- 25,174
- 261
The beans I gathered today are right next to my woods and house. There probably isn't a living deer within a mile of the place.
Brock/Mason go huntin
- Thread starter brock ratcliff
- Start date
The beans I gathered today are right next to my woods and house. There probably isn't a living deer within a mile of the place.
Dang Brock! Sorry to hear about last nights encounter! I'd say you're right, sounds like it might very well have been ole Driftwood....I hope not but dang!
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Damn....so you cut them and gathered them for bait? Bet that was a good work out!!
- 25,174
- 261
I tried the weed whacker, it didn't work. It scattered beans all over the place as soon as it hit them. Then I tried cutting them with a machete, but found the best way was to grab the plant and pull them straight up out of the ground. That worked and it really didn't take long to have as many as we could haul at one time. It would have been easier if they weren't in a snow drift...
We had a great hunt last night. We saw 22 deer, but most were well out of range. We had four that offered slam-dunk shots, a few others that were around 40 yards (which is pretty much slam-dunk for Mason with the Excalibur). We also saw a fox. Great time, just didn't see the right deer!
Here is one of the bucks that Mason is still refusing to shoot. He has the prettiest coloring in his antlers. They are really dark with white tips. I don't know if you can tell that in this pic, so just take my word for it.
If he had just another 130" of antler, I'd say we would have hauled him home last night.Attachments
-
0111151913a.jpg
As they yard up the hunts not only get more eventful they also get more difficult....a lot more eyes and noses. You guys are so close!!! Hope he slips up soon guys!
That's as healthy a nice young buck you can find!
That's as healthy a nice young buck you can find!
- 25,174
- 261
Me too buddy, and thanks for the well-wishes!
I ran up to Fayette today after lunch service. No hunting, I was buying corn from my landowner's bin. I have bought the last 500lbs for the season, I think. On the way home we passed a place where we picked up probably close to 1000lbs of apples in August and Sept. I mentioned that, and then thought about how many lbs of corn we've bought and dumped in different places trying to get pics and maybe a shot at these deer for Mason. Then I thought about how I stood in that snow drift pulling soy bean plants yesterday to add to the mix. I have no idea how many pics and videos I've deleted this year, but it's been pretty much non-stop since August. I can't help but wonder too, just how much gasoline I've run through 5 miles at a time in both of my trucks and my 4wlr, how many miles I've put on my boots. How many times I've told KR to hold down the fort at the shop while we snuck off to the woods for a couple hours of seat time...because, "Tonight is the night". I've lost count of how many deer Mason did NOT shoot, but it's around 30, nine different bucks, I think. I mentioned all this to Mason as we rode home. I told him in a matter of fact way, "That's it, too much effort, we are taking the light and rifle next time!" I'm proud to announce Mason's response; "Dad, we aren't like that. If we don't get him, we've had a lot of fun trying". The kid never ceases to make me proud.... but I wish he'd let me take a rifle just once.
I ran up to Fayette today after lunch service. No hunting, I was buying corn from my landowner's bin. I have bought the last 500lbs for the season, I think. On the way home we passed a place where we picked up probably close to 1000lbs of apples in August and Sept. I mentioned that, and then thought about how many lbs of corn we've bought and dumped in different places trying to get pics and maybe a shot at these deer for Mason. Then I thought about how I stood in that snow drift pulling soy bean plants yesterday to add to the mix. I have no idea how many pics and videos I've deleted this year, but it's been pretty much non-stop since August. I can't help but wonder too, just how much gasoline I've run through 5 miles at a time in both of my trucks and my 4wlr, how many miles I've put on my boots. How many times I've told KR to hold down the fort at the shop while we snuck off to the woods for a couple hours of seat time...because, "Tonight is the night". I've lost count of how many deer Mason did NOT shoot, but it's around 30, nine different bucks, I think. I mentioned all this to Mason as we rode home. I told him in a matter of fact way, "That's it, too much effort, we are taking the light and rifle next time!" I'm proud to announce Mason's response; "Dad, we aren't like that. If we don't get him, we've had a lot of fun trying". The kid never ceases to make me proud.... but I wish he'd let me take a rifle just once.
