Thursday, October 30, 2008 p.m.

Thursday, October 30, 2008 p.m., 68 degrees, sunny and warm, wind S 10-20 mph, sunset 6:05 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:35 p.m). My plane and baggage arrived on time from Sioux Falls and I was out the door heading for Cannon Falls. I was more excited the Michael Jackson at a boys 6th grade slumber party. After a quick shower, I got dressed and headed for the woods with "stubby" in tow. Because the wind was from the south, I decided that Arlie's Nob might be a good choice. I was all settled in my stand by 3:30 p.m. After I got settled in, I could hear a combine picking the corn up in right field. If I had know, I would have probably tried to set up over in that direction. Oh well. At 5:50 p.m., I looked to my right (north) and there was a small doe sneaking from the creek bottom heading NW along the fence line. The closest she got was 40 yards away. Unfortunately, that was it for the evening. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 doe

Tuesday October 28th

Tuesday October 28th : PM

I couldn't wait to get in the stand tonight after realizing this was the date that Bob shot his big boy last year. Since Bob was not around I decided to take his Buck Decoy out also. I decided to go to "The Ridgeback" giving the other side of the woods a break. I put the decoy North and a bit East of me. I was in the stand at 4:20.

I had absolutely nothing happening so at 6:05 I decided to grunt. (I don't have a grunt, so I use my own voice) I have never tried this before but about 5 seconds after I grunted a doe came running in from the bottom of the hill about 65 yards away. She was looking around wondering what was going on! I couldn't believe how well that had worked so I grunted again and she walked up at a steady pace until she was 15 yards from me. She then noticed the decoy and didn't know what to think.

At about 6:10 all hell broke loose in the woods. Three doe came shooting through the woods to the right of me and were heading towards the bottom of the hill down by the apple tree, but something spooked them and they turned and ran exactly back where they came from. Well, this wasn't it, they decided to head all the way back down the hill and then I lost them. During this time I noticed that another doe had kicked up behind me and slowly walked towards the ladder stand. During all of this commotion, the deer in front of me slowly walked away.

at about 6:15 the same three doe walked up the hill to that same spot where the other doe was standing. Well, it was a doe and her two fawns and she had seen both me and the decoy and didn't know what to do. She started pacing back and forth, back and forth.

I decided to grunt again. This time the Big 11 popped in from the bottom of the hill. It was starting to get dark already but he was heading up the hill at a good pace but he decided to stop at about 40 yards and watch the doe pace back and forth. He was uninterested in this so he turned around and walked away. I grunted again he stopped, I grunted again and he turned back around and started back toward me. While he had turned around, and Bob, I forgot to tell you about this, I heard two other bucks rattling horns. I couldn't see them though. I didn't know what the hell to do!!! There was so much going on.

By the time Big 11 got up the hill to me I pulled up and couldn't see my pins, I could hardly see him too. I knew there was a deer behind him and I knew it was a buck and another big one at that because I could see the rack, but couldn't count it. I grabbed the binocs and took a look. Thats when I noticed it was the Big 8. They both were looking at the decoy and at each other and at me. I don't think they knew what to think either. I watched them until about 7:20 when finally they both walked away. During that entire time they made about six scrapes, all in different spots around the decoy.

Although I missed out on the opportunity to shoot one of the big boys, this was still the best experience I have ever had during hunting! It is a great feeling see those deer and I don't know how I am going to get to bed tonight! Now comes the true question, WHERE DO I HUNT TOMORROW NIGHT?!?!?!!?!

FawnSlayer, Excited and Out!
Totals: Taylor : 7 deer : 5 doe : 2 BIG Bucks

Hunting in the Eyes of Your Wife!

This was posted by my wife the other day on our own blog.

http://www.mindiandtaylor.blogspot.com/

So- this year Taylor is trying his hand at Bow Hunting and so far- for not getting anything- he really enjoys it. He had a good opportunity to get a 6 pointer but he thought Bob wanted to keep the little guys around to grow big for the up and coming years-- but as soon as he told Bob that he let him walk away he couldn't believe it! He said that for his first time bow hunting he should have shot at it! He said it is way different then gun hunting and the next time he sees a buck no matter how big or small (unless he still has spots of course) he should try shooting at it- and once he conquers his first deer with a bow then he can work towards a trophy holder!

