Indiana bucks 2012

[jmarriott]

Opening weekend nothing but empty fields/woods and far away bucks so far. Maybe not far enough away for Ernie but to far for me and the 44 mag. The only one that came in range was a fork horn youngster and a coyote. Hunted all day saterday minus lunch at the diner. Most of sunday morning and from 4 to 6 in the evening.

This morning a little different. I saw a coupe of very big deer before shooting light in a new spot. Nice buck wheezed about 7 times in 20 minutes (Tending a doe or heard me and can't see me and I am a buck)

I could see a very large deer in between the small trees and bushes and two does drinking water from the creek, a thrid large doe snuck in after shooting light but she was very skiddish, then the whole bunch moved off into the larger woods out of the hunting property and laid down in the field old CRP Grass 6 foot tall. . That buck is with a hot doe I am sure.

I backed off the area and will try it again tomarrow. Seems like the same thing I have witnessed at this spot in the past. Nocturnal buck, No real way into the spot without spooking him into the other property. SO the climber stand is out unless i sneak in real 2 am early.

Since the wind will be out of the south and a ridge (small old creek edge) to us flatlanders is around I will sneak into tomarrow on the back side of the hill and sneak into a shooting spot in the thorns. At legal shooting hour I will open a scent bomb and then do a few grunts. Maybe I can get him away from a hot doe. As the crows fly around 9 am I will rattle a few horns and see if I can pull him in.

Since I can't use a stand and I can't real stand still well I broke out a 6 gallon bucket and wrapped it in camo cloth and will set on it all morning just inside the brush off that hill.

[deputydon]

Good Luck !!! I hope the plan works !!!

[jmarriott]

No deer today. Hunted all day and saw that little fork horn again.

[deputydon]

Keep at it !!!

[jmarriott]

Took a doe this morning. Shot distance 10 yards. Fog as thick as pea soup.

Once again I heard the buck before daylight give out some snorts, run the protected area he patrols then more snorts and then off into the thick CRP field with more snorts. All before daylight but he is still checking out the area. I might just have to tree stand him and pull a early entrance around the CRP but the trees are not prefect for my climber. Untill then the bucket seems to be working wel.

At 7:30 am after all the noise of that buck was over for at least 30 minutes I shot that doe in the fog. She ran not far but into the fog and I heard a splash. She was among the biggest of the 6 doe that passed by. 130 pounder at the butchers.

2 other doe came out after I shot and hung around a good 10 minutes. The buck did not come out.One dead deer in the creek and two others just acting as if some noisey short barreled rifle never went bang. One shot to that doe at 10 yards into the heart and she still ran 50 yards. Almost no blood trail to but I hear the water noise.

60's this afternoon and I have to cook for turkey day so I will just hunt the field next door at dusk tonight.

[Jack]

Congratulations, Jmarriott!

[jmarriott]

Called 6 pointer out into the field thanksgiving morning. It was fighting with something before light. Came out to a grunt call and looked around then went back in and walked off. Would have been an easy 50 yard shot. Thick fog again yesterday in the creek bottom. Not 10 yard more like 50 yards away you could see. I got some meat he will be a big buck one day.

Got busted this black friday morning getting in place. I believe the same doe herd of about 5 or 6. I saw one very well the others I herd and halfway saw. Not alarmed much just moved off not even flagging with the tails. I was out of the place at 8l30 am and checked in on dad. He has seen nothing at all.

Temps dropping all day. 22 in the AM on sat. Going to a different corn field tonight as it is better in the PM than the creek as they stay in that CPR field till right at dark 30. Plus the wind will shift and maybe I will set out some stink in that doe funnel and see what happens. Have not uses any scents or horns yet. I don't want to wise them up yet.

[jmarriott]

Pass was taken on a 6 pointer. Pass was taken on the fork horn sunday,I got a meat doe already so the little ones will not get a bullet. Spent morning out from 6 am till 10 then the Christmas tree and stuff had to be done for the wife and kids. Got out at 5 pm and hunted till dark 30. Nothing stirred in the PM. So tired that I was sleeping before 7 pm and woke up at 4 am today.

I have new job interview today a 1 pm so taking the day off, the rest of the week it is on like donkey kong. Time to still hunt and dam the torpedos as far as pushing the deer around. I normally start still hunting after the opening weekend but this year with new areas to hunt and the Night time bucks I am hearing around I have pretty much sat stil on a bucket or stand. I pushed out two does Sat arternoon from a little brush area not 50 yards wide but either no buck or he just stayed put.

Saw a brusier buck where the new house in the pine trees is getting built while driving home Sat morning. Big tall antlers and only 1/2 mile from stand. I almost missed him because a doe ran out in front of the truck right before I passed so I stopped and the doe looks back at ME> no she was looking back at the monster buck. Standing right next to the private property sign near the semi finished driveway. He walk away slow. Not 26 yards from the truck.

[deputydon]

Isn't it that the way of it ??

[bullseye]

They do seem to have a 6th sense don't they.....and know when you can't shoot at them! Good luck.

[jmarriott]

About 10 years ago that 2 acres of land was nothing but open grass. The old owner planted pines and pin oaks thick and the new owners are building a house right in the middle of it.( I think it might be the owners son) I like it no lawn to mow. I have to remember how quickly white pines and pin oaks grow. I mean I have blue spruce trees doing well but these pines are now huge. I can see the whole side yard going into pin oaks/hickory and white pine as it takes at least an hour a week to mow.

Dad also has been seeing 0 deer. At least I am seeing them. The old hedge row he hunts always has action but this year nothing. I wish this one were mine but it belongs to a guy i used to work with.

PS it was early and I have a very short barreled rifle and auto windows but I controlled the urge to roll them down and road hunt the deer. I will admit it crossed my mind but the ethical side of my brain remained in control. Now if I had earmuffs on already?? I can Imagine the noise of one of my h110 handloaded rounds out of my marlin rifle would most likely be rather loud.

[deputydon]

Nice !!!!!!