ruttinbuc Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) Many of you will remember that I entered a contest to win a trip to Illinois. This is not the video clip I entered. The clip I did enter garnered enough votes to win a two day hunt at my expense on a property of one off the team members of the sponsor. As it turns out I am finally going on my hunt. I 'll be winter bowhunting about an hour south of here in NJ on some big estate property over bait with a crossbow. I was supposed to have my choice of where I wanted to go with states like IOWA, MD, PA,DE, NJ and MI. The way it worked is that once I made my choice I was to be contacted by the person in that state. As it turned out I picked Iowa. I have 2 points and more than likely would have drawn a tag. To make a long story short the guy never contacted me. The application date was here and gone before I knew it. To be honest it was still going to be quite the expense. I figured i would hunt closer to home. i was a little annoyed at not hearing from anyone from the contest. September comes and goes when I decide to get in contact with these people to possibly hunt Maryland's Eastern Shore. She emails and tells me the owner of the company is going to call me and set something up. Two weeks later I get a call and the guy tells me that the deer are not doing much but it is going to heat up as November approaches. He was heading to Illinois for what he told me would be a week. When he came back from that trip he was to keep an eye on the game cams and when the weather was right he would call and I'd go down and hunt. I sat until the last week of November without a word. I emailed and asked his contacts for this guy to call me from the second week. I didn't have his number. Needless to say this guy was riding all over the Midwest looking to kill a deer on film. He was back and forth from Illinois to Ohio the whole month. Needless to say, I was one unhappy hunter and told this guy just what I thought of him and his lies. He wondered why I was loud! He was really full of himself and I told him so. Never again will I enter a video in a contest where popularity and how many friends you have trumps the video. I'd like those here who voted for me. In the end it came down to winning by 26 votes. Never did I imagine how much it would take from people I don't even know to win this thing. Ben (92xj) and Leo helped immensely by getting whole forums to vote. Swampy was PM'ing every day with support. Many names to name. My sister in law's had everyone in their families along with friends. I had people in 2 gun clubs clicking on near the end. A ton of people to thank. How do you thank them all? At this point I don't know what is up for competing for the grand prize. For all I know they might have had a vote for the best hunt video. I don't get the Sportsman Channel. At this point I don't care..but I might if things are out of place in the name of fairness. Anyway this is where it is at. I had thoughts of going to MD to hunt with the muzzle loader, but it just wouldn't be worth it this time of year.. I already have a NJ bow license so this is where its at. I will be hunting tomorrow noon into evening. Hopefully, I can get something to show for it all. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote... Here is a video I made just in case all of those votes went for naught. Edited January 14, 2011 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Well that sucks and I'm sure a few other ways to describe it probably work better....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Unreal, Good luck on the hunt Sir. Let me know if you want to play with this guy, make it right and make him offer you another hunt. There are a lot of things you can find and do on the internet..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Man Mike, really a shame the guy left you hanging like he did. Hope things turn out with this hunt. I would be ticked too. I 'll be winter bowhunting about an hour south of here in NJ on some big estate property over bait with a crossbow. :taped: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 too bad, mike. that pretty much sucks. i hope you're having a great hunt now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Well mike, I hate to hear all of that but hopefully you'll kill the NJ state record... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Be still my heart. Mike with a crossbow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks for replying and the well wishes, guys. Just so you know and to clear some misconceptions of my opinions on anything, there will be a big one of these right along with anything I might harvest. I don't have anything against crossbows. Just the seasons they are allowed in. Guns are encroaching into what bow hunting is supposed to be as it is. I also have a recurring shoulder problem that I worked on a little today by shooting my compound. I will know for sure in the morning when I wake up what I'll be using.. I'd rather take up the challenge of drawing my bow, regardless of all the eyes that may be present at the stand over the bait. Baiting is legal here and this is the preferred method of my host. At this point it really has nothing to do with my definition of fair chase. If I were hunting on my own I would not be training any animals. I have been there and done that. I see what it does to the deer and the hunter. I have the option of using a muzzle loader, but it would be another zone permit. Take the bait out of the equation and I 'd think on it. The state has enough of my money as it is. This is where the crossbow comes in.....if necessary. Winter bow used to be a season by itself, but now it is part of nothing more than a free for all. As expensive as it is the deer are paying a heavier price with the absurd rules in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Its hurts my heart to hear what has happened to you. He will get his. What comes around goes around. You have to believe that. :wine: Cheers to you my friend! You are a class act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Sounds like you will make the most of it Mike, really stinks they put you in the position you are in, thought for sure you would get to hunt somewhere else. Knew from our talks that you were not a fan of baiting, but sure can understand where you are coming from, can understand using the crossbow too. