RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

As far as the decoys go, i was thinking about trying one. What model are you guys using?

And good luck to anyone who is lucky enough to get out in the woods already, I have till the 15th.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

last year I used a flambeau, which I hated, it looked good but it was so bulky and noisy, and a pain in the ass to carry. This year I have a couple of Montana decoys and I think that they are going to work great. I love the fact that theyfold down small enough to fit in my day pack.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

White oak, Red Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, White Red White White White red red White White Red Red Red Red Red White Red White Red White white white.....


Get in there NOW if you can.

Get about 1/2 way down the strand and get 75 yds off to the side and watch.

Bring your bino's and a snack and watch where they are coming and going.

If you can get in there say 3PM or so and stay till dark.

Leave your stand in there and get back in the morning (Not much chance of someone stealing your stand in the middle of the night)

I have watched Ohio bucks eat so many acorns they just flop on the ground and take a nap just to get get up in an hour or so and start eating 'em agian.

That is a problem with this type of scouting. Some times they will just bed down where they are eating. Which leaves you up the tree till dark.

Get as high as you feel comfortable and check the weather channel before you leave (Make sure the wind won't change while you are up a tree.)

You sound like you have the enthusiazm, you are willing to learn the proper techniques, which is all great.

The hardest thing I had to learn was PATIENCE !!!!!!!!!!

Patience RULES ---- Practice is a close second

Patience about:

When to hunt
Where to hunt
When to shoot
When NOT to shoot. (Probably the hardest thing to learn)
When to move
When to stick it out.

This contest is all about the members having a good time and getting to know each other a bit better.

Fork horn or fabulous.

As long as team #12 wins the FUN award life will be good !!!!!!!

Get out there and have fun, stay safe and enjoy every minute you can.

Leo

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Ive got good news and bad news team. Bad news is the two monster bucks Ive been watching, I cant hunt. The land is split right down the middle and one property owner said his land was already spoken for and the other said they enjoy watching the deer and dont want them killed. One buck was a typical 12 probably score 160s or better and the other was 16+ points probably score 200+:(Now for the good news. One property I hunted last year is having a bicycle path built through it and thought for sure the deer had moved out. However, while scouting yesterday my brother and I checked about a dozen possible locations and he asks "lets check the field by the blue shed" I reply "Its a waste of time with all the commotion thats been going on for the last year." He convinces me and while walking Im sarcasticly saying "Wow theres a good trail" pointing at a set of small fawn tracks. We get about 15yds from where my stand was last year and in a wall of grass theres about a 4ft by 3ft hole. I walk through and seea highway of tracks about 40yd x 15yd area of flattened corn and this is 12yds away from the tree I hunted last year. Now, Im hunting this place again this year and Im hunting it hard. I havent seen any deer yet, but I have a gut feeling that the 190 inch buck and some of his 140-160 buddies from last year are using this area. I dont have a trail cam so its just gonna have to be proven in the field. By the way, I talked my little bro into letting me hunt my old location and he offered to hunt about 100 yds west of me in the opposite corner of the field.So one of us should get a shot at nice deer this year. I enjoy hunting close to my brother should there be an emergency or anything. We watch eachothers back and also call shy deer past eachother when theyre not sure to enter the field and arent offering a shot. Fingers crossed team, I may put a hefty score on the board.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Thats crappy to hear about the land with the big bucks on it but there's nothin you can do but at least your other area has some potential this year. When ever i go hunting i always go with someone but if it is a rare occasion that i do go alone i still bring a radio and let someone know what channel it will be on and i let them know where i will be. Plus when you hunt with someone else it just means its less work pullin that deer out by yourself:D

