fly

The key is picking the perfect moment to pull back. I just learned a trick and I've been bow hunting 25 years. Once at full draw on a deer and he's behind something an your arm is tired, instead of letting down simply lower your arm that holds the handle toward the ground. Takes the pressure off.

Acorns on the ground. Look for a tree that gives you back cover. Try to find a slightly reclining (leaning back section) where your back will rst so your comfortable and can sit for long periods of time. Finally, if using a climber find a straight tree that allows you to get up 20+ feet. I always go to the area a think the deer will be and look up into the tree to find my spot before ever going up.

Thanks everyone. If you read back to last week you can now see why I was up at 2am on the opening day of my 7 day hunt. Funny how at 200 yards this 12 pointer looked like a 300 pound 170 inch beast! The reality of it was that he weighed 180 pounds field dressed (230 live weight) and green scored about 150 non-typical inches. It doesn't matter as I'm still waking up each morning thinking about that magical morning. Sharing it with all of you has just made it that much more special. Now, it's time to look for the unicorn buck as I still have an IL buck tag for IL and one for KY.

Thanks again everyone. I hunted Frank Holten last year Mud. That canal makes it tough! Got to have waders to get across which is a real pain. I don't generally take 50 yard shots Chris, but this buck gave me a large target. I was lucky! I butchered it today. The shot was low - hit a bone which shot it up into the lungs. The exit hole was several inches higher than the entrance hole which one would not expect when shooting from an elevated position. RangerClay - this buck has the most points but as far as score it looks like he will be my 3rd largest. I just put the tape to him and got a green score of 150 2/8 (non-typical). I also examined his teeth and he has some characteristics of a 3.5 year old and some of a 4.5 year old. Given how thick and muscular he was (like a bull) and the fact that there is a lot of green leafy plants in the vicinity and very few nut trees my best guess is 4.5 years old.

Thanks everyone. This picture shows his forked right G-2. I removed the heart as I slice it up, use flour and a Cajun rub and fry it up. The arrow missed the heart but got both lungs. Looked like a red bubble party on his shoulder. I tried to clean him up for some pics, but the bubble blood just kept up as soon as I cleaned it.

We all watch the hunting shows and know how it's supposed to go right? Start out by scouting, find a buck you want to take, develop a plan, pass the smaller bucks and finally take the Monster on the last day! That's exactly what happened to me this past week. I was fortunate enough to get drawn for a public ground hunt 30 minutes from my house. I've put in many years and have been selected in 2011, 2013, and then again this year. From previous years I have seen how the big bucks travel. The stay in the tall grass and avoid trees. That's how they get so big! Well, this year I drew the 22nd-28th of October. My buddy Dave drew October 29th-November 4th. He's put in every year and the last time he was selected was 2004. After my previous experience we decided to haul a tripod stand out to the edge of a field and conceal in a large autumn olive bush. I scouted the area 2 days before my hunt (basically sat on a ladder by the road as not to mess up the hunt for others). I spotted the buck below running with an 8 point and fork horn and determined where the tripod should go. I hunted every day from the 22nd-28th. Some days I'd hunt for 2 hours in the AM - then go to work then back to the stand for an hour before dark. Needless to say by the 28th I was exhausted! Today (the 28th) was my last day and was only hunting the morning due to my daughters basketball game this evening. I had seen this buck only once while on stand throughout the week but at 75 yards it was not a feasible shot for my bow. However, this AM was different. Right at first light (around 7am) I spotted a dark figure walking through the briar field at 75 yards. Binoculars revealed that it was the 12 pointer! It happened so quick my nerves didn't have time to give me the shakes. The buck was traveling across the field and the closest he would get would be 50 yards. As I got ready for the shot he stopped and looked my direction as if his 6th sense was telling him trouble was brewing. The Steel Force Phat Head found it's mark and the buck turned and ran hard! Due to scant light and a tree (still with leaves) I didn't see the buck fall. I wasn't sure I had hit him although it sure sounded like a good hit. As I sat there all the thoughts bow hunters have started racing through my mind. What did I really hear? Could I have missed? Was I steady on the shot or did I pull? Maybe I should have let him walk and perhaps he would have come back only closer. How long do I torture myself before getting down and looking for blood? After an hour I got down and found the bloody arrow right away. YES!!!!!!! Oh heck YES!!!!!! The blood trail was only specs but enough to follow. After 100 yards this is what I looked up to find. I did the whole falling out thing (glad no one was there to witness) and once I finally gained my composure I took the following pictures. After a long drag out I loaded him into my truck and headed for my buddy Dave's house. Dave was just as happy for me as if he had taken it. The mark of a true friend. Then we headed for my sons school (Zion Lutheran). I called the secretary and informed her i would like my son Frank Jr to come outside and see the buck I just harvested. Next thing I know the entire 7th grade comes out to see the deer! I doubt this would happen in a public school. Anyway, the kids and teachers were thrilled and more than happy to pose for this picture. Finally, it was off to the taxidermist and my daughters basketball game. A beautiful sunset ended one of those perfect days we occasionally are blessed with by the Good Lord. Feel free to take a guess on age and score.