So-- Needless to say- Miley and I have spent our fair share of evenings by ourselves as Taylor attempts to get us some meat. But this past Saturday night he talked me into coming and sitting out in a stand with him so I could see why he likes it so much. I said under one condition... Bob lets me play his Nintendo DS- and it had to have Mah Jong Tiles on it.

So- we headed out to Bob's, got all dressed up and walked out into the woods. The stand was just big enough to fit us both but there were also a couple spots higher in the tree that I felt I could relax in so I climbed up higher and sat between some branches and played my game as we sat out there. Let's just say that I MUCH rather enjoy hanging out with Miley at home! We only saw a few squirrels and racoons-- but that is probably due to the neighbors cows that got out on Bob's property, again, earlier that day. Taylor said that if I ever saw a deer I would feel that sense of excitment and then I would enjoy sitting out there... I said- I had fun playing my game but then my fingers got cold and I see plenty of deer in the ditches when I'm driving in the country- so go ahead and enjoy this by yourself. I like playing with Miley anyway-- and I do enjoy the meat when he gets one. We are hoping this year we can get a grinder so we can make venison burger instead of so much stew meat.

And Taylor- it was alright while it lasted and Thank you for inviting me to go with you, but I think it is a hobby you will have to enjoy on your own, just like I always have to go shopping by myself. :)

Monday October 27th, 2008

Monday October 27th, 2008 : PM

After getting out of work a little later I was still able to get in the stand by 4:30. This was an exctiting night for me as Bob and I had just put this stand in Sunday afternoon. I was very excited, yet didn't expect too much because of all the action from us being in there the day before. Bob came up with the name, "The Fish Bowl" because it is in an area that kind of creates a little fish bowl affect. "The Fish Bowl" is located just below "Arlies Nob" along the fence line. It is just to the North of "The Apple Tree" but is in the woods about 40 yards.

On the way in I kicked up a doe that was bedded just below "The Apple Tree". She headed to the north in the middle of the valley. I had a bunch of turkeys just to the north of me that were flying up into the trees. I thought this was pretty neat to watch (Loud though). At about 5:45 I had a doe walk behind me (the stand faces the hill) at the base of the hill. She was just outside of the woods walking the woods line heading towards "The Apple Tree". This could have been the same doe that I had kicked up on my way in to the woods.

That was it for the night but I am excited about this stand as I have seen a lot of action in that area while sitting in "Arlies Nob".

FawnSlayer Out!
Totals Taylor: 1 deer : 1 doe

Saturday, October 25, 2008 a.m.

Saturday, October 25, 2008 a.m., 41 degrees, mostly cloudy, overcast, wind S-SW 10 mph, sunrise 7:40 a.m. (Hunting opens 7:10 a.m.). Well the wind was not ideal, but I decided to try my luck at the Ridgeback stand. I believe that Arlie still has some cows loose, so I figured the Nob and the creek bottom would not be a good option. Taylor made it out this morning and he went up to right field. At 7:35 a.m., I saw a small doe sneak through 40 yards behind me heading east towards the creek bottom. At 8:00, I had a doe (maybe the same one) come from the SE to the decoy. At 8:05, I had a doe and two fawns come from the creek bottom. They were probably scared by the six cows that are loose. I called Arlie and told him again that his cows were loose. I told him that if Rusty didn't stop by and apologize, I would be working on fixing the fence on November 8, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. This just happens to be the Minnesota gun deer opener. Later that afternoon, Rusty and his son did stop over. It started as a very heated discussion but ended up okay. They told me that the cows are now put away for the winter and that they should not be bothering me anymore. I recommended that we fix the fence starting next spring so we can avoid a similar situation next year. He agreed and we exchanged phone numbers. Overall, I think it went well. Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 5 does; Taylor - 0 deer.

Friday, October 24, 2008, p.m.

Friday, October 24, 2008 p.m., 51 degrees, overcast and cool, wind W- NW 8-10 mph, sunset 6:13 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:43 p.m). With just about everything being screwed up because of the cows, I had really no choice but to go up to Right Field. The wind was less then ideal, but at least I was out hunting. I thought sooner or later my luck just had to change. I got into the stand about 4:15 p.m., and settled in for the evening. Ironically, 10 minutes after I got settled in, I heard the familiar sound of Rusty's ATV and him yelling for his cows. Hopefully, I pray, he was actually able to fix the fence this time. All I can say is it didn't take him very long as I heard the ATV start up and leave about 20 minutes later. Now I am really worried. As far as the hunting goes, no surprise that tonight was uneventful. If I were a deer I would be somewhere else too. Totals: 0 deer.