And im heading out tomorrow all day to see if i can bag myself a whitey or a bull moose and elk. So hopefully i will have a nice whitey to put up but i think i just might hold off untill i put a mulie on the ground cause i know a few of them are pushin 200+ so that would be a nice score for the team.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

good luck to ya lethal.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

I like your idea, BUT. this place is raped every day almost with 4-wheelers the people who need a race exhaust just to make people mad.... that and i dont even have time enough to read the forums between school and my girlfriend breaking up with me today... I dont know maybe i will be able to get my act together and get up into the woods, What do yall think i should do given the circumstances (I.E. 4 Wheerlers)

anyhow.
Thanks for all the help and your tips, Good Luck lethal i hope you get Bullwinkle,
Ryan.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well boys it was a good day hunting but not a great day. I managed to let 2 arrows fly today. One at a nice 4x4 probably around 140, thought he was 30 but apparently he was 40yds[&:]. Then i let another fly at a doe would have had her but there was a twig i didnt even notice between us and my arrow hit it. Never found the arrow[:@]. But after that was when it got exciting. I seen a bachelor group of 3 whitey containing 2 4x4's and a huge 5x5 but was never able to get within range, they stayed a few steps ahead of me the whole time. Then about an hour later i HUGE and i mean HUGE 5x5 im guessing he had at least a 20" spread and his G2's were over 12" easy im thinkin he would have scored around 170-180 and he came out about 60yds from me, i grunted he started to move closer then something behind it spooked it and i dont know what it was but it sure had that monster moving. Didnt see a single moose which is very odd for out there, but we seen a herd of 20 elk with a nice bull in but they were on land we couldnt hunt. So came home empty handed but at least i know where the monster's are hangin now.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

That is so cool.

Now that the gitters are over -the real fun should start

GOOD LUCK

Be safe

Leo

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

I have a place just like that. 4 wheeler trails everywhere, and lots of corn run over. (that farmers gonna be pi$$ed) Anyways, tonight dispite the 4-wheeling that took place yesterday, I scouted and sat about 70 yds away from the main trail on the old train tracks. I saw in this order 4 coons, 1 doe, 1fawn and 1 doe, a bobcat, another coon, 3 more coons, 2 does, 2 coons, 1 doe. This was all in about an hour around from 7:00 to 8:00 and when I left there was still a few minutes of daylight, but I had to cross the trail to get back to the truck. If the 4-wheeler trails are well used their will be bare dirt. Follow the trails and watch for tracks. We have 2 stands directly on wheeler trails and have taken several deer. The downside is that the A-hole will occasionally ride right by you while your on stand, sometimes they will see you and leave, other times they just keep riding. One day a wheeler went by tearing all hell and my dad and stepmom gave up that day and went home. I stuck it out and not 5 mins after the wheeler left a4x1 buck came out of the woods on the very same trail and walked right by me. If they hear it enough and still continue to stay in the timber they will adapt and can still be hunted easily.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well guys just back from Illinois yesterday and good news!!!:DWe videoed 16 bucks in two days 1 of them a 160 10pt and 150 10pt and a 140 9pt and a 135 6pt.. The rest were dinkers 90 to 120 so if the beans stay green till first of October I should have a good chance at the 160.. Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Good to hear walt. When are u heading back out for the first hunt of the year??

I on the other hand have some horrible news. The land that ive been hunting those massive mulies has just been closed to hunters[:@][:@] I got a call from the rancher yesterday saying we are no longer welcome on his land and i asked why and he said cause someone left a gate open and all his cattle got out. The thing is me or anyone i hunt with havent even been there yet this year to hunt and havent needed to open a gate and i told him this, but the thing is he does let another group of guys on there but he doesnt want to single anyone so he just shut it down for good. I give it a year and those mulies and elk are gunna reck havoc on his fields and we will be back in there, but till then looks like i got to find a new place for mulies[:@][:@]

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Sorry to hear about your land being closed. Hopefully you can find another spot in time.

