Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Hunting reports....


nbadger23

Recommended Posts

Had a small buck come in. Drew back, settled in at twenty yards behind the shoulder and let it go smile

Either he moved or I screwed up, because the arrow ended up center punching him..... frown I highly doubt I caught any of the lungs.....

The arrow has dark liver blood and some stomach contents mixed in with the first 10' of the blood trail (where I stopped). He ran off fast and over the hill out of sight.

I backed out quietly and will be after him real late tonight with a tracking hound in case the blood trail peters out.

Sucks, but it is what it is. I'm 95% confident I will find him stone dead within 200 yards, but he will just need some time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 168
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • B-man715

    20

  • nbadger23

    17

  • DonBo

    13

  • archerystud

    8

B-man, if you got liver and you backed out.. AND no one else bumped him, you'll find him close like you thought. The only thing I'd mention is that unfortunately, and for reasons I'll never understand, I think Minnesota doesn't allow tracking dogs so maybe just check that out before you go.

Edited after seeing you are in WI.... I hope the dog helps out!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

B-man, if you got liver and you backed out.. AND no one else bumped him, you'll find him close like you thought. The only thing I'd mention is that unfortunately, and for reasons I'll never understand, I think Minnesota doesn't allow tracking dogs so maybe just check that out before you go.

10-4 nbadger, I forgot to mention this was in Wisconsin.

But if I ever needed to use a hound in Minnesota, I would just be "coon hunting" wink

Why any state would prohibit a leashed hound for tracking a deer is beyond me..... The Land of 10,000 Laws frown

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree B-man, stupid stupid stupid stupid law.. and should I add - it's a flipping stupid law. In a time where we fight so many anti-hunting groups there no reason to try to give hunters every aid possible to help find their deer. Good luck!!

As far as hunting goes, I am just looking forward to spending some time in the tree tomorrow where I'm not getting sea sick from the swaying and not having to worry about the tree coming down with me in it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Screw that "law". No respectable CO would cite you for doing that. Of they did, well I'd pay the fine and give him a piece of my mind.

Good luck! You'll find him!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I gave the deer five hours before heading in. We started at the shot and had a walkable blood trail for about a hundred yards, then pin drops for 50...... then nothing.....

My beagle kept on walking, and walking. I was pretty sure we were just going on a fun walk after few minutes. But after another 250 yards he brought me right to a bed with a small amount of dark blood in it frown

I never would have found it on my own, especially at night. Hounds are simply amazing creatures.

There were two other trucks at the parking area after I shot the deer earlier, so I guess it's possible one of them could have bumped him on their walk out, or if was still somehow alive, my dog and I very well could have too. It was hard to say if it was fresh because it was snowing lightly and melting when it hit the ground. I backed out again to play it safe and will give it a go in the morning.

The odds are really stacked against me now, the scent trail will be very cold, but I have to at least give it a shot.

One positive thing is that area is pretty mature, so if the dog can't follow the trail I at least have a decent shot at seeing the deer from a distance.

It's a huge bummer, and I feel terrible for putting any animal through this, but I will try my absolute best at recovering him.

Take care guys and wish me luck in the a.m., I will need it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good luck B-man! It always is easier to track during daylight and like you said, you may be able to see him at some point. Any water sources nearby? Deer may get thirsty and wander that direction. Last liver shot deer I found must have been grazing along and just tipped over as he still had a mouthful of grass. Let us know how things turn out for you.

Tunrevir~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yesterday's wind made things interesting. I saw nothing in the morning till 11 or so when I took a break to switch areas. Drove about 15 miles to another area, got all re-dressed, set up in a new stand for the evening. Quiet until 4:30 when all hell broke loose. Grunting, growling, and roaring, deer running around. A big buck had a hot doe holed up in an island of trees an brush about 100 yards away. Two smaller 8 pointers were trying to get to her. Crazy for a bit. Then she started heading my way across the picked corn. He was right behind her and watching the other buck that was still hanging around. They got to about 40 yards and she hung up. No shot with branches in the way. They eventually turned and went back. Very close call. Big beautiful 8 pointer, 20" inside, 12 and 10" tines, 6" brow tines. Of course the little 8 was standing in the wide open at 20 yards. This morning quiet, two little bucks out wandering. Shaping up to be a nice evening tho, hope I can get a repeat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I gave it an honest effort today. My dog was able to track the deer another 200 yards from the bed last night. We came to a stand still at a blowdown crossing a skidder road with one drop of blood where the buck had stopped deciding which way to go.

We put on 5 miles (gps) looking for the deer, and I hate to say we were unable to recover it. I truly feel we gave him enough time, but things don't always turn out the way we hope. I shot my bow today to make certain everything was up to par, and it was......

Good luck to all of you guys, it's going to be hard for me to go after another deer this year with the bow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's too bad B-man, but you did what you could. It almost makes me wonder if he's still alive?

I sat 8 hours today and saw the big fat 0. I expected a lot more than that given the weather change and the possible storm moving in tomorrow but not a thing. Very few shots fired by the slug hunters either. I did almost get run over by a high speed rabbit on my walk in this morning though, that was kind of funny.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided to forego the pumpkin patch and bow hunt this afternoon. Sat from 1 till dark in the heart of the metro zone. It was a really great night to be out, very little wind and nice and crisp. Unfortunately though no deer. Lots of squirrels to keep me entertained though. I was also surprised to have 2 other hunters in the woods with me. I was hoping to have the place to myself with it being the opening weekend. I'll be back at it next weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where oh where have all the deer gone? I'm guessing my pressure + slug hunting pressure has caused the lack of sightings. I will be backing off of things until later this week.

If anyone was hunting ag field edges last night or this a.m. - were the deer out feeding?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any fresh reports?

Between gun season and the 12" of snow, things have really cooled down in the woods for me. I haven't seen a deer in the past 4 sits. Taking today off, but will get back after it tomorrow. Freezer's empty - not going to be real picky now! Does still get a pass though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw 4 this morning on a metro hunt, but even when there's no guns around, these deer are spooky! Saw a doe and fawn together, a forkie and another big lone doe just contentedly feeding. No hint of rut activity from any of these deer.

Did see a bruiser cruising through a residential area early on the drive down.

Jeez, it was cold. I'd sure like to be done...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I finally saw a deer!!! After kicking up that big buck and doe right near the house at lunch time I decide to sneak in the back way to a stand that maybe they'd come by tonight. They didn't but I had a cool encounter with a very nice buck that I would have loved to have shot. I turned him my way with a grunt call and got him to attack a tree and make a scrape in response to some snort wheezes but he just wouldn't take the right trail. He toyed with me long enough for my hands to have nearly frozen off ..lots of fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seen some chasing last night out have about 7 inches of snow. I'm hoping when I get up to WI tonight that the same is going on for tomorrow morning stand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.