A coolness is in the air my fishing is winding down and it's time to start shifting gears for the up coming deer season. The trail cameras went in to the woods yesterday. The property that the Turk has been on the past few seasons is flush with apples on the trees this season! Hope he weathered the winter and avoided traffic,time will tell. I'll let the cameras soak for a couple weeks and check and see who is around to chase this season...
FYI to all....I purchased 6 of the Spypoint Micro cellular cameras and have been testing them for an upcoming Illinois trip in two weeks to hang stands...so far I am happy with the quality and overall function. I called ahead and I'm told there is a decent Verizon signal where the leases are located (and of course the signal strength part of this depends on that being the case). I also bought the 12 volt extended batteries and cords since I will not be back before the season... I will attach several pictures from the last couple of weeks later.
Yesterday was opening day for us in NC. Had 2 deer come in at 25yards with 10minutes left of legal light, but it was too dark to see through my peep. Got out this morning with no luck, and I’m going to do my best to sneak out of work early tomorrow and hunt.
I’ve had 4 sits since bow season opened a week ago. Good news is I’ve seen deer every time. But either they’re a little out of range or the wind swirls and they smell me. But at least my season is open, unlike some of you poor bastards!
Wow Dan Id be getting excited! not seeing much around here this year, but had been busy with a older buddys bear Hunt! thats in the books so time to start on deer! going to check the 2 cams I have out today and put up a ladder sand. Happy Hunting!
We've found 1 buck and 4 does dead on our small place this year. Neighbor with way more ground has found 17 dead does. All presumably from EHD. It's a bummer for sure. That said, we're still seeing some deer. Kiddos will probably get limited to 1 doe per this year, if that.
Season opened yesterday but 85 degrees woods thick as a 70's porn stars cooch.... I'm waiting and biding my time as I monitor movement Turk is passing by a couple times a week still
As I thought the Turk seems to be on a 3 day schedule of showing up and yesterday was day 3 and he didn't disappoint he showed up between 6 and 7pm but I just can't hunt him with the bow in this scrub field that he's showing in ...I'll have to intercept him someplace coming in or going out....and yup yesterday was opening day and 85 degrees and he came by
Ok I’m in my stand 1st sit of the season Front came through light drizzle and 54 degrees Turk property but sitting front stand with NE wind He’s not scheduled to show up today but maybe weather changes his routine
As I thought the Turk seems to be on a 3 day schedule of showing up and yesterday was day 3 and he didn't disappoint he showed up between 6 and 7pm but I just can't hunt him with the bow in this scrub field that he's showing in ...I'll have to intercept him someplace coming in or going out....and yup yesterday was opening day and 85 degrees and he came by
Would a small ground blind work - something naturally made, not purchased?
The guy above me knows a thing or three about ambushing a smart-assed buck, as I’m sure you do, as well.
Great thread! I’m hanging on the edge until you stick him...😎
I have a natural ground blind set straight across from the Turk in that picture cut into those bushes but with the field uncut and the golden rod up no good for bow shot this year
Just to keep y'all up to date I've only hunted the 1 day last week Everyone says " you should be hunting the Turk look at all those pictures even in the daylight" Trust me I've been at this a long time and if it was a feasible option I'd have been doing it...right now it's not But I'm not just sitting idle doing nothing....I have a plan and and a plan B Another camera is deployed along the edge of the golden rod field...when I can determine where he's entering or leaving the field I will make my move As October turns to the teens and 20's on the calendar he will be moving even more and I'm certain a sighting and encounter shall happen. When the time is right I'll hit it hard ...last year had me hunting 32 days in a row before I finally killed a buck
Just to keep y'all up to date I've only hunted the 1 day last week Everyone says " you should be hunting the Turk look at all those pictures even in the daylight" Trust me I've been at this a long time and if it was a feasible option I'd have been doing it...right now it's not
Lotsa folks would rush in and blow it without knowing all the nuances. Chance favors the prepared mind.