Joel
Senior Member
Sounds like a great kid from everything I've heard. He deserves a shot at that big one and I hope he gets it.
lmao
I can only imagine how many miles you guys have tracked and the time and energy put into these deer. I have NOTHING like those and I know what I have done now that you make me think about it. Yeah, rifle and a light would be so much easier lol.
Good thing you taught Mason as well as you have Brock. That kids is impressive in many ways buddy. Be proud, very proud of that boy.
I can only imagine how many miles you guys have tracked and the time and energy put into these deer. I have NOTHING like those and I know what I have done now that you make me think about it. Yeah, rifle and a light would be so much easier lol.
Good thing you taught Mason as well as you have Brock. That kids is impressive in many ways buddy. Be proud, very proud of that boy.
- 25,174
- 261
I should have taught him that rules were made to be broken... Even if my truck were confiscated, it would still be a cheaper endeavor!
I should have mentioned in the post above, the pic of the little 8 point was taken out of the window of our blind. The deer was only 20 yards away. Man, what a tempting shot that would have been for most boys. I kinda miss the kid that just wanted to shoot something... I guess having to let that deer go because he did not have a tag last year had a profound effect.
Even if my truck were confiscated, it would still be a cheaper endeavor!I should have mentioned in the post above, the pic of the little 8 point was taken out of the window of our blind. The deer was only 20 yards away. Man, what a tempting shot that would have been for most boys. I kinda miss the kid that just wanted to shoot something... I guess having to let that deer go because he did not have a tag last year had a profound effect.
Me too buddy, and thanks for the well-wishes!
I ran up to Fayette today after lunch service. No hunting, I was buying corn from my landowner's bin. I have bought the last 500lbs for the season, I think. On the way home we passed a place where we picked up probably close to 1000lbs of apples in August and Sept. I mentioned that, and then thought about how many lbs of corn we've bought and dumped in different places trying to get pics and maybe a shot at these deer for Mason. Then I thought about how I stood in that snow drift pulling soy bean plants yesterday to add to the mix. I have no idea how many pics and videos I've deleted this year, but it's been pretty much non-stop since August. I can't help but wonder too, just how much gasoline I've run through 5 miles at a time in both of my trucks and my 4wlr, how many miles I've put on my boots. How many times I've told KR to hold down the fort at the shop while we snuck off to the woods for a couple hours of seat time...because, "Tonight is the night". I've lost count of how many deer Mason did NOT shoot, but it's around 30, nine different bucks, I think. I mentioned all this to Mason as we rode home. I told him in a matter of fact way, "That's it, too much effort, we are taking the light and rifle next time!" I'm proud to announce Mason's response; "Dad, we aren't like that. If we don't get him, we've had a lot of fun trying". The kid never ceases to make me proud.... but I wish he'd let me take a rifle just once.
Great reflection put into words Brock! That young man you've brought up is a breath of fresh air! His desire to get out and hunt versus sitting around inside playing video games like most kids his age is refreshing but to come back at you like that shows he's in it for the right reasons! Awesome stuff!
- 25,174
- 261
I want to scream...again.
So let explain what I've seen on the cams and from the stand the last sit... Mason and I watched a young 8 point come into the bait, eat, look around and spy 4 does 200 yards across the wheat field. He took off after them (recorded on my trailcam and via my handycam) He catches up to them about 400 yards away from us and spends the rest of the evening chasing them around the field, one in particular. Mason and I saw a ton of deer than night, it was a great sit, but we didn't see the right one, so he didn't shoot anything.
I put more corn out and checked the cam yesterday. The videos showed the same small 8 chasing, lip curling, the whole bit...the same group of does presumably, early the next morning. Who would show up with the does? Yep, the right ONE! He shared the bait pile (a bunch of soybeans and corn) with one of the does....he has NEVER shared the pile with another deer...he runs 'em off. So, I'm thinking we have one that is smelling right. This could really work in our favor...maybe.
