Well I guess I'll be busy this weekend sighting in my new broadheads that just came in the mail. Called Ramcats,been wating since the 17th for them. Buddy of mine swears by them and also says they shoot right out of the package like his field points. I shall see :s13:Pretty tough to pull me away from my Montec's and Tekans I've been shooting for the last 6 years.
Guys a little about me, I'm not one for caring about what one says about me,I take my hunting very serious and am very crazy about scent . I go the extra mile also. I spend a day a week all though the year dedicated to make my hunts that much more easier. My best buck was a 192 7x6 14 years ago. I was just learning how to bowhunt at the time and used the antlers for rattling,Come to think of it now that's funny,they got stolen that same year from my stand. I haven't even come close to that since. On 2 of the 5 properties I hunt I have 3 bucks that will go over 200,2 on one and one on the other. Been chasing all 3 for at least 3 years and one I have been after since he was a 5x5 and maybe 140 then.
The only time I could careless about the wind is during the rutt cause most mature bucks are way to busy with their nose to the ground then about my scent wafting above his head. In the past 3 years I've had shot oppertunities at 2 of the big bucks at less than 18 yards. They choose to walk on the other side of the bush I was using as a guard.:woot:. Crap happens,that's bow hunting. I have a few moose also on the properties too so I'm leaning towards downing one with in the 1st 3 weeks of October during their rutt. That way my meat is out of the way for the year and I can zone in on the deer. There is numerous deer that are in the 140 to 150 range which is a blessing for me.
I truck drive for a huge oil Company called Syncrude and only get 2 weeks holidays. I saved one week for the rutt splitting it in 3 days during the week of the 15th then 2 more days during the pre rutt at the 1st week of December. 90% of the time I see the biggest deer during this time as most of the younger bucks are worn out chasing and the big fellas start roaming adjacent properties and are out in the open more often. So most of my huntiing now is done in the evening and on weekends. After the 15th I'll put up some pictures of some of the deer I'm after. I'll be checking my trail cams then.good luck guys and be safe.
Rocky

Sounds like you got a plan. I would love to hunt an area that had 200+ inch bucks. Where I hunt the average buck shoot is about 115. On our lease the average is probably 125+ with some 140 inch deer roaming around. It is only out 3 year on this place and I expect all of the protein that we have been feeding to really pay off in the next few years. In my experience it take at least 3 years before you really start getting the benefit of supplemental feedings.

Good luck.

-john

Well guys my name is Ray, I am 20 and live outside of state college, PA. I am in the process of taking over the family farm and running it myself, along with working mornings at a dairy down the road. I primarily hunt in PA but try to do a good bit down in Calvert county Maryland as well, having about 2000 acres to hunt in PA and around 1000 in Maryland. I just got down to there yesterday afternoon to scout before the opener today and saw a couple spikes, a 6 point, two 8 points in the 100-120" range,one being 2 1/2 and the other 3 1/2 i am guessing, and about 15 does but none of the big boys showed up. I am going to head down to the farms soon to hang my trail camera and get in my stand plenty early, not going to focus on any of those bucks for now, was able to sneak away for a week to hunt down here so will pursue bigger things for now. This will unfortunately probably be the only chance to bowhunt down here for awhile i am guessing but if I do shoot a monster it will most likely come from the farms down here. I will keep you guys posted how the week comes along.

Sounds great guys! good luck and happy hunting.

Youngfart- if you down a moose could you post some pictures of it. even if its not a bull I would still love to see those pictures.

Rocky, nice to learn about how other people do things. Hope for your sake and all of ours you connect on a dandy. As for me my name is Kevin, I live in southeastern Wisconsin on about 12 acres, surrounded by farmland and some nature reserve. There are other houses and neighborhoods around on the other side of the street and we are not but 5 minutes from the busy parts but we are in the rural western part of the town. I do not hunt there full time, but i do have a couple stands up and even spotted this guy in the field a few weeks ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qg1AYZDEeQ (watch at about 1:50 when he turns his head)
I hunt in the west central part of the state along the mississippi river valley in Buffalo County, WI. We have been over there since 1996 and were introduced to QDMA by my Dad's long time friend and big state advocate of Quality Deer Management. We started on a 55 acre piece that my dad and uncle bought together. We hunted there for about 8 years until selling and getting into a 180acre piece. Just a few years ago we (my dad)_ sold out his half and went looking for our own piece 5 miles down the road. (land partnerships....tough thing to keep running smooth) So about a year and a half ago, we aquired an 80 acre piece. A bit smaller, but for what is ultimately me and my dad (and the occasional lucky friend) hunting it, it is plenty. Not to mention it is on a dead end road, with No pressure,the neighbor to the east owns 130acres and doesnt hunt, and all other neighbors are big QDM practicers. So here we are, last year was our first year on it, and we got a late start. had some select cut logging done,which disrupted the woods a bit, had no time to build the cabin so a trailer was the last minute solution, and we still had 4 encounters with shooter bucks. This year we have put in additional food plots, a 1/2 acre pond, and will have top access (last year there were no passable by vehicle roads to the top bluffs). We take our hunting seriously as i'm sure most do and are looking forward to a great season.