I like having cameras. Helps me get picky knowing that there is a bigger one out there. ——- if I have a big one on camera. This year my top 3 bucks all died of ehd. Don’t have one I consider a shooter on my property so I’m hoping that maybe a neighboring buck will come in over to my place looking for a doe during the rut. My other property I did not put out cameras this year but supposedly it didn’t get hit with ehd like my county did.
Current spot is a thicket, end of cover on a creek. Open fields past one end. Bigger woods past the other.
17 acres.
Have islands of woods, some distance away. Deer when pressured will go from one to another. Buck to doe ratio.....hardly any does.....so they move more I think.
No shooters seen on camera two woods over. Three regular 8 points w biggest maybe gross 115. We have seen bigger deer in gun .... but only see em once.
Popped. 154 and 131 out of it. Saw a 165. Couple right around 125/130.
Buddy aint picky, me neither....115" 8 gets shot. This spot sometimes yields nothing
Man, that place where you're hunting Turk looks like the crap that I'm dealing with. I've got 3 ladder stands set up just inside the woods off the back field of the farm I hunt. They used to just use it for hay. A couple of years ago, a couple of gigantic trees fell across the trail they use to get the tractors back there. It hasn't been mowed in two years and now it looks like that. I used to be able to take 150 yard shots. Now you can't see the deer until they get to the edge of the field.
Dang.missed opportunity for sure.but he could be using your hunting grounds for refuge cause you know well enough not to be in them until the time is right.
Pickin up the bow again this week. I got one yesterday with a rifle and one 2 weeks ago with a rifle. Now that I’ve got 2/3 of the meat I need to last the year, and there’s still over 2 months left of the season, I’m gonna be taking the bow out more often.
Hunted a different property this morning saw 4 scrub buck and rattled in 2 shooter 8pts ...well normally shooters but one was gonna get the pass the other was not wide and big but they hung up at 40 yds Fun hunt thought
Stuff is starting to heat up saw 8 doe and 5 buck this afternoon a shooter 8 pt grunting and hounding a doe as well as 2 other 8pts a 7 pt and a 4 pt Best news is he lives...TURK
This one has potential to be special if he can make it
This morning saw 3 buck 1 doe could have killed all 3 buck(2 8pts and 4 pt) The one 8 pt was running a doe and grunting she gave him the slip and he ended up under my tree and then bedded 15 yds away
Pour rain yesterday afternoon got in late and walked up on three 8 pt buck in front of my front stand...have 40 mph winds with higher gusts this morning it's killing me
I was wondering if you were going to strap in this morning. LOL I thought the wind would have laid down by now but holy *! Once it does though I'm guessing it will get Western in a hurry.
I was wondering if you were going to strap in this morning. LOL I thought the wind would have laid down by now but holy *! Once it does though I'm guessing it will get Western in a hurry.
I'm on the Eastern edge of the state. Heavy rain, high winds last night. Several power outages here. Sunny and calm this AM but nothing moving - yet. 3:15PM. Climbing back in now.
Dan I’m in Ohio currently riding out a storm in my tent. I saw 5 bucks today, 3 of which I rattled in. The 3 does I saw wanted nothing to do with the bucks but you can just tell it’s coming. Looks like Turk is chasing some tail in those last couple pictures.
Dan I’m in Ohio currently riding out a storm in my tent. I saw 5 bucks today, 3 of which I rattled in. The 3 does I saw wanted nothing to do with the bucks but you can just tell it’s coming. Looks like Turk is chasing some tail in those last couple pictures.
Bastard was through he last night trying to mounting a doe I’ll post pics later Just passed on a nice 8 pt the one that I said will be special if he makes it
Hunted Turk property in the morning still a ghost town saw one scrub buck Then hunted another property from noon till dark and it was chaos! Bucks chasing doe all over saw 2 shooter but no shoots either too thick or 2 far I should have just went there this morning this buck walked right past my stand
Hey Dan, how about these? Found these on my way to check a gun stand I've not been in this year. They were made this week. i.e. not by the one that got hit.
