Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sat in the ground blind right out back of the house. Blizzard conditions! Thought it was a good idea to give it a go, but only lasted about an hour as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 1 hr.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2008 Hunt 34
Hunted this afternoon after an early meeting in the cities. I saw and heard nothing. It was 12 degrees of bone chilling nothingness under the tower stand.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
2008 Hunt 32 and 33
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Got to bow hunt once again. Muzzle loader season started the 29th for another couple weeks. Gotta wear orange again.
Spooked a deer heading out to the climber I set up on Dwayne's old logging road. Saw nothing else the rest of the afternoon. It's been damn cold, and don't look like it's going to stay that way.
Friday, December 5, 2008
It was cold and windy so I decided to stay on the ground. Did slow stalk/walking into deeper areas of Dwayne's woods and swamp edges. Saw some really nice sign and trails that I will have to remember for bow season next year.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 5 hrs.
Got to bow hunt once again. Muzzle loader season started the 29th for another couple weeks. Gotta wear orange again.
Spooked a deer heading out to the climber I set up on Dwayne's old logging road. Saw nothing else the rest of the afternoon. It's been damn cold, and don't look like it's going to stay that way.
Friday, December 5, 2008
It was cold and windy so I decided to stay on the ground. Did slow stalk/walking into deeper areas of Dwayne's woods and swamp edges. Saw some really nice sign and trails that I will have to remember for bow season next year.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 5 hrs.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
2008 Hunt 31
Got out with the bow for the first time in two and a half weeks. Someone has been working a scrape right in front of the stand I shot the doe from in September. Nothing showed up tonight.
Going to have to wear orange again starting Saturday. Probable going to set up the ground blind up in Dwayne's back field or on his old logging road I started hunting at the beginning of October. There is deer out there, not many it seems, but they are out there.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 1:45 hrs.
Going to have to wear orange again starting Saturday. Probable going to set up the ground blind up in Dwayne's back field or on his old logging road I started hunting at the beginning of October. There is deer out there, not many it seems, but they are out there.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 1:45 hrs.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
2008 Hunt - Rifle Season, Hunts 22-30
November 8-23, 2008
Two full weeks, three weekends. Number 30 will be tomorrow night. I plan on sleeping in tomorrow morning.
I shot a doe on the first Sunday of our Minnesota rifle season. Chris got his doe on his lease Saturday a.m.
It was a very weird rifle season. Usually you arise in the morning and settle in to an audible sun rise, full of expectation and hope. You hear guns. Clacks, booms, and the infamous 4-6 rapid fire brush busting rifle bursts from hell. Normally, at dusk you can feel the anticipation as gun shots slowly and randomly begin, until the final shot echos and you know some lucky someone is hoping his shot was true and the whitetail would fall near.
This year sucked. The night I shot the doe, I should have taken the doe she was with because it was slim pickings this year. Opening weekend there was hardly any shots heard from anywhere. The state land did not have as many people hunting, as it was cold and windy. The past two weekends have been just as disappointing. I finally saw another deer Friday night.
I'll update if needed, but I don't expect much tomorrow night. I'll give it a go one more time with the gun and then break out the bow for the rest of the season starting next week.
Deer sightings: 3 Deer down: 1 Time on stand: 18 hrs.
Two full weeks, three weekends. Number 30 will be tomorrow night. I plan on sleeping in tomorrow morning.
I shot a doe on the first Sunday of our Minnesota rifle season. Chris got his doe on his lease Saturday a.m.
It was a very weird rifle season. Usually you arise in the morning and settle in to an audible sun rise, full of expectation and hope. You hear guns. Clacks, booms, and the infamous 4-6 rapid fire brush busting rifle bursts from hell. Normally, at dusk you can feel the anticipation as gun shots slowly and randomly begin, until the final shot echos and you know some lucky someone is hoping his shot was true and the whitetail would fall near.
This year sucked. The night I shot the doe, I should have taken the doe she was with because it was slim pickings this year. Opening weekend there was hardly any shots heard from anywhere. The state land did not have as many people hunting, as it was cold and windy. The past two weekends have been just as disappointing. I finally saw another deer Friday night.
I'll update if needed, but I don't expect much tomorrow night. I'll give it a go one more time with the gun and then break out the bow for the rest of the season starting next week.
Deer sightings: 3 Deer down: 1 Time on stand: 18 hrs.
2008 Hunt 21
Friday, November 7, 2008
I hunted one more evening before rifle season started. I don't recall seeing anything...
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 1/2 hrs.
I hunted one more evening before rifle season started. I don't recall seeing anything...
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 1/2 hrs.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
2008 Hunts 19 & 20
Wednesday and Thursday, November 5 & 6, 2008
Raining both days. Did get out early both days, but nothing was moving. I did bump a deer out of Dwayne's front field on my way out Wednesday.
