Anything Goes Thread 2023

8833 Views 185 Replies 24 Participants Last post by repsag, 8 d ago

steelhead125

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

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 !

Camouflage Sky Military camouflage Tree Gesture

See less See more

Reactions: 5

21 - 40 of 186 Posts

steelhead125

Discussion Starter · #21 · 3 mo ago

Bowsnbucks38 said:
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??

I am on the fence on what to do and that bed also won’t be my main focus this season but it’s nice knowing it’s there .
Not sure if I am better off leaving it alone and just hunt the general vicinity when he starts moving around during the rut or make a move earlier. Contemplating maybe trying to sneak in on him during a rain storm or a high wind day . If I could get close enough I could get a shot when he stands up .

Reactions: 1

Bowsnbucks38

· #22 · 3 mo ago

steelhead125 said:
North facing but with a west wind blowing over his back .

The buck would be facing southeast, more or less. One side of that ridge faces east, the other south / southwest. Prevailing west wind comes in from behind him. When he's in his bed - he's in the catbird's seat for security.

Reactions: 2

Bowsnbucks38

· #23 · 3 mo ago

Sorry Steelhead125 - I thought you were responding to one of my posts. Instead it was thebuckshow you were responding to. My above post at #22 is irrelevant to what thebuckshow was asking YOU. Apologies Steelhead125!!

Reactions: 1

GermanHillHunter

· #24 · 3 mo ago

Ive been hunting with a longbow for the better part of 20 years. This past year my one buddy picked up a ten point 505 Nitro with a Garmin rangfinder scope and man that thing is the cats meow. Im contemplating making the switch. I just dont know if I can justify dropping that much coin on it though.

Reactions: 1

TBrom

· #25 · 3 mo ago

steelhead125 said:
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.

PM me your mailing address, @steelhead125, and I'll send you some stuff.

Reactions: 1

JJ4D

· #26 · 3 mo ago

steelhead125 said:
I am on the fence on what to do and that bed also won’t be my main focus this season but it’s nice knowing it’s there .
Not sure if I am better off leaving it alone and just hunt the general vicinity when he starts moving around during the rut or make a move earlier. Contemplating maybe trying to sneak in on him during a rain storm or a high wind day . If I could get close enough I could get a shot when he stands up .

I'd say it's wroth a single early season hunt to try and kill him. Get in there and set up by 330am or so and try to shoot him in his bed. There's a NJ guys on Youtube that hunts deer like this and is pretty successful. Can remember his name right now, but you know him when you see him. Tattoos all over his neck.

Reactions: 1

yellodog

· #27 · 3 mo ago

I been working so I can afford to pay my land taxes so I have a place to hunt. Exciting, no?

Reactions: 3

VaPa hunter

· #28 · 3 mo ago

2

This buck showed up on one of the last cameras I had not pulled. This was on 2/13, and a doe ran past just before I got these two pics. Though I can’t prove it, the picture sequence was very consistent with a buck chasing a hot doe during the rut. Maybe a late fawn in heat?

Regardless, this is one of the biggest bucks I’ve gotten on camera. I don’t have great genetics, and it’s rare to have a buck break 120. This guy did did for sure. I’ve never seen him before and have no idea where he came from. Keeping fingers crossed for next year.

Plant Natural landscape Carnivore Fawn Tree

Plant Branch Natural landscape Tree Biome

See less See more

Reactions: 5

TBrom

· #29 · 3 mo ago

It's a good day to be TBrom. Just arrived....1 dozen feather-fletched and crested Easton Legacy arrows for the recurve. Big bucks beware. 😎

Product Yellow Wood Branch Tableware

See less See more

Reactions: 5

yellodog

· #30 · 3 mo ago

TBrom said:
It's a good day to be TBrom. Just arrived....1 dozen feather-fletched and crested Easton Legacy arrows for the recurve. Big bucks beware. 😎
View attachment 208608

Oh....not going with cedar....thot you we're going traditional....guess not.....

TBrom

· #31 · 3 mo ago

yellodog said:
Oh....not going with cedar....thot you we're going traditional....guess not.....

I'm TRAD-GENDERING. It's a slow process. 🌈

Reactions: 1

WexfordBowhunter

· #32 · 3 mo ago

I cleared a tree stand site yesterday. It should give me another vantage point of an area where deer would cut off and bypass my other stand sites. There was another tree I wanted to clear, but I ran out of time and energy. After re-looking at it, I'd have to cut several 2 to 3 inch diameter vines and do a lot of other clearing. I started to second guess if the potential reward was worth the effort. It's only about 15 yards from the other tree I cleared.

Reactions: 2

Bowsnbucks38

· #33 · 3 mo ago

WexfordBowhunter said:
I cleared a tree stand site yesterday. It should give me another vantage point of an area where deer would cut off and bypass my other stand sites. There was another tree I wanted to clear, but I ran out of time and energy. After re-looking at it, I'd have to cut several 2 to 3 inch diameter vines and do a lot of other clearing. I started to second guess if the potential reward was worth the effort. It's only about 15 yards from the other tree I cleared.