Unfortunately the stand will need to be replaced. Sure glad I wasn't in it!
Had a spike go past at 10 yds saw a couple doe the an 8 Pt chase them behind me into the pines then a shooter 8 pt same deal in to pines both came right under the stand I was gonna hunt this morning but I bobbed and they weaved again Gun season is Saturday so right before I was going to leave a small doe gave me a 25 yd shot....she dropped on impact crushed the off side shoulder
A big giant buck I've been targeting since August is inexplicably missing his entire right side now. 2 months before rut. I passed him and am now trying to find my backups...
Bummer,,, It happens alot with gun season. Didn't someone get one you were hunting a couple yrs back? Also the rut really changes their habits,(woman seem to do that)
Bummer,,, It happens alot with gun season. Didn't someone get one you were hunting a couple yrs back? Also the rut really changes their habits,(woman seem to do that)
Sorry Dan I know you wanted that one, but you have some other good bucks still out there and the rut is still on. Stick it out and you may get a surprise.
Next is word is out in the area the Turk was poached by a trespasser on posted property directly across the road from where I hunt
In contact with another hunter I share intel with who hunts across the road here is what he's found out...the pisser is it sounds like the property I used to hunt right across the road from where I am now but lost rights after my divorce as it was ex's aunt and uncles property
" So - here’s the details as told to me. There’s major shadiness and two stories told by two different people who have heard this. Both stories were the same. Apparently the guy walked the creek south in between properties using the “navigable” waters like to be legal. He dropped in north of cheese factory and walked south in creek and shot it on neighbors hillside property to us (to your NNW). The shooter apparently saw an elevated blind with a softside blind across the creek from where he shot - that’s our neighbor to north. Also apparently shot with rifle. They’re really nervous about this as it’s out I guess. All I have is stories, so take it for what it’s worth."
"Supposedly guys name is Chris plain. Again I’m going off of stories but stories are same. He drove around looking for people he knew who hunted, didn’t see trucks and went in to kill this deer."
"His brother acknowledged knowing this deer last year on a FB post."
"Yep. I have an acquaintance who hunted with them and says rumors are true to his knowledge."
"Owner of property to our north heard the shot at 330. He was back at his barn. He hunts but was out for midday lunch."
"This guy dropped j to creek on north side far enough up and walked all the way down to the two properties north of us and shot it on the east side of creek."
"Right at the corner of his(Bell) across from Scott and right on Vince’s line."
At any rate the Turk deserved better than to be poached but he sleeps with the fishes now so I have to move on I won't go into all the details of how the land owner adjacent to my other property shot the woods up at 4 pm opening day with me in my stand the last shot was so close he rattled my fillings.I had watched 6 doe file out of the pines and work their way towards me.He shot 5 times the last 2 at a doe standing 75 yds from me. I yelled hey 2 twice and he said where are you I said in my treestand. The orange pumpkin walked towards me and tried to say I was on his property.I informed him I certainly was not but he was insistent about some line. I got down and he came to my tree I pulled out my phone and opened my OnX app that I pay for.I say to him are you Joe___ and he says yes with bewilderment. I say Joe see this line it's your property line see this blue dot thats where we are standing on property I have exclusive hunting right. He apoligized and said he didn't know bla bla bla. Ok what ever when he 1st started the mealy he was on his property but the last two shots he fired were on mine. I said Joe what the hell were you shooting at? He says I shot 2 doe and the last shot I finished the one off(the one I was watching less than 75 yds from me. Any ways he says he is done for the season and won't be back in the woods anymore as he travels for work. That's good I think but you just blew up a honey hole here and are shooting at doe. I have no doubt that a buck was going to be exiting the pines and heading my way very shortly but it is what it is.
I guess I some how got on a roll and gave you all the details of my wonderful opening weekend.
