woodshed Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I have a friend that has a primo spot in Ill. I bought a Non resident tag the last 2 years to hunt on his properties he manages with 2 other guys. I consider our friendship good but we don't know each other real well yet. These properties are loaded with huge deer! I've only deer hunted 4 seasons and consider myself inexperienced compared to these guys. This last weekend, I shot 2 antlerless nice bucks there. Basically I didn't observe the deer enough and just shot at the biggest ones. Like an overly eager rookie would do I guess. I think most bucks were shed because I only saw one forkie with antlers. I had 2 tags and didn't want to go home empty. ($485.00) They seemed to shrug it off as not a big deal. I sensed irritation in my friend though. I wrote him an email letter apologizing. I tried to man up to my mistakes and bad decisions. He hasn't replied and I'm wondering if that means he really is ticked off. I'm a public land loner hunter. I don't have experience in the etticate and rules of being a guest on somebodies honey hole. He told me in the beggining not to worry about shooting a smaller buck. If I liked it take it. He also made comments that they rarely see the same bucks twice anyway because there just is so many of them. So I wasn't really thinking they cared about any of it anyhow. I'm worried he is angry and maybe not allow me back anymore. So,, do you think this is a big deal or am I just being paranoid? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I'm not really sure as I don't know you or your friend. It wouldn't upset me because you didn't shoot a small buck knowingly, and he even said that he didn't mind if you shot a smaller buck. I would bet he is busy and hasn't had time to reply to your email. Since you know him well, I would try giving him a phone call and judging how he is feeling by that. I mean, it was an honest mistake that you made, that any hunter could and probably will make if they are trying to shoot an antlerless deer during a period when bucks are shedding, and you are trying to take responsibility for your "mistake" Again I would call him and see his reaction after that. Hope this helps bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 If he was that hard up on management, and didnt trust your judgement, he should have gone with you...thats the bottom line. doesnt sound like he was specific enough with you on what he wanted and didnt want you to take- so if he's mad, its his own fault. I would wait it out for a day or two and give him a call....thank him for letting you out there and see what happens. Good luck, and congrats on your deer;) there is no reason to get mad at a new comer in this sport...you learn as you go;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Hard to say. I'm lucky enough to hunt with Ohiobucks on his buddy's land and the rules are very clear there. Shoot all the does you can, and a buck has to be at least 125+, preferably +. Personally, when I'm on those properties I'd really hesitate to shoot any buck. It would have to be a no doubter, and I do my best to shoot does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 The bottom line is if you were not experienced in the late hunt the rules should have been stated very clear to you. He should know the bucks are dropping antlers at this time and especially this year. It would have been in his best intrest to stress the fact and had you use binocs to check the deer before the shot. This hunt gets a lot of big bucks shot every year that have dropped antlers and I am not a big fan of it personally. Just try next time to scope them out a little better before the shot to try to verify a buck or a doe, it is really tough to do with the thick winter hide on. Regarding your freind I agree with the above comments wait a little and call him. If he is ticked try to explain the difficulty of the sexing them and tell him you will do better next time. Remember it is not always about "Filling the tag" it is also about having a good time in the outdoors. Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Were you hunting with gun or bow? Bowhunting whitetails, it is obviously easier to verify a doe/button buck/shed antler buck, etc. simply because it is a close quarters sport. Animals are usually unaware of the hunters presence. Longer shots with guns, at game that may be moving faster, and shot opportunities are a few seconds long, it can be more challenging to judge game before you pull the trigger. I don't know what else you can do to appease your buddy. Consider this a lesson learned and go from there I guess. Ohio is proposing to move the increasingly popular muzzleloader season to January 9-12 next year, I can see this happening more here as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Sounds like the rules your friend stated prior to the hunt were not broken so there should not be any hard feelings. Perhaps your friend is having second thoughts about the rules and if so he should tell you. I'd call him and find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyenut Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Were you hunting with gun or bow? Bowhunting whitetails, it is obviously easier to verify a doe/button buck/shed antler buck, etc. simply because it is a close quarters sport. Animals are usually unaware of the hunters presence. Longer shots with