This may be it for early bow hunting for me. Rifle season starts Saturday and I don't think it's going to stop raining 'til Friday afternoon. May just run out and retrieve the ground blind from Dwayne's back field.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 7 hrs.
Raining both days. Did get out early both days, but nothing was moving. I did bump a deer out of Dwayne's front field on my way out Wednesday.
This may be it for early bow hunting for me. Rifle season starts Saturday and I don't think it's going to stop raining 'til Friday afternoon. May just run out and retrieve the ground blind from Dwayne's back field.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 7 hrs.
2008 Hunt 18
Moved the new ground blind out to Dwayne's big back field. I set it up about 15 yards from the edge of the wood line right on top of a big scrape. Trimmed some downed branches and brushed the blind in pretty good.
Got back out around 2:30 p.m. or so, and things were quiet for most of the hunt. It was a little drizzly, and then finally started raining for about a half hour before dusk.
I was getting things back into the pack about 5:05 p.m. or so when I glanced up and saw a deer. He had to of came in from the south somewhere. I think its the big deer I played cat and mouse with all last year! I had been using a can bleat and a growl call most of the afternoon, so I gave the can call a try. The buck was a good 150 yards out, and took off like nobody's business at the sound of the can call. The second call sealed the deal and he was gone!
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
Got back out around 2:30 p.m. or so, and things were quiet for most of the hunt. It was a little drizzly, and then finally started raining for about a half hour before dusk.
I was getting things back into the pack about 5:05 p.m. or so when I glanced up and saw a deer. He had to of came in from the south somewhere. I think its the big deer I played cat and mouse with all last year! I had been using a can bleat and a growl call most of the afternoon, so I gave the can call a try. The buck was a good 150 yards out, and took off like nobody's business at the sound of the can call. The second call sealed the deal and he was gone!
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
2008 Hunt 17
Monday, November 3, 2008
I scouted a little in the morning and found some rubs on an old logging trail in the middle of some thick woods on Dwayne's piece. Went back and got the climber and set it up for the afternoon.
Cleared some shooting lanes, and set up on that trail that looked to be well used. Nothing at all. Once again it was near 70 degrees again.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 1/2 hrs.
I scouted a little in the morning and found some rubs on an old logging trail in the middle of some thick woods on Dwayne's piece. Went back and got the climber and set it up for the afternoon.
Cleared some shooting lanes, and set up on that trail that looked to be well used. Nothing at all. Once again it was near 70 degrees again.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 1/2 hrs.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
2008 Hunt 16
Made it out again tonight. Had good wind all evening, but nothing showed up at all. I'm not even seeing anything out in Dwayne's front fields. The only thing was it was almost 70 degrees when I set up.
Still have the rest of the week to hunt. The next couple days are gonna be warmer than I'd like; deer moving later than they should.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
Still have the rest of the week to hunt. The next couple days are gonna be warmer than I'd like; deer moving later than they should.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
Friday, October 31, 2008
2008 Hunt 15
Took today off. Moved a stand set-up from Dwayne's back field to the ridge just to the west of my southwest boundary.
Hunted this afternoon/evening in my climber on the edge of Dwayne's front field. Saw absolutely nothing. Squirrels kept me busy, but I did end up taking a quick nap. Forgot how comfortable that Summit Viper is.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
Hunted this afternoon/evening in my climber on the edge of Dwayne's front field. Saw absolutely nothing. Squirrels kept me busy, but I did end up taking a quick nap. Forgot how comfortable that Summit Viper is.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hrs.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
2008 Hunt 14
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Got ready quick after work, and intended on sitting up in a stand I moved on the south end of my property. No problems at all, but once I got up there I just was not comfortable. More and more I'm not happy in a tree. I basically need a cluster of three or more that I can be wedged in tight, or I'm not comfortable. I can sit in the big dogwood set because I can lean against something left and right of me, so I feel more safe. This set has me feeling like I'm gonna fall! It's only about 13 foot up! It has more to do with all the recent stories I've read about regarding guys falling and seriously injuring themselves.
I got down as soon as I got set up, and sat on a stump near the small clover field. Never saw or heard a thing!
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Got ready quick after work, and intended on sitting up in a stand I moved on the south end of my property. No problems at all, but once I got up there I just was not comfortable. More and more I'm not happy in a tree. I basically need a cluster of three or more that I can be wedged in tight, or I'm not comfortable. I can sit in the big dogwood set because I can lean against something left and right of me, so I feel more safe. This set has me feeling like I'm gonna fall! It's only about 13 foot up! It has more to do with all the recent stories I've read about regarding guys falling and seriously injuring themselves.
I got down as soon as I got set up, and sat on a stump near the small clover field. Never saw or heard a thing!
