regulat0r

Driving to my dads house just a few minutes ago, I see a large doe jogging through the woods with that tell tale trot like she is being chased. I stop the car to watch her and sure enough, about 40 yards behind her, is a nice young 8 pnt with his nose to the ground, grunting, and quickly walking after her. I watched this for a while. The doe would run ahead and the buck would follow with his nose to the ground and then pick his head up and sniff the air before continuing. Is this normal for this time of year? Also, if so, should i start using estrous drags when i walk into my stand? What do you think?

Have any of you ever moved a stand mid season with positive results? I obtained permission to hunt a new property at the start of last season. I put a ladder stand up in an area w cover and food sources. The property is full of cover, food, trails etc. i hunted the stand twice last year and once last weekend. One sit I saw nothing but the other two I saw deer moving through a funnel 60 yards to my left. So my question is... do I move my stand mid day this weekend, then let the spot cool off for a week then hunt it again or will the commotion of moving a ladder stand push the deer away? I’m fortunate enough to have several other properties to hunt so I can let the spot rest for 2-3 weeks. Has anybody ever done this midway through the season and then taken a deer from the new stand location? Please share your thoughts. Thanks! *note - I’m well aware of Murphy’s law which would probably be in effect and deer would move by my original location after I move the stand.

Hi all- looking for some input here. I'm about to set my final stand on one of my properties and deciding between 2 specific spots for my hang on. Spot one is the perfect location in between a thick/cover area and a funnel to an oak flat. The problem is, the only suitable tree is tall and skinny, with no cover. Option 2 is a triple split trunk tree which would keep me hidden but it's 50 yards off the funnel and I don't foresee any deer coming close enough for a shot. Is putting a stand on a tall tree with little cover ok or will I get busted? On the other hand, it does me no good to be perfectly hidden with no opportunity for an ethical shot. Please share your thoughts on being concealed in a stand. Thanks!

Hi all, i was in the yard shooting today and after I picked up my bow in between a few shots I heard some rattling. I started tapping around my bow w my finger and I discovered several of the hex bolts on my lower cam were loose. I took my Allen key and tightened the three that were loose. I just went hand tight and did not crank it. Is this a fairly common issue or is it a sign of a bigger problem. I shoot a 2016 bow tech btx. Thanks,

Hi all. I have a question for those who might have experienced this or something similar...I was speaking to the owner of one of the properties that I hunt and he told me he will be logging it this summer. He said he will be taking out the “mature” trees and selling them to the logging co. I walked the property today and saw what trees were marked. It’s true that only the very large trees were marked. There still were plenty of small, medium, pines, brush, that will not be touched. How will this affect my hunting (bow) this fall? Will the removal of the mature trees impact the deer? What about the commotion of saws, guys, and machinery? The property has a ton of deer and is surrounded by another property plus a public power line that won’t be touched. (Both hold plenty of deer). Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks,

Hi all, I know this situation is not ideal but I was hoping to hear some feedback...I hung a hang on stand on a new property that I hunted 4 times so far this bow season. Each sit, I saw multiple deer moving through the same area 75 yards BEHIND me. I took a quick scouting walk after my last hunt and sure enough noticed a great natural funnel between a thick swamp and oak flat which was exactly where the deer were moving. I noticed a great tree for my climber right off this funnel. The problem is, this tree has several small branches (about the size of my fingers) going up the tree. I was planning on getting in the woods extra early this Friday (1 hour before first light) and trimming these branches w my hand saw as I climb with my climbing stand. Of course I will try to do this as quiet as possible. My other thought was to build a Natural ground blind w some sticks/brush in the same area but I feel like this would be more of an alert when the deer walk through. Do you think trimming these branches would be ok for this last minute stand location.? Thanks!!

I'm checking the hourly forecast and it looks like the rain/thunder will start by me at 10am. It's going to be windy with a chance of rain before that. I'm deciding if I should go out. Now I know I can't kill them from the couch but should I save the time (and get some work done on the house=brownie points w the wife) or should I get out there. What do youthink about hunting right before a cold front/storm?

Hey all. When do you plan on using estrous scents this year? Have you already? This past weekend, I finally noticed bucks starting to act a little nutty. Saturday morning I saw a small 6 walking at a fast pace with his nose glued to ether ground. He didn't budge when I grunted and bleated at him. Sunday morning (different spot), I saw three does walk by at 100 yards and another big 6 run up to them and start bugging them. I was planning on hanging some estrous scent wicks this weekend? What are your thoughts?

