RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Thanks Monie and bigbuck00. I will have to go take a look around this weekend if I get a chance.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Took a walk through the hunting area this afternoon and saw 6 scrapes and at least 50 rubs. Rubs are in the same place every year out there, i found a pine tree almost the size of a telephone pole that had been shredded and the bark was laying all over the ground. Biggest rub i have ever seen at this place. Cant wait now, i also finally put my trail camera up.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

After a week of moving, finally got my cable hooked up. 'bout time....eh...


Last Sunday a buddy and myself went out. I had a ton of deer moving around behind me in the dark..only saw black blobs...couldn't tell if any were bucks. My buddy misfired on a doe, nailed her below her right eye..killed her instantly. Very nasty looking...but the head is technically a kill zone..lol..


IF the weather holds out, I'll be hunting Friday afternoon thru Sunday night. Better see some freakin' deer in front of me...when it's light out.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I'm with ya, Pat! I saw one of those notorious "black blobs" Monday morning. The bummer part was shooting time was 2 minutes past, but I couldn't see my pins, and probably wouldn't have taken the shot anyway seeing as how I would have had a hard time seeing if I actually hit it or where it went if I did.

After that, hubby went and bought me a light for my pins. I didn't tell him it wouldn't have made a difference for me, since it was such a nice gesture. ;)

I won't be hunting until Saturday, hopefully the weather will cooperate. My daughter has a "Donuts with Dad" morning at school, so hubby will be there with her, then I have a court hearing for child support from the ex at 9am in Dekalb County, and hubby has to be at work at 6 tomorrow night... bummer.

Oh well, hopefully I will get 4 hunts out of the weekend and a deer or two.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I bought a light for my Copper John sight. I know they say deer can't see it, but the two times I turned it on before I pulled back...deer spooked. It could have been my movement...but screw that...I don't want to blame myself...would rather blame a product not working. :D I still use the light for indoor shoots.


Going out this afternoon...kinda cool/breezy...kinda like it.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

What a great night! Although it started out with thousands of possessed black birds hovering in the trees over-head, it all quieted down around 530 or so. I rattled at 545...grunted really hard...then a 4 pointer and a spike come charging in..was really cool. Minutes later, my buddy hunting a ways away rattles..and drives the 4 pointer nuts! These two small bucks were 10 yards behind the tree I was in..it was intense! The 4pt grunted and charged the spike..then they played nice for a while. They eventually parted, and then I got to witness the4ptmake a small scrape andmake a couple rubs. Was really cool to see..

At about 7pm, a small doe came by...I made a "bah!" sound..locked her up...could have shot her with ease..let her walk. As she walked off, she bleeted a few times...that was neat as well.


10pm..should be heading to the bars...but I got killing to do in the morning. [8D]

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

That is so neat! The first time I heard a buck grunt I thought it was a duck in the bushes. I kept thinking, now what on earth is a duck doing in the bushes?! lol....A couple of years ago I got to see a buck chasing two does, while grunting. They were 20 yards in front of me...for about 2.6 seconds. Those does were running top speed and the buck wasn't about to stop chasing them. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to pull a buck off of a doe. I have never been able to do it.

I went out with my buddy last night. He shot twice, and missed twice. Once we got down, we discovered it was farther than we realized. He was shooting for 35, which I also thought it to be. It was more like 45. Still, not hard to do IF you're spot on with the yardage. I really need a range finder, especially with being in a tree and having a gully on one side and a hill that leads to a field on the other. We'll try again tomorrow. Hopefully he can get one and I can get it on film. Hopefully, one of the big bucks that we've seen comes in.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

