Post by: OutHouse on August 25, 2020, 04:54:44 PM
If you are willing, post your target bucks!
Post by: Bango skank on August 25, 2020, 05:48:27 PM
#1: after 5 years of trail cam pics, something finally got him, id bet everything i own.
#2: came down significantly from 2018 to 2019. I almost dont even want to see what he looks like this year, probably a shadow of his former self.
#3: a roamer showed up during the rut last couple years. Had a hunch where he was coming from and going back to, so after i was done hunting for the year i put out alfalfa and apples where i suspected he lived. I was right. All over the feed daily, then disappeared suddenly with wolf tracks everywhere. Im not optimistic. Probably just hunt deer in idaho this year, stick to predators in washington.
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 07:49:26 AM
Post by: 724wd on August 26, 2020, 08:40:54 AM
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 09:49:49 AM
Post by: elkrack on August 26, 2020, 10:27:01 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 26, 2020, 11:17:01 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 26, 2020, 11:19:50 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 26, 2020, 11:22:20 AM
Post by: jstone on August 26, 2020, 11:27:02 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 26, 2020, 11:51:15 AM
If that doesn't pan out, there is a whitetail that I've been hunting since 2016 on which I'll focus. Another buck went from a ~100 inch 4x4 2018 to a ~140 5x5 2019...he could be terribly exciting this year but I haven't gone looking for him.
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 01:29:13 PM
Been after this buck for the last 2 years. Hopefully we get a stick him next week! :tup:
Worth the wait hope you get him!
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 01:31:39 PM
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 01:34:24 PM
I've got one that showed up recently that I'm pretty excited about.
If that doesn't pan out, there is a whitetail that I've been hunting since 2016 on which I'll focus. Another buck went from a ~100 inch 4x4 2018 to a ~140 5x5 2019...he could be terribly exciting this year but I haven't gone looking for him.
Nice. I am honing my skills so that I can one day observe deer year after year and have their patterns. A few years ago we did have one that we observed for a couple years but just because it was bedding below my parent's property. He was a whitetail we called "the seal" because when he was sitting down and looking around he looked like an enormously fat seal, big old neck and rounded body. I think someone with a quality tag must have got him though.
Post by: 724wd on August 26, 2020, 01:36:46 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 26, 2020, 01:46:08 PM
I've got one that showed up recently that I'm pretty excited about.
If that doesn't pan out, there is a whitetail that I've been hunting since 2016 on which I'll focus. Another buck went from a ~100 inch 4x4 2018 to a ~140 5x5 2019...he could be terribly exciting this year but I haven't gone looking for him.
Nice. I am honing my skills so that I can one day observe deer year after year and have their patterns. A few years ago we did have one that we observed for a couple years but just because it was bedding below my parent's property. He was a whitetail we called "the seal" because when he was sitting down and looking around he looked like an enormously fat seal, big old neck and rounded body. I think someone with a quality tag must have got him though.
I only have experience with mountain whitetails but IME bucks don't shift their yearly homerange hardly at all. Unless logging operations, new roads, or elk move into an area. Even when a bucks bedroom went from thick and brushy to select cut, he only seems to go as far as he has to. YMMV
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 01:53:02 PM
I've got one that showed up recently that I'm pretty excited about.
If that doesn't pan out, there is a whitetail that I've been hunting since 2016 on which I'll focus. Another buck went from a ~100 inch 4x4 2018 to a ~140 5x5 2019...he could be terribly exciting this year but I haven't gone looking for him.
Nice. I am honing my skills so that I can one day observe deer year after year and have their patterns. A few years ago we did have one that we observed for a couple years but just because it was bedding below my parent's property. He was a whitetail we called "the seal" because when he was sitting down and looking around he looked like an enormously fat seal, big old neck and rounded body. I think someone with a quality tag must have got him though.
