Wouldn't you know it I have 2 antlerless tags to use as well as one mulie antlered/antlerless.

All I can get coming in is bucks!!! Had one button buck tonight so small I only knew he was a buck because he was grunting. He was funny, when he saw my buck decoy he high tailed it like satan was on his ass. No shot on him but it was legal. Then a little 2x2 comes in can't shoot him. Then a nice little 5x5 comes in I would have shot him anyday --except today as no tag. The does are all over the field but I just can't get them to come. I almost got close enough by still hunting but not quite. It was so windy tonight I literally almost got blown out of the tree. The 5x5 came in and left then came back. I've head people say that bucks can squeal like a pig--that little guy was sounding exactly like a pig. Very interesting.

the chef

Chef,

How come you got two tags for one specie?

Hunted hard all day, but all I have to show for, is a little forkhorn mule buck, chasing a doe. And they were 500 yards off! Buddy rattled in a whitetail buck, but couldn't get a shot.

Frans

I have the supplemental antlerless tags...they come in pairs. As well there is a season in December where you can get 2 additional antlerless tags in 212.........and you can use a shotgun!!!

the chef

Frans where were you hunting ??

the chef

I see more does (that I'm close enough to shoot) when I set up in a tree between their bedding area and the fields. I've only shot one doe in a field with my bow. I built a blind on top of a haystack.

quote:

Originally posted by calgarychef1:
Frans where were you hunting ??

In my secret spot! ;-) In WMU 412...

Frans

Don't put up a buck decoy when going after does. They keep their distance from bucks unless they are ready to mate - at least this time of year, when the bucks are horny.

Thanks Don, that's probably what my problem was. The bucks are still coming in hot and heavy!! I hope to get a day next week maybe I can get some meat. The wife went to costco tonight and for 80 bucks she got a months worth of meat...cheaper than hunting. As an aside I might be looking at shooting a buffalo at a friends. I can't call that hunting but I'd sure like to see how the recurve would perform!!! It would make an interesting European mount as well...and I could have the robe tanned and it would look great in the basement...and ..........and lol

Damn I can't get this hunting out of my system

the chef

Chef,

Be sure to ask Canuck where to aim on that buffalo - I hear they are built funny.

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G:
Don't put up a buck decoy when going after does. They keep their distance from bucks unless they are ready to mate - at least this time of year, when the bucks are horny.

Well, I'd say not to use a Doe decoy either. I had a "feeding" Doe decoy set up about 10 yards from my stand about 2 weeks ago. 4 mature does were coming in and stopped when they saw the "non-moving decoy." Tried to get it to move. They walked in circles almost all the way around and stayed downwind the majority of the time without spooking. Ultimately they all left and wouldn't come in close than 40 yards because the decoy never moved. They must have thought it to be too strange. They never spooked, just moved off.

Yea a decoy is a two edged sword. And when they do come in you had better be prepared because they won't stay long. I'm in a spot though that isn't a travel route so the deer dont' have a reason to pass under my stand. Next year will be different and I'll have set up better, but this year I was a little late getting there. I did have some success on the ground where the does do travel and I might try that tomorrow evening. Now that there is a little snow I don't really relish laying in the weeds waiting for does....but that might be the only way at that spot. Hopefully my buddy won't be working building his barn, the snow might have stalled him out. In that case I will go to his place where I have 2 stands hung and I might have a good chance there.

It's funny last year I did most of my hunting on the ground. This year I feel differently even though I had lots of encounters last year I feel the need to sit in a tree. I actually hate shooting from an elevated stand-- I have a tough time estimating distance from even a low stand. Ahhh the tribulations of shooting a recurve.


The chef

Don't feel bad Calgarychef...I had a bunch of big bucks all around me bowhunting in Sept., but none would come in! Then, rifle season starts, I try the first afternoon with the bow and I get the same results. Decide to go with the gun the next morning, I have a big 4x4 come by at 10 feet...then a doe! I then think...hmm, maybe the bow again, I can't get close enough to anything, but finally have a doe whitetail come in. I'm thinking...got this gal...but she winds my old man who is sitting 70 yards away. She is at 30 yards head on and stops, I draw and she runs off.

That's hunting!!!! Can't wait for next year!

MG