Muddy

[Spysar]

Since there was a Spysar thread, and an Autumn Ninja thread, I'd like to start a DOR, Muddy, and Bucky thread. I know there are a bunch more guys on this site that get it done. These are just the guys that are long time forum members that seem to get it done every year. All these threads have this same opening line, one thread for each guy...

I'm interested in the planning and execution of how you do YOUR hunting season. So Muddy, what is your plan of attack? What is your style of big buck killing?

[dan]

Mud,
I am wondering what your ground is like... From the turkey pic's and what I picked up it seems fairly open? Is that a fair assesment? Also wondering if you do any glassing or shining or just use trail cams? And do you hunt for certain deer? Or just target buck rich areas?

[muddy]

I'm interested in the planning and execution of how you do YOUR hunting season. So Muddy, what is your plan of attack? What is your style of big buck killing?

My main thing is that I pay absolute attention to as much as possible whenever I'm out there. Be it putting up stands, taking stands down, shed hunting, etc. Now that I have 3 kids I have to make the most of every step in the woods and over the past few years those steps have really REALLY come far and few between. When I once was able to velvet scout and shine 4 or 5 days a week has now come down to once or twice a summer, its just not in the cards anymore.

I always take an aerial map with me when I go now, I jot notes, I make maps, I circle areas to return to and a lot of times those hunches pay off. Shed season produces a few sheds for me but the main reason I go is to catch up on scouting lost because I'm changing diapers. Again, that map is with me and I make notes and return to those notes once I get home.

I suppose my style is to just make the most of the time given to me and plan accordingly. Proper prior planning prevents unfilled tags?

[muddy]

Mud,
I am wondering what your ground is like... From the turkey pic's and what I picked up it seems fairly open? Is that a fair assesment?

I actually don't deer hunt my turkey ground, the landowner already has people deer hunting there. This will be the first year I actually call him and I won't call him until the day or so before I hunt because it will be during the week and I know EXACTLY where I want to deer hunt now after a few years of scouting...er....turkey hunting!

As far as my other ground.... my public ground is huge timber area that is situated between housing developments and private farm ground. Access isn't tough but the place I hunt is off the housing development where I bribe a homeowner with morels to walk thru his yard to the "good stuff". Not many people get back where I hunt because it's a LONG assed walk otherwise. There are still a few every year that come wandering back but since I hunt out of a LW most of the time I can stay away from the fools.

My private chunks are very small, 13, 13, and 80 acres. Each property I share with 1 other guy and on the 80 I share it with 2 other guys. It's a matter of keeping the peace with the other guys and hunting very smart. I let them do the stupid stuff like throw a ladder stand up in all the "sign" or "bedding areas" and I put my stands on the fringes out by the oaks and funnels.

I really don't think I'm that great of a hunter to be honest, I really like to hunt funnels and pinch points that move a lot of deer past me. Most of them are does, but when it gets right, there are lots of bucks to be had/seen. If I find hot sign, I hunt it and don't keep moving over the ridge to try and find hotter sign.

Any other comments or questions I'll gladly answer if I've left anything out.

Also wondering if you do any glassing or shining or just use trail cams?

I used to rely mostly on glassing and shining, in fact I did it so much my wife threatened me with some harsh punishments and I started staying home some more! I then got a couple home brew trail cameras and had a lot of fun but a lot of frustration with them as well. Now my trail cams sit primarily on mineral licks on the same farm because I'm scared they'll get ganked if I put them out elsewhere. In the fall I move them week to week on scrapes in my areas, but mostly just out of curiosity. I've yet to kill a buck I've had on trail cam.

And do you hunt for certain deer? Or just target buck rich areas?

I gave up hunting certain deer a few years ago when we had kids. If I waited for specific bucks I'd never shoot anything. I am also very very lucky that my hunting areas are mostly giant funnels and that every buck in the county tends to migrate through. I've gotten pretty good at waiting for a specific sized buck anymore as I hate to just cut horns off and throw them in the garage.

[muddy]

Just re-read my answers, there's gunna be a lot of disappointment with those boring answers.

[Bucky]

Just re-read my answers, there's gunna be a lot of disappointment with those boring answers.

Ur approach is obviously working for ya.... I'm glad I'm not a gobbler on the ground you hunt

[Dor]

"I always take an aerial map with me when I go now, I jot notes, I make maps, I circle areas to return to and a lot of times those hunches pay off"

I do the same. ALWAYS have an aerial with me.

[muddy]

Here's something I do that is quiet different than many of you. I won't drive more than 20-30 minutes for a hunting spot anymore, especially since gas got expensive and I have kids.

[Dor]

Here's something I do that is quiet different than many of you. I won't drive more than 20-30 minutes for a hunting spot anymore, especially since gas got expensive and I have kids.

Honestly, where your at you really don't need to, but none-the-less, sounds like jail to me .

[muddy]

Honestly, where your at you really don't need to, but none-the-less, sounds like jail to me .

I won't deny either opinion.

[muddy]

Just re-read my answers, there's gunna be a lot of disappointment with those boring answers.

Ur approach is obviously working for ya.... I'm glad I'm not a gobbler on the ground you hunt

I guess also just keeping a positive attitude and not being afraid to try something new when I'm in a rut also comes into play. Scouting on the way in and out from stands is key to find those hot new areas. I have a boring common sense approach, I don't try to over think things because then I get second guessing and end up parked on the side of the road mulling stand locations over.

[Spysar]

So to sum it up, your technique is living in Iowa?

How did you wind up in Iowa anyway? Born there?

[muddy]

So to sum it up, your technique is living in Iowa?

How did you wind up in Iowa anyway? Born there?

I guess that's one way to put it. Yes, born and raised.

[ Post made via Android ]

[Bucky]

So to sum it up, your technique is living in Iowa?

How did you wind up in Iowa anyway? Born there?

[dan]

So to sum it up, your technique is living in Iowa?

How did you wind up in Iowa anyway? Born there?

I guess that's one way to put it. Yes, born and raised.

[ Post made via Android ]

THATS FUNNY!

But really not a bad tactic... I know a lot of good hunters who have done well by moving to where the hunting is great... Andrae is one of them.