Hey all. Looking for some opinions and recommendations for my hunting strategy this weekend. Due to family and work commitments, I can only hunt one morning a week. This wknd its Sunday. The fact that it’s going to be oct 22nd and 74 degrees is making the hunting conditions less than ideal however I don’t have the luxury of being picky w the conditions. I have 3 stands that are set. I’m stumped as to which one I should hunt Sunday morning. If you could please look at my 3 options and make your best recommendation based on the date and temp, it would be much appreciated. Bonus points will be given for providing detailed rationale. Thank you!! 1- middle of a long oak flat that is located In between a natural travel route between a stone wall and power lines 2- edge of a swamp next to a pinch point in between a feeding area and bedding area(pines) 3- top of a ridge (containing many oaks) in between very thick bedding area and large standing corn fields.

Hi all. Looking for advice/opinions. I currently have a 4 door Toyota Tacoma and absolutely love it. I’m looking at purchasing a new truck in the next 1-2 yrs. I’m thinking about upgrading in size to a f150. Of course the big question is...do I need a full size truck? And that’s where Im not sure. When I bought the taco, I was single. Now, I’m married with 2 kids and a dog. I do “ handyman” work on my house and frequently carry plywood, Sheetrock, lumber etc in my truck. I also hunt, fish (tow a boat several times a year) kayak, bike etc. my taco has been ok w size but it always seems a little tight with people or stuff. Can I get by with another midsize? I guess I can, but the full size would be better. The price difference for the trucks I’m looking at would be 1-2k higher but I feel like that increase would be worth it with the extra space. I’m not really concerned about resale value by I keep my trucks until the wheels fall off. Has anyone been in a similar spot w trucks? Please share your thoughts, advice, and opinions. Thanks!

There is a large abandon horse farm in my area that has been in foreclosure/ bank owned for many years. During that time, there was no hunting allowed. The property is 250 acres of wood lots and large fields. A few weeks ago, I noticed cars at the house on the property. I drove up and saw that new owners had bought the property and were moving in. I introduced myself as I live just a few miles down the road. I asked if they allowed permission to bow hunt the property and they said that would be perfectly fine as they do not hunt and simply asked that I be careful. They also mentioned that they hired a "handyman" to do some work around the new house who they also gave permission to hunt. The owners mentioned that he lives just down the road and gave me his address. I decided to drive down there and introduce myself as well. I went there and introduced myself and explained my convo with the new owners. The guy said he "did not want me hunting there" I explained again that the OWNERS gave me permission and how I felt that 250 acres was more than enough for 2 people to hunt on. He got nasty and said he didn't want me to hunt it. I did not want to escalate the situation so I left. I really don't want to bother the new owners with this silly issue but I also don't want this guy to cause any trouble for me. I absolutely plan to hunt the property this year. I know where the guy will be hunting and I planned on being on the opposite side of the property. Should I just forget this clown and do my own thing? Is there anything else I should do?

i was hoping some of you veteran and seasoned bowhunters can share some thoughts on something that has happened to me for the past 3 deer I have shot with my bow. I shot a mature doe just after legal light this morning. Everything about the shot felt right and i watched through my sight as my arrow slipped right behind her shoulder. SHe took off and didnt make it more than 50 yards. I let her settle for over an hour then climbed down to retrieve her. I went to the spot where I shot her and found the same scene as the last 2 deer I have shot. I found the back 1/3 of my arrow (covered in bright red blood) laying right where she was standing when I shot. I followed a thick blood trail right to my deer where I found the front 2/3 of my arrow laying next to her. What makes this weird is the same exact thing has happened with the last 2 deer I shot as well. 1 doe and 1 buck. All 3 deer were great shots with good blood trail. I bought a new bow this year and all three were with different arrow brands. All 3 deer had the back of the arrow laying where I shot and the front of the arrow laying next to the deer. Anybody have an explanation for this??? Thanks!

There have been several threads made about the rainy/windy weather coming in this weekend. there is a huge buck on my property that i want to maximize my chances with. i think most people will agree the best chances of killing a mature buck are the first time you hunt a stand. luckily, i am fortunate to have several properties to hunt. should i save this spot for a time when the conditions will be better or should i hunt this deer. I dont want to alert him and drive him away. what would you do?

ok...ill go ahead an be the jerk and say it...what kind of man requests "permission" to purchase anything? first off, i am married so before anybody tries to slam me, know that i have a wife, son, mortgage, bills etc. just like anybody else. I always sensed that people on this site were traditional/old school type of guys. im not saying that my wife is any less than me but if she told me I was "allowed" to purchase something, i would laugh. ive been out with some buddies before and heard them call their wife and ask if they can take money out of the atm. it makes me cringe. you're a man, you make you're own money. act like it... let the retaliation begin

what size are they 250? 350? i dont see it listed

are the inserts already glued in??? or do we need to get them cut?

