Any other certified whitetail freaks?

[Seabass]

I have lost contact with hunting buddies because of my obsession. I used to be an avid waterfowler, upland bird hunter, elk and bear hunter. I do nothing else any more but hunt white tails. My silly little litmus test as to whether I enjoy something is, do I have to set an alarm clock. If I have to set an alarm clock to wake up; I'm just not that into it. My wife doesn't even call hunting season hunting season anymore. She calls it the psycho season. I am very fortunate to have her. When I left for 4 days last week I kissed her and told her how grateful I was that she tolerated me. Her response was I know you will return to normal by the 16th.

I have not been in my office for 2 days in a row since The gun season started in October. I put the same amount of effort into my wife and kid's seasons as I do my own. I get a kick out of every time my wife tells me how much she appreciates all my effort for her and the kids.The truth of the matter is I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't have them as an excuse to be psycho.

I was excited to shoot my buck on Friday but almost as equally dissapointed my season is over. I have shot my deer in the last 5 minutes of daylight on the last day of the season for 10 straight years until last week. I almost always shoot a doe and never regret it. I don't care if I kill a buck unless it is "the" buck. I only know a few other friends who understand it but I don't give a crap. I have always responded positively when a person says I'm OCD. My response is yes but I don't consider it a disorder.

The one thing I have to hold onto is I still get to film a buddy or two before the season is over and I will keep my cameras running into February which means I still get to feed and re-do Christmas every 7 days. I always feel like pulling an SD card is similar to opening christmas presents, only way more AWESOME.

I love every single aspect of the game. The shot is probably the thing I spend the least amount of time on. I need to remedy that because it has cost me a couple big bucks and I'm ashamed to say I have lost bucks that I hit because I have gone through periods of time where I don't shoot enough. My partner missed a GIANT last week and was borderline suicidal. He got a little irritated at me because I acted like it wasn't that big of a deal. My response was I'm sorry but if you had killed him you would be done with 10 days to go. I love fooling and seeing big bucks and there is no bag limit on that part.

I could spend the next hour typing about why white tail hunting is the most awesome thing ever but you guys would be bored and you already know all this stuff anyway.

[pianoman9701]

When I lived in NH, I lived and dreamed all about 'em, day and night. Now, it's elk.

[bobcat]

Seabass,  Wow sounds like you've got it bad! 

Maybe even worse than DB Hawthorne.   

[C-Money]

I am not opposed to killing a dandy whitetail, but Mule Deer are what I like over all other deer. I have shot a few whitetails between OR & PA, and as nice as they are, I like Mule Deer better. I just like every thing about Muleys.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Seabass,  Wow sounds like you've got it bad! 

Maybe even worse than DB Hawthorne.   

   Actually...reading that I was looking into a mirror.. Identified with every last piece of it...even the not shooting as much as I should.

[Seabass]

So DB you would agree that no one could have the addiction bad but rather good?

I truly do regret not spending more time shooting and learning more about my equipment. I can't hold a conversation with a guy who really knows about bows. I'm embarrassed to say that after 11 years I am still learning some pretty remedial stuff about bows. I am still shooting my original bow. I always viewed guns and bows as tools no different than a hammer. The fascinating part to me has always been the hunt.

However, I am commited to becoming a better archer this year and possibly upgrading my bow as long as no one comes out with a piece of clothing or device that would allow me to hunt longer in colder weather. If that happens I will be spending my money on that and keep my old tools.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

So DB you would agree that no one could have the addiction bad but rather good?

I truly do regret not spending more time shooting and learning more about my equipment. I can't hold a conversation with a guy who really knows about bows. I'm embarrassed to say that after 11 years I am still learning some pretty remedial stuff about bows. I am still shooting my original bow. I always viewed guns and bows as tools no different than a hammer. The fascinating part to me has always been the hunt.

However, I am commited to becoming a better archer this year and possibly upgrading my bow as long as no one comes out with a piece of clothing or device that would allow me to hunt longer in colder weather. If that happens I will be spending my money on that and keep my old tools.

I definitely agree.

My next purchase is new stands. The stands I currently have are not friendly on all day sits. I never used to remember them bothering me but now my back kills me and it's hard to sit still after 5 or 6 hours.