Friday, October 25, 2008 a.m.

Friday, October 25, 2008 a.m., 54 degrees, mostly cloudy, overcast, light rain, wind E-SE 2 mph, sunrise 7:39 a.m. (Hunting opens 7:09). This morning , I decided to give the border patrol stand another try. I left the house with my rattling antlers and my buck decoy to see if I could rattle up a big boy. I guess I did. Unfortunately it was Arlie's cows. I couldn't believe what I saw once the sun was up. 12-15 of his cows were in the creek bottom and 3 were actually standing in the food plot. Needless to say, I was livid. I decided to get down at 7:30 a.m., and push his cows out of the creek bottom. I got them back through the hole in the fence and tried to patch it as best as I could. I then called Arlie. I must admit, this time I was not as nice as I have been in the past. I guess what pisses me off most as neither Arlie or Rusty ever apologize. It drives me crazy. I told him to tell Rusty that I will be chainsawing and playing loud music all along my fence line the opening morning of Minnesota's gun season. I guess there is something to be said about the old saying "good fences make good neighbors.". Totals: 0 deer, 12 cows.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 p.m.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 p.m., 54 degrees, overcast and cool, wind E-SE 13-17 mph, sunset 6:14 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:44 p.m). After having a talk with Arlie last night, I hope that my problems with cows and Rusty have ended. With the wind being out of the east, I figured that I better give the ladder another try. This time I decided to add a little something new to my set up...my buck decoy "Stubby.". I named him after my older brother Steve, and you can guess why. :) I put him 10 yards upwind of me on the trail facing towards me. I figured if any bucks came from the east, they would see him and try to circle him to get his attention. If he does, he will hopefully do it in one of my shooting lanes. A similar set up worked perfectly on October 28, 2008 (see blog from last year) over at Arlie's Nob on a beautiful 10 pointer. At 4:45 p.m., I saw some movement out in the field. I looked through the binoculars and it was a hen and 3 tom turkeys feeding on my beans. They slowly fed to the east and walked right past the feeder. I did get some video. Five minutes later, I looked to the north and 2 does and a fawn snuck in on me. They ended up circling around me to the west and did get down wind of me. Fortunately, they didn't spook and just ended up feeding north west towards the field. At 6:10 p.m., two does came running through 70 yards to the south of me heading east. Five minutes later, I saw 3 does to the south feed to the east into my bean field. That was it. Totals: Bob - 7 deer, 7 does.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 p.m.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 p.m., 41 degrees, overcast and rainy, wind E 12-17 mph, sunset 6:15 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:45 p.m). I had another early start this morning, so I thought I would reward myself with an evening hunt. Unfortunately, it has been the worst weather day we have had all month. I looked at the radar, and it appeared as though we were going to have about a 2-3 hour window without any rain. I figured with the temperature cooling down, it might trigger some pre-rut movement. I was all settled in by 4:30 p.m. at the ladder stand. At 6:05, I looked the left (north) and saw a small 6 pointer feeding about 40 yards away. About 2 minutes later, I noticed he was not alone as the was a really nice 1 1/2 year old 8 pointer with him. Just as they started working closer Rusty, his ATV and the cows started getting closer. Once they got to 100 yards, the bucks got nervous and took off to the east. This is really starting to piss me off. That was it while I was on the stand. As I walked out I kicked 7 deer the were eating beans in my field. Totals: 2 deer, 2 bucks

Monday, October 20 , 2008 p.m.

