Out on the islands picking up stands today

[JDHasty]

Had a guy whose property we have access to say that his neighbor wants to know if we would like to set up stands on his property too.  What a score, this is a property that has both an orchard and a trail that bucks circulate between other closed properties that have apple orchards and a park on.

I have been reckless eyeballing that property for a decade now, but was told that it was no how, no way we would get access.  I've seen some real dandies on that property and am going to purchase three new archery friendly ladder stands after looking it over this afternoon.

When we went over and were introduced to the guy he is as excited as we are, he has not allowed access for quite a while and has put up with the amount of damage deer are causing because of worse problems with jerk hunters, but after talking with four or five other people whose land we hunt he asked to be introduced. 

Then we were at a market killing a little time before heading to the ferry and another couple saw the five ladder stands piled in the pickup bed and gave me their phone number after chatting a little and finding out that we hunt a couple of their friend's properties.  She is having a lot of trouble with bucks shredding her topiary and young fruit stock.  While she likes the deer, it is just more damage than she can live with.  They are also doing a job on her bulbs right now and when her husband told her what we had piled in the truck bed was deer stands she insisted they talk to me. 

I had planned to do a lot of door belling this April through June after work because we have a couple new hunters in our group and it has been getting a little too crowded for my liking, this is a great head start on that.

[Bob33]

It sounds like you've earned some good opportunities.

[hollymaster]

Score! 

[fishnfur]

Way to go!  Right place at the right time!  I think I know your mystery island, but I'm not 100% sure. 

I'm available to help thin that herd.  Give me a shout after you tag out.  I'll work the left-overs.   

[JDHasty]

Way to go!  Right place at the right time!  I think I know your mystery island, but I'm not 100% sure. 

I'm available to help thin that herd.  Give me a shout after you tag out.  I'll work the left-overs.   

Gee, that is a pretty generous offer. 

Actually I will keep that in mind.  A few years ago we were picking up stands and a gal had her husband boot us off the property for the next year because we had not been hunting on her property as much as we were her neighbor's place.  This is actually not the first time I have heard of this happening.  It was just that we were not seeing any real nice bucks on that property that year, and the next year, which would be the first year I saw that real monster (definitely B&C material, and by a wide margin) that I have not been able to close the deal on.....  well I don't even have to tell ya' where I saw him headed to when I caught him crossing a road. 

[fishnfur]

Unless your hunting properties are in close proximity, it would be hard for your group to cover both or several parcels with equal amounts of time in the stand, especially when you're seeing really nice bucks on only one of them.

Please do give me a shout if the opportunity ever comes up.   It sounds like a blast, and I like the deer numbers you've been citing.  I'm currently searching for used rifled barrel shotgun on Gun Broker.  I should have bought a DSII 20 ga. that came up a couple of weeks ago, but the seller had no feedback......  Perhaps a Savage 220 instead.

There's a thousand places I'd love to hunt, which no doubt contributes to my low success rate.  I love to see and scout new terrain, but that often gets in the way of understanding the deer in a single area.   I've been contemplating a Long Island hunt down in Willipa Bay, which is only accessible by personal boat.  Scouting it well presents major difficulties though, so it may never come to pass:  http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_2/Willapa_Complex/Willapa/Documents/WLP_long_island_trail_map_2013.pdf

G.

[JDHasty]

Unless your hunting properties are in close proximity, it would be hard for your group to cover both or several parcels with equal amounts of time in the stand, especially when you're seeing really nice bucks on only one of them.

Please do give me a shout if the opportunity ever comes up.   It sounds like a blast, and I like the deer numbers you've been citing.  I'm currently searching for used rifled barrel shotgun on Gun Broker.  I should have bought a DSII 20 ga. that came up a couple of weeks ago, but the seller had no feedback......  Perhaps a Savage 220 instead.

There's a thousand places I'd love to hunt, which no doubt contributes to my low success rate.  I love to see and scout new terrain, but that often gets in the way of understanding the deer in a single area.   I've been contemplating a Long Island hunt down in Willipa Bay, which is only accessible by personal boat.  Scouting it well presents major difficulties though, so it may never come to pass:  http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_2/Willapa_Complex/Willapa/Documents/WLP_long_island_trail_map_2013.pdf

Boerner's in Gorst had a rifled DS 20 ga barrel they wanted $150 for and I was trying to beat them down and another guy got it.  Still kicking myself.  This year I was seeing nice bucks all over the place, I think I am getting better at finding them.   

[lamrith]

I would very much like to be kept in the loop if you look to add to your group as well or work mop-up detail after you all tag out.  I am a bow hunter, 2015 was only my second year and still working on taking that 1st deer.  If they need population control I have no qualms taking a doe if legal (not knowing gmu/regs offhand) to fill the freezer and help stop the damage.

[fishnfur]

I would have jumped on that gun too.  The DSII I was looking at was pristine and $675.  I'm sticking to a 20 ga. whatever I get - the twelve gauges make me flinch and put a dent in my shoulder.

[JDHasty]

I would have jumped on that gun too.  The DSII I was looking at was pristine and $675.  I'm sticking to a 20 ga. whatever I get - the twelve gauges make me flinch and put a dent in my shoulder.

Still kicking myself, I shoot an Ithaca 37 20 ga bird gun and have a daughter who will be needing that barrel in a couple years. 

That is a good deal on a 20 ga Deerslayer II.  The 20 ga will be more than just fine with Lightfield Hybrid Elite slugs. 

If you come across a deal that is too good to pass up on a Deerslayer II in 12 ga they are easy on the shoulder w/the reduced recoil Lightfield Hybrid Elites.   

[fishnfur]

I'd heard that too - the recoil pads are great on those guns.  Not too many DSIIs come up for a great price though.  Most people buy them and hold on to them.  As long as it has a rifled barrel and a good reputation, I'll give any gun a serious look.  Two months into the search and I'm starting to get anxious.  Not as many shotguns coming up on auction after Christmas.   

I've got a finger in a splint - hand is all swollen.  Typing is almost impossible.  I think I'm pretty much done posting for a week or two. 

Later!
G.