[bobcat]

DB,  what are your thoughts on using a ground blind versus a tree stand? I know the blind would be much more comfortable, and would allow you a little more freedom to move around. Not to mention would likely be a lot warmer.

I realize your scent would then be down at ground level. Is that the main reason people don't use ground blinds as much as they do tree stands?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

DB,  what are your thoughts on using a ground blind versus a tree stand? I know the blind would be much more comfortable, and would allow you a little more freedom to move around. Not to mention would likely be a lot warmer.

I realize your scent would then be down at ground level. Is that the main reason people don't use ground blinds as much as they do tree stands?

If I was rifle hunting I would be using a ground blind any time it was possible for the area I am hunting. I am actually surprised I don't see more guys sitting in them when rifle hunting for whitetail. If people did this in the right areas I think the modern firearms success rate on whitetail would go up considerably. When helping friends out during modern firearm I usually have them sit in a blind in promising areas with 70-100 yards of visibility.   For archery I have found it quite the challenge. If I had private land and could build a ground blind to leave up year round it might not be a bad deal....but it's certainly difficult on public land while archery hunting. The deer are constantly looking at the blind no matter how natural I make it look ...even if it's not over a bait..... It's definitely still possible to get one from the blind but I just find treestands to be more effective. If I was rifle hunting I would probably still use a treestand if I was hunting over 2-5 year old clear cuts.

[Seabass]

I wish they would manufacture them with more of an offset to the tree. A good friend of mine built us some stands (exceptional welder) a few years back that had a 6 inch offet from the tree so that you weren't sitting at a 90 degree angle all day. I still us them from time to time but they are all welded steel and are VERY heavy. They also developed some squeeks after a few years and I only use them sparingly now but they are the very comfortable.

[Seabass]

DB,  what are your thoughts on using a ground blind versus a tree stand? I know the blind would be much more comfortable, and would allow you a little more freedom to move around. Not to mention would likely be a lot warmer.

I realize your scent would then be down at ground level. Is that the main reason people don't use ground blinds as much as they do tree stands?


My kids shot their bucks out of ground blinds this year. I shot one out of a blind with my bow as well a few years ago. Asside from all the stuff that DB mentioned, I start feeling like I'm spending my enitre day staring through the peephole of my front door. You are literally only seeing what it directly in front of you.

[bornforhorns]

If I lived closer to the N.E. corner I think I would be in your guys category.  I love reading this stuff and admire all of your passion for it.  I think as a hunter who grew up in Central Washington the Mule Deer and Elk were my priority but they have  been crossed off my "bucket list".  I've taken them with rifle and archery gear, I've taken whitetail with only rifle but with 90% of what you see out there in North America being the "craze" of shooting big whitetails with archery gear...I think that is naturally the next move.  I am committing myself over the next year to finding and putting myself in position to put another check mark on the bucket list I guess.  I am fascinated by the abundance of opportunity, populations and variety in whitetail hunts.  Thank you guys in that part of our great state for making it a reality that it's not necessary to go to Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, etc. to kill a big whitetail...some of your trailcam pics. blow me away!

[Seabass]

I have a buddy that spends 3 days hunting with me every year. Just this year he has hunted MT,WY,KS,CO,Saskatchewan, and will end the season in Alabama. He hunts white tails exclusively. In years past he has been able to hunt Iowa and North Dakota as well. Every year he leaves claiming that we have the best opportunities of any of those states when you look at all of the pros and cons of each. We are blessed!

I had the Western area director from the Quality Deer Management Association out here for a few days a couple of years ago and he was blown away with the NE part of our state. My buddy that hunts Saskatchewan says that our hunting in the NE is the closest thing to Saskatchewan he has seen.

[bornforhorns]

Seabass,

That is good to hear and congratulations on your harvest, you have to feel extremely good about getting the animal you targeted...makes for a rewarding off season.  Funny, I've always looked at Iowa as the one place I would love to hunt whitetail...like everybody else.

[Seabass]

Thank you I was very excited to be able to pull that off.

Don't get me wrong, given the chance I might sell one of my children for the chance to go to Iowa but this little corner of the state is pretty special.