grampy

I have killed lots of small bucks and does earlier in my hunting days. I do like the meat but don't need it to survive. As I'm getting a few years under my belt I just don't get that thrill killing spikes and small bucks anymore. Now for me it's more about the hunt itself. We don't have huge numbers where I hunt. But always at least a couple of good ones. Those are the ones I like to hunt. I have no problem passing up smaller bucks and eating tag soup if need be. Also I will never pass judgment on any hunter for killing any deer they may take. It's all good. I have been taking my two grandsons hunting who are 10 and 12. I can't wait till the day when they kill their first spike or doe! Again, it's all good!

Did you recover the doe? I usually give a set up a few days after killing a deer there. But I have multiple set ups to use. I know guys that have killed two deer in the same stand on the same day.

Taking Mondays and Tuesdays off for the next couple of weeks so four day weekends. Then first week of gun season. Any time between now and then should be really good this year.

Very nice buck! Congratulations! And well done!

That is some awesome advice phade. I have a couple of very thick south facing slopes that I'll be hunting this weekend.

That big smile on your face says it all. Nice job.

Patience is a virtue not gained easily. But at times can pay off big time hunting big bucks. I would try to half the distance from your current set up to where he is bedding and wait him out. The scrape line you are watching now won't matter much as soon as the first doe is ready. And he is now bedding close to the does. So you need to get a bit closer to them. Very soon he will be mixing it up with them. Stay close and wait him out. Whatever you decide to do good luck!

We are all pulling for you Cabin,good luck!

Great buck and memories to last a lifetime for you both!

I have a lucky back tag holder I have used for the last twenty five years or so. It has duct tape holding it together and needs to be retaped each year. But it has held the tag that went on many deer over those years.

That is a buck of a lifetime right there! Hope to see you in the next pic with him. Good luck!

Well for sure you have a buck or bucks working that area right now. Is there a doe bedding area close by? If so try setting up as close to it as you can. Or between the scrape line and bedding area. As right now,they are actively searching for the first estrous does. Once the first does are ready the bucks could be anywhere on the property or farther out with the doe. So get on out there now every chance you get. Good luck!

I used Tinks and some other urine scents many years ago with limited success on small bucks. Now the only scents I use is common sense. I prefer to not not tip off the deer in any way that I can control as to my presence. There have been countless success stories using scents I just prefer not to.

As a former Deer Search tracker,Phade is correct. Before any tracking begins,consent must be given by any and all land owners where tracking will take place. Also local DEC is notified by the tracker who will give his tracking licence number and the area he or she will be tracking in. As far as this young hunter goes,I commend him for seeking advice and doing all he could do to recover his deer. With his limited experience,and we have all been there,he did more than some so called veteran hunters would have. I'm sure he learned some valuable lessons from this. John,get back out there in your stand and just kill a deer! Please post it here so we all can see the smile on your face! Good luck!

I too use the dead down wind clothes wash and dryer sheets. Then out of the dryer and into a scent free covered bin until I'm ready to use them. I spray down before heading out and have many times had deer within feet of me in natural ground blind.

LOL.....Talk about a cover scent!.........whew

Many moons ago, walked half hour to my stand. Got up and all set,and just getting light. Went to load gun only to discover I left ammo in my other vest. Came down, walked back to my truck got the ammo and back to the stand. Sat till dark and never saw a deer. Of course if I had sat there with no ammo every deer in the county would have paraded by giving me a big hoofs up!

On the two properties I hunt,we try to shoot every coyote we see. But it hasn't made much of a difference,they still outnumber the deer.

For the most part,October has been a bit on the warm side,curbing the daytime movement. With the rut coming and sharply colder temps. Anything could happen at anytime just about anywhere! Ya just got to be out there and trust in your best set-ups.

Also,with a high hit check for blood a bit higher too. Look a foot or two high on blades of grass,branches and underbrush. Anything the deer could have brushed against while moving through. Don't give up to easily! You owe it to the animal to do everything you can to find it!

I tore my rotator cuff last winter. So even with my compound set at 52lbs. it's been a struggle to shoot and very painful. Although I'm still very accurate out to 30+ yards,I can't hold full draw as long as I did before. So looking forward to pain free shooting with my x-bow. I look at it as just another tool to put meat in my freezer. With the temps dropping out this weekend,it should get very active in the deer woods. Spend every minute you can on stand these next couple of weeks!

I hunt private property that borders state land. And property behind my house.Always wear orange hat and vest during firearms. Never during archery though.

Oh man, that is one awesome buck right there! Congratulations!!! I'd say your management and hard work is paying off big time.Way to go!

Welcome, I'm a newby here too. Not sure DEC has a regulation, but mine never seems to last much more than a year. If not all eaten by then,freezer burn can set in. And of course, the best thing to do is go out get fresh venison each year if possible! Good luck to you this season.