I just finished up my gun season and with everything going on from here on out I may be done for the season. I keep track of each hunt and here are some of the numbers.
I hunted 249 hours in two states and saw 242 deer...75 bucks. I was plus on the deer per hour until today.
WV: 45 deer, 69 hours, 11 bucks
Ohio: 197 deer, 180 hours, 64 bucks
This seemed to be the best November weather wise I can remember. Almost every morning was mid 20s to low 30s.
West Virginia was a huge disappointment. Rifle season there used to be when you boosted your stats. This year I saw 2 deer during rifle season which was up from 1 last year. Tyler actually talked to the WV DNR biologist about what their wildlife management plan is for the public ground and they do have one. But being a government agency it won't happen soon.
I did see 2 shooters, was at full draw twice on one but couldn't see well enough to shoot because of darkness. The other was going to be a Top 5 all time hunt but I blew the shot.
Ohio was bittersweet. I saw 125 more deer on the new property this year than I saw on the Athens property last year. I saw lots of chasing and heard a bunch of grunting. But I saw no shooters (140+) and had none on cam. 135" is the biggest we had. Not sure how that is even possible in an area as good as that.
The buck Tyler killed was 140s before it broke off 2 tines but we never had pics of it.
I had every buck that I consider a "resident" inside of 25 yards in November so I consider that a success.
I'm positive the property will keep getting better each year as the timbered areas get thicker and we make adjustments to other areas. I also found some stand sites that I feel will be better next year. There has not been much shooting at all on the bordering properties this week. So I'm hoping we will retain most of our herd.
I may get out for a day of Muzzy season...depends on work. I won't bowhunt in January unless I have a target buck.
I hunted 249 hours in two states and saw 242 deer...75 bucks. I was plus on the deer per hour until today.
WV: 45 deer, 69 hours, 11 bucks
Ohio: 197 deer, 180 hours, 64 bucks
This seemed to be the best November weather wise I can remember. Almost every morning was mid 20s to low 30s.
West Virginia was a huge disappointment. Rifle season there used to be when you boosted your stats. This year I saw 2 deer during rifle season which was up from 1 last year. Tyler actually talked to the WV DNR biologist about what their wildlife management plan is for the public ground and they do have one. But being a government agency it won't happen soon.
I did see 2 shooters, was at full draw twice on one but couldn't see well enough to shoot because of darkness. The other was going to be a Top 5 all time hunt but I blew the shot.
Ohio was bittersweet. I saw 125 more deer on the new property this year than I saw on the Athens property last year. I saw lots of chasing and heard a bunch of grunting. But I saw no shooters (140+) and had none on cam. 135" is the biggest we had. Not sure how that is even possible in an area as good as that.
The buck Tyler killed was 140s before it broke off 2 tines but we never had pics of it.
I had every buck that I consider a "resident" inside of 25 yards in November so I consider that a success.
I'm positive the property will keep getting better each year as the timbered areas get thicker and we make adjustments to other areas. I also found some stand sites that I feel will be better next year. There has not been much shooting at all on the bordering properties this week. So I'm hoping we will retain most of our herd.
I may get out for a day of Muzzy season...depends on work. I won't bowhunt in January unless I have a target buck.