Flash forward regroup and hunt another buck now,hopefully deer settle back in and I can get a crack at this guy
Next is word is out in the area the Turk was poached by a trespasser on posted property directly across the road from where I hunt
In contact with another hunter I share intel with who hunts across the road here is what he's found out...the pisser is it sounds like the property I used to hunt right across the road from where I am now but lost rights after my divorce as it was ex's aunt and uncles property
" So - here’s the details as told to me. There’s major shadiness and two stories told by two different people who have heard this. Both stories were the same. Apparently the guy walked the creek south in between properties using the “navigable” waters like to be legal. He dropped in north of cheese factory and walked south in creek and shot it on neighbors hillside property to us (to your NNW). The shooter apparently saw an elevated blind with a softside blind across the creek from where he shot - that’s our neighbor to north. Also apparently shot with rifle. They’re really nervous about this as it’s out I guess. All I have is stories, so take it for what it’s worth."
"Supposedly guys name is Chris plain. Again I’m going off of stories but stories are same. He drove around looking for people he knew who hunted, didn’t see trucks and went in to kill this deer."
"His brother acknowledged knowing this deer last year on a FB post."
"Yep. I have an acquaintance who hunted with them and says rumors are true to his knowledge."
"Owner of property to our north heard the shot at 330. He was back at his barn. He hunts but was out for midday lunch."
"This guy dropped j to creek on north side far enough up and walked all the way down to the two properties north of us and shot it on the east side of creek."
"Right at the corner of his(Bell) across from Scott and right on Vince’s line."
Next is word is out in the area the Turk was poached by a trespasser on posted property directly across the road from where I hunt
In contact with another hunter I share intel with who hunts across the road here is what he's found out...the pisser is it sounds like the property I used to hunt right across the road from where I am now but lost rights after my divorce as it was ex's aunt and uncles property
" So - here’s the details as told to me. There’s major shadiness and two stories told by two different people who have heard this. Both stories were the same. Apparently the guy walked the creek south in between properties using the “navigable” waters like to be legal. He dropped in north of cheese factory and walked south in creek and shot it on neighbors hillside property to us (to your NNW). The shooter apparently saw an elevated blind with a softside blind across the creek from where he shot - that’s our neighbor to north. Also apparently shot with rifle. They’re really nervous about this as it’s out I guess. All I have is stories, so take it for what it’s worth."
"Supposedly guys name is Chris plain. Again I’m going off of stories but stories are same. He drove around looking for people he knew who hunted, didn’t see trucks and went in to kill this deer."
"His brother acknowledged knowing this deer last year on a FB post."
"Yep. I have an acquaintance who hunted with them and says rumors are true to his knowledge."
"Owner of property to our north heard the shot at 330. He was back at his barn. He hunts but was out for midday lunch."
"This guy dropped j to creek on north side far enough up and walked all the way down to the two properties north of us and shot it on the east side of creek."
"Right at the corner of his(Bell) across from Scott and right on Vince’s line."
I feel for you. I myself got totally screwed this year by ehd. I had 8 different bucks on camera from spring......my top 3 shooters disappeared around July/August. Now I only have 2 on camera, a spike and a small 7 pt. My neighbors and I have found several dead this summer. I hate ehd!!!!!!!
I feel for you. I myself got totally screwed this year by ehd. I had 8 different bucks on camera from spring......my top 3 shooters disappeared around July/August. Now I only have 2 on camera, a spike and a small 7 pt. My neighbors and I have found several dead this summer. I hate ehd!!!!!!!
Tom don't know anything about "ehd" but is there any thing that could be feed in off season that would help prevent the disease ? Cheers NC
Nope. Here’s what ehd is. https://biggamelogic.com/ehd-in-deer/ We had a massive drought this year. My ponds are still down over 2 feet lower than normal.
I did an all day sit yesterday at one of my spots, it’s a pain to walk back into but usually worth it. Passed a shot on a 140ish 8 point at 60 yds as he had a snapped off G3 on his left beam. What a bummer, first legitimate shooter I seen this year.