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 That really bites Mike. I got a whole lot of facebook friends and a lot of my relatives voting for you. That really stinks.:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Here is a video I made just in case all of those votes went for naught. Great video Mike. I wish I knew how to overlay a clip like that..that's cool bud:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) Its hurts my heart to hear what has happened to you. He will get his. What comes around goes around. You have to believe that. :wine: Cheers to you my friend! You are a class act. Thanks Joe! That is how I look at it. I am going to have to get up there and get a taste of that prize winning wine of yours. Don't know if I'll be on the boats or not. Hoping to get a job here with the state developmental center. Sounds like you will make the most of it Mike, really stinks they put you in the position you are in, thought for sure you would get to hunt somewhere else. Knew from our talks that you were not a fan of baiting, but sure can understand where you are coming from, can understand using the crossbow too. Good luck. I was hoping for a road trip William. I will make the most of it as it is. It is going to be a challenge with the cold. I am hoping something comes in early. Nothing very big showing up according to my host. He has a lot of dinks and doe showing up. I just might take care of a boss doe problem he has if it presents itself. I still have no need to shoot a buck because it is a buck. That really bites Mike. I got a whole lot of facebook friends and a lot of my relatives voting for you. That really stinks.:( I know you went above and beyond there, Steve. Sorry I failed to mention your efforts. There were so many away from here it is hard to remember them all. Great video Mike. I wish I knew how to overlay a clip like that..that's cool bud:D It is all in the program and way too much time on your hands trying to figure it out, my friend. All I know is that whatever appears at the top in transparent mode shows through on the clip below. This is new green (screen) poster board stuff over 12 year old S-Video. It sat here in a vault waiting to be discovered... Edited January 15, 2011 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Really stinks Mike. I sure hope you score big on your hunt to make up for the hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Hope you have a good Hunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 I really hate to hear it turned out like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Wow, what a shame...goes to show what this world is coming to! Well I'm not sorry I voted...you're a good guy RB:) Isn't there a saying about the nice guys who finish last.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Sorry to hear all of our votes turned into this Mike, but I know you will make the best of it and try to shhot the deer and not the guy on the trip. It will cost too much to bail you out!:fish: Good Luck bud Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Mike, I have no doubt you will make lemonade out of the lemons you were dealt. Funny... as soon as you mention crossbows...forget it...I'm not going there. Good Luck and hunt safe. A shame the way that contest was handled. Gonna give you a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Mike - I am so sorry to hear this has turned out this way. However, I know you will make the best of this suckie situation. Just what is wrong with crossbows, I have to ask because there are some of us who have no other alternative for hunting with an arrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) Thanks everyone. Your words of support mean a whole lot. I thought of all of you and your efforts in putting me in that stand today. I even went as far as to tell my host, guide, cameraman, and new friend Dave of the good will, courtesy, and friendships I have at the Realtree Forums. My life would certainly be a lot less eventful without. No doubt, a lot of great memories would have ever been made. It turned out to be a very eventful day. Right off we had a button buck come in as cautious as you would expect of a much older deer. He moved off after checking wind and terrain for a bit never coming into the bait site. We watched as he headed towards a patch of honeysuckle and briar and bedded up just beyond. The rest of the afternoon was fairly quiet. Looking to the bedded little buck we saw him joined by a bigger buck with a broken antlers above the pedicule and another button. The little buck got on his feet and all three headed up the hill These deer were so skittish is was incredible. Usually the case with them shot pressured over bait. The wind was squirrly and as you all know that makes it even worse. The three moved into the bait after what seemed an eternity. I had no inclination to shoot any of these deer. I just played the mime and watched as they relaxed a little bit and fed on the scattered corn. An unheard signal had the young bucks look in the direction to our right. Here come the cavalry. There was a group of deer headed toward the restaurant. No antlered bucks but a few good sized doe and at least a dozen small skinheads. A few had bumps. They got to about 50 yards and the lead doe put the brakes on. The chain reaction was comical as the smaller deer didn't see the brake lights. It was that squirrly wind giving the doe just enough to cause her concern. It was a standoff. for a bit until the doe took all of the deer down the hill. She was going to bring the clan around the bottom side, but again the wind. As it started heading to dark the deer eventually started filtering back up toward the feed. They came right back to that fifty yard spot and milled around. It was tough picking the does from the crowd with some of the buttons almost as big. I found a good sized doe and decided she was it if she gives me the chance. Again, these deer were nervous as all get out. There was not a one that didn't look up into the stands at some point. I watched my doe as the young deer started moving on a run through a tight little thicket. The bigger deer were starting to follow and as the the lone deer looking up turned to go with the group I drew my bow. The doe walked into a hole at 30 yards. I settled the pin behind her shoulder, took a breath, squeezed the release and watched as the arrow hit an unseen branch and disappeared in the 1/2 foot of snow. :oops: All I could do was watch as the group ran off down the hill. It was not a minute they were gone when a lone shot rang out in the valley below. Oh, well. That is hunting. Dave was amazed that I even got to draw on the deer. It also gave me a sense of accomplishment despite the miss. We made plans to do it all again next Saturday and see what plays out. Sorry for the long read, but as always I thought I'd share the adventure. Edited January 16, 2011 by ruttinbuc Word Proceesor kaput... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 At least you saw some deer Mike and the lone branch always seems to grow quickly right into the path of a arrow. Better luck next time bud! Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Tough luck with the wind the way it was. It sounds like you would have seen a bit more if it wasn't for that. That's why they call it hunting though, and I hope next weekend brings you a better day all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswtnhunt Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Sounds like you at least got some enjoyment from the hunt. Good luck next weekend and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Ruttinbuc has computer problems right now. We might not hear more for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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