guns, at game that may be moving faster, and shot opportunities are a few seconds long, it can be more challenging to judge game before you pull the trigger. I don't know what else you can do to appease your buddy. Consider this a lesson learned and go from there I guess. Ohio is proposing to move the increasingly popular muzzleloader season to January 9-12 next year, I can see this happening more here as well. Not to highjack this thread, but this past muzzleloader season ('08) my Dad shot a really, really big shed buck that was mostly healed already! He also found a shed to another buck. We tend to unknowingly shoot lots of shed bucks during muzzleloader in Jefferson County, so I don't see a real big deal to going back to the "traditional" muzzleloader dates in January. In fact, I'm glad- the holidays are just too busy. I remember having to leave on Christmas night a couple of times because the season started on the 26th. With the extra shotgun weekend, I feel January is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Not to highjack this thread, but this past muzzleloader season ('08) my Dad shot a really, really big shed buck that was mostly healed already! He also found a shed to another buck. We tend to unknowingly shoot lots of shed bucks during muzzleloader in Jefferson County, so I don't see a real big deal to going back to the "traditional" muzzleloader dates in January. In fact, I'm glad- the holidays are just too busy. I remember having to leave on Christmas night a couple of times because the season started on the 26th. With the extra shotgun weekend, I feel January is best. Yep, it happens now with the season being in late December, and it will happen even more if the season is pushed back to January. Hunting pressure won't be as much in January though, as a lot of people have time off around the holidays anyway. I'm not sure what the state is trying to accomplish here by pushing the ML season back. Again, sorry to hi-jack. Shooting bucks without antlers happens everywhere you go. If it is important to the land owners/managers and hunters themselves to not shoot these bucks, make sure of your target beforehand. If that means passing up a chance at a deer because you didn't get a long enough look at it, then so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodshed Posted January 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Thanks folks. I appreciate your responese. To answer one of the questions,, this was a bow hunt. One excuse I did have with these deer, was the illusion they were small. There was a foot of snow on the ground. I live in Missouri and have not observed deer in that much snow before. With half there legs under the surface of the snow, I thought they all looked small to me. I also do not have very good binocs. I'd love to get some better ones. This is a great example of you get what you pay for. I didn't even use them on these deer. They were both at low light and my binocs were inadequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 my Dad shot a really, really big shed buck that was mostly healed already! He also found a shed to another buck. . Eyesight isn't one of Leonard's strong points, I'd guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyenut Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 Eyesight isn't one of Leonard's strong points, I'd guess. No doubt, can't see or hear too well anymore. It is sad to see him get old. In defense, however, it was in a group of 6 or 7 deer feeding around him. No racks, so he thought matriarch I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 No doubt, can't see or hear too well anymore. It is sad to see him get old. In defense, however, it was in a group of 6 or 7 deer feeding around him. No racks, so he thought matriarch I guess. Dude. I admire Leonard more than you will ever know. How many other dudes his age are out there? Not many. I love your dad like another uncle, wish I'd have met your family earlier in life and could have spent more time with you guys and your dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 This was a hard lesson to learn for the sake of $485.00. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambo Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 It may not be your friend that is upset with you. He may be getting an ear full from his partners. They may have acted one way in front of you and after you left they let thier real feelings out. Some people only talk behind backs. You did nothing wrong. You hunted with in the boudries that they layed out. Field judging of animals is tough for even veteran hunters. We all learn from our experiences, there is no easy way to learn from life other than to live it. Give them a little time and they will see they over reacted. Time has a way of healing. Good luck and stay positive. Congratulations on your harvests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodshed Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 thanks. It's been ironed out now. first,, I had an old email so that is why I had no reply. I also spoke with him and he is fine. So are the buds. I was a little to overreactive. He asked if I was comming back next year. WAGOO!! I still learned valuable lessons with these guys. So all is well and thank you very much. Now I have to eat some straps!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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