After getting out of Dr. office, back home, descented and out the door, was running a little late, around 4:30.Should have bought a lottery ticket because I was one lucky fellow this evening. Headed into ssw wind to a poplar tree with stand in tow. Was wanting to set a loc on earlier in year but was set back a week for health reasons. (Doc give the go today) Tree sets just 20 yards off a 20 acre crp field. Took my time being as quiet as possible getting to tree. Had the boy figured about 150-200 yards away bedding in a thicket sw of where I was setting up. Been gradually moving closer to his bedding area on 3 different sets, this being the 4th.This by far was the most aggressive I been. I knew something was going to be bedded in the growed up field with the weather being wet and cloudy. The sun popped out this afternoon and I knew deer would bebeded in the field soaking up some rays. Took a chance and got really lucky. Got to tree, summit viper on tree, heading up tree about 12 foot up caught movement in field. Was only half way up. Look like rack, wind was blowing weeds and couldn't make out for sure so just frooze there until I confirmed definite rack. Eased my bow up got release on and nocked arrow. Mind ya this buck is 60-65 yards due south with wind coming from him to me. He was bedded and could just see the top of his head and rack. He's not the one I was wanting but I don't think I could have passed him up. After 15 minutes or so he stands up shakes and starts to head away from me. I was in a hurry and left my horns at the house and didn't have a rattle bag. Just bought a new grunt with the snort wheeze. Hit 3 soft buck grunts he stopped and turned and looked. Thought certain that did it and he was coming back. He went out of sight and guessing he was 80 yards or so. He come back in view and I went for broke and did the snort wheeze. My first time trying. He stopped but didn't look my way. To my total amazement there was another buck and he had turned and was heading for him. These old boys went at it pretty good but could only catch bits of it as it was to thick to see. The second buck I don't think was as big as him but really never got a good look at him. Hurled some buck grunts at them and hit the wheeze one more time but no luck. I could hear the racks and it was off and on for 5-10 minutes.Last few minutes of light seen one of the bucks heading into woods across field. Awesome night. Stand is on tree sprayed with dead down wind before easing out. Be there first light with horns with me for sure. ITS ABOUT READY TO BUST LOOSE TIME TO BUST A MOVE ON THE BIG BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

This day last year (Sweetest Day...lame) I shot my 8pt after my buddy rattled him to me on accident..lol. It really does seem that the bucks are getting aggressive like bucksnbeagles stated. I too will be out with my rattle bag and grunting away early this morning.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I'm surprised they are responding to rattling this early on.... but it seems like maybe the smaller ones are appeasing their curiousity... being their first year in the "game". Maybe I'll try rattling tomorrow morning. If I can find my rattle bag, I have NO idea where I put it at the end of last season. :eek:

I need to remember my grunt call too, I don't know where I put that either, but I suspect it isn't far from the rattle bag. We moved this last spring and I "lost"a few things in the shuffle.

So far, all I've had within range was that small buck two weeks ago 10 yards behind my stand, I woulda smoked him, but couldn't get a shot at him (as posted).

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Today totally sucked. I have a cold, and it hit me hardcore today. It was really windy this morning...saw nothing but a racoon the size of a small black bear. Got tipsy at Applebee's (tradition) went back out, saw a big doe around 3pm. She bedded down 50 yards from me..got up at 7pm...walked into a corn field. That was it. BAH


On a side note, as we were leaving..I spotted a DNR guy standing off the road in the pitch dark of night. We turned around and asked him if he was ok...he replied he saw a truck parked there earlier..was waiting for the hunters to leave. As it turns out, he saw my buddy's truck a ½ mile down the road..and was way off as to where we were hunting. Where he was standing, and the woods it was close to, nobody hunts. He was cool with everything though..said no big deer (nothing close to record breaking bucks) have been checked in as of this morning in Indiana. He did check to see if we were legal...and he went on his way.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Well i went out again this evening and hung another stand, i kicked up a deer on the way in but couldnt get a visual of what it was. It was bedding in the area that is just loaded with rubs. The whole time i was putting the stand up i had one snorting at me but couldnt see it anywhere. Checked my camera, only had 4 pics so far, but it's only been 2 days. I was dissapointed to find the land owner not home today and his grain truck sitting in his lane. Not only did he not whack the corn today like i figured on this perfect weather day, but he still hasnt even took down the other bean field across the street. Supposed to rain tomorrow, unless he takes a week vacation again this year it will be early-mid November before he gets the corn out. The neighbor still has a giant corn field up too. Oh well, i plan to hunt for the first time tuesday morning.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

