Opening day encounter
- Arrowbender
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Opening day encounter
I opened the'13 season in western WI. I haven't step foot on this property since last fall but know where a few mature buck beds are as well as consistent buck bedding areas. My favorite early season haunt has tough access due to corn fields. It should be I pressured.
I had a great approach as far as wind and getting to the tree in stealth mode. I made one metal clunk during set up. Not a real loud one and normally never happens. 1st set of the year is my excuse. The evening seemed perfect with impending rain and consistent wind. I planned to film because my early season standards are exceptionally high for this property this year and wanted to document my tactic of calling a mature buck out of his bed.
It sprinklers off and on a few times and was wonderfully overcast. It could happen at any time. I did my 1st calling sequence at 6:05. ( one burp then one more at 6:06). I repeated this again every 10 to 15 minutes. At 6:40 it got very dark and started rain. Not a sprinkle this time. I put my camera away and as I finished up I saw a deer at 60 yards. I assumed doe because of its skinny little neck but my binocs proved it to be a buck as it disappeared behind some brush. I could see flashes of its rack but never a great look. I finally got to see his body and he appears to be a 3 or older buck and if I had to guess I'd say 4.
I did get a few chance looks at the rack and it was tall and heavy but not real wide. (16" maybe17").
I called to him with little to know acknowledgement. The rain and wind was very loud but I feel that he should have been able to hear me.
He was definitely using the topography but also seemed to be skirting my location, and yet certainly showed no sign of being spooked.
Good news is that with the rain I got a "free hunt".
I just can't wrap my head on what to do next. This property will get a ton of pressure once the corn is off. I feel I need to move on him again soon.
My conundrum is:
Was it my noise, my calling or just set up too far from his normal route. ( I normally don't worry too much about that since I can usually call them close enough for a shot).
[ Post made via iPhone ]
I had a great approach as far as wind and getting to the tree in stealth mode. I made one metal clunk during set up. Not a real loud one and normally never happens. 1st set of the year is my excuse. The evening seemed perfect with impending rain and consistent wind. I planned to film because my early season standards are exceptionally high for this property this year and wanted to document my tactic of calling a mature buck out of his bed.
It sprinklers off and on a few times and was wonderfully overcast. It could happen at any time. I did my 1st calling sequence at 6:05. ( one burp then one more at 6:06). I repeated this again every 10 to 15 minutes. At 6:40 it got very dark and started rain. Not a sprinkle this time. I put my camera away and as I finished up I saw a deer at 60 yards. I assumed doe because of its skinny little neck but my binocs proved it to be a buck as it disappeared behind some brush. I could see flashes of its rack but never a great look. I finally got to see his body and he appears to be a 3 or older buck and if I had to guess I'd say 4.
I did get a few chance looks at the rack and it was tall and heavy but not real wide. (16" maybe17").
I called to him with little to know acknowledgement. The rain and wind was very loud but I feel that he should have been able to hear me.
He was definitely using the topography but also seemed to be skirting my location, and yet certainly showed no sign of being spooked.
Good news is that with the rain I got a "free hunt".
I just can't wrap my head on what to do next. This property will get a ton of pressure once the corn is off. I feel I need to move on him again soon.
My conundrum is:
Was it my noise, my calling or just set up too far from his normal route. ( I normally don't worry too much about that since I can usually call them close enough for a shot).
[ Post made via iPhone ]
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Re: Opening day encounter
I don't think your calling spooked him... Maybe, but probably just unresponsive because of how early in the year it is, or his dominance level. If it were me, I would be back and scoot over to where you saw him on your next available hunt that has proper conditions. I would not call to him this time, cause he has shown to be unresponsive, and give him one try. I don't think you would of saw him at all if he had heard and associated the metal clank, but thats just an assumption, I could be wrong.
- Buckfever
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Re: Opening day encounter
I think the visual is huge. I'd move closer, immediately.