I only have experience with mountain whitetails but IME bucks don't shift their yearly homerange hardly at all. Unless logging operations, new roads, or elk move into an area. Even when a bucks bedroom went from thick and brushy to select cut, he only seems to go as far as he has to. YMMV
Thanks for that because there has been a lot of development in recent years below my parent's property which cleared out a huge thicket with a ton of beds, some clearly large buck beds. Sounds like they will simply move to another location close by. I figure when its all developed (mostly 5 acre lots) they might move and bed above me making it easier to pattern them.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 26, 2020, 02:00:57 PM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2020, 05:55:24 PM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Post by: huntnnw on August 26, 2020, 07:42:13 PM
Post by: jjhunter on August 26, 2020, 08:34:17 PM
Good luck to all!
Post by: idaho guy on August 26, 2020, 09:39:19 PM
Post by: b0bbyg on August 26, 2020, 10:15:09 PM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
I'd go with the telephone pole without a question, get a lot more height so you can shoot safely over traffic. :tup:
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 26, 2020, 10:17:21 PM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
Damn swirling winds from traffic. Makes it tough
Post by: idaho guy on August 26, 2020, 10:19:17 PM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
I'd go with the telephone pole without a question, get a lot more height so you can shoot safely over triaffic. :tup:
Good thinking I was kinda leaning that way already :chuckle:
Post by: idaho guy on August 26, 2020, 10:25:18 PM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
Damn swirling winds from traffic. Makes it tough
Might have to do a tree stand and then blind on the bike path so I can play the wind better based on traffic flow :tup:
Post by: huntnnw on August 26, 2020, 10:29:44 PM
Post by: Bushcraft on August 26, 2020, 10:37:51 PM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
Damn swirling winds from traffic. Makes it tough
Hahahaha! Sweet baby Jesus that was hilarious. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 08:29:45 AM
Got only 1 buck I’ll target this year all the rest get a pass. Big 5x5 I hope shows himself next week.
Right on. Get after it. Sucks the season starts mid week though, but I'll get out for the holiday weekend.
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 08:30:44 AM
I’m pretty much just showing up blind for all of my hunts this year. I’ve got 41 days planned for 3 deer tags so hoping to create some luck by spending lots of days in the field. Hunting big buck areas and that’s all a guy can ask for.
Good luck to all!
41 days? What an adventure. Retired military?
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 08:31:28 AM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
:chuckle: My vote is tree saddle (not stand) from the telephone pole!
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on August 27, 2020, 10:11:54 AM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
I say you dress like a fence picket and use a spear.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2020, 11:11:16 AM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Yes, that was him. 9 years old, first buck. I have a trail cam pic of this buck someplace too, just can't find it right now.
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 11:12:23 AM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
I say you dress like a fence picket and use a spear.
:chuckle: Good stuff.
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 11:14:18 AM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Yes, that was him. 9 years old, first buck. I have a trail cam pic of this buck someplace too, just can't find it right now.
My memory was correct! That's a great picture too. Best of luck this season!
Post by: idaho guy on August 27, 2020, 11:19:42 AM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Yes, that was him. 9 years old, first buck. I have a trail cam pic of this buck someplace too, just can't find it right now.
That pictures the best 👍 great buck too
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2020, 11:20:48 AM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Yes, that was him. 9 years old, first buck. I have a trail cam pic of this buck someplace too, just can't find it right now.
My memory was correct! That's a great picture too. Best of luck this season!
Favorite picture ever. It's been the screen saver on my phone since October 2016. :)
Post by: Bushcraft on August 27, 2020, 11:25:58 AM
Pathfinder, are you after one of those bucks yourself or will you put your kids on them?
Battling with that very question right now. I have the opportunity to buy a multi season permit (Hunter Safety Instructor 2nd round draw) and chase them with a bow. Don't really know how crazy things are going to be for me as a teacher this fall. Most people would think that teaching "online" would afford lots of time, but teaching ROTC online is a whole nutha' animal. Plus the fact that I hate technology so everything seems to take me 3 times longer than it should...
If I recall correctly, it shouldn't matter whether he puts his kids on them or not. They seem to score big every year! (again if I recall correctly). I have some memory of a dad and his young son's double drop tine mule deer think it was Pathfinder. Must have been epic.
Yes, that was him. 9 years old, first buck. I have a trail cam pic of this buck someplace too, just can't find it right now.