Henson59
Here's my last pull in August, had 2 different bulls ,2 calfs and 3 different cows staying in a 45 acre parcel. The month before I had 179 pictures of deer in there.August 1 picture of a doe,LOL. It's a honey hole for doe's.Counted 45 hearded up during the hevy snowfall of 3 years ago.http://

Hello Team 10...Mark from Va checking in

Dubcee is checking in. Sorry guys was away from the computer for a few weeks. Looking forward to the contest and hopefully we can win!

Little bout me...

I, too, am a retired Chief! (USCG) and hunt approx 2500 acres of family land. 1500 of them are in a QDM program and have been for 6 years now. It has approx 70 acres of food plots mostly in the center of the property. Dove hunted there last weekend and seen several (5) 120 class boys. I know some bruisers are there. Another property is 600 acres and is my favorite! It is surrounded by 11000 acres of nonhunted hardwoods and this property has the only fields in the area. Last year I arrowed a 145" and 8 doe there. (with tags, Va has an unlimited doe bag limit) I usually bring my camper there and stay for a week at a time in total hunt mode!

Season starts Oct 6th, but I usually wait until cooler weather sets in...we'll see! Good luck to all and let's make it a productive season!

hensen has my vote.

how is the avatar coming along?

Went to the lease this weekend to check on stuff and pull memory cards. Not much to look at. Looks like the guys on the east side of the lease are in better shape this year. They have a big 10, big 9, and a big 8 showing up all the time.

Here is the best that I have. The 9 only showed up on one day at 2 different setups. I am all about shooting mature deer but I wish they had a little better head gear.

-john

9 at my buddy's stand.



9 At one of my stands the same morning.



Just an 8.

Ok team we need to discuss a possible rule change for this years contest.

Under the current system only bucks are allowed. The new change would allow each hunter to enter one doe for a set point value.

I believe this would be a great addition to the contest. Please let me know what you all think because all of the captains are going to be put to a vote soon.


thanks!

I vote yes to a Doe harvest for points

Yes for doe harvest

Found out today I was drawn for a 4 week permit to hunt a Natl Wildlife refuge! It's been a few years since the last time I was picked. This particular parcel is between a golf course and an upscale subdivision. Oh...and it's loaded with deer and a few bruisers! Only opens for 2 two week seasons (I was picked for both seasons), rest of the year it's closed to everyone.

ufunnyto
What are the dates it's open for? Good luck and also how many tags are alotted for each draw on how many acres too. Just curious on your odds!
Rocky

Mark that is awesome! That is great news for you. I have also just found out that my family and I have the opportunity to purchase another 125 acres in southern Indiana. My in laws neighbor wants to move and sell his property so that will give me roughly 200 acres to hunt. I am pretty excited!

I hope to get the deal done before November and the rut.

Some nice looking bucks you have coming in there. I like the points for a doe rule too. Well guys I came real close to putting us on the board this evening. Was watching a half dozen small bucks in the beans and saw they kept looking on down the treeline beside me. Well a couple minutes later sure enough out comes a big 9 point that I would estimate scores somewhere in the mid to high 160's along with some small bucks with him. They passed 71 yards out from me making a beeline for the tree I was in friday evening. I watched them feed around the corner and figured they were gone for the night when 5 minutes later I see legs down by the corner. Sure enough here comes the buck with all the little ones following him. They make their way down the treeline to me and he stops and feeds behind a screen of saplings at 24 yards from my tree. I range a window where I figured him to walk back through when he would head back out into the field and waited for the shot. Well one of the little bucks blew at something down the treeline from me and bounded away which caused the buck to turn and take a few steps into the field. Well in the excitement it didnt process in my mind that he stepped into a 25 yards window instead of the 33 yard window I was expecting. As soon as I let the arrow go I realized my mistake as I watched the arrow sail an inch over his back. They didnt get too spooked but went back around the corner, and joined another group of bucks when I snuck around to look, 4 of them being in the 100-140" range. I have 3 more days down here before I have to head home so hopefully I can seal the deal before then. Wish me luck guys, hopefully I can get a second chance at him.

I am good with doe points...

