[steelhead125]

Started a thread last year about preparation during the summer and what everyone was up to that I really enjoyed .
Want to start something similar a little earlier this year and hopefully guys will participate. I know I will.
Anyhow sometimes a random thought may pop into your head or you purchased a new piece of equipment that you would like to mention but you don’t feel it’s worthy of its own thread . Maybe you had a cool experience you would like to share or a question . This would be a good place to do it because as the title of thread states….. anything goes .
Anyhow I went out scouting today and it was wonderful. Found a lot of sign that was widespread and spent a lot of time walking around and through a giant clear cut . Found an obvious buck bed on a point in that clear cut that’s almost impossible to get near without getting busted. Also found a spot that I have been ignoring for years because it didn’t look that attractive to me from a distance. Kind of funny how sometimes there are spots right under your nose that you miss year after year and one day the lightbulb goes off and you realize it could be really good . That actually happens to me a lot . I don’t know why but perhaps experiences in other locations changes my perception. Anyhow its basically on a hillside that I thought was steep all the way to the top but after walking it I discovered there is a huge bench halfway up it . The woods are a couple hundred yards wide with a clear cut on each side . It will make a perfect rut spot but also a good early season spot if acorns are dropping. Long walk but relatively easy to get to and overlooked. I honestly will be shocked to find another guy hunting there . A lot of factors as to why but too lengthy to explain in detail.

Most importantly my number one target buck has now been identified and thought I would share it with all of you to kick things off . Also hope to read some posts as the months roll by leading up to the start of the 2023 season !

 

[repsag]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have just gotten back into archery after a long break and am full speed ahead. I have been scouting so much my OnX app looks like a TSS pattern on one of those color changing targets. Here at HPA and on YouTube are my go to sources. On YT it takes a while to sort through the ones that are sponsored and looking for cash, but I have found a few. Benches, oxbows, and bedding are the main areas I am looing at/for now. I look forward to hearing from others!

My plan for the fall is to use climbing sticks with a movable aider, then use the base from my X-Stand climber as my stand. Also in the process of making a seat of my own design with the help of a friend who welds aluminum. The seat should weigh no more than 1.5 lbs when done. I purchased the sticks at the PA show, Tethrd one sticks, the last day price was $300 out the door so I couldn't resist. I'm thinking my entire set up should weigh no more than 10 lbs.

I currently have 4 cams out now that I will get in about 4-5 weeks. I know that the patterns will not be the same as October, but at least I will have an idea of what is in the area.

 

[steelhead125]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have just gotten back into archery after a long break and am full speed ahead. I have been scouting so much my OnX app looks like a TSS pattern on one of those color changing targets. Here at HPA and on YouTube are my go to sources. On YT it takes a while to sort through the ones that are sponsored and looking for cash, but I have found a few. Benches, oxbows, and bedding are the main areas I am looing at/for now. I look forward to hearing from others!

My plan for the fall is to use climbing sticks with a movable aider, then use the base from my X-Stand climber as my stand. Also in the process of making a seat of my own design with the help of a friend who welds aluminum. The seat should weigh no more than 1.5 lbs when done. I purchased the sticks at the PA show, Tethrd one sticks, the last day price was $300 out the door so I couldn't resist. I'm thinking my entire set up should weigh no more than 10 lbs.

I currently have 4 cams out now that I will get in about 4-5 weeks. I know that the patterns will not be the same as October, but at least I will have an idea of what is in the area.

Awesome ! This is exactly what I am talking about and plan to keep this going until opening day . Thanks for sharing.

 

[thebuckshow]

Thats a big one steel. I'll bet he's pretty elusive. Good luck catching up with him in the fall!

Walking a lot now. Mostly looking for sheds. I have a couple remodeling projects I want to get completed before mid summer. Fishing season is fast approaching. I'm running out of time in my head, but that's good, because it helps archery season come that much faster.

