I have an older model QAD Ultrarest HDX and a TruGlo 5-pin sight. I think I’m going to switch to the Trophy Ridge Hotwire for next season. It’s a hybrid with 2 fixed pins and a floater 3rd pin. So you could set 20 and 30 fixed and have the floater for anything outside of that. I like the idea of having that adjustable third pin for better accuracy, but I’d always worry that the deer would move too much after I range and set the pin for a yardage. And I’m terrible at estimating yardages from a tree.
Im shooting Easton axis fmj 340s. Exodus 3 blade 100 grain. Those guys have caused me to rethink the way I do alot of things and the main reaso im switching.
Hoyt Powermax. I wanna say it cost me about $800 for the bow, case, quiver, and a few arrow shafts. Nothing spectacular but it’ll take down a deer no problem. I’m right handed but shoot a left handed bow because I’m left eye dominant.
Gotcha. I’ve read mixed reviews on it. Seen some people do some tests on the heavier setups and claim you don’t get enough return for what you lose in FPS. And of course, there’s a lot of people out there who love it. I think there’s probably a good balance between what’s currently thought of as correct and appropriate and what some of these heavy KE/MO/FOC guys like. I’m tempted to try it though.
Also....im in the market for a new backpack/daypack setup. Currently use a cheap field line pack. Looking for something reasonable that I can strap my bowbor gun to. Any recommendations?
Anyone here hunt from a saddle setup? Edir* was looking into lone wolf platforms, and read that saddle hunting might be more up my alley since I’ve had back surgery.
Flurries on and off here all day today, and the cornfield bordering my stand of oaks was harvested yesterday. Last few days of archery here, and we're knee deep in the rut. I have one doe tag left. Planning on sitting out this afternoon if the wind is right. I started out with a freebie 3rd hand "Robin Hood" bow wrapped in camo cloth tape and used aluminum arrows. Shot plenty of deer with that old setup. Don't have to spend a lot to hunt well. As said, check for sale sites, way too many guys need the latest and greatest every other year. It's like chasing rifles. Practice and shot placement is where it's at. No magic, keep shots at reasonable distances. Go on Youtube and watch some of the Luminok videos, even 25-30 yard shots you can see deer start to jump the string.
This is the "big boy" on my new farm my wife and I purchased this year. 52 acres. Im torn as he is grown, but not a lot of mass on his horns. Kinda want to let him grow, kinda want to shoot the first buck on my place.
That cut corn should have a lot of deer traveling through there. Wish that type of ag was still a thing near where I hunt. It's now all cotton or pines.
Saw 6 deer this morning. 2 grown doe each with 2 little ones. I had seen as many as 5 in an adjacent field a couple weeks ago several days in a row. I literally got in the stand this morning, sat down, took out my phone to confirm everything was on silent and then looked up and the fiest group of 3 was on the corn. Never had a clear shot because the little ones kept her pretty covered up. But I think I'll get one more doe in the next couple days. Then I'll really only be looking for the big buck and have a ton of meat.
Had a rough one this morning. Same first 3 as yesterday, only the little ones came up by themselves first. I started to slowly get my earplugs in and everything. One of them pretty much eyes me from the other side of the field all the way over, while the other was less concerned. Anyway they got over beside me for a bit and then finally the doe comes out. She walks across the field wide from me. The little ones go out to meet her, they start to move behind me, and I kinda wish they had just moved along. But eventually they walk back down the tree line I'm in, get close, keep eyeing me. Get down on the corn for a second before looping wide back around behind me again. They start to come up again and I start to pull my gun up, one little one and the doe in front of me, when finally the little one who hadn't paid me any attention hisses at me. They all jump back out into the middle of the field again and start to loop back again. But now I've become impatient and tired because I had to freeze halfway up with my gun. Finally pull it up, have what I thought was a decent look, fired on the doe. She went down, the small ones run to the far side of the field. She tries to get up, falls over, pushes herself around in a circle, tries to stand again and falls over. I think ive got her but she isn't going quick so I start to reload my muzzleloader in the stand. The stupid easy loader thing falls out of my hand and down to the ground. About that time she gets up again, and kinda hobbles low into the woods. Spent and hour and half looking with not so much as a drop of blood. At best I've gimped a doe out here for something else to kill. Pretty fucking bummed.