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
2008 Hunt 13
Sunday, October 26, 2008
It was really windy again so I sat under the rifle box tower on the east side of the corn/rye/clover plot. There are tracks all over that field. They've obviously been eating up the rye and the little bit of corn is gone. I planted some pumpkin seeds late; around the 4th of July. They never really got going, but I learned from the couple that did, deer love 'em!
Regardless, no deer tonight. Except for the one I heard between me and the pole barn, who blew a distress call three times. With the strong gusts coming from the west, I assume it smelled me.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
It was really windy again so I sat under the rifle box tower on the east side of the corn/rye/clover plot. There are tracks all over that field. They've obviously been eating up the rye and the little bit of corn is gone. I planted some pumpkin seeds late; around the 4th of July. They never really got going, but I learned from the couple that did, deer love 'em!
Regardless, no deer tonight. Except for the one I heard between me and the pole barn, who blew a distress call three times. With the strong gusts coming from the west, I assume it smelled me.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
2008 Hunts 11 & 12
Thursday October 23 and Friday October 24, 2008
Thursday I sat up in the corn plot stand again. Did not see or hear a thing.
Yesterday I quickly got into the ground blind I moved last weekend after work. The blind is right behind the pole barn, and looks over a very nice brasica, clover and chicory field. Nothing at all.
These things have to start moving sometime.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 2 Time on stand: 4 hrs.
Thursday I sat up in the corn plot stand again. Did not see or hear a thing.
Yesterday I quickly got into the ground blind I moved last weekend after work. The blind is right behind the pole barn, and looks over a very nice brasica, clover and chicory field. Nothing at all.
These things have to start moving sometime.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 2 Time on stand: 4 hrs.
2008 Hunt 10
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Went out to Duane's back field again. Should have taken down that stand, even without the wind it was a nightmare to sit in. Got down, and set up on the ground in front of a scrape. Nothing, notta thing.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2:30 hrs.
Went out to Duane's back field again. Should have taken down that stand, even without the wind it was a nightmare to sit in. Got down, and set up on the ground in front of a scrape. Nothing, notta thing.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2:30 hrs.
Friday, October 17, 2008
2008 Hunt 7, 8, and 9
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sat out in the ground blind that I sat in on opening weekend. Nothing.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Climbed the corn field stand again. Nothing except a porcupine that I swore was dear 'til it became visible in the field.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Back out to the ground blind. Pretty quiet until about 6:20 p.m. when two dear came browsing from north to south at about 60 yards out. They entertained me for about 15 minutes, then cleared to the west.
Deer sightings: 2 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 7:30 hours
Sat out in the ground blind that I sat in on opening weekend. Nothing.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Climbed the corn field stand again. Nothing except a porcupine that I swore was dear 'til it became visible in the field.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Back out to the ground blind. Pretty quiet until about 6:20 p.m. when two dear came browsing from north to south at about 60 yards out. They entertained me for about 15 minutes, then cleared to the west.
Deer sightings: 2 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 7:30 hours
2008 Hunt 6
Friday, October 10, 2008
Hunted the afternoon again. Set up in the same stand I took the doe out of in September. Had to wait quite a bit into the evening as a small four point came in and took his time eating in the field.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hours.
Hunted the afternoon again. Set up in the same stand I took the doe out of in September. Had to wait quite a bit into the evening as a small four point came in and took his time eating in the field.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 3 hours.
2008 Hunt 5
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Hunted Duane's field on this afternoon. I had a set up on the east side of the big field with a strap on stand I had put up earlier. Wind was stiff out of the west. So stiff, I climbed down after two minutes of flapping like flag.
Found a depression about 20 yards inside the field edge near a newer scrape. Nothing at all. The wind stayed steady at 15-20 m.p.h. with gusts that had to have reached 40-45 m.p.h.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 4 hours
Hunted Duane's field on this afternoon. I had a set up on the east side of the big field with a strap on stand I had put up earlier. Wind was stiff out of the west. So stiff, I climbed down after two minutes of flapping like flag.
Found a depression about 20 yards inside the field edge near a newer scrape. Nothing at all. The wind stayed steady at 15-20 m.p.h. with gusts that had to have reached 40-45 m.p.h.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 4 hours
Monday, September 22, 2008
2008 Hunt 4
September 20, 2008. Finally started feeling good again by the weekend!
Set up in a stand on the west edge of a food plot planted with corn, soy beans, and some winter rye. The wind was coming in from the east/northeast all day, and looked to be all afternoon. Got everything set up and ready to go by 4:30 p.m. I was expecting action to come from the south or north, and feared I'd spook anything coming directly from the west.