- Stanley
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Re: Opening day encounter
Sounds like a good hunt to me. I think not considering the "metal clunk" noise you made would be more like hoping, than reality. If you feel you didn't bugger him, why not give it another shot when the conditions are right? Knowing the exact location of the bed would determine if you could move in closer or stay back. Good luck, hope you get him.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
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Re: Opening day encounter
I agree with Dan. Leave the call at home. Make your location adjustment and get the camera ready. :)
- Arrowbender
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Re: Opening day encounter
Yea. That is pretty much the plan. Because of distance it is a weekend spot only so I will more than likely hit it again next Saturday.
And yes. I won't call unless deemed necessary.
Lots of fun last night. It's great to be in the chase again.
Tonight were after my MN target buck.
Cam and call on this one!!
[ Post made via iPhone ]
And yes. I won't call unless deemed necessary.
Lots of fun last night. It's great to be in the chase again.
Tonight were after my MN target buck.
Cam and call on this one!!
[ Post made via iPhone ]
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Re: Opening day encounter
Arrowbender wrote:Yea. That is pretty much the plan. Because of distance it is a weekend spot only so I will more than likely hit it again next Saturday.
And yes. I won't call unless deemed necessary.
Lots of fun last night. It's great to be in the chase again.
Tonight were after my MN target buck.
Cam and call on this one!!
[ Post made via iPhone ]
Good luck Arrow..
- Arrowbender
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Re: Opening day encounter
Thanks Dan. Headin out now.
Good luck to all that are trekking out.
Can't wait to watch the "live from the stand"thread. Lotsa activity last night.
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Good luck to all that are trekking out.
Can't wait to watch the "live from the stand"thread. Lotsa activity last night.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
- Arrowbender
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Re: Opening day encounter
Well... Just got back from WI. Just a spiker and later a dry old doe. Beautiful night but just not much going on.
Perfect approach and set up.
I left the grunt call in my pocket. So I can't blame it on the calls. He must have just been on a different ridge tonight.
We will probably give it one more early season try next week then let it sit until pre-rut.
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Perfect approach and set up.
I left the grunt call in my pocket. So I can't blame it on the calls. He must have just been on a different ridge tonight.
We will probably give it one more early season try next week then let it sit until pre-rut.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
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Re: Opening day encounter
Arrowbender wrote:Well... Just got back from WI. Just a spiker and later a dry old doe. Beautiful night but just not much going on.
Perfect approach and set up.
I left the grunt call in my pocket. So I can't blame it on the calls. He must have just been on a different ridge tonight.
We will probably give it one more early season try next week then let it sit until pre-rut.
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May want to consider the slightly different wind between the nights. SW opening evening. NW last night. The buck may not like to bed there when there is a little north.
- Arrowbender
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Re: Opening day encounter
I agree. The wind probably had a lot to do with it.
Hopefully we get that SW again on one of the nights this week end.
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Hopefully we get that SW again on one of the nights this week end.
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- Arrowbender
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Re: Opening day encounter
Third verse.....same as the 1st!
I hit our WI spot again last night. Fun hunt but no hero shots for me.
I did get in close to his bed again. Actually got some footage this time. If I want to kill him I will need to get closer. Now I need to decide if I want to close the deal or hold out for something a little more special.
I will try to post some pics or footage tonight.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
I hit our WI spot again last night. Fun hunt but no hero shots for me.
I did get in close to his bed again. Actually got some footage this time. If I want to kill him I will need to get closer. Now I need to decide if I want to close the deal or hold out for something a little more special.
I will try to post some pics or footage tonight.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
- Stanley
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Re: Opening day encounter
Arrowbender wrote:Third verse.....same as the 1st!
I hit our WI spot again last night. Fun hunt but no hero shots for me.
I did get in close to his bed again. Actually got some footage this time. If I want to kill him I will need to get closer. Now I need to decide if I want to close the deal or hold out for something a little more special.
I will try to post some pics or footage tonight.
[ Post made via iPhone ]
Sounds good, will be watching later on.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
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