-john

TX Hoghunter
How do you like the Spypoint Camera,I have 3 ,2 Tiny ones and the best one. I love mine.The video is unreal. I forgot the model,LMAO
Rocky

i say yes.. lets get the does in to this also. this is a bowhunting contest not a buck killing contest right?

good luck buddy. allowed to use trail cams? use them the whole time you hunt so you have eyes everywhere and can adjust fast.

anyone working on an avatar for our team?

Ok we have a majority vote. Chasin' Tail is in favor of earning points for a doe entry.

I will keep you guys updated on the status of the rule change.

As far as the Avatar goes. Anybody can submit an avatar for team use. I will see what I can come up with as well.

I have only had it out for a short time but so far I am impressed. I don't know the normal price but it was on sale for $99. I used some of my Cabela points so it was free for me.

-john

Work was slow this morning so I was messing around and came up with this. Let me know if you guys want to use it or not.

If we do use it I have the image saved on my profile under my trail cam pics album.

Neat avatar. I haven't gotten a chance to mess with one yet here. If Henson's is decided on that's cool by me

I think that would work well. Henson you are more dedicated at work than I am...all I have done is look over trail cam pictures, over and over again.......

-john

I havn't done a single thing today but look for a good website for topo & arial maps of my property in Indiana and price more trail cams. I recieved the new sportsmans guide in the mail this morning so my credit card has been hard at work! :)


Sounds like the Doe rule is gonna pass, not sure on point value yet.

Season I is Oct 6 -19, season II is Oct 20 - Nov 2. The tract is just under 160 acres and 6 permits were given for each season. I was drawn for both and my son was drawn for both too. Good pre-rut action usually happens around Halloween

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/rappaha...p%20Thomas.pdf

The field left of the property us usually corn or soybean, not sure what it is this year. Can't scout until the 21st. I found half a shed in there one year that had a 28" main beam and a 13" G2 that had an edge down its length like a knife blade. If I can find it, I'll post a pic... Great idea bout the trail cams, I'll give it a try. I'm really psyc'd about getting back to that area, last time I was there a nice 9pt busted me reaching for my bow...not gonna happen again!

This sounds like a great opportunity for you and your son. Good luck! From the way it sounds everybody on this team is set up to have a great hunt this season. I really think we could do some damage in this contest this year and take down "Buck U"

I agree with henson....sounds like a great deal. I hope it works out. The year that I was on a winning team we had just over 800 points. Its funny but it was the year I killed my smallest buck with a bow and we still won. It was a wide 8 point but only scored 112...looking at some of the other bucks that have been entered in the contest and their scores I think I should have used their measuring tape....he would have been at least a 140 that way....LOL.

-john

The Doe rule has passed. Fieldmouse will let us know what the point total is going to be. Probably 25-30 points. more info to come as I get it.

has anybody else worked on an avatar? I would like to get one in place by saturday if possible.

It's almost here. I've got the quad loaded in the truck and after work today I'll be loading my gear in the camper. First thing in the morning I'll be headed out to Missouri for the bow season opener on Saturday.

It's looking good. Highs below 80, lows around 50, no rain in the forecast, wind is forecasted to be right for my stand, it's a new moon and that new moon rises and sets with the sun. Now if the deer will just cooperate...

LittleChief I am jealous! I still have over 2 weeks until our season starts. The weather here in IL has been perfect the last few days. It would have been perfect early season weather.

Good luck. I am also a little over 2 weeks out. Wish I was with you...the wait is killing me.

-john

Question for you guys. Would you take a chance on making a trip to hunt an area that had been burned over (just underbrush) this past spring?

I ask because we were all set to head to this place (public land) I know very well, but my buddy e-mailed me and asked if I'd like to go to another place (private land) an hour farther north. He said that it had burned over this past spring. I'm not confident that it's had time to re-bound. I know that a spring burn would, depending on exactly when it was, could wipe out all of the summer browse and there wouldn't be much to eat until the acorns drop.

I'm intrigued by the area he suggested, but I have an uneasy feeling about going in blind to a new place that burned earlier this year.

Any inputs?

well the acorns are dropping here in ohio. plus i would bet at least some browse has been replaced by now. but i say go with your gut on this one

I agree with Snapper. Do what you feel gives you the best shot at having the hunt you want.

It all may depend on how much rain that area recieved this year. If it was super dry then the browse may not have grown in very well. But if you have acorns dropping then you may be good to go.


How long is your hunt, are you going for just the weekend? If you are staying more then 2 days I would suggest hunting your public spot and then going to scout this other spot mid day to see if its worth a move. maybe even hang a camera and pic it up a day or two later to see if this spot would be worth going to.