I read from a book on and off 'til about 5:45 p.m., when I heard and then saw a doe coming from the WEST! I slipped the book into my jacket that was still unzipped. The doe slowly made her way directly under me and then headed toward the field. I knew I had her on the edge of the field at 20 yards. I grabbed the bow while she was heading away from me. She turned broadside as soon as she reached the field, and I let an arrow go. She was quartering a little, and I hit her perfectly; the arrow passed through her right front leg, piercing her heart on the way!
She scampered away, and I heard her crash about 40 yards from where she was hit. I slowly gathered my stuff and climbed down. I picked up my arrow exactly where she was standing, and found her just as quickly.
I headed to the house and grabbed my oldest daughter to help bring the doe in on the ATV trailer. We got some pictures and I brought her to the pole barn.
Got her hung up and started skinning her right away as it was getting dark. Was just about to cut off her front forearm, and sliced up my left thumb...bad! Ended up at the ER, and had to have a tendon stitched up as well as the laceration. I'm in a splint for a couple of weeks, but the doc thinks I should have no problem shooting the bow once they're sure the tendon is healed.
A good and bad start to the deer season!
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 1 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Set up in a stand on the west edge of a food plot planted with corn, soy beans, and some winter rye. The wind was coming in from the east/northeast all day, and looked to be all afternoon. Got everything set up and ready to go by 4:30 p.m. I was expecting action to come from the south or north, and feared I'd spook anything coming directly from the west.
I read from a book on and off 'til about 5:45 p.m., when I heard and then saw a doe coming from the WEST! I slipped the book into my jacket that was still unzipped. The doe slowly made her way directly under me and then headed toward the field. I knew I had her on the edge of the field at 20 yards. I grabbed the bow while she was heading away from me. She turned broadside as soon as she reached the field, and I let an arrow go. She was quartering a little, and I hit her perfectly; the arrow passed through her right front leg, piercing her heart on the way!
She scampered away, and I heard her crash about 40 yards from where she was hit. I slowly gathered my stuff and climbed down. I picked up my arrow exactly where she was standing, and found her just as quickly.
I headed to the house and grabbed my oldest daughter to help bring the doe in on the ATV trailer. We got some pictures and I brought her to the pole barn.
Got her hung up and started skinning her right away as it was getting dark. Was just about to cut off her front forearm, and sliced up my left thumb...bad! Ended up at the ER, and had to have a tendon stitched up as well as the laceration. I'm in a splint for a couple of weeks, but the doc thinks I should have no problem shooting the bow once they're sure the tendon is healed.
A good and bad start to the deer season!
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 1 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
2008 Hunt 3
Got out on Sunday, the 14th for an afternoon/evening hunt. It was rainy all day, but looked to be letting up about 4 p.m.
Wasn't really feeling good from the start, and started sneezing throughout the day. Finally gave up around 6 p.m., realizing I was making too much noise even in a ground blind.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Wasn't really feeling good from the start, and started sneezing throughout the day. Finally gave up around 6 p.m., realizing I was making too much noise even in a ground blind.
Deer sightings: 0 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2 hrs.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
2008 Hunt 2
Waited the rain out and got back into the same ground blind I was in earlier. Twenty minutes later, around 5:20 p.m. a small one or two year old eight pointer came through the small food plot from the north and fed for about 25 minutes. He cleared out heading south.
About a half hour later I think this same deer came through heading back north. I tried to get a pic, but didn't get a clear shot.
At 6:50 p.m. this guy came in from the south. I've got several trail cam pictures of him throughout the summer. Weird rack, with seven points, but the fork on the left is enough for me to let him grow another year.
Deer sightings: 2 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2.5 hrs.
About a half hour later I think this same deer came through heading back north. I tried to get a pic, but didn't get a clear shot.
At 6:50 p.m. this guy came in from the south. I've got several trail cam pictures of him throughout the summer. Weird rack, with seven points, but the fork on the left is enough for me to let him grow another year.
Deer sightings: 2 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2.5 hrs.
2008 Hunt 1
Sat in ground blind on east edge of small food plot. Got up later than I wanted, but still got set up about 1/2 hour before legal shooting time. Not much action, except for the dropping of acorns.
About 7:45 a.m. a doe surprised me coming into the food plot from the north. She immediately got nervous about something. I had set up this blind last weekend, so she should have had time to get used to it. Must have been me. She kept moving south and finally came back around toward me. I could barely make out her front feet as she stood about 7 yards away with all kinds of saplings between her and the blind. She slowly slipped south.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2:15 hrs.
About 7:45 a.m. a doe surprised me coming into the food plot from the north. She immediately got nervous about something. I had set up this blind last weekend, so she should have had time to get used to it. Must have been me. She kept moving south and finally came back around toward me. I could barely make out her front feet as she stood about 7 yards away with all kinds of saplings between her and the blind. She slowly slipped south.
Deer sightings: 1 Deer down: 0 Time on stand: 2:15 hrs.
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