...and thats a wrap. Tag Soup 2015

[predatorG]

This year was my first year of good, solid, blacktail hunting. I probably put more hours in this year than all other years combined. I spooked one busting back out like RadSav said, and spooked another after a freeze when all the leaves sounded like potatoe chips. I saw a massive buck (never actually saw the head by the body was enormous) while elk hunting but never got a shot. Overall there were many great experiences and I think that I'm glad I didn't shoot one. I learned way more from all the hours I put in and all the stuff I read on hear than I would have if I actually got a deer. After everything I've learned and all the scouting I hope to put in over the course of the off season, I think next year is stacking up to be successful. We have a very good gene pool where I'm at that provides some MONSTERS but I don't think I'm skilled enough to get one yet. So even if all I shoot is a doe or small buck I'll be happy. I'm hoping to get a good combination of stand hunting, still hunting, and spot and stalk hunting in and I am super grateful for all the advise. Does anyone have more advise for some books I should get my hands on? The ones I know of are the ones by Boyd and Cameron Hanes. Are there any other ones I should know about?

[Encore 280]

I guess I'm old fashion, I'm going to take the first legal animal that shows himself, I'm going for the meat not the head gear. I figure if I'm lucky enough to get a big one then that's a bonus. My dad never did any pre season scouting and we got our bucks every year. I know I should scout pre season but I'm fishing in the summer or doing other stuff. Like some of you out there I like sitting in a nice spot for an hour or so then moving on to another spot and doing it all over again. I guess more than anything I just enjoy being out there and if I'm fortunate enough to get one then that's a bonus.

[predatorG]

I guess I'm old fashion, I'm going to take the first legal animal that shows himself, I'm going for the meat not the head gear. I figure if I'm lucky enough to get a big one then that's a bonus.

Same

[RadSav]

I guess I'm old fashion, I'm going to take the first legal animal that shows himself, I'm going for the meat not the head gear. I figure if I'm lucky enough to get a big one then that's a bonus.

I have no problem with guys doing that.  I spend many many years doing the same.  But, that would make for an awfully short season when you spend $$ on a MS tag.  Plus the best opportunity for shooting a granddaddy is late rifle season (not this past year, but usually that's the case).

[Eric M]

Great thread. Thanks. Some of the mistakes that were mentioned during the learning process was like they were talking about me. You move through a patch of woods all slow and sneaky for an hour, lose focus for just a second and Bam! There they go.

[TRD1911]

Great info in here. Too much to read on the phone so I'm tagging for later. Thanks for sharing guys

[Axeman149]

Great info, I'm glad to have seen this, as next year I will be better equipped (and hopefully up there) for bow season.  I learned quite a few lessons this year bow hunting out of a tree stand.  The lessons I did learn maybe can help you if you decide to get up in a tree.  Don't ever climb too high, scent killer and 20 ft off the ground is the best way to go.  I got about 40 ft up one day, and tagged a doe too high, spent about 3 hrs looking for her, and the blood trail ended at my broken arrow.  A good trail cam on a trail near a bed down/eating location will give you a good leg up.  I found out after about 2 weeks that my bow spot was a morning only spot.  It also helps to see what Buck is king in the area, and which bucks pass through only once or twice.  Scent cone apps helped me to guesstimate which tree I need to climb to not get smelled out.  I learned to always apply scent killer on everything, and to never spray paint anywhere near my tree stand. (10point smelled me 5 mins before legal shooting time, the day after I spray painted my sons Halloween costume, and I couldn't smell the spray paint). I learned to always range known locations near the trails at multiple points everyday.  I missed the same 10 point after I thought he was at 30 yards instead of 20 and I didn't bring my range finder that day.  I also learned (my preference) to find spots that don't go too far out of my shooting comfort.  I feel comfy at 50 yards and the furthest shot I could take at that spot was 70 yards.  For me, that gave me enough time to get set, and allow the shot to unfold, all while giving me ample time to mentally prepare until I had a good 20-30 yard shot.  Out of the 3 shots I took over 2 months, I had about 10 shots in that spot that i didn't take, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.  I learned a few others, but they are terrain and location specific, and I am in GA/AL right now so they wouldn't help.