Isn't it usually the case when we pick a tree for a stand, and after we clear shooting lanes & do all the other stuff for making a great set-up .... we see another tree that we think might be even better?? Grass is greener at that other tree?? I've done that a number of times, and like you, I wonder if I should put more time into setting up in the other spot. I drive myself nuts sometimes.

Reactions: 2

WexfordBowhunter

· #34 · 3 mo ago

Bowsnbucks38 said:
Isn't it usually the case when we pick a tree for a stand, and after we clear shooting lanes & do all the other stuff for making a great set-up .... we see another tree that we think might be even better?? Grass is greener at that other tree?? I've done that a number of times, and like you, I wonder if I should put more time into setting up in the other spot. I drive myself nuts sometimes.

I actually had identified the second tree as a potential stand site before I started and fully intended to do both of them. I started with the easier of the two first. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to clear that one. I worry about doing too much clearing and that changing the way the deer run. I probably will not clear that second tree. I hear you though, I drive myself nuts too and will again this fall when I try to decide which stand to hunt on which day. Wind will be a factor. North and west winds good, east and south winds not so good. This is a tree line that separates a municipal property and a private property, both of which I have permission to hunt. I gained permission to hunt the private property midway through the season and I didn't want to do clearing mid-season. The vast majority of the trees on that tree line are scrubby, gnarly, leaning, half dead and/or covered with Oriental Bittersweet vines. I have very few options there for my climber. Whether this will be helpful, I don't know. But it's good to have options.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

steelhead125

Discussion Starter · #35 · 3 mo ago

Had today off and went on another scouting mission. Came in from the bottom of the ridge and walked all the way to the top . My phone said it was a 7 mile round trip . It rained and snowed on me almost the entire time I was out there . Jumped a few deer on my walk up but didn’t find anything to get too excited about until I reached an area I was already familiar with . Been well aware of this area for at least 10 years but never had the courage or the mental toughness to hunt it because of how remote it is . My intentions were to eventually reach this particular location today and I was hoping coming up from the bottom would be better access but it’s worse than coming in from the top of the mountain.
Anyhow it lays out perfectly for cruising bucks during the rut . Leeward ridge with great transition lines and a few pinch points that are perfect locations to hang a stand.When I got up there today there was fresh deer sign all over the place and I scoured the area for sheds with no luck . Anyhow I will definitely go back there come archery season if I don’t find anything better or having a rough go of it . It’s just too good of a location . If I get one however it’s going to be brutal getting it out of there even if I decide to quarter it in the field.
Anyhow my last couple times out put me on two locations I feel very good about but there is still a lot of scouting to do and a lot will depend on the mast crop and what other kind of sign I am seeing once we get closer to archery season. This is just the tip of the iceberg I guess . Will also add that I didn’t see any turkey sign whatsoever. Very disappointing.
Also one of the reasons why I like starting these threads is because they’re a journal of sorts for me . Sometimes I forget where I have been and what I have seen and looking back on posts such as today refreshes my memory.

See less See more

Reactions: 3

yellodog

· #36 · 3 mo ago

I took a nap and had a dream I shot a huge buck.

I read envisioning success helps achieve it, so I'm planning on napping more. Whatever it takes....

Reactions: 5

steelhead125

Discussion Starter · #37 · 3 mo ago

I haven’t been able to take a nap for the last 11+ years . On the rare occasion I am home alone I am out of wack to the point where my mind won’t let me fall sleep . Feel like I need to be doing something before the wife and kids get home .
The woods give me an excuse to not have any responsibilities for a portion of the day .

Reactions: 3

yellodog

· #38 · 3 mo ago

steelhead125 said:
The woods give me an excuse to not have any responsibilities for a portion of the day .

I don't need an excuse....

Reactions: 1

steelhead125

Discussion Starter · #39 · 3 mo ago

yellodog said:
I don't need an excuse....

On Friday my wife left for work at 6:30 am . All 4 kids were up about the time she left . Fed them breakfast and had to be on the 3 boys to get ready for school . Also while this was going on had to pack my daughters lunch for daycare and get her dressed and ready . The boys bus came at 8:20 then I drove my daughter out to daycare. We got there around 9:00 and then I drove 40 minutes to the mountain to scout for 3 or 4 hours in the rain and snow . Drove back to daycare and picked her up . We went to Walmart and Giant Eagle and after we got home I made pancakes , sausage and eggs on the Blackstone for dinner . It was great finally having a day to get to relax and enjoy the outdoors for a littler while. 😂
Wouldn’t trade my kids for the world but I honestly don’t know how I am able to keep my sanity sometimes.

Reactions: 1

yellodog

· #40 · 3 mo ago

You'll miss this in 20 years. You'll look back on it as the best and happiest time of your life, and you'd trade 100 b&c bucks to go back there. You're a lucky man Steelhead.

Reactions: 4

21 - 40 of 186 Posts