The Bug House Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Well, I've come to the point in my season where all I can do now is hope that my effort pays off. I was given a decent tree stand last year and then got permission to hunt on private land back in Feb. (60 acres mostly wooded with a year round creek and TONS of berries) I decided to buckle down this year and really try to earn a deer. I started scouting back in April and May during Turkey season and found the entire property to be well traveled by game. I came across an intersection where two main game paths crossed. I put a camera up in mid June, and so far have captured many Turkeys, a Bear, lots of Does and a couple Fawns, Spikes and one 4 pointer ~2.5 yrs. Thanks to this forum, I knew how to approximate his age! Then I raked about a 50X50 area and planted a couple pounds of a local seed blend I got from the Feed store. I even hauled, by hand, about 40 gallons of water about 4/10 of a mile from the creek. I figured it would give the seed a fighting chance...lol we got a bunch of rain after that and it came in great! I took bowhunter safety this Summer as well, I got a crossbow (Posted in the Xbow forum about that) and have put my time in and feel confident out to 40+ yds. And since I never hunted from a tree stand before, I practiced in the yard quite a bit. A friend offered to help me hang the stand last week and we did. To be honest I don't expect to kill anything but would be grateful to have an opportunity. It's been a very rewarding experience already! Another thing I learned here is different techniques for scent control. I've been diligent in making sure I suppress my scent imprint as much as possible. I sat this morning Hoping Mr. Bear would show himself but no luck. I did hang some paracord to lift gear and finished cutting a trail in. Think I'm all buttoned up. Now I'm just going to let it soak for the next 30 days and then plan to be perched in the dark opening morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultradog Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Nice post. It shows a lot of dedication and preparation. As to the waiting game, I think about 99.9% of hunting is the waiting game. Wait all year for the opener, wake up too early on opening day and wait to go afield, then finally, get in your stand and wait, and wait, and wait. If you're lucky you get about 13 seconds of action when your deer comes in and the whole event is so intense that all you remember about the hunt is those 13 seconds and the satisfaction, and joy you get from laying one down. Then you're back to the waiting game - waiting for your venison to come back from the meat cutter, waiting for the steaks to cook on the grill and the taters to bake and waiting, waiting, waiting for next years hunt so you can do it all again. 63 days till the opener here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Good luck to you bug. Got 3 weeks from tomorrow here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Bug I wish you luck, sounds like you are trying to do it right., I bet it pays off for you. a week from Sat. I'll be out also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Yep...sounds like you've done it right. It should pay off with some opportunities. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks for the responses guys! This whole experience has been a source of pride for me, it's been a great season so far! I'm so tempted to sit again for that Bear, but I got busted when I climbed down last time. A group of does and a spike were about 60 yds to my 5 O'clock .... I never knew they were there! So the advice I've gotten is to stay out until the opener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) the other thing bug...watch the deer and draw at the right time for the shot, that is tricky, and you will get busted several times while learning this. You may want to practice on deer coming in, to get the feel for it. fawns , does etc. then let down without getting busted... that way when the one you want comes in, you are somewhat prepared. oh that's right you got a xbow....well that's a bit easier to get on them...but I'd still do a couple dry runs for practice to get the feel for it. Edited September 7, 2014 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 A group of does and a spike were about 60 yds to my 5 O'clock .... I never knew they were there! So the advice I've gotten is to stay out until the opener. You probably will want to setup another stand just to be able to give yourself some options. With 60 acres you should be able to find another spot. From experience i can tell you that a doe watching you climb down can be a bigtime spoiler. Does not take but one time to educate an old doe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted September 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Ugh .... That's not what I wanted to hear! Lol! I can see how that would be an effective strategy. initially i located 3 decent sites to put a stand .. but I only own one. My friend who helped me hang my stand was interested in putting one of his up on the property but at this point it's to late. I'm just gonna try my hardest and hope for the best. Talking with a couple coworkers who are experienced hunters and I was able to explain the situation in detail .. The deer were snorting like crazy, and they never bolted .. they just meandered away. These guys seem to think I'll still have a good shot after a month of no human activity. I hope they're right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 best of luck--sounds like you did your work. Hauling 40 gallons of water almost a half a mile is a chore. I hope your hard work pays off. Stay out of the place now and let it calm down and be sure to hunt the wind. If the wind isn't right--even though you really wanna go---don't do it. Are there other other areas on the farm you can sit up a ground blind or even make your own ground blind? That way you will have multiple spots to hunt with different winds. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Bug best of luck got 2 weeks from tommorow here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Well, I said it in my OP, ..... "To be honest I don't expect to kill anything but would be grateful to have an opportunity." , .....and I meant it. I had the most memorable hunt on Sun, my first from a treestand, and my first with a crossbow. Opening day it rained all day, I was chomping at the bit all day! I was out well before light the next day and settled in just as a hint of dawn appeared. Just after legal shooting time, 2 medium sized Coyotes came through, one doubled back and stopped right in the middle of the, now leaf litter covered, food plot .... giving me a great shot to my off side. I did manage to get him in the cross hairs, but just as I lined him up he took off. I sat until 11, then quietly backed out to get lunch, I also pulled the card from the camera. There were plenty of deer and huge groups of Turkeys still showing up, all does it seems. Until the last few days ... guess the Yotes explain that! So I was back in the stand by 2, it was a warm afternoon compared to the morning ... In the high 50's by this time, the wind was calm all morning and was gusty in the afternoon. I hadn't seen much since the dogs, lots of squirrels and chipmunks. I had been hearing one behind me all afternoon, then I heard a different noise behind me. I ever so painstakingly turned my head all the way to the right and see a Bear! Small guy, 150lbs or so. Just as I spot him he puts his head down behind a tree. I immediately stand up and sight him in the scope. I was leaning against the tree, and in a very comfortable position. I watched this guy for almost 15minutes I figure. He put his nose to the wind a couple of times, but had no idea I was there. After talking myself down a few times (my heart was pounding ... Kept telling myself "wait!!! Breathe!!! Wait!!! Breathe!!") I let one fly, AND ....... the arrow breaks when I shoot. It did fly but went under him I guess because it looked like a good shot for a second. I knew right away I missed by his reaction ... Never really got spooked, just jumped, then stopped looked around and walked off. I waited for a half hour, just to be safe, and climbed down, first thing I noticed was the nock was missing I suspect the arrow wasn't nocked against the string tightly, it just splintered right where the fletches are glued. I feel like I was diligent about that, but I don't think the arrow was faulty as I had flexed all of them the day before. As frustrating as that was, it was an incredible experience. I haven't been back since, hunted a friends land on Mon. I'm planning on getting back out before light Fri! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Sounds like you are gaining experience, and as they say, that is the best teacher. Important you are properly nocked, that arrow shaft could have injured you severely Edited October 8, 2014 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Ain't it a great feeling?!?! I've managed to shoot at one deer with my bow in the ~8 years I've been bow hunting. Totally blew the arrow right over the bucks back but MAN was the adrenaline rush worth it all! I was so excited about having a buck that close (15 feet) and getting the chance to shoot at him that I wasn't the least bit upset that I missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Sounds like you are gaining experience, and as they say, that is the best teacher. Important you are properly nocked, that arrow shaft could have injured you severely Very true, and I felt I was diligent about that, but it seems the most likely explanation. The owners manual mentioned several times he importance of that. I suppose it was just a hair off ....? But I can tell you this, that scenario will not occur again!!! I do feel lucky to have not been injured and to not have damaged the Xbow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 It was a great experience Dawg!! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit upset, think I may have pulled a few hairs on my head, mostly the grey ones!! Lol! My buddy, who's been a bit of a mentor, put it to me thus way "There will be guys who don't see as much action all season as you saw on you first day!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2014 Turns out, I caught the whole Bear fiasco on the trail cam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Turns out' date=' I caught the whole Bear fiasco on the trail cam![/quote'] Let's see the pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 That would be a cool series of pics. Post em if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Its a 10 second video, I find its the best option with this camera. Its not very exciting but I can try and post. He looks like a cub on the vid, but he's about ~135lbs .. I promise! Giving me "invalid file" error message .... I'll try to get it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Posted in video forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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