Why???
 

Did I do this to myself???

Today was the first day of the second shotgun season here in IL. In runs from today through Sunday. As some of you may know I haven't gun hunted since I moved to IL 4 years ago. I usually take it easy the 7 days that gun season is in, and rest up for the late season. Well....today my soon to be father-in-law calls me and ask me if I want to go out with him and sit on stand. Well, I accept his invite, since I have nothing better to do I figure I may as well go sit in one of my stands and do a little field watching just to see what I can see. Keep in mind, I have no gun permit and basically came along to keep him company on the radio and do a little late season scouting. Like most of you guys, I can sit in the outdoors without a weapon and still enjoy myself.

We arrive and I decide to climb up into one of my stands that I have hunted numerous times this year. I have seen some pretty nice bucks out of this stand but nothing huge has came into range while I had my bow in hand. Wouldn't you know it. About 4:30 I see a huge bodied deer coming up the fence line I'm on. I quickly notice he isn't a buck that I have seen before. He closes the distance and at 22 yards is standing perfectly broadsided. I liked to crap my pants. This dude was a stud! Main frame 11 point with lots of stickers. I'm talking 170"+. I can't believe it. He never new I was there. I'm sick. It almost made me wish I had a shotgun permit!!!! Not really!!But by god!!! He was huge. I had a feeling before I went out that something like this would happen. I just hope he shows back up during the late season. This will definitely give my lazy ass a reason to get up out of bed on those cold December mornings. Sorry for the long post, just had to vent.

RE: Why???
 

I thought about sittng in the stand saturday but I know something like that would happen! Then you might see a grown man cry:(Although it would be cool to see one that big.

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I think the gods like to throw stuff like that at us once and awhile so they can get a good laugh :DMaby you will tag him in the late season, good luck, sounds like a beast!!

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Murphy's law applies to bow hunting too! Now that you've seen him, betcha spend sunrise to sunset looking for him during the late season!:D

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Your not allowed to BowHunt during gun season? I would of took my bow in a heartbeat.

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Many states do not allow bow hunting during gun seasons. In Iowa you don't have to wear blaze orange during bow season, but you sure do during shotgun season, so they close bow down during this time. What doesn't make sense is you can bow hunt w/o orange during muzzle loading season.

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No!!! In IL you are not allowed to bowhunt during gun season. I hate that rule. I don't really understand it. As long as I wear my orange I should be allowed to bow hunt IMO.

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You didn't even have a camera? Great experience regardless right? I bet you wouldn't have missed the opportunity anyway.

Last year after being tagged out I hunted along with Kurt (Q2) here, well he tags out on film....so we decide to go out with just video cameras....you guessed it, saw some the biggest bucks all season and many in range.

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Rob, to be honest, I had a camera in my backpack, butI didn't have it out for some reason. I thought about itwhen he was walking in butit was too late. Didn't want him to bust me.

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Ya shoulda got a gun permit and blown his heart out ....:)

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I feel the same as you goherd. I do shotgun hunt, but only because they won't let me take my bow. The only solid reason I have ever heard as to why it is this way is some are afraid that deer shot with a gun will get a bow tag on them instead of the gun tag.

I could see some probably disobeying it, but I don't think we will see a change any time soon.

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Yeah, I don't think we'll ever see the change either. Oh well maybe I will break down and apply for my gun tags next season.

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Chris, please explain to me why you did not purchase a shotgun tag? [>:]

I mean, I know that it's more thrilling to get them with the bow and all... but... with the caliber of deer you've got running around... If they sold slingshot tags, you should have one and be out there... Just because.

You dummy. :eek:

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Ok....I'm sure this isn't going to be the "PC" view that most would expect on a bowhunting forum.....BUT....

Climbing a treestand without a weapon, during deer season, is about as interesting to me as drinking a near beer.

[&:]

RE: Why???
 

To be honest guys, I have just lost all desire to gun hunt. Besides by the time the shotgun seasons roll around I am ready for a break. I usually take the few days to rest up and get some things done around the house. To tell you the truth, as dumb as it sounds, I'm not upset for not having a gun permit yesterday. I would much rather have a chance at him with my bow. Honestly, I'm happy I went yesterday and was able to see him. At least now I know he is out there.

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I know he didn't just say "break"!! March is a good time for a break. How about June?? But, November?? Seriously, I would get the gun tag next year. Here in NY, we can hunt with shotgun, muzzleloader or bow during shotgun season.

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Thank God our bow season goes from Sept. to Jan.

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Our bow season runs from Oct.1 to Jan. 17. However, its closed Nov.16-Nov.18 and Nov.29-Dec.2 for our two shotgun seasons. So guys its not much time lost, trust me. Grand total of 7 days. Thats all our gun hunters get. And to be honest, I'm glad.

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That's both neat and kind of a bummer since you didn't have a tag. Of course being in IL, you can't just go buy one, you have to apply way in advance. Next time get your camera out in advance!!! ;)

I didn't apply for a shotgun tag but I'm hunting on public land that has standby tags. First, it's a bit of aluck to get a tag, then with all the hunters out there, you're pretty darn lucky if you even see a deer. It's a different kind of challenge. (not to mention that I've never shot a shotgun out of a treestand before, I'm hoping it doesn't knock me out of the tree) I would fall out of the tree if I saw a 170" deer out there.

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That is like going to the club without your wang. You went, and Pam Anderson had it on a silver platter for you.......(shame,shame), I enjoy the woods too but you never know what is lurking beyond that tree.......

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Taking a camera with and capturing a nice animal can be just as rewarding. You may just happen to be in the right place at the right time and capture something on film that most people will never see. Very pleasurable.

