adams

Well what's going on guys? This hasn't been a very productive year for me so far. Hopefully we can put a couple more on the boards. Is anyone seeing anything? I've gooten quite a few looks as some nice does but the becks have been scarse this fall. Hopefully this coldfront and rain/snow will get them up and moving.

Anyways, I just wanted to check inand see how everone was doing. Good luck out there!

Handles

If you haven't seen my post on it, I'm done hunting for the year. Sort of a self-inflicted punishment for not recovering the 140 class drop-tine buck that I thought I made a good hunt on. 5 days of looking with other people and we easily found the end of the blood (about a mile from where he was shot) but no deer, no carcass, no crows, no coyotes.
As is, unless I find a rack and some bones (I'm going out to look one more time tomorrow a.m.) the bow and the rifle are staying on the shelf until next year (well that's not entirely true, I will keep practice shooting both).
Yes I know that wounding an animal is sometimes part of hunting, but something similar happend last year and I just can't stomach the chance of it happening an additional time this season. Nor do I think it is fair to the other guys who own/hunt the land for me to attempt to take another big buck that possibly could walk past them. I doubt that they would do the same thing that I am doing, but it is what my heart, as a conciensious, sportsman is saying I should do. Wish me luck looking tomorrow a.m. And I wish a happy hunt to all of you. May all your shots be true, and your quarry drop at your feet.

adams

I remember you post Handles. I was wondering if you were ever able to locate him. It sounded promising that you'd recover him but sometimes it's just not meant to be. I hope on your next search you're sucessful.

As for not hunting for the rest of the season I can also understand where you're coming from. It's a presonal decision that you have to make and I think it's honerable to put your fellow hunters in such a high reguard. After reading some of the I lost one, two and even three deer post I wish others had the conscience to follow your lead.

dsheally

Handles, It is tough to loose a deer I have been there before. The one
thing I have learned is taking a deer with a bow is MUCH more
difficult than taking one with a rifle or muzzleloader. So many things
can and may go wrong during the time of truth. Don't be too hard
on yourself, it can happen to us as well. As to hunting I hunted last
Sunday morning and man were the deer moving. I saw 21 deer and
2 were bucks. Yea, lots of does and only 2/ 6 point bucks. I held off
from shooting hoping I would see the big one thats on the property.
I honestly think he is only moving at night unless the right hot doe
brings him by. The peak of the rut should be near so I am hoping for
the best. Good luck everyone.

Allseasonhunter7

sorry i got nothing and i hunted 20+ days oput of a 35 days season