Hoosier, I seriously thought this deer was going to be over 200 lbs, but the scale at the taxidermist shop only read 180 lbs. He said the reliability was in question. I'll put the story and pics in the deer hunting room. Here's one just for Team First Blood!

Team 1: First Blood fly Upgrade: 12 Point Confirmation Number (not seen on tag): UCH28JO385

Hoosier - it is a public ground draw area about a half hour from my house. I'm happy to report I smoked that 12 this AM!!!!! Stoked like you would not believe! Pics and story later!

My weeks almost up. Saw a 170 inch 12 point twice at 75 yards, drew on a 130 inch 8 point at 40 yards. He needed to take 3 steps to get in my lane. After 5 minutes I had to let the bow down and the does running with him saw me and they bolted. Saw several other shooters but couldn't get them in bow range. Still a great week of hunting.

Trimble outdoors. Use it all the time

It's 2am and I'm already up even though my alarm doesn't go off for another hour! My draw area starts at daylight and I am pumped! Scouting done, stand set, ready for the payoff. Activity in my normal area has been zero so I'm looking forward to a change of scenery! Lets get it on!

No mature bucks in my cams since late August. Not even many does during September. Was not like this until 2012 when EHD hit. I think the deer in my area are rebounding - but slowly. Also, October lull seems to be more prevalent. If history repeats the action will pick up around Halloween.

I agree- GO Royals! In 85 it was the Cards and the Royals. Not to be this year.

My son got his first buck last year at 11 years old. Also a 6 pointer weighing about 130 pounds. It's in the top 5 days of my life so I know how you feel. Nothing better! Congratulations to both of you!

Love it when nature provides funnels to improve a hunters odds. Good luck!

KY had its youth season this past weekend an my son uses a ML. No deer in the fields Saturday so Sunday we hunted acorn trees. He saw one at 30 yards but it in thick cover - no shot. Get one Chtis?

I was down in KY (Eddyville) and everyone down there are Cards fans too. Pretty cool to have such a following 2 states away. Rosenthal neat blew it last night. The power that was gone all season showed up to save the day. Looking like an I-70 series more and more each day.

October lull in KY. Very little activity. I guessed the wrong stand for my son as twice I had a Doe right under me while he didn't see anything until the last night and with the tick foliage he said he didn't have a clear shot and opted not to shoot. Pretty cool hearing him (at 12) ask to stay another day. However? While he's off today I am not. Great trip regardless.

I don't know how the Cards keep beating Kershaw but I certainly hope they can keep the mojo going against the Giants! So odd that the playoff scenario includes the Dodgers first followed by the Giants - just like last year. Last year we were one game from taking the Giants. Hopefully they can pull it out this year! Since I consider hunting a sport and CA has some of the worst restrictions against hunting; lately I have lost interest in any sports from the state. Same thing with my home state of IL and why Im not a Cubs or White Sox fan.

Beagles! Love them but never again. Always tracking with that nose and digging under the fence. Got my last one hit by a car.

Safe travels Steve! Looking forward to getting that bear tag one year and finally getting to meet you and the misses.

Yep- glad to see the Royals doing so well. Can't believe the Royals got their broom out last night and that the Giants could sweep the Nationals tonight.

Congratulations Hoosier! Two down! That's great!

Had a spike under me at 20 yards for about 10 minutes this morning. I thought the cold front would get things going but so far it hasn't. Headed to KY again this Friday with my 12 year old son to try and get him his first KY deer. Really looking forward to the trip. I'll be looking to fill my buck tag with my bow.