Monday, October 20, 2008 p.m., 58 degrees, mostly sunny, wind N 10-15 mph, sunset 6:17 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:47 p.m). It was an early morning as I had to drive all the way out to the south western part of Minnesota. I don't mind getting up early to hunt, but this work thing can be challenging. Regardless, I was pleasantly surprised when I got home that my farmer was out cutting my beans. Since I was late, and I generally love to hunt over a newly picked field, I decided to try the ladder stand. I have found that deer love a freshly picked field as it is easy to scrounge around and find food. Lastly, the wind was good and I could sneak in under the noise of the tractor. I was all settled in by 4:25 p.m. At 6:05 p.m., I looked to my right and could barely see a doe about 100. Yards to the south of me already in the bean field. There may have been more, but it was too tough to see through all of the leaves. At 6:40 p.m., I looked to my right (south) toward the field and I saw some movement. By the time I got my binoculars up it had already moved into the trees. Fortunately, there was a second deer behind it and I was able to identify it as a small buck. They worked behind me to the west and the started grunting towards one another. They ended up meeting and I could hear them push back and forth and hear their antlers rattling together. The smaller 6 pointer ended up walking north and headed over toward the NW territory stand. After about 5 minutes, the really nice 8-10 pointer (not very wide though) appeared in my shooting lane about 10 yards to the south of me. He then walked to the main trail just to the south east of me at 12 yards. I tried to get some video but it was just to dark. I could see my pin; no problem with him being this close, but I really want to get this years shot on video for the blog. I would guess that it was a 2 1/2 year old deer with about a 16" spread. He would score 120-130." He ended up walking slowly to the east and disappeared over by the "X" stand. Totals; Bob - 3 deer, 1 Doe and 2 Bucks

Sunday. October 19, 2008 p.m.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 p.m., 52 degrees, mostly sunny, wind S-SW 8-10 mph, sunset 6:18 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:48 p.m). I decided it was time to give the creek bottom a try. I was able to sneak in undetected to the creek bottom and was settled in by 4:15 p.m. Taylor decided to try the ladder stand, and was in by 4:30 p.m. At 5:45 p.m., I had 2 does 50 yards behind me to the north. At 6:10.p.m., I looked back again behind me and there was another huge doe standing about 40 yards away. It may have been of the same deer from earlier, but I don't think so. She must of smelled me because she blew and took of to the NE. That was it. At 6:30 p.m., Taylor had 4 does come in from the NE and ended up feeding about 30-40 yards to the east of him. Totals: Bob - 3 deer, 3 does;Taylor - 4 deer, 4 does.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 a.m.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 a.m., 50 degrees, partly sunny, wind S-SW 10-15 mph, sunrise 7:32 a.m. (Hunting opens 7:02 a.m). This morning, I decided to try my luck from Right Field. Taylor made it out this morning as well and he decided to go to Arlie's Nob. At 7:25 a.m., Taylor saw two does that came in behind him to the NE. One of the does bedded about 60 yards away from him. At 8:00 a.m., Taylor had a huge doe sneak in to the NW to about 30 yards and then she sensed something she didn't like and she spooked. When Taylor got down at 9:00 a.m., he walked down toward the NE where he saw the deer. When he came over the top of the ridge, about 8 deer (all does) jumped up and ran to the north. At 8:15 a.m., I decided to get down and sneak over to the Pisa stand. I was getting cold and the wind was just too much. I just didn't think the deer would move in those kind of conditions. I was right...nothing. As I was walking back up the hill to the house, a big doe jumped up that was bedded down to the north of the trail and ran up the hill to the N. Totals: Bob - 0 deer, Taylor - 3 deer, 3 does.

Saturday, October 18, 2008 p.m.

Saturday, October 18, 2008 p.m., 53 degrees, mostly sunny, wind S-SE 15 mph, sunset 6:18 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:48 p.m). Since the creek bottom was all screwed up by Arlie's cows, I decided to go to Arlie's Nob. I figured the deer might be used to the cows and Rusty's ATV cruising up and down the fence line. Well, I was wrong. Thanks to the cows getting loose...nothing. Hopefully tomorrow. Totals: Bob - 0 deer

Saturday, October 18, 2008 a.m.

