Phil's 2019 season

[Lucky]

Its crazy what the racks can do the year after one has been injured from a hunter or car or another buck. Shot one about 4 yrs ago that is prime example of what happens. Would have been agood 10, but one side grew all together. Hopefully it grows into a big crazy racked deer for you. If u do locate that coyote den, one way to thin the dogs out is a 330 conibear. Fit perfect over ground hog sized hole.

 

[Lucky]

You definatly got some unique racked bucks there. Like the one that has its brows almost touching. Couple years he looks like hes going to b a tall racked buck . It will b cool the see him progress thru the yrs. Hope u get picks this year after velvet. To see what his brows end up doing

 

[Big_Holla]

Some goofy looking bucks for sure Phil. Hope something big shows up to make things interesting for you this season. Good luck!

 

[Boarhead]

Good luck Phil! The big boys will show at the right time.

 

[hickslawns]

@giles can you age these for me?

The one showing the rack is off to a fantastic start. I believe this is his first rack. Possibly second rack but if so he is awfully small bodied.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Due to lack of Internet services on his phone, he told me to tell you, those are just right in age and size. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[hickslawns]

Pretty cool picture. Surprised how quickly the camera triggered on this bird. I'd guess it is a hawk. I'm no bird expert though.

Rest of the pictures were more of the same. Young bucks. Does and fawns. 1365 pics in 10 days. Definitely good activity. Did have some coyotes again. Not daily. One 3yr old buck that is probably 130-140" as a very symmetrical 10 pt. Going to be hard to pass him considering I don't have much else on camera. I know as well as anyone though: They aren't going to get any bigger if you kill them. Then again, whatever I shoot only has to make me happy.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Which bushy camera is that Phil. I think I have the same one. I think it's the trophy can, if I recall correctly? Trigger speed and clarity are top notch. I have a bunch of pictures of doves and Hawks in mid fight with awesome clarity.

 

[giles]

I’d say he is beyond his age in rack. Looks to be on the downfall and was likely never a big deer. Got any side views of this deer?

 

[hickslawns]

Which bushy camera is that Phil. I think I have the same one. I think it's the trophy can, if I recall correctly? Trigger speed and clarity are top notch. I have a bunch of pictures of doves and Hawks in mid fight with awesome clarity.

Maybe the Aggressor? Can't remember exactly. 20mp. No glow. Had them for $99 recently at Bass Pro.

 

[hickslawns]

Pulled 3 cards from one property on Wednesday. Nothing to get me excited. In fact a couple up and comers went missing. Good. No temptation that way.

The last week has been mentally draining. Hunting a property I hunted last year and killed the wide 8pt. I hung a camera before climbing up tree. This is a "clear your mind/observation/don't sweat to death" hunt. It feels good so far just sitting here. Rain in the morning. Big front moving in tomorrow evening. 20-25 degree drop for Saturday. I'd imagine they will move ahead of the fronts. If not? I don't care. Good to be in the woods with a bow in my hands.

 

[Fletch]

Good Luck this year.......

 

[finelyshedded]

Good luck this season Philbert! You have a hell of a run going so let’s keep it going

 

[hickslawns]

Thanks Fletch.

Thought I was going to get skunked. 20min of daylight left I saw 3 does. They actually made their way all around the field. Crossed the field. Walked up field edge towards me. Thought they were going to cross field again. Instead turned and walked straight towards me. I tell you what. . .they are lucky I don't need the meat. One of them was a big fine lady. Got within 10yds. Pretty well out of light at this point. Took some pics. Was a great evening.

Hunts: 1
Hours hunted: 3
Deer seen: 3
Deer in bow range: 3
Does: 3
Bucks: none

 

[5Cent]

Good luck this season Phil! As Ric said, hell of a streak going. I hope it continues for ya.

 

[hickslawns]

Shhh. . . You are all going to jinx me.

 

[Big Weff]

I bet you wont kill a single thing this year... just trying to even out the mojo haha. Good luck Phil.

 

[hickslawns]

Pulled a card on a third property today. It was on a three week soak. Seeing less does on the daily. Starting to see more bucks on the move. I wouldn't say "cruising" but they are becoming more visible. Stretching their legs a bit. Mostly at night still other than some young bucks. I'm going to try to stay out as best I can. If I hunt it I will only hunt it on the right winds. In a couple weeks we should start seeing some good cruising. By the last week in October I will be doing more hunts for sure. I finally have one on my "list." It is hunting. It has been a weird year. The deer are somewhere. They will show up before long.

 

[hickslawns]

So here is an 8pt I believe to be a beauty of a 2yr old. This is why I love trail cameras. I will have the chance to study these and know to pass in the heat of the moment. The shape of his main beams is crazy similar to a monster 8pt killed on the same section about 6-8yrs ago. Might have to call this guy "Grandson of Mr Browtine." I hope his brow tines and rack do similar. That deer ended up with 11-12" brow tines and was close to 160" as an 8pt. This deer will get a 2 year pass from me (if he makes it that long.)

 

[hickslawns]

This deer sort of looks 3 to me but I lean towards he could be 2. Eerily similar to the wide 8pt I killed last year when he was 2-3. Beams go straight out with little curve on the tips. Not much tine length. Probably won't amount to much in the next year or two if he is like the one I killed last year. Proud as heck of that deer. He was an old man. Just didn't have what it takes to be a high scoring deer. Trophies cannot always be measured in inches. If this deer I am posting has the same genes. . . I hope a neighboring hunter kills him. lol