t_barb

Savage 220 20 gauge slug gun. Leuopold scope. 3" federal Barnes expanders.... Deadly!!!

I have seen some really big deer on state land.. Between the lower number of hunters and the reality that in most cases it is only the "fringes" of State land get hunted, there is a real opportunity for some of the deer to grow up a bit.

I love the look of that buck.. very unique.. Will be a great conversation pieve when you get him!!

All of the major online retailers (cabelas, midway, etc) have an option for next day shipping. Order this morning have it tomorrow.... Problem solved

Makes it all worth it! Well done

Btw... Bought the oats at Turners in Hemlock

One more question... If I put them down now in a clover plot and go over with the roller, will they grow? I am assuming yes, since the ones I spilled in my stone driveway are growing nicely!

I planted oats for the first time this year.. Planted them a few weeks ago and deer seem to LOVE them... I planted regular bin run oats... $18 for 80# bag, so pretty economical Is it to late to plant more? How late into the season will they normally grow.

Honestly, I am not sure it makes a differnce... We usually shoot 8 to 10 mature does a year on my property(115 acres) and do not see much of a change in population year to year.. For instance last evening there were 20 does and fawns in the 10 acre field behind my cabin at the same time... I estimate the resident doe/fawn population to be in teh 50 to 60 range this timeof year. I think what happens is that as we transition into winter, if you have a lot of winter forage and think bedding areas, other does and fawns "move in" and become residet for the next year (as do bucks).. That is why I continue to say that winter forage is priority #1 when it comes to food plots... The area I am in has a pretty high population, so maybe it is differnt elsewhere, but focus on Brassicas, standing corn, etc... for the winter months and you can shott as many mature doe as you want..

My guess would be that they have the 4 wheeler to far back and not over the axle... I see guys all the time putting lite stuff in the front of the trailer and then the 4 wheeler all the way in back... A good way to wear out the tires on the trailer...

For my property, given the choice I will take the afternoon hands down... For mature bucks, my number of sightings and "close encounters" out weigh mornings probably 5:1.. this is consistent year to year... you have to learn the area you hunt and if you have limited time, align your time in the field with the periods that provide the most activity..

You are never going to win against the nose of a mature buck (or doe for that matter)... I don't care what kind of clothes you wear or how many times you shower.. you need to play the wind to win the game!!

Phade, the Rocky products from Walmart are great for the money.. I caught them on sale for $15 (each for top and bottom).. I got my wife a set as well as we have a horse farm and she is outside or in the barn all the time... She loves them!! They seem to wash well and last too!! I look at the price of Under Armour and shake my head as the Rocky stuff seems just as good!!

Faintail.. I can appreciate how much work went into clearing the woods and making those plots.. Very Nice!! The last picture is the best.. Almost looks like that steak is so heavy it is bending the grate.. Well deserved!!

You will be amazed how quickly it will diappear after it freezes... the will eat all of the greens first and then they will pull the bulbs out of the ground and eat them as well... I plant a varaiety of different plots, but I firmly believe that giving them plenty to eat in the winter should be priority #1. There is a ton of agriculture around me (corn and beans), so there is plenty to eat all summer long... I now plant almost all brasicas and winter forage (8 acres this year).. It keeps the deer frequenting your property and keeps them healty as they start the antler growing season. Just my opinion, but I think you are doing the right thing!!

We have a horse farm and almost every evening, there will be deer out in the pasture with the horses.. In fact there are often times that we will go out to get the horses and will be leading them in and if you put the horse between you and the deer as you walk, you can get within 10 yards of the deer no problem.. I have seen this technique actually used for hunitng the open plains out west..

I agree with sampotter... I have had the same problem in wet, low lying areas (even when ph adn fertilizer are in place).. Not to worry, it may end up a bit smaller, but the deer will still eat it

I have a friend that always paces off 20 yards in multiple directions from a stand and then clears a little patch so he can see his "yardage marker" from the stand.. I can't tell you how many deer he has taken where they stop and put their nose into the little clearing he made. Makes you wonder if there is some visual aspect to scrapes as well or is it just curiosity? who knows, but it works for him..

My experience is that it is like any other type of calling, some days it works and some days it doesn't... I have had days when I have grunted at a buck that was passing thru way out of range and it is like they have never heard it. I have had other times when they have come to me on a string. I am a bit more careful with rattling. I have called in both mature and immature bucks. MY approach has always been not to call at all during the first 2 to 2 and a half hours in the morning. Then I will start with a "lite" sequence of rattling. I will then follow up with more agressive rattling ever 15 minutes for the course of an hour. At that point I stop. I never rattle during the afternoon/evening hunt. My other observation is that the mature bucks always tend to come in down wind, unless there is another buck that has come to the call as well... That seems to be the key is to get multiple bucks to respond. I also believe that in order for it to work you have to have a healthy buck population (both numbers and various year classes). Now, if you told me I could only use one call.. I think I would choose the "can"... Just seems to work most consistently for me..

for me the most important thing is time.. Seems harder and hard to get time to scout.. I do most of my scouting in winter/spring time to understand the subtle changes from year to year.. I believe you can learn a lot more about main travel coridors and bedding areas when there is a bit of snow on the ground.. Things change so much between now and mid season, that you have to be careful of being misgiuded by what you see today..

Sold, pending funds

Slug guns have come a long way. I shoot a Savage 220.. Built on a rifle platform and includes many attributes of a rifle (accu-trigger for one).. With a good Leupold scope and the right slugs (3" Federal Barnes Expanders), it shoots amazingly tight groups at 100 yards.. rifle like groups) and I am confident in it out to 200... Phade, I also looked at the H&R when I bought the savage, as I understand they produce similar results. I am partial to savage and that is why I went in that direction and still happy I did (absolutely nothing against the H&R).. I too remeber the brusied shoulders and dreading the sighting in process, but those days are gone for me.. Now I shoot the 220 more to get confident with it at long range and enjoy ever minute of it... Plus, the 20 gauge provides all the knock down power you would ever need for a deer. I have yet to have to track a deer shot with that gun.. I have shot 5 to date with it and they have all drop within my view..

Speaking from experience, you may not think you need anything bigger now, but you will find that you use the trailer more for non-ATV things... spend a few extra bucks today you will be glad you did

pretty common this time of year... I often get pictures of 5 or 6 bucks together during July and August... A lot of times they are a mix of all different age classes. Things start changing first half of september.. The groups get smaller and those smaller groups seem to be a better match of age.. That has been my experience..

That is what they said in the 1989 US Open and the last PGA.. Thursday scores were low and in the end, then course got even.. I would expect the same this time around. I have been fortunate enough to play Oak Hill East 3 times... The tee position and pin placements change the course dramatically, so they will adjust accordingly.