Saturday, October 18, 2008 a.m., 32 degrees, mostly sunny, wind 0 mph, sunrise 7:31 a.m. (Hunting opens 7:01 a.m). The wind was nonexistent and I thought I should head back to the Border Patrol stand. Taylor made it out this morning to and he went to the ladder stand. I was settled in by 6:30 a.m., and by 6:45 a.m., all hell broke loose over by the creek stand. I never saw them but heard them walking, scraping, grunting, and mewing. Just need them to come my way. I had thought about going there this morning, but I didn't think I would be able to get in there quietly enough. I was probably right as they more then likely would have spooked. At 7:50 a.m., I had two coyotes 40 yard to the east of me. They moved through too fast for a shot. Damn. At 7:53 a.m., Taylor had a buck come in from the NE. It kind of turned off to the north. At 7:55 a.m., Taylor had a small 6 pointer walk by him. It may have been the same one. Shortly there after he had a doe take off about 30 yards to the north of him. It took off to the north east. At 8:15, I looked over my shoulder and saw what I think was the same 6 pointer walking down the sledding hill. He came right down the trail heading east and walked past me at 10 yards. I am having some trouble attaching the video. I will have to do it later. He then circled around 2 the east of me and went south. Five minutes later, I heard a loud noise and looked to the NE and saw three of Arlie's cows walking through. They got through a hole in his fence. As I was in the stand I called him with my cell phone to tell him. This is getting ridiculous. It pissed me off so bad that after 25 minutes of watching them, I decided to get down. I did kick up a couple on the way out. One was on the sledding hill and one was to the south of me. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 buck. Taylor - 2 deer, maybe 3, could have seen the same buck twice.

Friday, October 17, 2008 p.m.

Friday, October 17, 2008 p.m., 52 degrees, mostly cloudy, wind SW 0-2 mph, sunset 6:19 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:49 p.m). Tonight, I decided to go back to Right Field. Steve made it down here as he is heading down to Wisconsin after tonight's for the "earn a buck" gun hunt. He decided to go to Arlie's nob. At 6:15, Steve had three does come in from the north. One ended up coming within 7 yards. The other two fed to the east and stayed north of him. I didn't see anything tonight. I did hear one as I was walking out. Totals: Bob - 0 deer, Steve - 3 deer, 3 does.

Friday, October 17, 2008 a.m.

Friday, October 17, 2008 a.m., 43 degrees, mostly cloudy, slight sprinkle, wind 0 mph, sunrise 7:30a.m. (Hunting opens 7:00 a.m). The wind was nonexistent and I thought the bucks would start to move so I decided to give the border patrol stand a try for the first time. Taylor went to Arlie's Nob. Unfortunately for him, he kicked up a bunch of deer that were up near the apple tree stand on his way in. At 8:00 a.m., Taylor did see 5 does and fawns that came in from the east hung around about 50 yards away for a while. At 8:30 a.m., He had a two does and a fawn come from the SW and walk to the west of him at about 20 yards. When he tried to take a picture, they eventually spooked. At 8:35 a.m., I had 4 doe come out to the east of me. They all fed north about 40 yards away. At 9:10 a.m., a doe walked down the sledding hill 125 yards to the west of me. She turned a went towards the food plot. Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 5 does, Taylor - 8 deer, 8 does and fawns.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 p.m.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 p.m., 52 degrees, mostly sunny, wind S-SW 5-10 mph, sunset 6:20 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:50 p.m). It was an easy choice tonight. I decided to go back and hunt at Right field. Taylor made it out as well and he went to the Ridgeback stand. As I was walking in, I kicked a deer (I think it was a doe) that was bedded near the top of the hill. I took off and ran to the NE. At 5:30 p.m., Taylor had a big buck come from the SE. He was following three does. The does all came to within 30 yards, but the buck stayed out around 60 yards. He thinks it was the tall 6 pointer. At 5:40 p.m., I had a nubbin come from the east and ended up 5 yards to the north of my stand. He fed north towards center field and eventually disappeared over the hill. That was it. Totals: Bob - 1 nubbin, Taylor - 3 does and 1 buck.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 a.m.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 a.m., 39 degrees, mostly sunny, wind W-SW 1-2 mph, sunrise 7:28 a.m. (Hunting opens 6:58 a.m). After a short nights sleep, I decided to give Right Field another try. Taylor made it out this morning, and he decided to go to the Apple Tree. I kicked up a few deer on the way in, but was settled in by 6:40 a.m. I must say in the future, I need to try to get in the stand a bit earlier. At 7:30 a.m., I looked to the SW and saw some corn stalks moving on the edge of the field. I picked up my binoculars and saw the big 6 pointer on the edge of the field. I was able to shoot some quick video. (See attached). He started to head off to the SW, so I grunted to see if I could turn him around. He did turn and start walking my way, but he turned off and went down the hill towards the food plot. It was fun to see. I must say that I was not to disappointed as I wouldn't have shot him anyways. I think if he can make it one more year, he will be really nice. At 8:15 a.m., I had a coyote sneak in behind me to the NE. I couldn't get turned around fast enough for the shot. Taylor saw a few deer from the Apple tree, but they were all up on my hill and too far away for a shot. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 buck, Taylor a few.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 p.m.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 p.m., 55 degrees, mostly sunny, wind N-NW 15-20 mph, sunset 6:21 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:51 p.m). John Score (aka Johnny C Fkr), Steve and I all got out tonight for the hunt. Steve went to Arlie's Nob, John went to the Ridgeback stand, and I went to Right field. John kicked up 4 does on the way in and Steve kicked up a nice 8 pointer and a doe. At 6:05 p.m., I saw a nubbin buck about 25 yards to the SE of me in the corn. At 6:15 p.m., I saw another doe appear in the same spot. Probably the nubbin's mom. They fed down wind of me for 20 minutes before they took off. They must have smelled something they didn't like. At 6:35, I had another doe (maybe the same one appear to the SE of me). At 7:05 p.m., I had a great 8 pointer come from the north. I would guess that he would have scored in the 130's. He walked directly underneath the center field stand. He then went through the shooting lane to the west, jumped the fence and disappeared into the corn. It was dark, but I decided to pass up the shot. He was probably the biggest body deer I have ever seen. John saw saw a doe and a nubbin. He said that he was able to see a first. He actually saw the nubbin mount its mom. Pretty cool. Steve ended up seeing the same two deer that John saw just at dark. He also saw three Tom turkeys Totals: Bob 4 deer- 3 does and 1 buck, John - 1 doe and 1 nubbin, Steve- 1 doe and 1 nubbin.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 p.m. - Full Moon