hi all, i am hoping to hear some perspectives although this topic has been discussed before...long story short, there is a huge buck on my property that I was surprised to see make it through last season. I have been watching him from afar all summer as I know his habitat (my property) very well. I am familiar with the bedding areas, feeding areas, travel corridors etc. I have been watching him in the field each night and he seems to be pretty consistent in his movement. I was talking with a group of my hunting buddies last night and there seemed to be 2 schools of thought. the first was, dont leave that area until that deer is down...and the others said, only hunt the piece sporadically as to avoid spooking and pushing the deer away. it seemed to be the old timers who said hunt him hard until you get him and some of the younger guys were more concerned about wind direction, scent control etc. what do you all think would be my best strategy for harvesting this deer? thanks!

good advice ITT...something I will add is... if you see a deer out of range, or a doe you do not want to shoot, or a small buck etc...watch and study it as long as you can. i feel that i have become a much better hunter by observing first hand deer near me. some things i look for are... -how fast is the deer walking and why -when does it look around -what is the tail doing -how does it interact with other deer =how does it react if it picks up your scent learn as much as you can and it will make you more prepared when a deer you want to shoot comes into your area.

There are many ways to answer your question and I could probably write a novel but I'll keep it short. My philosophy has always been.."If you want to find a buck, find the does" This is true for 2 reasons. 1- Does seem to be most interested in food early season. Bucks too will be interested in food as well as starting to get curious about their female friends. Of course as the rut nears, bucks will be more interested in does and it is still a good plan to locate them. The travel corridors/funnels between bedding and feeding areas are a great spot to focus on if you are trying to find any deer. Remember, bow hunting is all about how close you can get to the deer. A great buck that is 70 yards away is useless during bow season (as opposed to gun season). When I am choosing a stand location, I ask myself..."Why would a deer walk 20 yards from this very spot?" If I cant come up with 1 or 2 good reasons, its probably not a good spot to put a stand...

Ive seen these threads before and unfortunately its my time...I went to check one of my favorite stands on the property owed by my friend and where I am the only person with permission to hunt. I get to my tree and sure enough, my tree steps are there and my stand is GONE! To add insult to injury, the chain i used to lock on my stand was apparently cut and left dangling on the top tree step. It was a heavy duty chain and lock so they must have used some type of grinder. I told my friend who owns the property and he is just as baffled as me. Aside from the rage of having my stand stolen, now someone knows about my spot so i am reluctant to put another stand up. Anybody have any advise?

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Bowtech Sniper compound bow in perfect condition. This bow has been tuned only by certified technicians. I bought the bow for $800 w a basic set up but later added a Tru Glo sight, QAD drop away rest, and Harmonic stabilizer. New strings were put on 6 months ago. 60 lb draw 29" draw length 312 fps Weighs 4.1 lbs This bow is fast and quiet enough for the experienced hunter but smooth and light enough for a beginner. I'm asking $425 OBO for just the bow or $525 OBO for bow with all components listed above (great value). Hunting season is coming up fast! Make me an offer.Thanks!

calling all jerky experts...please help. I just put my first batch of venison jerky in the dehydrator that my wife got for my birthday. I made 1/4 inch strips and had it marinate overnight in a bag of marinade. my questions is,,,do i need to "pat", or dry the oil off the meat as its dehydrating? I have read online that some people do this periodically. do i need to shut off the machine, take the meat off each tray, and do this??? i have 5 trays of meat in there now. any estimates for a general time for it to be done? any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Hi all, Thanks so much for the detailed advice and opinions! First, I have not had any issues with my 270. The only thing is i think it might be a little overkill given my hunting conditions. For example, the deer i harvested this year during gun season was shot at about 30 yards. I have my gun sighted in dead on at 100 yds so i was second guessing my shot before i took it. A 270 just seems a bit too much at such a short distance. Second. the term "brush gun" gets tossed around a lot and i feel like people interpret that differently. I mean it as I hunt in spots with cover as opposed to open fields. Regardless of the gun i have, i never shoot into or through brush. I wait until deer step into a clearing (similar to bow hunting). I guess I will spend some time this winter playing with choke/barrel/slug combos and see what my gun likes best...

Hi all, I have been rifle hunting for 8 years and have taken several nice deer with my 270. i hunt in mostly thick hardwood as this is where i have the most success plus the property i have access to is mostly thick hardwood as opposed to open farm fields. i realized that all of the deer i have harvested have been shot at less than 50-60 yards. I have a 12 gauge mossberg 535 that i use for turkey hunting. what would be involved in using this gun with slugs for deer? do i simply buy a box of 12 gauge slugs and sight in at the range for 50 yards? the mossberg came with a 2nd barrel but tbh i do not know what it is intended for, maybe waterfowl?? please let me know what i need to do to utilize this gun for deer/slug hunting. thanks!!