rookie mistakes

[sebek556]

keep your head up man, moon phase is changing over, they will be out more 

[akashasdaddy]

No hunting today so no write up. I had to spend the day helping my disabled mom, knock out the "honey-do list", and study for my test tomorrow with the Hoquiam police dept.

[deerhunter_98520]

Goodluck with the test...applying for the jail oppening?

[bankwalker]

Many times hearing a doe snorting at me has helped locate bucks  when that doe starts up her annoying snorting, I really start glassing hard. Usually I'll find a buck appear out of nowhere
trying locate that doe or whatever she is making a fuss about.

To bad I'm never hunting deer at that time (usually just scouting in September). But I did kill a Buck 2 years ago this way during rifle season.

[akashasdaddy]

Took my daughter with me tonight, would have been perfect if I were able to close the deal but, we didn't see anything. After the hunt my daughter decided she deserved ice cream and I couldn't refuse; she did do a great job of walking slow and quiet. So once we got back to town I took her to dairy queen where she had a snickers and peanut butter cup blizzard. She had no problem eating it right in front of dear ol' dad who can't eat sweets.

[DoubleJ]

Sounds like after still hunting the past couple of times out and not seeing anything that you should go back to stalking

[akashasdaddy]

That may be what I wind up doing. Tonight I am going to check out another spot thats a little closer to home. I think that maybe I have been hunting the two areas too hard. SO I am going to give them a rest for a day or two in hopes that this weekend the deer wont feel as pressured.

[akashasdaddy]

So like I said earlier, I went to check out a spot a little closer to home tonight. It was meant to be more of a scouting trip than hunting since I haven't really poked around in this area much. Been in there a time or two prior but nothing major. I get in and look around. I see a lot of sign, prints, pellets, trails you name it I saw it. I followed this one trail that was really worn down and it just happened to lead right between two trees that make a awesome choke point before ending at the timber line. I think this may be a good spot to set up my tree stand. I run back to the truck grab my stand and set it up. I dont have a ladder or a harness so I am not very high off the ground maybe 4 feet but I am hidden well with in the branches. I sit there for about an hour before I start hearing some rustling around inside the timber. Whatever it is is big and headed right at me. I get excited and get my bow ready so I am not making anymore movements than necessary when this thing comes out. I check my phone for the time and its about 25 mins before shooting light, so I have time. At 745 the thing steps out just feet from me. But its a flipping bear and a momma bear at that. Here I am maybe 4 feet off the ground and maybe 30 feet from this bear and i am freaking. I dont have a bear tag or a side arm or anything else really to scare the thing away. I decide the best thing for me to do is to sit as still as I can. If she can smell me she isn't acting like it and/or dont mind that I am there but I dont want to piss her off by moving too much. I sit and wait for about 45 mins staring at this momma and her cub. It was great fun to see but I was petrified. I dont think I will be going back to that spot at last light again.

[NBhunter]

  That's how we learn! I once got a good scare and almost had to go back to the truck to change my shorts while walking to my stand early one morning and almost stepping on a turkey and it jumping up and scaring me to death.

[sebek556]

don't have a ladder but I have a harness you could have. I think I have like four of the things, and never use them.. I always just use my riggers belt.  Keep up the hard work, 

[akashasdaddy]

don't have a ladder but I have a harness you could have. I think I have like four of the things, and never use them.. I always just use my riggers belt.  Keep up the hard work, 

Thanks anything helps. I know money is tight for everyone right now but I am also a college student living off off financial aid. I am putting in as much work as I can at the moment and planning my trip your way for next week (fingers crossed)

[Stick em]

Looks like you've really been putting in the time to get some meat. I applaud your dedication and am sure you'll get something. Fortune favors the prepared and just being out there often gives you better odds than most hunters. I do have a guaranteed spot to harvest meat so if you get to the end of your season and havn't filled your tag send me a message. This spot is less than 2 hours from Olympia and is private property. We harvested both our deer opening day by 8:30 am and they are tasty.

[akashasdaddy]

Looks like you've really been putting in the time to get some meat. I applaud your dedication and am sure you'll get something. Fortune favors the prepared and just being out there often gives you better odds than most hunters. I do have a guaranteed spot to harvest meat so if you get to the end of your season and havn't filled your tag send me a message. This spot is less than 2 hours from Olympia and is private property. We harvested both our deer opening day by 8:30 am and they are tasty.

That is great thank you. My season is pretty much over on the 23rd; I go back to school on the 24th. I have classes all day long and some saturdays. I will be very limited come late season if I need the late season.

[sebek556]

I've got it all set up for you on this end, you just have to get here. I will be dropping a new stand in a spot I've been looking at for yah. on top of that there is still the ground blind, plus a stand I have on another piece of property. And just so you know what you'll be trying to get the meals will be fresh backstrap and tenerlions 

[akashasdaddy]

I've got it all set up for you on this end, you just have to get here. I will be dropping a new stand in a spot I've been looking at for yah. on top of that there is still the ground blind, plus a stand I have on another piece of property. And just so you know what you'll be trying to get the meals will be fresh backstrap and tenerlions 

Awesome I can't wait. I will be there earlier than I thought; my daughter doesn't have school that day. We will be leaving here at about 9am Friday morning. I hope to get a little time in Friday night if you think that is at all possible. I will only be able to hunt Friday night, Sat all day, and Sunday morning since My daughter, girlfriend and myself all go back to school Monday. (I hope this is enough time.)

Sounds like you are going to be a great host. I wish I could get over there sooner but I have this test that I have to take. I been unemployed for almost 4 years and have wanted a career in police work since I was a young kid; so I just can't pass up this opportunity.