Phil 2025 2026 season

[hickslawns]

Might be the latest I've ever started a season. Feels good to be in a tree. Text my wife to see how the freezer looked. She said we would use it if I shot one. Be good for confidence to start the year. Nothing is safe. Lol

Edit: I lied. Saw a 2yr old thrash a tree, grunt loud, and pester a young doe at 50-60yds. Shortly after I passed a medium sized doe inside 20yds. Kicking myself now. It's early and they seem to be moving without a care in the world though. Except the young doe. She was quite bothered by the buck.

 

[bigten05]

Good luck

 

[Big_Holla]

Go get ‘em Phil!! Good luck!

 

[Dannmann801]

MEAT !!!!

 

[hickslawns]

Great sit. Later had 5 does come into bow range. Stopped just short of my shooting window. One of them got boogery and they all turned around and left. I didn't flinch although my knee did crack once. None seemed to be looking at me. Wind was in my favor. I dunno. That's hunting.

I did see some others in the distance and had one bounce while climbing down in the dark. Pretty sure it was a solo doe I had seen shortly before dark making her way thru.

Hunts; 1
Hours hunted: 3
Total Deer seen: 6
Bucks: 1

 

[hickslawns]

Same tree and woods as last night. Had a yearling hang out awhile. Within 40yds. Late in the sit she came back in with her mom. Came from a direction I didn't expect. I think Momma caught me moving when I turned to look at the sound of leaves crunching. She was about 20yds. She must've blown half a dozen times and stomped her foot a dozen times. Head bob. Turned like she was walking away and whipped her head back to see if I moved. Never did get a shot. Couldn't even draw.

Hunt 2
Hours hunted: 3
Deer seen: 2
Bucks; 0

Season totals:
Hours hunted: 6
Total Deer seen: 8
Bucks: 1

 

[hickslawns]

Different woods. Climber. Unusual ESE wind changing to E. I've had great experiences on East winds and I've had no deer in locations that always have deer in East winds. Let's see what tonight brings. Couple of does in this property that frequent the area that have the body of a 3-4yr old buck. Outsmart those nanny does and it's as good as shooting a big buck.

 

[Dannmann801]

Different woods. Climber. Unusual ESE wind changing to E. I've had great experiences on East winds and I've had no deer in locations that always have deer in East winds. Let's see what tonight brings. Couple of does in this property that frequent the area that have the body of a 3-4yr old buck. Outsmart those nanny does and it's as good as shooting a big buck.

Go Phil, MEAT!

 

[hickslawns]

Had a solo young doe. Had a pair of does and later had another pair of does. All within 50-75yds. Saw a handful more out in the field but I'm not counting them. Looking thru trees, across property lines, and thru binoculars to see some deer in the distance shouldn't count in the totals.

Had a dozen or so turkey come thru. They came back later and roosted close. As I watched the light escape I finally had 2 come in within 30yds. Way too dark to make an ethical shot.

Hunt 3: 3.5hrs
Deer seen: 5
Bucks: zip

Season totals:
Hours hunted: 9.5
Total Deer seen: 13
Bucks: 1

 

[hickslawns]

I'll be walking in in about an hour. Gives me a 3 hour hunt. Swapping a couple camera cards. Doing an observation sit. Corn came off. Needs to be a slam dunk if I loose an arrow tonight. I have a busy week. I just finished shooting though just in case the opportunity presents itself.

 

[hickslawns]

Got in early. About an hour to go and deer began to pop out. Nothing close. Observation stand let's me see hundreds of yards away. 3 came out to the south. 6 to the north end of the field. Later 2 bucks on the north end came out and followed the path the does took. Eventually had a half rack come feed 30yds out which is amazing as much field was available to nibble on food. Couple does meandered my way too about 60-70yds out. Heard another behind me in the woods but never did see it. Light was fading when a wide buck showed up. He looked at the half rack and the half took off. Wide buck proceeded to the does. He was never closer than 50yds away. Whenever he was closer I had no shot due to tree limbs. He nudged the does and one bolted right in front of me but probably 40-50yds out. He followed at a run. I caught movement of another unidentified deer moving into my 20-30yd shooting window. I drew back but as it stopped in the opening I knew it was a yearling. I also knew I was out of light. The clock said I had 5-10min of legal time. My eyes said ethically I needed to be done. Great hunt.

Need to go back thru old pics. I think I've got pics of him a couple years ago. He isn't much bigger. Trying to determine his age. Haven't convinced myself yet just how old he is.


Hunt #4
Hours: 3.5
Deer seen: 12
Within 100yds: 5
Bucks: 3

Season totals:
Hours hunted: 13
Total Deer seen: 18
Bucks: 4

 

["J"]

Shoot the damn deer Phil!