This morning I huntedthe poplar that I saw the 2 bucks going at it last night. I don't hunt a set back to back but with the activity last night I had to return. Had my horns with me this time. Rattle bags are easier but I use horns as to me they sound more real.Tickled tines at first light and within a few minutes had a year and half 5 point sneek in from behind me. Wind blowing right at him. Using scent loc and dead down wind spray. He meandered under me and got his rack caught up in some greenbriar at 12 yards head down and quater away. Why can't one of the big boys do something like that. He broke free and kept looking around for the fight. He finally eased out into the crp field and I think bedded down. Around 10:30 a doe and her yearling come thru my set. Killed a 110# doe on the 7th so for now let her walk. Eased out at 11:30 and got some dinner before returning to same tree around 3:00. Wind layed down around 6:30 and did some rattling. Last sequence of rattling about 7:10. Perfect set I thought until I placed my horns on back of stand and clanging the horn to the metal of stand. Set for 4 hours and right at prime time do something so stupid. Reckon I might ota get the bag out. Oh well!!! Back off spot a few days and see what gives. I've been rattling real light as 2 bucks feeling there oats and shoving each other around. Soft buck grunts of a young buck along with the rattle. As this week progress and temp drops I'll try and get a little more aggressive. I'm off work for 2 weeks as the ford plant has temp. layoff so I'll be hunting most everyday if my wife dosn;t kill me first. I will try to keep everyone posted. Havn't seen any fresh scrapes but I know they are opening them up. Just been going in and out. With high winds tommorrow afternoon I might spot check a few sets and report what I see. Hope I can help someone out by sharing whats been going on around my neck of the woods.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I didn't get up and go this morning, stayed up too late watching Detroit get their tooshies handed to them in game one... dumb decisions, they beat themselves last night. At leastLeylandis man enough to admit he made a dumb@** decision pitching to Pujols. Why in the HECK would you pitch him that fastball that he has cranked consistently in the post season? "We thought he would be anxious his first time up to bat." Um... Okay.

Okay, enough about that...

It's getting ready to rain anyway, and is suppose to stay that way all day round here, I don't like bowhunting in rain, don't want to take a chance of losing that blood trail.

Hopefully I will get a couple of hunts in this week, but I suspect the best hunting is going to be Nov.1-11, so I'm holding out hope for that. Would like to hunt tomorrow with the temperature drop and snow showers predicted, but unfortunately, my stepmother's father passed away Friday morning and his funeral is Monday. I wasn't close to him at all, but I guess my family wants me there, so I am trying to line up a babysitter for it. blech.

Good luck to all this week, with each passing day the action is going to pick up at this point. I am soooo ready.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

How you feeling today, Pat?

Looks like you will have a couple of days to recouperate, as we have yet again high winds and rain/snow moving through Tuesday. Hope you get better and get out there and smack one!

I was planning on going out in the morning, until I checked the forecast. My hunting buddy is over right now, working on the son's bedroom remodel project with my husbandand he and I both agreed to sit tomorrow out, hopefully we will get Tuesday and Wednesday morning hunts in....

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I'm feeling better now that the Colts won! [8D]


This week is looking evil weather wise. I really want some dry weather so the farmers get the corn off..but that's not going to happen this week. I do have a short week at work..so I'll be heading out if the weather is half decent.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Buddy Bill and I went out today. It was nasty with a capital NASTY! I froze my butt off! I told him the deer wouldn't move, but he wanted to go anyway. We got skunked! Well, we did see a Piney, 2 Fox Squirrels and a cat. The Piney picked off the cat. I thought that little so and so would never shut up. I got home an hour ago, ate supper (venison stew), have had 2 cups of tea and I am still cold.

Oh, yeah, going out we did see a doe...pphhhhttttttt. He needs to hurry up and shoot one so I can hunt. lol We're taking turns. I shot my doe the second day, and he got it on film. Now, it's his turn to shoot one while I video him.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

High winds this morning. WNW all morning and drew a blank. Hunted a ladder stand set on a ridge saddle between 2 thickets. Was out of stand at 9:30 to check a few areas for scrapes. Found 3 scrapes. Backed out and left alone. Back home got some coffee and regrouped. Decided to make a move on scrapes. Big track got blood a boiling. Pulled a climbing stand from another set and put it up 60 yards or so from scrape line. Backed out as wind was not right for the set. Will hunt tommorow morning if I can make it. Went to other farm to set up for evening. Thought of watching Colts but couldn't resist the urge for big buck. Seen small forky who ended up winding me at a dozen yards. Wind was swirling. Just before dark 2 does come out eating on persimmons. Wind got me again. Hope I didn't screw up the set. Bottom line, scrapes are being made, get on the first scrape line if possible. Persimmons are dropping and they are a magnet. Need to hunt stand in morning but sleeping in sounds good also. Will update tommorow night or tuesday.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