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 p.m., 52 degrees, mostly cloudy/overcast, wind E-SE 10-15 mph, sunset 6:27 p.m. (Hunting closes 6:57 p.m). Today I got home from work and it was a perfect night for hunting. Tonight is going to be a full moon, so I just had to get to a stand. After a quick shower, I decided to try my luck in the Ridgeback stand. I kicked up a couple of does on the way in that were bedded about 40 yards to the SE of the stand. I climbed up and was all settled in by 5:15 p.m. At 5:50 p.m., two does came up the hill and fed to the south about 60 yards to the east of me. For some reason, they both spooked back into the creek bottom. They must have been the same deer I kicked up on the way in. At 5:55 p.m., a small 6 pointer came from the south and feed along about 40 yards to the south of me. He looked like he was kind of heading towards Arlie's Nob. (See attached video) At 6:25, I looked towards the NE and saw two does working there way towards the house. They passed by about 30 yards to the east of me. They may have been the two small nubbin's that I have been seeing. Overall, a good night. Totals: 5 deer, 4 does and 1 buck.

Doe Double

undefined

Saturday, October 11, 2008 a.m. - Doe Double

Saturday, October 11, 2008 a.m. 59 degrees, mostly sunny, wind E - SE 5-10 mph, Sunrise 7:15 a.m. (Hunting Opener 6:45 a.m.). Well the pressure was on. I needed to shoot a doe down in Wisconsin so that I "earned" my buck. I decided to go back to the north side and sit in Lon's gun stand. I was settle in by 6:20 a.m. Things started right away. At 6:55 a.m., I heard something in front of me to the north in the corn. All of a sudden two does popped out. The biggest trotted through my shooting lane to the north of me, but paused long enough in the shooting lane to the NE. I took the walking quartering away shot at about 20 yards. The shot looked a bit back, but with the quartering away angle I thought that I was in good shape. As I sat there at 7:05 a.m., another doe came down the trail to the east of me going south. She stopped and drank water from the watering hole and then disappeared behind me to the south. At 7:15 a.m., two does came from behind me down in the valley. They both stopped in the shooting lane to the west of me. I decided to take the 12 yard broad side shot and it was perfect. It took off to the SW after the shot. I thought that I heard it go down, but I decided to get down, sneak out the other direction and go and get some help. We waited 2 hours and Heidi and I started to trail the second doe first. We found both parts of the arrow within the first 10 yards. She then opened up and we found her within site of the stand. I would guess that she traveled about 30 yards. I was right, as it was a perfect heart shot. After cleaning the first one, we decided to start looking for the second one. Since both deer were shot about 10 yards apart, it was kind of difficult to figure out which blood trail was which. After about 10 minutes, I found the trail and we followed that down the new road into the valley. She made it about 70 yards and died right on one of the water bars. As I thought, it was a perfect quartering away shot and it took out the heart as well. If you have not gotten them yet, I would highly recommend "luminocks" as it was very easy to determine the flight of my arrow and see the hit. So now, I have two buck tags in my pocket. One for bow season in 2008 and one for gun in 2008. Or, I can always use it them in 2009. Very happy. (See attached) I was a little disappointed that I had forgotten to hit the record button on the first doe, so no video. Unfortunately, the angle of my camera was off, so the video that I did get on the second one was a too high. I was able to get the technical difficulties figured out, so now I am ready for when the buck shows up. Totals: 4 deer, 4 does.

