Conclusion to a slow season

Well it is February in 2012 and deer season is officially over. I shot a doe 2 weeks ago for some meat but I did not get my buck this year. I actually never saw a shooter buck this year except for one in the 130" class. I found myself burned out at the end of November with no big buck encounters. Frustrated, I only hunted one day in December.

As I reflect on the year I recall how much time, effort and money I put into hunting whitetails. When you add this up with optimism, the expected returns can be high and maybe unachievable year in and year out. Dad and I decided to let go of our biggest farm this year to concentrate on hunting the smaller farms. This is also to save some of the work, time and money that has somehow reduced the importance of hunting to us.

I have to say that my wife and family were more supportive this year than I can remember. This gave me a better focus in my life about what is truly important. I enjoy a short get away but I miss my family by the third or forth day that I am gone. Hunting keeps me away from Liz and the kids I don't like that.

Today I started the process of removing stands from the woods. I look forward to next deer season and the focus on camaraderie instead of results. I am going to probably take some time off from this blog but will try to get things rolling again in the spring of 2013. Take care.

The Rut is Almost Here!

Okay, so I have slacked off a bit in keeping up on my blog but I have a great excuse. I have been hunting for the last 3 weeks. I would be lying if I said it has been a great season for me so far. It has actually been frustrating. However, three individuals that I hunt with have tagged out here in Kansas. I think this has been the longest pre-rut that I can remember. I just haven't seen a lot of peak rut activity. The little bucks are chasing does around when they can find them. The fawns are by themselves or grouped together. The big boys are moving only at night and the alpha does are almost non-existent. Any does that I have seen don't show any signs of being bred. The rut guides (provided by various private companies) all advise that the peak of the rut is really late this year and is scheduled to break free on this coming week. I hope it comes tomorrow! If you have not tagged out yet, don't worry. My my two biggest bucks were both shot in late December, well after the rut. I am not convinced the rut has officially arrived yet.

I will not tell you how many hours I have put in the tree stand already this year, on grounds that it may incriminate me with my understanding wife :), but it has been a lot. I have the next few days to hunt a cold front that is moving in but after that, I will be hunting the frigid days of December.

Aaron gives a bull buck the judo chop!

My brother-in-law, Aaron, shot an old dominant mainframe 8 point with 11 scoreable points. This buck looks like a bull with a neck that measured over 29" without his hide. Wow! I am guessing the deer is at least 7 1/2 years old. We had a picture of him last year but he has gone down hill a little since then. What a true trophy. He gross scored in the upper 130's and was a great kill with Aaron running out of time to hunt. Congrats Red Fox!
(Details on the story to follow)

Steve Knocks Down Crab Claw!

Here is a picture of Crab Claw before he was shot:




The second picture is of Crab Claw after being harvested by my cousin Steve. He ended up gross scoring in the upper 150's. This buck was on our top four hit list this year. Great job Steve!
(story of the hunt to follow)

Jeff gives the first buck in our group a dirt nap.

My brother Jeff shot a mainframe 8 point this morning. He called him all the way across a large CRP field with his coaxing grunt tube. Jeff is getting pretty good at calling and rattling deer. Good job, bro!

Brian starts off the season with a monster!

Brian is a co-worker of mine that has been hunting hard for big mature bucks over the last three or four years. He has been studying whitetail deer and is making quick progress. At the beginning of November, Brian knocked down a really nice Kansas deer (his biggest to date). I asked Brian to describe the hunt in his own words. Congratulations Brian!!

Ah...what a great day! I crept into my stand at about 5:30 this morning (early, I know) in Wabaunsee County. I got all settled in with a southeast wind at the side of my face. I started in with a rattle/grunt sequence. About thirty minutes went by. Just when I reached for the antlers again, I noticed movement from about 150 yards away. This big Kansas bruised gingerly walks in and renews a scrape at about 45 yards from my stand. My heart is pounding at this point and I was worried that he would catch my scent. He walked to the right, turned his nose up and didn't seem to like what he was smelling. So...off to the left he went. He was starting to have a diagonal approach while walking closer to me. He got into about 30 yards...had to wait for him to look away before I could draw. He finally looked back where he came from. It gave me just enough time to settle in and let an arrow fly! The arrow hit him hard. I got a double lung shot up higher than normal. He ran about 60 yards before he crashed. WHOOT!! I took him to Cabela's to have him scored by a B&C guy. He is unofficially 168 3/8". They even took a 5" deduction while tallying up the score. This is my second ever buck. I'm feeling really blessed right now.

Rebecah's 320" Bull Elk

This is a giant bull elk that was harvested in Colorado by Steamboat Springs. It was taken by the wife of one of my friends. What a beutiful animal. Great job Gary and Rebecah!