What a difference a day makes. Weather report now (from weatherbug) has it clear most of the week, then thru-sat small chance of showers.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Not a very good week-end in Madison either. Sat a.m. nothing Sat p.m. 17, 3 bucks 1 shooter at 35 yards until another deer in the field blew at something. Sunday a.m. nothing Sunday p.m. 6 does. I hope she turns around and picks up soon.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Yah, I'm hoping for an increase in activity in the next week. Scrapes continue to be "freshened up" every day we go out, so I know they are working it. My buddy is set up about 50 yards from the scrapes, if that, he doesn't have a clear shot at them, but he is set up between them and a major bedding area, so I am wishing him luck. He has yet to take a deer, this is his 3rd year hunting, first year with a bow. He's hooked, but I'd like to get him his first deer. Makes it easier for me to get out of bed in the mornings knowing I'vegot a new hunter with the passion to take out. We won't let him go out there without us because we haven't cleared that with the landowner, so I don't have much of a choice if I want to keep his interest.

One of these days I will get my own deer... I'm hoping it's during bow season, I so much appreciate the warmer temps and added challenge, but only time will tell. We just thawed out our last package of slimjims from my husband's deer 3 weeks ago and I NEED more... I guess 10 lbs goes about... uh... 2 weeks around here.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Im going out tomorrow morning for the first time. Would like to go tonight but got a stupid math exam in class tonight so cant skip out on that. I like the weather like this myself, minus the winds. The cold and the clouds and drizzle type stuff is right up my alley. I hate high winds though. They are saying 5-10 mph tomorrow so thats not bad at all.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I went to Ramsey this Friday and did not see a thing, the first time I have been out there and not seen anything. Then went to Palmyra and saw two 40 pound fawns with spots. What gives? The deer seemed to be shut down for some reason. I thought for sure they would be moving after all the rain we had and after the cold front blew in on Friday. Went Sat. around theStarlight area and saw nothing at all. I will be back out in Ramsey this Wednesday and Thursay evening to see how things are coming along. A couple of big bucks have been killed close to my house(Starlight Area), one 14 pointer taken Tuesday, and a really nice 8 point that scored around 150 plus inches. Well good luck to all and be safe. Rut is creeping up, I would suspect some bucks are seeking now? Anyone else have any thoughts?

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I have rubs and scrapes out where i hunt so i would say it is getting close. The last week of October and into early Novemeber is always my favorite time to hunt and is usually when i start seeing the Bucks stroll through checking things over. I still got a lot of standing corn to deal with though and thats not normally a good thing out there.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Great night out i was up the tree in my viper at 4:30. Around 5:15 a 3 year old 4 pt walked 5 yards behind the stand. I was after a doe so i let him walk. At around 6 a nice doe headed right for my stand. here is where it gets weird as i drew back my arrow fell off my rest and the nock fell off to.this all happening with the doe at 19 yards and in the open i slowly let down reset my arrow and drew again. the doe was at 17 yards now and i set my pin and drilled her double lunged her and she took off with my arrow laying on the ground. i say her drop 70 yards away. I waited 23 minutes and slowly climbed down after retrieving my arrow i started to where i saw her drop i walked within 10 yards and she gets up and makes it 10 feet before droping again. I was so surprised because i saw the shot drilled her.Irenocked thesame arrow and shot her in the heart it took her about 7 minutes to die as i started field dressing her i had another doe walk 35 yard away from me

Pictures to come tomorrow

Stack

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Smoked her! Good job, bro!

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Just checked my numbers this moring. 23 days hunted total of 124 hours and 150 deer seen. Down from last year. Bound to start getting better.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I haven't been seeing anything... shoulda been out this morning, that was my bad. I didn't hear from my hunting buddy until 11:30 last night and by that time it was too late because I hadn't laid out any clothes for hunting, OR any clothes for my daughter to get up and go to school. Plus, I would've had to tell my husband that I was going and he was already at work... he needed to sleep when he got home, didn't need to stay up late to get the kid on the bus.

