- Oct 4, 2011
- 820
- 941
I thought I would put up a report of my 2014 season.
The 2nd season leftover cow tag went fast as on the 2nd day of the season I was able to hunt (Wednesday) found myself cross a ridge and heard a bugle, then another after that I knew I had a good chance. The terrain was super thick and one shot later at 50 yds the freezer was full.
My deer hunt was great I got lucky and got a tag that I did not expect and told myself/others it would take a 185"+ type buck or one over 30" for me to pull the trigger. This was the first time in 8 years that I was able to hunt deer with a rifle as most years I hunt early season. I had a daughter born on opening day of archery so with the early season out it was fun to go out with rifle in hand. Got to hunt with my wife, took out 2 hunters who had never been before and they are now going to take hunters safety, as well as getting out with my 3 year old daughter and 3 mo old another night. The warm temps were shitty for hunting deer but good for getting first timers out and enjoying the time outdoors w family.
Moon phase did not help either but by the last 3 days of the season the bucks were in the rut and over the hunt I passed on 8-9 bucks in the 150" to 160" class - with one that would have gone over 170" but who is a young buck so let him go. The wife and I were able to watch him rut for more than a hour and eventually chase a doe with in 100 yds of us. Saw him a couple of days after the season so hopefully we he will be back next yr as the wife sure took a liking to him and next year she should have the tag.
Started hunting where I had seen a easy 200" nt buck but could not turn up hide nor hair of him in the season and then saw the buck who I believe to be the dark palmated one from the shed pics but could not get off a shot in the trees. He would not score the best but was a cool buck this year.
I did find some very good deer sheds and after not hunting with a rifle for about 8 years it was good to see that not many people are hunting my spots as I imagine that hunters would pick up the sheds.
Only sad part was that I found at least 10 deer kills in the areas so there must be a lion working the area. I told my friend who guides cat hunts in the area about it and might just have to look into getting a tag myself.
In the end a super fun 9 days that I could just not turn up a great buck to pull the trigger on. Congrats to all that had success.
The 2nd season leftover cow tag went fast as on the 2nd day of the season I was able to hunt (Wednesday) found myself cross a ridge and heard a bugle, then another after that I knew I had a good chance. The terrain was super thick and one shot later at 50 yds the freezer was full.
My deer hunt was great I got lucky and got a tag that I did not expect and told myself/others it would take a 185"+ type buck or one over 30" for me to pull the trigger. This was the first time in 8 years that I was able to hunt deer with a rifle as most years I hunt early season. I had a daughter born on opening day of archery so with the early season out it was fun to go out with rifle in hand. Got to hunt with my wife, took out 2 hunters who had never been before and they are now going to take hunters safety, as well as getting out with my 3 year old daughter and 3 mo old another night. The warm temps were shitty for hunting deer but good for getting first timers out and enjoying the time outdoors w family.
Moon phase did not help either but by the last 3 days of the season the bucks were in the rut and over the hunt I passed on 8-9 bucks in the 150" to 160" class - with one that would have gone over 170" but who is a young buck so let him go. The wife and I were able to watch him rut for more than a hour and eventually chase a doe with in 100 yds of us. Saw him a couple of days after the season so hopefully we he will be back next yr as the wife sure took a liking to him and next year she should have the tag.
Started hunting where I had seen a easy 200" nt buck but could not turn up hide nor hair of him in the season and then saw the buck who I believe to be the dark palmated one from the shed pics but could not get off a shot in the trees. He would not score the best but was a cool buck this year.
I did find some very good deer sheds and after not hunting with a rifle for about 8 years it was good to see that not many people are hunting my spots as I imagine that hunters would pick up the sheds.
Only sad part was that I found at least 10 deer kills in the areas so there must be a lion working the area. I told my friend who guides cat hunts in the area about it and might just have to look into getting a tag myself.
In the end a super fun 9 days that I could just not turn up a great buck to pull the trigger on. Congrats to all that had success.
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