Soooo awesome! Great pic and life experience. :tup:
Post by: cbond3318 on August 27, 2020, 11:41:07 AM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
Damn swirling winds from traffic. Makes it tough
Might have to do a tree stand and then blind on the bike path so I can play the wind better based on traffic flow :tup:
Slow down, I’ll be at the natural ground blind transformer. That tall one is getting UBER’d out of that s hole.
Post by: idaho guy on August 27, 2020, 11:49:27 AM
Post by: idaho guy on August 27, 2020, 11:51:26 AM
I got my eye on the guy to the left. Pattern is perfect go from one guys yard down the street to other guys garden. Question tree stand on the fence or telephone pole? Also considering blind on the bicycle trail?
Damn swirling winds from traffic. Makes it tough
Might have to do a tree stand and then blind on the bike path so I can play the wind better based on traffic flow :tup:
Slow down, I’ll be at the natural ground blind transformer. That tall one is getting UBER’d out of that s hole.
Stay out of my hunting spot 😂
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 01:38:03 PM
Thanks for the pro tips fellas :tup: with your help I have formulated my opening day plan. I will find or make camo that makes me look like a fence post. I am going with exhaust cover scent and will thoroughly permeate the camo by attaching bag to my muffler and will leave on the muffler till I arrive at my honey hole. Plan a is the tree saddle on the telephone pole provides great visibility and the clearance to shoot over oncoming traffic. I’m sticking with my bow but like the idea of the spear as a back up if I make a bad hit I could probably run him down and spear it to ensure a timely and humane harvest. Plan b will be a very large ground blind on the bike path which I will “brush” in with a few bicycles leaned against it should blend in and look very natural in that setting. Plan b is just my back up plan depending on traffic flow and what it does to my wind. From the tree saddle I can thwack him as soon as he gets to the bike path hopefully he goes down close and I can drive down the bike path for a quick recovery. Even if he goes a little farther and gets to the garden I should be able to squeeze my truck between the houses and just go through the guys backyard for a slick and easy recovery! Can’t wait hopefully I will be posting up some pics for you all Sunday!
:chuckle: I will suggest that if these deer are sufficiently habituated that it may be prudent and advisable to disguise yourself as a line men on the telephone pole. Hard hat, some tools perhaps, uniform and you can pretend to be tending the lines when he walks up. Heck, if he catches you off guard and is right underneath you, you could simply release the catch on your tree saddle and fall gracefully into the people's elbow position for a swift break of its spine.
Edit: And, if you believe the buck is sufficiently distracted such that the risk of string jump or any similar reaction is nil, then you could cry out "for the blue collar workers" just before impact.
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on August 27, 2020, 03:44:59 PM
Thanks for the pro tips fellas :tup: with your help I have formulated my opening day plan. I will find or make camo that makes me look like a fence post. I am going with exhaust cover scent and will thoroughly permeate the camo by attaching bag to my muffler and will leave on the muffler till I arrive at my honey hole. Plan a is the tree saddle on the telephone pole provides great visibility and the clearance to shoot over oncoming traffic. I’m sticking with my bow but like the idea of the spear as a back up if I make a bad hit I could probably run him down and spear it to ensure a timely and humane harvest. Plan b will be a very large ground blind on the bike path which I will “brush” in with a few bicycles leaned against it should blend in and look very natural in that setting. Plan b is just my back up plan depending on traffic flow and what it does to my wind. From the tree saddle I can thwack him as soon as he gets to the bike path hopefully he goes down close and I can drive down the bike path for a quick recovery. Even if he goes a little farther and gets to the garden I should be able to squeeze my truck between the houses and just go through the guys backyard for a slick and easy recovery! Can’t wait hopefully I will be posting up some pics for you all Sunday!
:chuckle: I will suggest that if these deer are sufficiently habituated that it may be prudent and advisable to disguise yourself as a line men on the telephone pole. Hard hat, some tools perhaps, uniform and you can pretend to be tending the lines when he walks up. Heck, if he catches you off guard and is right underneath you, you could simply release the catch on your tree saddle and fall gracefully into the people's elbow position for a swift break of its spine.
Edit: And, if you believe the buck is sufficiently distracted such that the risk of string jump or any similar reaction is nil, then you could cry out "for the blue collar workers" just before impact.
