Category: Hunting

Hunting

Tomorrow is the last day of firearm season, but I’m probably not going to make it out. I only made it out a few times this year and today was likely my last hunt. I regret that I didn’t hunt the land much when I was young.

I was twelve when we moved into that house and I had been fascinated with the land from the beginning, but I didn’t develop a passion for hunting until I was in my late-twenties. I’ve shot three deer. I guess that’s a feat to be proud of. But I wonder, if I would have started earlier in my life, would I feel more accomplished as a hunter by this point? Would I maybe have gotten the buck I’ve been dreaming about for the last fifteen years?

I see the pictures that so many of you post each hunting season. The ones of yourselves with bucks that have majestic racks. I’m impressed every time I see these pictures, but I always wonder, what do you guys do right that I’m doing wrong?

How is it that the bucks just come out for you? I can think of only three times that I’ve had a buck with a noticeable rack in front of me. They all took off before I could get a shot at them.

Hunting

It snowed most of the time I was out there. Wet snow. My clothes were soaked.

The Bat Shack is finally falling apart.

Hunting

Made it out today. Didn’t see anything, but the doe urine I sprayed on the ground has a very strong smell. I’d be surprised if a buck doesn’t pick up that scent.

Hunting

Though we have 25 MPH winds today and lots of rain, I had hoped to hunt. It was on a day like this that I saw the king buck while hunting a few years ago. I saw him once in person, and later my trail camera got a picture of him when I wasn’t out there. But I don’t have a way to get over there today and my dad said we have hail and lightning, so I guess it’s better that I stay in.

Hunting

I’m getting together my hunting gear because I hope to hunt today. My boots, that have been at the top of the basement stairs, are full of cat food.

Hunting

Thank God temperatures dropped. Firearm season starts in a few days. I’m just going to do the firearm season this year and I’m going to try hot doe piss.

Hunting

Last night, I dreamt that I shot a four-point buck. This morning, I woke up wanting to hunt. So much for dreams. I didn’t see a damn thing.

Hunting

Hunted for three and a half hours. It was cold and windy. Didn’t see a damn thing.

Hunting

I scouted out another spot the other day. Next time I’m out, I’ll set up behind this heap next to the haunted tree stand. I won’t use that tree stand, it’s been there for thirty years. This position will have me at the top of the hill, looking down into the woods. Maybe something will come along to drink from the creek.

My only concern is, if I shoot a deer on the other side of the creek, I’m not sure how I’ll get it. But I’ll figure something out.

Might have to knock down a few trees.

I’ll still use my tripod tower sometimes, I just want a second spot.

Hunting

Is anyone seeing anything while this baiting ban is in place? I acknowledge that there are diseases in the deer herds, but I think the DNR has their logic backwards.

Whether we bait or not, the deer are still going to eat apples and acorns and whatever in the same spots. They’re still going to drink from the same streams. So, what difference does it make if hunters are putting out bait or not?

I think next year, the number of diseased deer will be tripled. The diseases are still going to spread and with the bait ban, not as many people are bagging deer this year. We’ll probably also see an increase in deer related traffic incidents and crop damage next year.

In my opinion, the best way to control these diseases is to give hunters more opportunity to take out the sick ones. It’s also helpful to keep deer from becoming too numerous.

Anyway, I’m trying to not complain about it too much. I know some hunters manage to have successful seasons without baiting. So, maybe I can too. It’s a challenge I’m accepting.

I didn’t see anything today either. I did detect a lot of those animal scents, but I look every which way and I never see the animal that’s causing them. I don’t know if it’s a deer or not, but the smell is strong and makes me think it’s coming from a large animal.

As I was walking back to the house, I scared something twice. There was a bleat and then I heard something running away. This happened twice, but I didn’t see anything.