Well believe it or not, I haven't been out hunting yet this season. I took my son this past Saturday but didn't see a thing. I think I've finally got caught up enough on life to be able to get into the woods. I'll be hitting it hard this coming weekend. I'll have my son with me in the woods for the next two weekends, so it's more about him at this point. I'll be able to hit the rut hard though.

How's eveyone else doing?

Hey guys I just thought I would check in to see how everyone is doing. I've been out about 9 times since opening day on September 30th. I have had two opportunities to fill my buck tag, but opted to hold out. This is not something that I am used to doing, but between itbeingso early in the season, and also the "book bucks" I've captured on my cuddeback I would hate tojump the gun with the whole rut still ahead of me. I hope my early season decisions don't come back to haunt me, or our team for that matter. Naaaahhhhh.............Good luck everyone! and have fun!

I think passing on the lesser bucks and holding out for the rut is a great idea. Of course, I think that because that's exactly my plan as well!

Yeah, I hear you. I passed on that young 6 pointer a couple of weekends ago hoping to help the team out later on. I'm taking my boys hunting tomorrow (Wednesday). They only have a half day of school. Will pick them up at noon. A cold front is passing through but I don't think we will be out there until after it passes. Kinda wanted to get out before it blows through. The temps are suppose to be dropping throughout the day, down into the 40's.
Friday noon I'm heading out with a buddy friend of mine and will return on Sunday evening. He's seen some 130 - 150 class 8 pointers. I wouldn't mind one of those! Will keep you posted.

Well fellas, this weekend was the weekend of all weekends. My 13 year old son scored his first deer - a nice mature doe. This was the first time I was in the woods this season, and it couldn't have been any better. How's this for a way to start a hunting career - an hour and 10 minutes in the stand and my son shot his first deer. Keep in mind, that hour and 10 minutes in the stand was the first hour and 10 minutes of his hunting career. Talk about a great way to start.

The walk to the standswe spooked deer out of the area. Within 10 minutes of being in the stands here comes a deer. My son displayed extreme patience as he waited until the deer was in range and in a good position. His first shot was over the deer's back - between the excitement of the situation and his inexperience in the woods he chose the wrong pin and went way high. The deer ran off and came back. The large doe had her yearling with her so every time the doe got in shooting position, the yearling was on the opposite side of the vitals. The doe was on alert because of a buck in the area (grunting in the distance apparently chasing a different doe), so she would circle the bait pile frequently. He hunted this deer for over an hour waiting for his shot. Finally the time came - he drew and released making a horrible shot - midway back but was blessed enough to hit the spine. I got down and finished the deer off. We had the deer hanging and skinned by 11am. We butchered the deer today and had a great meal with steaks on the grill. He was fired up.

I think I was more excited than I was when I shot my first deer. What an awesome thing to experience with your son. Thank you Jesus.

At the range, he groups six arrows at 20 yards within 4". I think I've tried totell him everything I know about bow hunting I've accumulated in 26 years of huntingbutstressed one thing - not to shoot at the whole deer. After he thought about it for a half day, he concluded that he blew the shot by shooting at the whole deer. He learned, which is good. He was so nervous when the deer first came in he couldn't stand up because his entire body was shaking. Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, but words cannot explain my excitement.

I'll post a thread tomrrow in the Bowhunting forum with story and pics.

bob - congrats to your son. that first animal will neverbe forgotten.

as to my hunting, i just got back from SD. i had plenty of oppurtunities to take does and smaller bucks, but not much for thesizethat i was looking for. i did have one shot at a 120-130 inch but i misjudged the distance and had a clean miss.no other big bucks cameinto bow range, but i still have an open tag so if i fill my MN tag i may venture back.

good luck

Checking in with the team. Way to go Bob! I was out with my son on Sat. morning he was just watching, but we didn't see any deer. I had cool experience with a bear. Here is the link to my post

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1755167

Also, bought a new - used bow. Mathews Switchback. Now I've just got to get it set up and find some time to hunt. Seeing more buck sign and activity in N Wisconsin! The next two weeks are the time for us. Stay safe out there!

Hey Badshot, do you have any pictures to share with us? What a great story. One that both of you will always remember.

Bob, congratulations to you and your son. There's nothing better than a father and son being able to spend some quality time together while hunting. I'm sure neither one of you willever forget his first deer!

This past Saturday evening, I wasable to score a mature doe. I went out with my father and future brother in law to one of our new spots wejust started hunting this season. The weather was nice and cooland the deer were moving all night. After a half hour in my stand, I haddoe fawns and year and a half old bucks commingout of the wood work.Not wanting to shoot youngdeer, I waited for a shot at a matureanimal. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait very long.I soon heard what every hunter loves to hear, that unmistakeable sound of leaves crunching in woodswith every step from their hooves.Once she was in sight, I initially though it was a buck due the her large body.However, once she entered the bean field, she stepped outto 35 yards and presented me with aslightly quartering away shot. Although this is a lot longer of a shot that I'm typically used to taking, I put my 30yard pinbehind her shoulder anda little high andlet itfly. Fortunately the arrow found it's mark and she fell within sight. You gotta love those short track jobs!It was such a goodfeeling to draw first blood this season, and get the monkeyoff our backs. All it takes is onedeer tofall,to boost the spirits of your hunting party.

Just recently having bought the hoist and scale combo from cabelas, andI couldn't wait to get herback and weigh her. She ended up tipping the scales at 145lbs dressed out!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/Ohiobuck25/deerdown.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/Ohiobuck25/JimandDad.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/Ohiobuck25/JimsOctoberdoe.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/Ohiobuck25/JimsSunburyOhiodoe.jpg

Ohio - congrats on the doe. I hear ya - getting some venison in the freezer is a great thing.

KC, thanks. Here's my son's doe:



I scored a nice doe myself this evening. That's two in the freezer, now it's time to hunt some horns - just in time for the rut! It was a great night to be in the woods. I'm usually unable to hunt during the week because of work, but I took a half day off today to take care of some things. About 5pm I was going out of my mind since it was overcast, 46 degrees and very little wind. I couldn't resist so I promptly ditched the rest of the to-do list and got into my tree. Within a half hour 5 doe came in. It was a tough hunt since there was NO wind (I could hear myself blink) and 10 eyes and ears to contend with. After numerous stare downs with nearly every deer there, I managed to get drawn on the biggest doe in the group and had her in the truck by dusk.

On to the horns fellas!

How's the rest of the team doing?