Unit8R

Opinions please. Heard a couple grunts in cover 70 yds from stand with good wind. Traded grunts with him a couple times but he didn't step out. Tried (my first in combat!) snort wheeze with no response. Eventually the does wandered off slowly eating. Question: Do does try to avoid grunts from a distance thinking they don't want to deal with another buck? Thinking I may have been better off staying quiet and maybe they would feed my way. I called elk most of my life and am enjoying trying to learn whitetail.

Traditional last year's buck tenders for opening day eve dinner... planned on your basic season, sear and low temp roast unless someone has something to share. Good luck to all!

Scene being played out across the land: Husband from other room: "Honey, what's your major goal in life"> wife: Eat down the freezer before Oct 1st Deer meat on mashies (yes, flakes)... I've been busy all day, give me something good and my remote. And, oh... we need to can these Romas...

Venison, tomato, veggie soup. Roasted deer bones and made into stock along with trimmings, grew the tomatoes, onions, squash... cook some rice, maybe some egg noodles to thicken and we have a healthy, nutritious soup for a winter's day, maybe make a loaf of rustic bread with your kids. I see folks in tough times in their cars lining up for free food, how can we teach them to provide for themselves? It's easy, fun, cheap and rewarding... (image upload failed, sorry)

Can't miss that crappie spawn! They are tough to find otherwise

Take time to thank the Maker for your good health and strong constitution, some are not as fortunate

They are hUGE but stuff into a small backpack alomg with my HSS muff https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033C3PX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Busted out the boot blankets today! Very cozy sit for 25, feels like 18

Now I've heard it all for sure... vegans who kill and waste

We had this conversation at lunch during the season and it keeps coming back up in my mind when I'm tired of watching squirrels. Before everybody starts to filter out of these great threads I thought I'd ask. When I came of age 50ish years ago it was smooth bore shotguns, traditional bows, shorter seasons, no camo, tree stands were wood 2X4s and not that prevalent and one doe tag for three hunters with the guy wearing the arm band the only one who could bag a doe. Now its longer seasons, rifles and rifled shotguns, compounds, crossbows, tree stands, camo, scents and scent killers, trail cams and range finders. Add to all that DMPS are given out readily with leftovers to boot. So more deer must be being taken now-a-days but the herd is flourishing - why? Are there more deer than back then? Why? Is it more Ag crops or wooded suburbs or what? Perhaps its been too much time in the woods but I'd love some opinions - thanks.

The last of 2019 venison...this was a small fork horn that out tasted the two other fat does. Nothing special but we grew the sprouts and have many more buried in leaves for early winter protection. I'd like to think this meal cost just a few onion slices but then I start thinking of all that gear! On to the 2020 deer...

...so out comes the doe in estrus scent this morning...

negative... herd moved on. If there was a prize for most miles walked and vertical feet climbed (between 9 and 11K altitude) with very few elk tags filled I'd had been the winner

I have kept a journal of every time in the woods, hunting or scouting for many years, if nothing else these notes help an aging man remember some great times. Here's one (unedited) from opening day of Colorado elk season 1993... when I had strong legs and a take down recurve 8/28 Opening Day What a day! up at 3:45, parked at marker 183, I made it to the flat knoll top at 6:00AM so my timing was perfect if not a bit late. There were elk in the bowl feeding. I set up on top of little knoll to ambush but decided they would cross lower so I made my way down. Saw 3 bulls in the bunch and probably 8 cows. The one small young bull was jumping up and down like a bronco bull and twirling in circles all by himself in the timber. I herd two bulls clash but did not see them actually fighting. Herd them trashing trees, snapping off branches. While I was trying to stalk the noise makers I saw a rag horn nearby but he caught some of my movement and I tried to wait for him to come around a tree but he vanished without a trace. Then I watched the bronco billy bull and tried to stalk him but he moved off. It is amazing how one minute they are totally crazy with lust and then they can spot the smallest movement and stop instantly!. I continued to try to stalk him and another 6 pt as they were moving off but I needed to move quickly and they got nervous. I circled around to head them off as they tried for the bedding area but the cows were too aware and I couldn't pull it off. What an experience. I heard a bull splashing in a wallow and later found it. The tree next to it was soaked and there was muddy water all over and trashed trees! I will go back there for the next 3 days and stake out that wallow. Wow! From a technique standpoint I once again see how incredibly aware these animals are and that I really need a close shot. I need a bit of luck to have them move right by me for a shot as stalking is really tough. I'm beginning to see the sense in tree stands at wallows. With my equipment and their senses, This is probably one of the best methods for me to hunt and get a close shot. I wish I had that wallow treestanded already but I don't so I'll just take a ground stand there and hope. What a day! I'm off for the next 3 days after I work tonight, back up tomorrow at 3:30 and up to the same spot and wait at the wallow.

Still no daytime sightings except a lone panicked looking doe around noon a couple days back on camera, all activity at night, not even 5 minutes before legal afternoon hours.... still petrified from opening weekend's constant drives, they have a couple weeks to relax before my clock runs out. Comfortable with Carhart socks, toe warmers and warmest zipper boots... base layer and WWII vintage wool army pants, base layer, long sleeve T, light zipper jacket, fleece vest, camo sweatshirt, old winter waist coat and camo shell... flip back mittens loaded with hand warmers in the zipper compartments, and muff... pullover Balaclava and reversible knit cap.