 

[VaPa hunter]

Sounds like you had a great day Steel. It so healthy to remain active at your age. I’m sure the grandkids would have enjoyed being there as well. 😁

 

[dpms]

I have been shooting my longbow a lot the past few weeks. Feeling pretty good at 15 yards gap shooting.

 

[steelhead125]

Sounds like you had a great day Steel. It so healthy to remain active at your age. I’m sure the grandkids would have enjoyed being there as well. 😁

You’re killing me ! 😂

 

[JJ4D]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have just gotten back into archery after a long break and am full speed ahead. I have been scouting so much my OnX app looks like a TSS pattern on one of those color changing targets. Here at HPA and on YouTube are my go to sources. On YT it takes a while to sort through the ones that are sponsored and looking for cash, but I have found a few. Benches, oxbows, and bedding are the main areas I am looing at/for now. I look forward to hearing from others!

My plan for the fall is to use climbing sticks with a movable aider, then use the base from my X-Stand climber as my stand. Also in the process of making a seat of my own design with the help of a friend who welds aluminum. The seat should weigh no more than 1.5 lbs when done. I purchased the sticks at the PA show, Tethrd one sticks, the last day price was $300 out the door so I couldn't resist. I'm thinking my entire set up should weigh no more than 10 lbs.

I currently have 4 cams out now that I will get in about 4-5 weeks. I know that the patterns will not be the same as October, but at least I will have an idea of what is in the area.

I highly recommend Backwoods Custom Gear GC-One Aider for the Tethrd one sticks. I just got the 4-step aider and it's incredible.

 

[WexfordBowhunter]

I found two new trees that I need to clear vines from to get my climber in. My one hunting area is overrun with Oriental Bittersweet that's choking out a lot of good trees. Either of the two trees will give me a good view of a field and the corner of an adjacent residential property that deer run through and that I've recently gained access too. I'll want to get after this soon, before green up. Hopefully within the next couple of weekends.

 

[repsag]

I highly recommend Backwoods Custom Gear GX-One Aider for the Tethrd one sticks. I just got the 4-step aider and it's incredible.

I will check them out, thank you.

 

[JJ4D]

I will check them out, thank you.

Backwoods Mobile Gear, not custom. Sorry.

 

[repsag]

Backwoods Mobile Gear, not custom. Sorry.

Got it, I found there site, great stuff. I'll also be using amsteal to hang my stand. The Amsteal Guy makes several options that I plan to use to hang my stand and self made seat.

 

[steelhead125]

Don’t want to go all Dan Infalt on you guys because I know the words buck beds make some of you cringe but wanted to describe the one I found yesterday because it was so textbook.
Anyhow there is a gas line that I was on yesterday that’s about 40 yards wide and goes for miles . About a half mile from where I parked was a beginning of a big clear cut that had a trail coming down off the hill on to the gas line . I followed the trail up to the top and right at the crest I found a bed in a small clump of trees . I don’t think it’s currently being used but it was matted down with a lot of hair in it . Big rub right next to the bed with exit trails to each side and one going directly down hill . Behind the bed was a wall of impenetrable thick brush and the buck has an awesome observation post in front of him . He can watch anything walking the gas line with rising thermals and the predominant wind blowing over is back . I followed his main trail and it sort of j hooks downwind of his bed when arrives in the morning. No trees to set up in on the downwind side of the trail coming off the hill and most likely he won’t be stepping out in to the wide open gas line in daylight. Can’t set up on the ground there because it’s way to thick to shoot through and no way of sneaking in on him while he’s in his bed because you won’t get a shot for the same reason. Just too thick .
I imagine this will always be a spot where a dominant buck will bed unless pressure somehow kills it or the terrain gets altered for some unknown reason. What’s also really cool is there is a tree that’s broke off at the base directly in front of his bed . From the gas line it’s very visible so every time I walk by there I will know there is most likely a buck bedding there and it’s probably watching me .

 

[Bowsnbucks38]

IT's amazing when you find such a buck bed. When you look at what's there - cover, sight lines, "normal" wind direction, thermals, what he uses for his back side protection, - it's like a text book of learning.

