RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Thank's TJF! glsd someone enjoying my post's ,I know most of the guy's are busy ,but i'm hoping someone {including me } can add some more inch's to our score . I also like to hear how our team is doing when they get out . I've seen some real nice buck's this season but just haven't had any good one's get close enough,I know as long as I pay my dues sooner or later something good will happen hopefully tonight is the night .

Sumhunter ,We got 5 deer for 5 guy's this past rifle hunt here in Ontario,I got a nice buck which would have scored nicely if I had taken him with a bow 120 to 130 I figure .I've had lot's of deer near me lately but just haven't had any buck's worth taking ,at least nothing that would really beef up our score .I'm going out tonight for a hunt since we got about 5 inch's of snow in the last 24 hr's.It should be good .I'll let you's all know how I make out tonight .

nubo

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

First and foremost...I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and from my family to yours...Happy Thanksgiving!

I have seen so many deer during firearm season it's been rediculous. Opening day (Nov 15th) I saw close to 30 deer and six of them were bucks. I saw a 2 1/2 year old 8pt - about the same size as the one I shot during bow season and I let him walk. I also saw another good buck at a distance that may have been a shooter but never got close enough to give me a good look. The rest of the bucks that I have been seeing are small 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 year olds.
Opening day around 12:30 in the afternoon I had three does come in. The largest of them looked like she was crawling - her front end was close to the ground. The closer she got, I realized that it appeared half of her front left leg was missing. Immediately, I thought that being opening day and so much shooting - someone had shot her leg off. So I took her at about 40 yards. When I walked up to her to drag her out, I saw the weirdest thing I've seen in my 12 years of hunting. Her leg had not been shot off, that was the way it grew - the stump leg had a hoof on it. The leg itself was missing parts from the shoulder to the knee, not from the knee down. From the knee down appeared normal but from her shoulder to her knee, it was only about 3 inches - Some freak thing.
That was the best day of hunting I've had - I can't even tell you how many deer I could have shot that day.
The rest of the season has sucked - rainy/windy/wet weather. This has been the worst firearm season for weather that I've ever experienced. On Wednesday, we had our first snow storm of the year and it was pretty much blizzard like conditions - 25-35 mph winds/snow/sleet/rain. It couldn't have been any worse. Needless to say, I sat all day long getting pelted in the face and it wasn't until a 1/2 hour before dark before I had a large doe come in all by herself. I thought to myself, I was stupid for being out here all day but now I'm going to make it pay off - I shot her and for a moment it almost seemed as though it was worth it however, the wind began to pick up again and reality set in. All in all we got about 7 inches of snow in an 8 hour period.
The next morning, Thanksgiving, was unbelievable. Seven inches of fresh snow, temps in the mid 20's, barely any wind - I saw a lot of deer but no big bucks. Well, that might be because I had to be home by 10:30 because of family plans - go figure; the nicest day of the whole season and I can't sit all day. That sucks.
Anyway, our firearm season closes Tuesday and I'll be duck hunting the rest of the week because duck season closes on the 5th of December. Then on the 10th, my brother in-law and I are leaving to go up north (about 45 mins north of Big Rapids, MI) for the muzzleloader season opener (10th, 11th, 12th). Then once muzzleloader season closes on the 20th, I will pick up my bow again until the end of the month.
Come one guys, there's still plenty of time to make a run...Let's get some points on the board!!!

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Well, it looks as though things are getting better but its gun season and I am now seeing deer. Friday morning was great I saw does at about 8 am five of them, then about 40 minutes later 6 more but they brought a friend with them about a 5 point with 10 inch spread. They left and I took out my grunt call and grunted twice and it worked about 15 minutes later the 5 point had circled and came in from behind, lucky he did not smell me. He was to small to take. Later a spike came through and at about 10 am another 5 maybe 6 pointer came through the brush I bleated to get him to stop, but of course it worked, he stopped right behind a tree, and then exited away from me. It was a great morning. No giant bucks but it sure was fun. Just got back from a neighbors place where he had taken a 7 point, but the strange thing was it had been shot before, through the mouth just under the nasal bridge. One side had healed and the other still had a hole the size of a silver dollar. And yes he was still healthy. I have not given up on the bow we have another archery season that goes for the whole month of Jan. so there is still time here.

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Just wanted to let the team know whats been going on here. I havent gotten out much in the last week its been rainy and warm. I went out last evening and sat on the soybean field, (no one has been there since sept.) so I thought I would give it a shot. Nothing came out except a small 8 point that was 300 yards across the field but at least I saw something, im happy with just seeing deer anytime I get out.
Anyway, the buck I shot for the team got mounted today and within a week it will be on my wall. How? you ask, so quickly, Im a taxidermist so im doing it myself. Had a break in the action and thought I would sneak it in to get it done. When I have it finished I will try and post a pic on my wall. He looks awesome so far, I got him mounted up today and as soon as it drys I will finish it.
Talk later.
Trock63
Steve Collins

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Nice to hear from you guy's ,I was out Fri night and Sat morn and between those time's the deer decided to have a party while I was away,I went in yesterday morning and they had been all around my stand ,but nothing showed up yesterday morning ,so maybe if the wife's o.k. with it I'll try again tonight .I only have till the end of Dec and that's all so hopefully something will happen soon.But I'll tell you who ever say's it's not tough hunting at this time of year has got to be crazy. It seem's once the shotgun and rifle season is over the deer change thier pattern's,which make's it really tough hunting .I'm not giving up and hopefully soon it will all pay off.
Good luck everyone and keep in touch ,and keep us informed on how your season's going.

nubo

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

It has been a few days since anyone posted so I thought I would say "hello" again to all you folks. Our archery season ended a few weeks ago and now rifle season is in full swing. I won't get out again with a bow until after Christmas. I still have some doe tags to fill.

Good luck to the rest of you.

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Hey guys. Haven't been on in quite a while. Been so busy :(

Anyhow...my season has not really been that great. I haven't had very much time to hunt...and only seen a handful of bucks. No shooters. I did take a coyote and a doe with my rifle last week, so that was pretty cool. I'll be back out bowhunting most of the rest of the season...but not sure how much time I will get. Hopefully a shooter will show up.

Keep up the good work guys! Good luck!

~mike

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

As I promised here is a pic of the finished buck mounted on my wall that I shot for the team score.
Enjoy!!!

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

And one more!!

RE: Official Team "The Shafts" (11) Thread
 

Trock63

Man, what a great looking mount!! Great job and congrats on your buck.

Tim