Even with the winds, we saw a ton of deer along I-69 and 469 last night on our way home from the funeral, more than I've seen all year. I think I missed a good opportunity to hunt last night. [&o]

I am surprised at the number of deer I have NOT seen this year. I know they are there, plenty of fresh sign all over, tracks right in front of my new stand location, but it just seems they are still quite nocturnal. Of course, I am used to hunting a stand where I SEE deer everytime out, but not in shooting range, usually 100yds out. This year I bought and placed a stand 15 yards into the woods on the edge of the cornfield, right close to a popular bedding AND travel area. The only bummer about it is the only deer I can see are the ones I can shoot, and since I haven't gotten one yet this year... lol... I haven't seen any.

Of course every day out there now is getting us closer and closer to the rut, plus the colder temps moving in should get them up and moving a little more now. Or at least I'm hoping.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I hunted last night and had great success with the snort wheeze. I snorted a button buck then at least 5 bucks and started a fight! it was an awesome experience. coyotes ruined it after 15 mintues..i recommend snort wheeze in souther indiana

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Didnt go this morning, overslept. Pretty bad to oversleep on what was going to be the first morning for me. They need to start those Monday Night Football games a little earlier. Oh well, im heading out later this afternoon. Congrats on the doe rackstack, cant wait to see some pics.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Congrats on the doe!

I have one of those deer calendars, don't know how accurate they are, but it says there's a "fair" chance for deer activity through the middle of next week. I assume it is referring to the lunar phase, since there was a new moon on sunday. According to the calendar, the "good" deer movement starts oct 31. *shrug*

I know that earlier this season, when the calendar said "good", it was good, and now, it's been fair for the most part. We're not seeing the numbers we were. The deer we are seeing are either button bucks or are way out in the field and won't come close enough for a shot.

We have seen a couple of brand new rubs. One is about 5 yards from our stand and the other is about 35 yards past that. Most of the fields around our hunting areas are picked, so we figure the deer will be heading for the acorns, and there are tons of BIG acorns this year. I am really excited about the rut this year. We have seen some big deer and we hope to get one or two of them. I've been thinking about buying that Buck Growl...anything to get an arrow into one of those brutes.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I'm so glad the Crackboys got a beating on national tv.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

I am happy today as they announced the Bears/Giants Nov. 12th game was just selected to be moved to prime time. I'll be muley hunting in Colorado so now I can stay out all day then go back to the motel and see the game! Sweet.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Went out tonight and didnt see a thing. Seen a few out in the fields on the way home but that was it. Landowner was picking the rest of the beans though so hopefully tomorrow he can start on the corn. It needs to go.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

some troubles with pic they should be on tomorrow

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Well i might as well make a show. Im representing Pike county in southern Indiana. My son and I both scored on Does Oct. 15. still looking for some big bucks. Happy hunting
Dan

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Hopefully the landowner gets the corn off up on our land today...if not...supposed to rain thru sat/sun as of the latest forecast. Grrrrrr....


I bought the buck growl a month or so ago when it was on sale for $15.99. I've used the snort-weeze on it...pretty cool reaction-based call.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

windy and rainy for Thur and Fri. Going to go ahead and put up my umbrella tonight on my tree so I wont have to do it in the pouring rain. Still pretty slow around Jackson/Jennings Co. during the week.

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Good morning today!!! I didn't see anything, and I posted the story in the bowhunting forum under "Crazy Day! With Success", but my buddy scored on an 8pt. today. First deer, first bowkill. Woohoo!! On the way to track his deer, we had a nice 5-7pt stare us down at 40 yards and when I got to my other stand, there was a monster 10 standing directly under it. He spotted us at 40 yards and took off across the set aside field. I guess I need to switch to that stand for a while! My buddy's stand is not even 50 yards from that one, he had 4 bucks OTHER than the two I already mentioned come by today. We woulda had a double... Oh well, live and learn, I'm just happy he scored.

Congrats Joe!!!

RE: Indiana Hunters
 

Forgot to mention, he rattled 'em in with a few grunt calls in between. So, it's rattlin' time boys n girls!