Today was the archery opener for Celeveland Co. NC, and man did it get started off right for me. I know that this didn't help the team but I couldn't pass him up. He was a small 8pt. basket rack probely 2.5 years old but still in full velvet. He'll make a nice skull mount. This was my first nice boned buck with a bow.
I think Widow Makers will do just fine.
And a big Howdy to UFunny2. ORIGINAL: olsplittoe
Congrats...and thanks! Always nice to start a season off successfully. I still have to wait another 3 weeks from Saturday for our bow opener. I have access to about 2100 acres of beautiful property. 1500 of it is managed for quality. We have about 50 acres of food plots that have been loaded with deer. Visited there this weekend and counted about 80 deer. Some had decent racks, but my binocs couldn't get me close enough for a count, but they were way above the ears. Last year I passed on 5 different 8 ptrs, I know there are larger deer on the property. Our rule is 8 pts or better. I did go buckless there last year, but harvested 6 doe. The state allows us to take 50 antlerless off the property for management purposes. We've done that for four years now, but the place is still loaded with does. It's not club property and only 5 of us hunt it.
The other 600 acres is a newly purchased parcel. I scouted it it two weeks ago and saw many does and a few bucks. A tall 6pt, a couple 4s and several spikes. I couldn't find a single rub from last season. Thought that was odd, but the deer are there. It's the same landowner as the above property, but he has other plans for this parcel and there probably won't be any AR's on it.
Anyway, those are my two major areas to hunt. I plan on taking a week off for bow season and two weeks off in Nov for ML season, then the week after Christmas.