grampy

What a giant! Do 3 irons come in 7mm-08???

Sat from 2pm to dark. Saw four does. My gun hunting streak continues with deer seen every sit. Going to the cut blind in the morning. Killed a nice buck there a couple years ago.

Went to look for any sign of a hit on the buck I shot at late yesterday. We searched where the buck was standing. We grid searched the entire Woodlot twice. We circled around the woodlot checking every exit trail. Nothing found at all. Except tons of fresh scrapes and rubs. Thankfully it was a clean miss. First time in about 20 years. I'd like to thank a member here, who I have a ton of respect for. He knows who he is. He text me this morning with positive feed back. And these words.. "I live with my shots. It ain't always pretty. I try to learn from it. And don't dwell on it". The words of a world class hunter, and friend. I'll carry them with me, and move on.

Welcome back Chef. Got any good new venison recipes?

I got him this week! Perfect timing!

My hunting partner got a buck this morning. Two year old 8pt. He's very happy to get one after the dismal bow season we've had! And of course I'm happy for him too! I'm getting closer. Have seen deer every sit since Saturday. All very close to, or in thick cover. But no shooter seen. Up with a kidney stone last night, so I got a late start. Helped my partner get his buck hung and skinned. Then headed out myself around noon. Hunted a ground blind that hasn't been hunted in year's. Had a hunch? Just after 4 I'm thinking I won't see anything here. I turn to my right, and notice something that I didn't remember seeing before? Looked like a big dark blob. I soon figured out it was a deer, and it was looking at me about 50 yards away. Could see its body facing me, but not the head very well, because it was in the thick stuff. When it did move, to go deeper in the nasties, I thought I saw rack but seriously couldn't be sure it it was doe ears, or antler?? When I did see it was a very nice buck, I had no shot!!! So I got up from the blind and started stalking him. I could see him walking, so I tried to parallel him, all the time searching for a lane to shoot! Finally, after stalking 40 or 50 yards through brush myself, around, and through blowdowns. I came to a tree and leaned into it, looking for a hole to shoot through! I found one just ahead of where the buck was walking. But it was a very small one. I figured I'd either drop him, or miss him completely. The buck was now about 75 yards away in THICK cover, about to walk over a slight dip and out of sight. When he hit the opening, I held a steady rest against the tree and fired. At the shot, he whirled 180 degrees and took off fast. I lost sight of him quickly. By now the first shades, of the grey light of twilight was starting to fall in this normally dark place in the woods. I went after just a few short minutes to where the buck stood at the shot. I could see the scuffed up leaves where he whirled around. I looked for hair or blood, any sign of a hit. I didn't see any. I followed the direction he went for 60 yards or so very slowly looking for any sign of a hit. Nothing. But...by now true darkness was falling. After texting my buddy, we decided the best thing to do would be to back out and check more thoroughly in the morning. After looking through that small hole I shot through, my gut tells me my shot was likely deflected. But I also clearly saw him in my scope. I don't normally take shots like this. I know better. But my senses were keen as I stalked him on his turf. He's likely out there looking for another girlfriend right now. But I will be 100% sure of the outcome of or encounter tomorrow. Sorry for the long post. Writing it helped me sort out everything in my mind.

I shot, just after 4pm tonight. Over the hill from ya at the farm. BIG buck. Small hole, that I tried to get the bullet through the cover. Didn't see any sign of a hit. Will be going in the morning to look more thoroughly.

Thing is.....masks really do little, or nothing at all, in preventing someone from getting Covid.

grampy's pick this week is...... Robhuntandfish !

Up and at em for another day in the deer woods. Going to other side of the property today. Down in the cut. Got a hunch about that spot. Hasn't been hunted, and have a few different bucks on camera in the vicinity. Good luck to all heading out!

Congratulations to all the successful hunters today! An epic day for many! I'm out of likes.

Saw 7 deer between 7 and 11 this morning. All doe's except one small buck chasing a doe around. He got a free pass. At 2:30 saw a doe and fawn. That was my opening day. At least I did see some deer.

I'll be watching over a grown up brush field, between two bedding areas at around 6am. Waiting patiently for shooting time and hopefully some deer!

Showered, coffee on, breakfast cooking, opening day of gun season, weather cold and still. What could be better??? Let's go!!! It's the Hap, Happiest, time of the year!! Good luck everyone!

Sako 85 Classic in 270 with my own handloads.

Though I've not been particularly successful on opening mornings over many years, More so on day two for me. I want to wish you all a SAFE and successful opening day, and season! Shoot straight, and and I'm looking forward to all the pictures and stories!!!

Moving mid day in 4-H.

Nice to see they are still on the property. And active mid day. Near thick cover. I'll take my lessons learned this bow season, and start applying them Saturday morning!

I place the blame on an unproductive bow season squarely on ME!!! If I were a better hunter, perhaps it would not have been so unproductive!! No one to blame but me! I can't help but look back, and think if I'd made better adjustments, and sooner, my bow season may have turned out differently. But I did learn some things, that may help me succeed in a future bow season. So all is not lost. I am satisfied with the fact, that I put in more dark to dark time hunting than I have in years! I didn't give up. My persistence did not pay off this time, but I feel no shame, not hanging a bow buck this year. Gave it my best shot. Just came up short. I did enjoy some great times though!!! That's hunting.

In all my 'opening days' only a hand full have been successful. I am the worst at picking the opening morning spot!!! I probably over think it way too much! Better off to just go with what your gut says.

Happy Birthday!! Hope you get to be outside today! Enjoy all the good stuff coming your way!

^^^^This^^^^

Sounds like a perfect three generation weekend! Those memories will last a lifetime with your son. I pray that Duke will be right beside Kaiden, when his first deer falls. The generosity given by some, renews the spirit, and truly soothes the soul. I have been on the receiving end of that too. And made a lifelong friend. Each year we will try to give back, in the same spirit. This season we have a multiple tour combat vet hunting the property.

I fixed it for ya!

I can say that deer movement in my neck of the woods has been abnormally slow this year. Places where we could always count on seeing deer have been almost devoid of deer and deer sign. We do have deer. But they seem to be tied very close to heavy cover this year. Did see some mature bucks cruising during the day last week though. Mast crops like acorns and apples were very low this year. Our food plots are eaten down to stubble. Mostly all done at night. The deer we do see during hunting hours are eating browse very close to cover. This us on a multiple hundred acre property that we've hunted for half a century and know intimately. With low hunting pressure from within. Every few years we see something similar to this early on. As the season goes on through November and into December, we will usually see more deer. The complete opposite of a normal year. We will get our bucks. But will need to hunt a bit harder, and closer to heavy cover and bedding. Won't be hunting field edges at all. They won't be out there.