Post by: OutHouse on August 27, 2020, 05:10:47 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 28, 2020, 01:55:12 PM
Post by: OutHouse on August 28, 2020, 03:05:16 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on August 28, 2020, 03:42:16 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 31, 2020, 03:51:52 PM
And he died in a yellow star patch, son is a bit bigger by now, thanks, great stuff
Yes, he is 13 now. This bear wasn't our #1 target bear, but we weren't going to look a gift horse in the mouth (or a gift bear :chuckle: )
Post by: BONEHUNTERNW on August 31, 2020, 06:50:58 PM
Post by: elkrack on August 31, 2020, 07:36:16 PM
Post by: huntnnw on September 01, 2020, 06:19:49 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 01, 2020, 08:03:43 AM
Looking like I could be starting over today :( 10 days and counting and buck I have spent 3 1/2 months hiking around 350 miles,glassing, and cams and buck has disappeared. Was showing on cam everyday and some days twice has vanished. My fear is a cat got him, been one in the area. I wont lose hope till the rut rolls around.
That tends to happen to me as soon as the velvet comes off. They seem to completely change habits when they get hard horned. Often disappear off my trail cams. Sometimes I never see them again, sometimes I turn them up during the season hiding in a foxhole. Sometimes I see them again during the rut after the season is over.
All is not lost!!
Good luck... :tup:
Post by: OutHouse on September 01, 2020, 08:47:42 AM
Post by: Sutherland on September 01, 2020, 10:22:15 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on September 01, 2020, 11:34:57 AM
Post by: huntnnw on September 01, 2020, 01:02:16 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 01, 2020, 01:47:54 PM
I’ve chased big whitetails pretty extensively for the last 20 years and have had the ability with trail cams to watch bucks and I have never had a buck that was a regular for 3 1/2 months just vanish.
I had these three guys on my camera all through June, July and Aug last year. Hundreds of pictures of them. I was clearing off a spot on my wall for whichever one stepped out first. The last I saw them was the first couple of days of September. No idea where they went :dunno:(I doubt all 3 were killed by bowhunters).
Post by: idaho guy on September 01, 2020, 03:31:38 PM
I’ve chased big whitetails pretty extensively for the last 20 years and have had the ability with trail cams to watch bucks and I have never had a buck that was a regular for 3 1/2 months just vanish.
I had these three guys on my camera all through June, July and Aug last year. Hundreds of pictures of them. I was clearing off a spot on my wall for whichever one stepped out first. The last I saw them was the first couple of days of September. No idea where they went :dunno:(I doubt all 3 were killed by bowhunters).
Same thing happens where I hunt after first few days sept or when they go hard horned either nocturnal or disappear completely. Little nervous I have 3 decent bucks coming through like clockwork on camera but haven’t been able to hunt yet. Hopefully they stay patterned through tomorrow my first day to get out. Maybe tonight 👍
Post by: snowshoes22 on September 01, 2020, 03:39:46 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on September 01, 2020, 05:12:05 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200902/e2cef1bdd8938f4e65699bc987c3bc5c.jpg)
I have pics post season after he shed...haven’t pulled this card recent enough.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: huntnnw on September 01, 2020, 06:22:19 PM
Post by: OutHouse on September 01, 2020, 09:23:25 PM
Well he’s alive, just disappeared for 6 days. Still in velvet
That's good hope he doesn't take another six day break. I agree it's really rare to have one disappear after its been on camera regularly for some months. The ones that do are usually the more mature bucks in my own experience.
Post by: nalley112 on September 07, 2020, 07:53:13 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 07, 2020, 07:58:10 PM
Here’s my #1he’s got some decent head gear for a young buck. The spike x3 has a bigger body.
Post by: nalley112 on September 07, 2020, 09:19:32 PM
Here’s my #1he’s got some decent head gear for a young buck. The spike x3 has a bigger body.
He is pretty young, best buck I have found public land this season.. there are two other just like him not as deep of forks but a bit wider..all are young.. haven’t tagged one yet as so many hunters in the area pushing them lol
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2020, 10:16:44 AM
Post by: HntnFsh on September 08, 2020, 07:28:12 PM