So we get in the blind tonight. Not much action until 520 or so when I hear deer coming up the hill behind us. We can't see them due to the nature of the blind I built, but can clearly hear them stop at the line fence and survey things before hoping on over and walking to the bait. They are 15 yards to our left when they jump the fence... We are enjoying the show, watching deer at 20 yards or so is always fun, and they don't have a clue we are anywhere in the world! Then I hear it...old "heavy steps" is walking up the same trail, slow, deliberate, heavy.... I tell Mason, "I bet it's him, get ready"... He stops at the fence, like you'd expect a big deer, or any deer, to do. Just then, one of the does raises her tail and looks directly away from us. Then I see them, 6 nasty, good-for-nothing stinking coyotes! They are 190 yards from us, just standing there looking at the deer. Well, the deer cleared out. I listened close to see if they stopped, but I think they kept right on traveling down the ravine. The coyotes eventually strolled on across the field, never getting any closer than they had been when I first saw them. Had they come within range, we would have shot one and I may have even tried to kill a couple of them with my bare hands!
There is of course no way of knowing if that heavy-stepping sucker was him, but I'm betting we will have videos of him with 4 does at the bait before sunrise tomorrow. We can't hunt again until Saturday, and that is questionable. Sunday is out due to Mason starting a winter baseball camp.
So let explain what I've seen on the cams and from the stand the last sit... Mason and I watched a young 8 point come into the bait, eat, look around and spy 4 does 200 yards across the wheat field. He took off after them (recorded on my trailcam and via my handycam) He catches up to them about 400 yards away from us and spends the rest of the evening chasing them around the field, one in particular. Mason and I saw a ton of deer than night, it was a great sit, but we didn't see the right one, so he didn't shoot anything.
I put more corn out and checked the cam yesterday. The videos showed the same small 8 chasing, lip curling, the whole bit...the same group of does presumably, early the next morning. Who would show up with the does? Yep, the right ONE! He shared the bait pile (a bunch of soybeans and corn) with one of the does....he has NEVER shared the pile with another deer...he runs 'em off. So, I'm thinking we have one that is smelling right. This could really work in our favor...maybe.
So we get in the blind tonight. Not much action until 520 or so when I hear deer coming up the hill behind us. We can't see them due to the nature of the blind I built, but can clearly hear them stop at the line fence and survey things before hoping on over and walking to the bait. They are 15 yards to our left when they jump the fence... We are enjoying the show, watching deer at 20 yards or so is always fun, and they don't have a clue we are anywhere in the world! Then I hear it...old "heavy steps" is walking up the same trail, slow, deliberate, heavy.... I tell Mason, "I bet it's him, get ready"... He stops at the fence, like you'd expect a big deer, or any deer, to do. Just then, one of the does raises her tail and looks directly away from us. Then I see them, 6 nasty, good-for-nothing stinking coyotes! They are 190 yards from us, just standing there looking at the deer. Well, the deer cleared out. I listened close to see if they stopped, but I think they kept right on traveling down the ravine. The coyotes eventually strolled on across the field, never getting any closer than they had been when I first saw them. Had they come within range, we would have shot one and I may have even tried to kill a couple of them with my bare hands!
There is of course no way of knowing if that heavy-stepping sucker was him, but I'm betting we will have videos of him with 4 does at the bait before sunrise tomorrow. We can't hunt again until Saturday, and that is questionable. Sunday is out due to Mason starting a winter baseball camp.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
- 25,174
- 261
Mason has basketball practice from 4-6 tomorrow. I'm dropping him off a little early and picking him up a little late! I'm going to the woods!
- 25,174
- 261
So close so many times. So frustrating. I am frustrated reading it. Can't imagine how you guys feel. Good luck Brock. Rooting for you and Mason still!
I would have been seeing red with those yote screwing up my sit so I can only imagine how you two felt knowing what you guys are chasing. As soon as that big sucker hits the ground dead or season is over I see many snares being deployed lol.
Good luck out there guys. I really hope you get a crack at the big fella.
Good luck out there guys. I really hope you get a crack at the big fella.