I'm so behind this year, I've only got 10 days until opening day and I've got to shoot a doe first here in Wisconsin.[&o]

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Lethal, I will be heading down Oct-4 for the first hunt on the property!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Lethal Bummer to hear about the property!!! Do you have some back up property?? Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Yah i got some land i hunt big mulies on during rifle season i havent scouted it yet but i guess i will be headin there alot sooner then expected. But still lots of nice mulies there.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

sorry about the loss lethal.

i also have some work to do. season opens 10 days from today, and i don't have my stands up yet. i did get permission to hunt the land where the pictures of the 10 and two 8's were on, so that is a bonus. i have a good idea where my stand will go, but haven't been in there with it yet.

good luck to the rest of ya.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well hopefully you can connect on that 10pt there trav that would be nice.
Here is a pic i managed to snap last year of a few mulies at the spot im gunna have to hunt now instead.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Hey guys. My apologies for not posting sooner. I have been unbelievably busy this year with both jobs and the family. However, that has not taken away from my efforts to get ready for the upcoming season. Just like the rest of the PA guys here on the team my season is only a few short weeks away. I remain undecided on whether or not to hunt the early "doe only" season in WMU 5C as I really don't have any "good areas" close to home to hunt. I do not have the time or a patient enough wife to be taking off for a hunting spot an hour or more away. ;)

With that thought in mind though my usual hunting spots look like they are going to be very productive this year. I will post some of the deer cam shots I was able to get over the summer months. Nothing like some of the bucks that were posted earlier in this thread but very respectable by PA standards. Also, as I mentioned in my earlier post, the local preserve opened a section of its property to archery hunting for deer and turkey (500 acres) and I cannot imagine that something big isn't roamin' in there.

Since I have the time now I thought I would throw a few comments out there on some of the previously mentioned topics.

1. Decoys. I am going to be hunting with one this year but not for the first time. I had made some attempts to decoy in the past with mixed results. This year the local shop picked up the Buckwing Bob'n Head decoy lineup and they have an incredible deer decoy that I plan to use shortly. I demo'ed it a couple times this summer and it really does work well with the motion design. Hopefully it proves just as effective once the season opens.

2. That image above of the Mulies, I am guessing you snapped a shot through your spotting scope with a digital camera? I started getting into that last year and even bought a nice adaptor rig to get nice clean shots. I haven't attempted it much this year but the picture has inspired me a bit. Hopefully I will have something to post shortly. ;)

Good luck to all you guys.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Haha Anyone from pa drive past the Pinecroft Exit on I-99?? if so, im looking for a hunting partner that can hopefully find more deer than i have, i scouted since monday and havent seen a durn thing, i sit in the morning before school, leave for school then at 5pm im sitting until dark.... nothing yet. Lol im trying guys i hope im not the one who dosent pull his weight on the team.

Ryan.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well guys the stage is set, stands are hung some big boys are found and patterned and let the count down begin!!! It's getting close now is everyone ready?? Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

If you are trying - you are pulling your weight.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Amen to that!!!! Remember it's all about fun!!!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Im still around guys. Ive been doing alot of scouting and still havent seen any mature bucks. And for that matter no bucks at all for about a week and a half now. Lots of does and fawns. The acorns are starting to drop but Im not going in that area until season openner.I have no white oaks around here but the deer seem to love the pin oaks just as much. I hunted this area last year on openning day and seen a awesome buck, but Id just finished shooting at a doe when he came out and didnt get a chance. Never saw him again either. Anyways, season opens Oct.1 and Ive still got alot of scouting to do to pick out "the one". Also last Tuesday while scouting I decided to drive down to the riverbottoms and glass the area. On my way out I ended up burying my truck to the doors and had to walk about a mile to get help. Just goes to show ya that even though the grounds dry on top about 2 inches down its muddy as hell in the bottoms. The ruts from my truck are holding about 6 inches of water about 30 yds long and the deer have been using this oppertunity for a quick drink when entering or exiting the bean field. So I guess I just helped em a bit.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Way to go Bassman digging water holes for the deer good thinking!!!!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Saturday is the opener here in MN. I still need to get my stand out, but i know where i am going. The bow and gear are ready and it should be a rather cool weekend. Can't Wait!

