Saskabush

Sorry JD, I missed the part about knowing your buddy. No, I don't think I've met him. What does he do/ who does he work for? I'm with the ACA.

JD IN ALBERTA

Sask he's a wildlife biologist (I thought you told me that's what you did).

Anyhow, nice job this year, you too Skeet, hopefully you get one more crack at it and connect. As I was out on Sat. sunning myself on a cutline I figured out why I was really bothered this year...this damn tumor thing really hit me then. I looked at this as my last shot at getting a big buck FOREVER, now I'm still waiting to see the Neuroseurgeon so I don't know why I'm thinking that way but I was. Reality set in and as my buddy who was pushing bush came down the hill, I just took a big breath and sucked in the fresh air, said my thanks to the big guy and called it a day. Went for a drive to my old haunts from back when I was in high school, man it all changed. Houses (& towns) built on my old stomping grounds. Guess I just have to accept things don't stay the same forever. Drove home thinking about all that is good in my life hugged my kids & wife when I got home. My wife has never seen me home early EVER!! Did some chores around the house and packed the gear away & we put up the Christmas tree. No more stress on trying to bag a monster. I really hated this hunting season and thought if you arent enjoying it, stop and regroup. I appreciate all the comments guys, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't believe in "internet relationships" but damn, consider alot of you guys friends and I've never met ya. I'm going to see what I can do about finding new territory for next year but I think I need to take some time to reevaluate what's really important. Thanks again and Merry Christmas fellas!!

Saskabush

Yeah I am a fisheries/wildlife technician with Alberta Conservation Association. I don't get down that farvery often(i'm not that important) so chances are I just haven't met him. I take it he is with the Gov't?

Sounds like you've got thing pretty much in perpective JD. I've had to have that chat with myself a few times as well (though not under same circumstances of course). It's so easy to get caught up in the result and forget why you're there in the first place. Good luck with everything, please keep us posted. Merry Xmas.

JD IN ALBERTA

Here's his sig...
Wildlife Habitat Biologist
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada

You lucky buggers! I'm stuck in downtown Calgary all couped up with my only wildlife being the hobo's hitting people around me. Oh if I could do it over again...

JPF

Gents,

Its been awhile. Congrats to those who have notched some tags, and good to those still waiting for the big guy. My 2008 season is now over, not being drawn for anything I thought I give bow hunting an honest try, I've done it before but never really committed to it. Well, I'm hooked for life now. I was within range of some nice mulies, one neat deer with a drop tine, but wind changes and whitetail does always seemed to bust me. Went out on the last day of the season after a 12hr nights shift with lower standards, I was just looking for a doe for the freezer, the only deer that I could sneak up on and that would stand nice for me was small muley buck, I connected. My first bowkill, I was pumped (smallest deer I've ever shot, but I think I'm the most proud of him).

Whitetail season was a little dissapointing for me aswell. Had scouted a fair number of nice deer in the pre season, but the weather and more hunter pressure than I have ever seen in my life set the tone for my season. I ended up taking a not to bad 4x4. I passed up a few bigger bucks before running it to this one (for the 3rd time), I thoughthe was a 5x on my third time seeing him, guess I just got excited. What do you experts thing the age of this whitetail is (pic below). He had a very small body, but not bad antlers, is it an old deer with a shrinking body. Or a young deer I should have left grow to be big guy.

So thats it for my season, maybe take in some late season partridge, and do some coyote calling and ice fishing. I won't be aloud to stray to far from cell phone coverage though, the wife and I are expecting our first Jan.19, but we just found out today that her and the baby are measuring full term.....any day now

Heres the pics of my season

JPF

My whitetail

JPF

and my baby

early in

JD, you should really try to hunt the Edmonton Bow Zone. Maybe you can get Rocky to "host" you.The bucks in this 1600 square mile region are not to be believed. There is virtually no resident hunting pressure in this area and they only alot 70 non-resident tags, period!I settled for this little 9pt because he offered me a chip shot. I had missed (shot low) a 150" class bruiser earlier in the day.I really should have let him walk. I actually videoed him before shooting him. I saw 10 different buck and four doe by 1:15PM. Here is the before pic (a still from video) and the afterpic. Again, I should have let this little one walk. You can't shoot a big buck if you take a little one. I guess I got caught up in the moment.
Don't despair JD, we'll give it hell next season. I hope all is going OK with you and your family. I think of you and your little guy often. Have a Happy Holliday and a safe New Year.

early in

And the after pic. They only let you post one pic at a time.[:'(]

Saskabush

Congrats on a nice buck early in! I take it you'll be back next year?

Nice looking deer JPF! Congrats on the first bowkill! I got my first this year as well and I'm hooked for life too. Congrats on the future addition to your family. My wife and I are also expecting out first in March.

JD, oh I see. He's a Federale. I don't really do too much that involves crossing paths with CWS too often. I work more often with provincial bio's. Like I say, I'm a tech, I do more field level work than anything.