Been out 3 times, have seen does every time out. Buddy shot a BB that seriously couldn't have been 30 lbs but its his tag I didn't say much besides the usual ribbing one takes after the deer has been found.
Fast forward a bit to last night......
I wanted to be out of the house by 4 a.m. Forgot my kids had softball practice, guitar/piano, etc. so I decided to stay home and help out. Wanted to be out of the house at 1 p.m. Left at 2...see where this is going?
Get to our property and meet a truck with some guys we know, dad shoots the shit for a little longer than is needed. Quick cam check reveals nothing, head to stand at 3:20. In my disgust I pick an Aspen a little further than I wanted from my spot. Knowing full well Aspens and climbers don't mix! Every 5 feet I climb I slide back 3 feet. I get to the height I settled on and thankfully I was wearing my harness because when I went to pull the straps on my LW the whole stand kicked lose and away I went! All I had to do was sit on the bar to stop but scary second to say the least! I climb back down and move over to the tree I wanted to be in. Get situated and calmed down around 4:30, thinking these are the days that always turn out great so tried to relax and enjoy the few hours I had. Wind was swirling so my hopes were deflated again, "screw it" I thought I'm already here I will test out that shampoo and detergent I just bought.
A few pics from my stand....
Small ravine with spring fed creek below
To the east
North
At 4:30 a group of 3 does came from the thicket to the east, down to the water and hung up eating the acorns on te side of the ravine. Directly downwind of me for an hour! The lead doe finally walks back the trail that comes out directly in front of my stand. She gets to within 10yds and she winds me. Doesn't bolt but rather cautiously feeds the remaining 10 yards out to my north! Perfectly broadside shot without a limb in sight. I let her walk....
I sat there after wandering I I should have shot. In the end, the deer have taken a pounding in our part of the county and especially the surrounding properties. I set out this year to try and hold a group of does close to our property and have done that so far. I guess it's all part of being more of a manager than a hunter in this particular case. I ended seeing a yote, 3 does, a small buck and one Gi-Hugic fox squirrel. Hopefully our numbers come back some in the next couple years and the decision when to shoot will be more likely than if I should shoot!
Sorry for the long read....gotta catch up with the regulars!
Fast forward a bit to last night......
I wanted to be out of the house by 4 a.m. Forgot my kids had softball practice, guitar/piano, etc. so I decided to stay home and help out. Wanted to be out of the house at 1 p.m. Left at 2...see where this is going?
Get to our property and meet a truck with some guys we know, dad shoots the shit for a little longer than is needed. Quick cam check reveals nothing, head to stand at 3:20. In my disgust I pick an Aspen a little further than I wanted from my spot. Knowing full well Aspens and climbers don't mix! Every 5 feet I climb I slide back 3 feet. I get to the height I settled on and thankfully I was wearing my harness because when I went to pull the straps on my LW the whole stand kicked lose and away I went! All I had to do was sit on the bar to stop but scary second to say the least! I climb back down and move over to the tree I wanted to be in. Get situated and calmed down around 4:30, thinking these are the days that always turn out great so tried to relax and enjoy the few hours I had. Wind was swirling so my hopes were deflated again, "screw it" I thought I'm already here I will test out that shampoo and detergent I just bought.
A few pics from my stand....
Small ravine with spring fed creek below
To the east
North
At 4:30 a group of 3 does came from the thicket to the east, down to the water and hung up eating the acorns on te side of the ravine. Directly downwind of me for an hour! The lead doe finally walks back the trail that comes out directly in front of my stand. She gets to within 10yds and she winds me. Doesn't bolt but rather cautiously feeds the remaining 10 yards out to my north! Perfectly broadside shot without a limb in sight. I let her walk....
I sat there after wandering I I should have shot. In the end, the deer have taken a pounding in our part of the county and especially the surrounding properties. I set out this year to try and hold a group of does close to our property and have done that so far. I guess it's all part of being more of a manager than a hunter in this particular case. I ended seeing a yote, 3 does, a small buck and one Gi-Hugic fox squirrel. Hopefully our numbers come back some in the next couple years and the decision when to shoot will be more likely than if I should shoot!
Sorry for the long read....gotta catch up with the regulars!