a couple years ago. She hadnt been in there too long, she was still fightin it pretty hard. We had an old blanket in the truck, so we put it over her head to calm her down, then we got her foot free of the wire. She was using the leg that was caught when she took off so it wasnt broken. She should have made it just fine. Too bad about the one you found, it is sad to think how long it hung there before it died.

Wow im surprised to see West Virginia has the number 2 bucks in both typical and non-typical categories. Never would have guessed that.

I agree. I cant stand an attitude like that, like you have accomplished something just by hitting the deer at all. I dealt with a similiar situation 2 years ago. The guy hunting the farm next to the farm I hunt shot two bucks with a rifle, and found neither of them. Come to find out he shot at one of them while it was running, and he said "I know I hit him hard a couple times atleast." He was found on an ATV on the farm I hunt searching for the deer without permission. We called the neighboring landowner, told him the story, and the guy wasnt back this past season. Yep it happens, even if you do everything right. Hope you find him. Doesnt sound like he will go too far before laying down again. Thats probably where you will find him laying this afternoon. Good luck.

I dont use any cover scent. I try to smell like...nothing. No scent whatsoever. Sometimes I wonder about these cover scents like the fresh earth or the cedar. While they may smell like the real thing to us, seems to me the highly sensitive nose of a deer might be able to tell it isnt the real thing. I dont know that of course, but it makes me wonder. I do drag a rag behind me to the stand during the rut that has been dipped in doe urine. Never had buck come in following my trail yet though.