Look into finding a tracking dog. Alabama has a facebook page for them, and I bet Arkansas does too. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1595373710759426
Scored a new Badlands Superday hunting backpack for roughly half off tonight. Friend of a friend is pro staff and his yearly buy was up. He said he didn't need anymore gear and he hooked me up. Im pretty stoked!
Got the chance to hunt a new spot tonight. My uncle 78 years old and would rather smoke cigarettes than hunt. Its a 3 year old cut down that has grown back naturally that meets creekside. I was meat hunting and thought I got a doe. About 75 yards. Shot went high shoulder on one side and turned to come out rear gut side off the back. No blood trail, but I heard him fall through the crunchy leaves. Had to walk a fallen tree across a ditch and drag him the 75 yards, then tied a rope around his head and winch him across the water with my arms, ha ha. Beautiful spot and I will be back.
That ditch was about 4ft deep with our recent rains. Creek about 75 yards behind me to my right and wind was blowing that way. Beautiful evening
I like to sit new places, without trail cams, and just be excited with what comes. Now that its closer to late season, I have certain friends and family I try to provide for with our 5 doe tags. Or whatever hogs show themselves
No hogs up here, but I've got a full freezer and one doe tag left. Tomorrow's the end of archery, then we hit two weeks of gun after Thanksgiving. Sames, if I fill that tag it'll be put to good use. Good luck!
Driving to Kentucky tomorrow with my wife to check out a 265 acre potential lease. We've got 4 total going in on the lease and trying to make it 5-6? Will be an awesome farm setup for bow and the 2 weeks of rifle
Because of outfitters like the one I went to last year (Whitetail Heaven), prices have skyrocketed. He's asking $30 per, whereas its 7-$10 an acre here in SC. I figure split 6 ways would be about the price of a hunt club here.
Finally got some action tonight at last light. Two does stepped out, real leery and my jacket was making lots of noise as I settled into firing position with crossbow (tried to hunt real bow from that stand but it creaks like crazy when you stand up). One stood firm at literally the last minute of legal hunting light. 30yd shot under the limb of a tree. Must’ve just kissed that limb, missed clean under her. Better than a shitty hit, but man this year is not going great.
I found 2 different newbie bows that I am going to check out on Thanksgiving, and try to practice a ton. Its an exciting new challenge. But I am going to lose it the first time a wall hanger walks out at 75 yards and I have a bow in my hands
Our rifle season starts tomorrow. I'm headed down this afternoon and plan to hunt all weekend. I didn't get out at all during bow season.
Got my 2nd doe this morning. Not the one I gimped but a different one. Think she had a little bit bigger hams than my first deer but overall a tad smaller. Guess I overcorrected a little. I was shooting with a muzzleloader when I gimped the one a couple days ago and I guess it dropped on me. Shooting a 247 this morning and aimed a little high, got her through the spine. Had to put her down, which I somehow also fucked up and shot her jaw the first time. Was just trying to not get too close since I watched that other one hop up and walk off. But the goal for our 40 acres was 2 doe and 1 buck this season. So I'm happy with it. I told my dad I guess I'm relegated to hunting squirrels and he's got to get a buck. He shot at one yesterday evening but missed. Deer jerky going out with the xmas card this year!
Going out for my last bowhunt tomorrow before the gun seasons in 2 weeks. Supposed to be perfect. Bucks have been really active so it will be an all day hunt. Hunting a travel corridor that bucks like to cruise.
Red dot is where I'm sitting tomorrow. My brother saw our #2 bedded in the area with a doe this evening. Should still be in the area.
Very frustrating, just had our #1 coming in perfect at 50 yds and closing and a fucking coyote decides to show up and spook him.
Also you know your in a good spot when you see the remains of your grandpa's stand from the 70s in the next tree over.
Nephew popped a nice buck in N Central Oklahoma today on our family land. Could it have used another year or 2, absolutely. Would it have made it through the neighboring lands the next 1-2 years that can best be described as a war zone during rifle season, absolutely not.
My older bro on the same property as my nephew yesterday. With the time and patience he has spent getting his 2 boys deer almost every year, he absolutely deserved this bad boy.
So, back from my short period of scouting. Property has a good bit of cattle on it. Anybody have any experience there? I've heard all kinds of explanations and results, from it doesn't bother them to deer love it.
Are they actively running cattle or do they rotate. My little brother runs cattle on our property most of the year. It doesn't seem to bother the deer much.