Post by: HunterofWA on November 08, 2017, 08:43:14 PM
So to start off I got a new Diamond Prism this summer and have become accurate with it all the way of the 35yrds with a 55lb draw. So far, the bow is holding up well and I feel very confident to strike a good shot when the opportunity arises.
Anyway I am still hunting the same private land I have been for the past 4 years mainly because I haven't got a driver's license yet so my opportunities are limited to areas close to home.
I have a few nice bucks showing up on cam and coming irregularly during the daylight as long as does are around. Below are a few nighttime pics of the hit-list: 1st KING 2nd STICKS 3rd FORKS
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on November 08, 2017, 08:44:58 PM
How did your food plot experiment do?
Post by: HunterofWA on November 08, 2017, 09:05:55 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 09, 2017, 05:57:36 AM
Post by: Big6bull on November 09, 2017, 09:03:03 AM
Post by: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:05:29 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on November 09, 2017, 09:25:22 AM
Good luck and keep us posted.
Post by: predatorG on November 10, 2017, 09:58:39 AM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 10, 2017, 10:17:01 AM
Interesting looking bucks. I don't know the area very well, are there Columbian Whitetails down there ?
These are all Colombian Black-tails out by Yacolt near the Washougal/battleground boundary. As far as I know, the whitetails you are talking about generally hang tight around the Ridge field National Wildlife refuge. It's funny how a lot of the bucks that I have seen in this area don't seem to develop a fork on their G1's until they get about 4yrs making them look like whitetail racks for a while.
Post by: predatorG on November 10, 2017, 11:19:56 AM
Interesting looking bucks. I don't know the area very well, are there Columbian Whitetails down there ?
These are all Colombian Black-tails out by Yacolt near the Washougal/battleground boundary. As far as I know, the whitetails you are talking about generally hang tight around the Ridge field National Wildlife refuge. It's funny how a lot of the bucks that I have seen in this area don't seem to develop a fork on their G1's until they get about 4yrs making them look like whitetail racks for a while.
From what I've heard, the whitetail population has been doing pretty well and maybe spreading, but whenever I'm down there I'm quite a ways west of you, so I wasn't sure what the population was like around you.
Post by: YoungFowler on November 10, 2017, 11:54:40 AM
Interesting looking bucks. I don't know the area very well, are there Columbian Whitetails down there ?
These are all Colombian Black-tails out by Yacolt near the Washougal/battleground boundary. As far as I know, the whitetails you are talking about generally hang tight around the Ridge field National Wildlife refuge. It's funny how a lot of the bucks that I have seen in this area don't seem to develop a fork on their G1's until they get about 4yrs making them look like whitetail racks for a while.
From what I've heard, the whitetail population has been doing pretty well and maybe spreading, but whenever I'm down there I'm quite a ways west of you, so I wasn't sure what the population was like around you.
Colombian whitetail are now classified as "threatened" due to population rise.
http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/oct/12/columbian-white-tail-deer-rebound/ (http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/oct/12/columbian-white-tail-deer-rebound/)
Nice deer by the way! 👍🏻
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
Post by: HunterofWA on November 11, 2017, 02:03:57 PM
My question is, since the bucks seem to linger a little into daylight would it be worth trying to call them in with the doe bleat can call or a rattling sequence? Or just hope they show up?
Post by: HunterofWA on November 17, 2017, 04:49:15 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on November 17, 2017, 07:24:34 PM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 21, 2017, 10:17:53 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 21, 2017, 10:33:24 PM
Post by: predatorG on November 22, 2017, 06:44:53 AM
Post by: GOING2HUNT on November 22, 2017, 07:03:44 AM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 22, 2017, 10:40:29 AM
I am thinking that I will try to squeeze in a few late afternoon hunts after school next week as the weather report for-casts a break in the weather. I'll also try to catch my hunts on film.
Post by: pd on November 22, 2017, 10:49:52 AM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 24, 2017, 05:31:49 PM
I would like to know this spot better in the next few years, but I have to say it will take a lot of work to get a deer out of there with a bow. So for now, I am going to be concentrating my hunting efforts on the tract of land next to home.
Fun day out side though. Sorta funny but at the same time not: My brothers saw some deer while I was the one who bumped a grouse.
Post by: fishnfur on November 25, 2017, 12:04:48 AM
Post by: predatorG on November 25, 2017, 09:33:53 AM
Keep at it. It will happen.
I can attest to this.
Post by: pd on December 04, 2017, 09:03:48 PM
C'mon, Man. What's happening down there in Almost-PDX-Land?
Post by: HunterofWA on December 05, 2017, 09:03:46 PM
Anyways these deer are driving me crazy... they're so unpredictable. I'll see if I can get out again tomorrow afternoon as well just for grins.
The pic is the doe I'd like to take, seems mature to me.
Post by: AKBowman on December 05, 2017, 11:20:34 PM
I've had the best luck Late Archery immediately following a rain or snow storm.
Best of luck. Keep us posted on how you do.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 06, 2017, 05:42:08 AM
Post by: HunterofWA on December 06, 2017, 08:12:35 PM
I headed out to the stand around 3:15pm and started hunting at about 3:50. There was a strong crosswind that was decent but on the edge of my comfort zone. Anyhow, I was confident that this would be the day.
As time went on, I spotted a rabbit at 25 yards and took a shot at it just missing it by a hair. That cost me an arrow and made me a wee bit frustrated.
Skipping ahead. At 4:30ish I was pretty bumbed and stupidly decided to pack up my gear. After I finished blundering around I uncapped my p-bottle to relieve myself. As I was about to do so, I looked around behind me and 50 yards out 3 does are staring me in the face. The bottle slipped out of my hand and spilled all down the stand. In the excitement I had been busted by the deer and they stared me down till the end of shooting light and worked their way back up the ridge. All the while I was shaking so bad it probably made the tree shake.
Overall, I am pretty annoyed by this hunt but I am sure I'll laugh at it someday. As far as my next hunt goes I think this stand is blown for a week or so. I'll try to look for a storm soon or hold out till Christmas break. These does are huge so I want to play it safe and make sure I connect in the near future.
Thanks for reading!
Post by: fishnfur on December 06, 2017, 10:29:18 PM
Hang in there - the action always starts when your trousers are around your knees. Just expect it, then you're not surprised when it works out that way. Consider this a chance to check out some other areas while your spot cools off.
Post by: HunterofWA on January 06, 2018, 11:06:00 AM
I never did let an arrow fly, but I still have to admit that I did have a few opportunities. At one point right before shooting light I had the big doe I was after walk below my stand so close I could smell her! But she ended up working off the area before it was light enough for a shot.
On several other occasions I would be approaching my stand and of all the times I was being just a wee bit careless, there would be a deer somewhere nearby that spooked off. What is frustrating is that in most of these scenarios If I had been more careful, I might have been successful.
Anyhow, no need complaining about it. I hunted hard, but some years it just doesn't go as planned. That's hunting though. And honestly I don't care that much this year, the deer were smarter so I have to hand to em.
I can say this though, I definitely want to focus more attention elsewhere for next season.
Well thanks to everyone who read this and I hope you have a Happy New Year!!
Post by: fishnfur on January 09, 2018, 11:18:07 PM