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Right, Greg, but he didn't get the photo either! [:@] What are we teaching these kids! (Just kidding.)

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To each his own. In MY situation, though.....just being honest....I wouldn't do it. I've also got umlimited tags and 9 months of the year that ISN'T deer season in which to take photos. If Pam shows up....I'd like to think we might bump uglies.

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You're right, some people admire wildlife more than others. To others it's more than just a kill. By going after season with or without a camera is a good way to scout for next year, before the bucks lose their antlers. As long as I'm there, I figure, why not bring a camera? the other 9 months of the year I do other things that aren't deer related. Mostly because those aren't the best months to study deer, for ME.

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I wouldn't do it in your situation either. I mean hell, whats exciting about sitting on stand with no weapon if all you're gonna see are does and an occasional 70" 5 year old buck. And that's on a good day. [8D] Sorry, just being honest here.

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:D:D:D

I take photos a lot....just not in deer season in a deer stand.

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70" deer......LOL:D

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My bad, 90" deer.... and that's on a great day.

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Herd....We have a differing view on what we like to do. There's nothing wrong with that. I added a little humor and admitted that "my" way probably isn't the most popular view held by most bowhunters. It's also a situation I dont HAVE to put myself in. I can kill unlimited does where I hunt.

And if both of those deer don't go 100"+......I'll pay you $10 for every inch under. Will you pay $10 for every inch over?;)

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Some hunt with a camera..some take advantage of the seasons and hunt with what-ever weapon is "in".

If no season is in the camera is fun..But in season, I'd rather be prepared to make a shot that could put an actual 3D representation on my wall.

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More scouting photos....out of season....

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Jeff, They may creep up around that 100" mark. We would probably break about even. One a little over and one a little under.I agree we have different opinions on this. However, no hard feelings.

Guys, Like a few others on here,I choose not to hunt deer with a gun. Well, I couldn'tbowhunt yesterday so I did the next best thing and went out just to enjoy the afternoon. LOL!! I didn't realize I was gonna catch this much grief about sitting in the woods without a weapon. I enjoy being outdoors with or without a weapon in hand. It made my day just seeing such a majestic animal. :)

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Dude....Nobody's giving you "grief".....believe me. You're handcuffed with regulations that I dont have to deal with. That's all. I might change my tune if I were in your shoes......but honestly....I have much time in the NON seasons to scout and photo wildlife. I keep a gamecam up all Summer and have thousands of photos from that.

Just pulling your chain about the bet. I'm going to have them both scored by an official scorer.....ONLY because 100" makes "book" in my state's bowhunter's association. I think they'll both surpass that by 5 or more, each, though.

I went hunting with a friend a few weeks back and he took a DANDY doe from the woods, here. I couldn't have been......wait....I WAS happier seeing him take the deer than if I'd taken her, myself. I know "kinda" what you're saying. I had a weapon....but had NO intention on using it.

Have a great weekend.;)

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AAHHHHH! Now you're talkin. That was kinda my same deal yesterday. Went basically with my father-in-law to help him out if he tagged a deer and keep him company on the radio....In the meantime I got to see a deer of a life time. I'm happy!

You have a great weekend as well.:D

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Had it been a camera you were carrying you may have gotten some interesting and pleasurable moments caught on film for both you and your buddy. Why lug a weapon if your not going to use it? Talk about drinking a near beer...

You see, it's your delivery....

When you say things like that it rubs people the wrong way.It seems weird,especially when you start a threat about how amazing whitetails are to you.

To me, it would be about as rude if someone mentioned that the "Bull" you took this year looked more like a Bull calf where they hunt.

Sitting in a tree without a weapon may not be your cup of tea, but it is someone elses. Why be rude?

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I said I had no intention of using it. I didn't say I WOULDN'T use it. If Frank had tagged a deer early....and one presented me with a shot...I'd have taken it. But....the first priority was Frank. And yes....I had the camera. I saw the deer first....but had no sight line to it. I pointed it out to him and let it unfold. Couldn't have been happier for him.

What you see as rude (because you have a differing point of view)....is actually an attempt at a little humor. Try not taking yourself or the hunting of an animal with the brain the size of a small pear, so seriously. It was a joke.

I don't care if you or anyone else makes fun of my deer, Greg. Just do so in a factual manner...if you must.

Hey....what floats your boat might not float mine. I'm not making fun of anyone. I'm stating my opinion and making a joke at the same time. Sorry you didn't get it.

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There was a great thread about a photo getting your heart pumping and gotta admit those things get my pulse rate up just a bit. I think the longer you hunt the more value you put on things other than seeing deer. Lots of great things to see out there!!I have great memories of everything from Yotes to Bobcats and Fishers. I sure wish I had taken pics.

You get a good pic of a deer and you can say yep, I coulda got that one.

PS.. I'm looking at 10 seals right now from the computor and can't beleive I have never taken pictures of them.

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I started that thread, Planter.....and I agree 100%. That picture is not of a deer I'd be interested in taking.....but that VIEW!! Wow!

I love these animals as much as anyone....and I'm fortunate enough to hunt in an area (pluses and minuses) that has a lot of deer.....just not a lot of large deer. So....we get to take unlimited does (which was overdue, and implemented this season). So...the thought of sitting in a deer stand (alone - not with another hunter) without a weapon simply doesn't interest me.

If I offended anyone (other than Greg......and that was not my intention) with my attempt at humor....I'm sorry.

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If you did sit alone Jeff the chances are very good that you would see the buck of your dreams and not be able to shoot it.