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Sorry for not posting for sometime. My computer crashed and I had to buy a new one[:@]The early doe season stars this weekend. I will be up the mountians working on my bathroon in my trailer. I have a 12'x60' ON 5 Acres bordering the Delaware State Forest. I will do some scouting though.I think I will try and put some meat in the frezzer on Monday after work. Goodluck this weekend triggertrav!!!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well thats sucks that your computer crapped ouot on yah hatchet. I just had a guy from the geek squad come in to fix my computer about a week ago cause it was all virused up and he ended up having to wipe everything off the computer and that cost $250 so i kinda know what your talking about. Oh and good luck on Monday with your doe, i know i might head out on Mon with the rifle and pop a few does just to get some meat in the freezer but im determined to drop a buck with the bow.

Good luck to you too trigger on sat hope you can drop a nice buck. Im headin out on Sat for some elk since they didnt co-operate with me last Sat.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Man this weather change has really got me fired up so I went into work yesterday and changed around some of my vacation days so I can have the first 10 days off in Illinois!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Man stikbow26 you are a lucky Buck!!! You live and hunt in Illinois.I hunted your great state two times. It was the best deer hunting I ever seen!!! The first huntI shot a 118" 10pt ( My best Buck) The second time, the first hour of the hunt I waited for a better shot on a real nice 11pt with a drop. The Doe he was sniffing busted me[:@]I seen tons of nice bucks on both hunts!!GREAT HUNTING. I see there hitting the out of state hunters real hard on the price$ of a deer tag now[:o]Someday I will be back to Illinois. My next out of state hunt will be next year ( South Dakota).I can't wait!!!! Goodluck and be safe!!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

hatchet jack, Actully I live in Michigan I only hunt Illinois every year!!! So yeh they sock us NR's pretty hard but don't tell anybody I would $600 to hunt Illinois!!!! It's that good!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Yes it is. The money will never stop me from hunting IL!!!! There is a chill in the air here in PA!!!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

amen to that brother

I saw a monster buck... thats all im saying since nothing is sacred to anyone here in pa anymore apparently

Went to check my brush mountain set on Monday evening, Gone. theres goes 100 bucks down the drain.. i hate how disrespectful people are, i see treestands all the time in the woods, it neve even crosses my mind to take them

Im gonna try this year.
Ryan.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Ryan, Wow thats a bummer I would love to catch someone stealing a stand just once!! That is why I switchedto a lone wolf so I can take it in and out with me!!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Well guys i just cant believe it. Ive had more chances then i can count on all my fingers at bucks so far but i still have yet to stick one, they either catch me just as im gettin within range or as im gettin ready for a shot or just the wind will suddenly shift just as im in range and they spook. Startin to get really frustrating. Ive seen more then enough wallhangers this year (most ive ever seen in one year actually) and i just keep missin on the opportunity. But thats deer huntin for yah, im headin out on mon and tues for whiteys again so hopefully i can stick one before the rifle hunters spook them too much.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Dont worry When the time is right, it will all come together maybe its "divine intervention" maybe your supposted to shoot a record book this year? Its possable EVERYTHING is possable.

Just stay positive, thats what im trying to do.
Ryan.



(p.s. if i ever catch anyone in/stealing/around one of my treestands.... Well Have you ever tried to find a body on 2,000 acres of mountain:))

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Yah im hope i do put a monster on this ground and maybe it is divine intervention at least thats what i hope.

As for your treestand what i would do is if you have a trail cam i would set it up near the stand and if someone takes it you now have them on camera. Im glade i have the privelage of having LOTS of private property to hunt so that doesnt happen.

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

At least you're having fun, man!

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Wow sounds like you are most diffently having fun!!! Come on Oct-1!!! Walt

RE: 12- Official Team 12 Thread
 

Oh dont worry there definitely isnt a lack of fun, even though i havent stuck anything yet this has to be my best season so far.:)