Hunted yesterday saw a 3 pt in the am and a couple doe and fawns in afternoon Been tough and property that had turk really doesn't have any buck I want to shoot so I'm down to 1 property basically.Later in the season I'll take a doe or two from turk property
I still follow my Dad's advice. Shoot the 1st one you see. That's was back in the early 70's in PA. I still follow that advice. That's maybe why I've never killed a big buck----But I've ate a lot of venison. Dan-- Happy Thanksgiving, Bob
Been hunting a different property my cousin has leased hence seeing more deer in the past few trips.I had to miss yesterday afternoons hunt but he had a shooter in and ran out of light to shoot so there remains tempered hope that some thing good may still come my way....back at it this afternoon
My luck continues to be bad or non existent so no deer yesterday morning or afternoon. Talked to my friend who hunts across the road and found out the 8pt I had passed 3 times during archery season to give him another yr or 2 won't get them he was hit by a car and was laying dead in the field just off the road
On a brighter note I helped my cousin get a stand set up at 3 pm and a 4:20pm he killed a nice buck.Helped him get it out and hung.He used my dads gun I gifted to him so was even more special
Finally had a shooter in sight yesterday afternoon 1st one all season that got my heart beating ....50 yds stare down for 10 minutes finally he turned and started walking back the way he came and got behind some trees...that was the break I needed I was able to stand and pull my gun up but as my luck has been running all season another bad break and the stand I was in made an awful loud creaking noise and off bounded a wide and high stud 8pt with a body like a horse,This is the same stand my cousin killed his buck from a couple days ago Frustrated.disgusted and dishearten sums things up....last day of gun season today,then muzzle loader
Good luck on the final day of gun. At least with muzzy season kicking off your still in the hunt.
Question about your lift... I'm trying to wrap my mind around how the platform goes from the rear position on the ground to the front position over the tailgat(?).... Probably very simple but I,m just missing it. I,d build one for my truck if I knew just how it works...
EDITED .... I see the video now... It was just blue box before, I hate useing this iPad on the 24hcf...
Congrats on your cousins buck and to you for help making it happen !! Unfortunately you don't hold the "Patent" on disappointing / frustrating seasons, we've all been there.....It just makes the successful ones that much more enjoyable.
Finally connected,but a tough season with way to much work. Main frame 8 with a kicker, Not the big one we were hunting ,but excited any ways. Lucky,lucky
Finally connected,but a tough season with way to much work. Main frame 8 with a kicker, Not the big one we were hunting ,but excited any ways. Lucky,lucky
4 doe 2 buck yesterday....the mature doe got parallel with me and caught my wind and started to blow.The buck was trailing behind them I had a shop about 100 yds but couldn't say for sure if it was a shooter ,it was an 8pt but not the big one from Saturday I decided to not take the shot and walk up on a 110" deer if he was a shooter then maybe I'll see him again but better safe than sorry We are just learning this stand set and now know a south wind isn't ideal.
Finally I caught a break~! This isn't the deer from Saturday that one was even bigger but this guy will do! 20 1/2" spread 172 lbs dressed weight. TC Omega 250 gr Barnes TEZ over 120 gr Blackhorn 209 Head on shot through the heart
Was slow yesterday afternoon but a very last light I think I saw the big big 8pt that busted when my stand creaked last Saturday, was just to dark to say for sure but I'm pretty sure 4 days left and this season will be a wrap.
Many highs and lows but by grinding and not quitting I managed to put a nice season together The Turk is no more and that is sad I enjoyed the 4 yrs of chasing and matching wits with him. The big 8 pt has made it through hunting season on my cousins property so there will be a new quest beginning hopefully ! Thank y'all for following and coming along with me !
Yes Sir, it has been fun to follow along,you stuck it out and ended with a great season. Yes Turk is gone,but there will be others to get you excited. Looking forward as well.
Checked cameras yesterday and still no pictures of the Big 8pt that eluded me twice as well as my cousin, that said there are some deer that made it that will be nice next fall