I happened onto a buck's bedding spot once on a very "pointy" point. I'm talking like an ironing board point. You could see down both sides of the steep ridge from one spot. Trails led into & out of that spot, one going along the ridge line to the north, another going down the ridge to the southeast, and the last one following the ridge line heading west. The wind there is mostly from the west, so he had a thick bunch of brush and pines behind him to the west, so he could smell any danger from that direction while staying hidden. He could use his vision and the thermals coming up both ridge sides as he laid there in his eagle's nest perch. If he didn't smell any danger coming from below - the noise made by climbing those steep, rocky sides would surely alert him. Rubs were along his trails near the bed - as were old rub scars from other bucks from years past.

 

[steelhead125]

IT's amazing when you find such a buck bed. When you look at what's there - cover, sight lines, "normal" wind direction, thermals, what he uses for his back side protection, - it's like a text book of learning.

I happened onto a buck's bedding spot once on a very "pointy" point. I'm talking like an ironing board point. You could see down both sides of the steep ridge from one spot. Trails led into & out of that spot, one going along the ridge line to the north, another going down the ridge to the southeast, and the last one following the ridge line heading west. The wind there is mostly from the west, so he had a thick bunch of brush and pines behind him to the west, so he could smell any danger from that direction while staying hidden. He could use his vision and the thermals coming up both ridge sides as he laid there in his eagle's nest perch. If he didn't smell any danger coming from below - the noise made by climbing those steep, rocky sides would surely alert him. Rubs were along his trails near the bed - as were old rub scars from other bucks from years past.

Places like that are how certain bucks are able to grow old . Every year when I am out scouting I am really trying to slow down and pay attention to the finer details.
For years my method was more like speed scouting. Covering as much ground as possible just looking for the big obvious stuff. Now I am finding myself really taking my time and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. A lot of what’s going on in the deer woods isn’t just random.

 

[thebuckshow]

Was it on a south facing slope or north? Might give you a better idea of when he's using it, or it might just be a bed to escape pressure.

 

[Bowsnbucks38]

Places like that are how certain bucks are able to grow old . Every year when I am out scouting I am really trying to slow down and pay attention to the finer details.
For years my method was more like speed scouting. Covering as much ground as possible just looking for the big obvious stuff. Now I am finding myself really taking my time and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. A lot of what’s going on in the deer woods isn’t just random.

When I happened on that bedding spot, and looked at the "reasons" he chose it, I actually chuckled to myself. It seemed pretty evident why he chose it - and probably a number of bucks before him did as well. Approaching that tight little point with a buck laying in that bed is pretty much impossible without being busted. Maybe around midnight - climb into a tree and wait for first light - hoping he returns from his nightly adventures??

 

[repsag]

Slowing down... that's where I am too. I have binge watched YouTube channels like Infalt, The Hunting Public, Eberhart, etc. just to see all there different ways and also their mistakes, which they talk about. I grew up driving deer and in my early 40's was into archery then life got in the way (kids, career...) Now at 53 I have the time to explore everything that I was not shown or did not learn, or things I never heard of before. Heck the guys I hunted with from 12 to 22 years old never mentioned a buck bed, playing the wind, an oxbow, it was always drive, drive, drive. That was definitely effective, but at this stage in my life I really like the solitude of archery and everything that goes with it.

 

[Bowsnbucks38]

Was it on a south facing slope or north? Might give you a better idea of when he's using it, or it might just be a bed to escape pressure.

If you can picture a really "pointy" point (like a "V"), and a "spine" running south / southeast downhill from the point of the V, that's where the bed was / is. The whole ridge top isn't that pointy, but the little land feature where the bed is located - is very pointy. The whole ridge top is more of an "L" shape. There was an OLD skeleton of a built-in tree stand from probably 30 years or more prior in a tree there looking down BOTH sides of that spine.

 

[steelhead125]

Was it on a south facing slope or north? Might give you a better idea of when he's using it, or it might just be a bed to escape pressure.

North facing but with a west wind blowing over his back .