Friday, October 10, 2008 a.m.

Friday, October 10, 2008 p.m., 54 degrees, mostly cloudy/overcast, wind E-SE 10-15 mph, sunrise 7:22 a.m. (Hunting opens 6:52 a.m). After a short nights rest (hockey practice last night), and a long week of (work in South Dakota), I finally made it out. With the wind from the S-SE I thought I should give right field a try. After kicking up a few deer on the way in, I was all settled in by 6:40 a.m. Nothing all morning. As I was walking out, I did kick up a couple of deer (I think they were does) that were bedded near "Pisa." After that, I decided to go and check the cameras. I was very pleased with what I saw. It looks like "big 11" is still around and he picked up a buddy (nice 8 pointer). Take a look at the size of his body. Wow! I hope he is still around, as he is the one that I have picked out for this year. Totals: 0 deer

Sunday, October 5, 2008 a.m.

Sunday, October 5, 2008 a.m., 45 degrees, mostly cloudy, rain, wind E-SE 5 mph., sunrise 7:06 a.m. (hunting opens 6:36 a.m.) After a short nights sleep (Steve and I drove back from Madison after the badger football game), we decided to head out and try our luck in the same stands as yesterday on the north side of Hwy 171. We were settle into our stands by 6:05 a.m. By 6:40 a.m., we were welcomed with a slight drizzle. We sat in the rain until 7:30 a.m., when I finally determined that it was not going to stop raining. It is not fun getting wet, and even worse yet tracking a deer in the rain. In hind sight, I am glad we got down because it continue to rain the better part of the day. Unfortunately, I am off in South Dakota for the week, so there will be no hunting until the weekend. Good luck to all. Totals: 0 deer.

Saturday, October 4, 2008 am

Saturday, October 4, 2008 a.m., 42 degrees, mostly sunny, wind E 3-5 mph, sunrise 7:05 a.m. (Hunting opens 6:35 a.m). Well after a good nights rest, Steve and I decided to try our luck on the north side of the highway. Steve went to Lon's gun stand and I went to the north VAT. We were both settled in by 6:10 a.m. As I was climbing in, I kicked a couple of deer off of the neighbors clover field. At 6:55 a.m., a nice doe and a small buck 4-6 pointer came out into the neighbors clover field about 100 yards to the N of me. After about 5 minutes, they spooked and took off to the west. At 7:05 a.m., I figured out what spooked them. A small 5 pointer (see attached video clips) appeared to the NE of me. He decided to walk back and forth in front of me about 10 yards away. He finally walked by me about 10 yards to the north and went out into the clover. He eventually worked his way around me and did get down wind. I think he could smell something that he didn't like after about 5 minutes left to the NW. That was it for me. Steve had good luck as well, even though he never made it into the actual stand. Once he got to the tower, he realized that we had forgotten to put out the ladder. He was forced to sit at he bottom and it probably cost him a shot at a doe. He did see 4 deer and 6 tom turkeys, but unfortunately nothing presented a shot. Oh well. Totals: Bob: 3 Deer, 2 Bucks and 1 doe. Steve: 4 does

Friday, October3, 2008 p.m.

Friday, October 3, 2008 p.m., 62 degrees, mostly sunny, wind S-SE 2-5 mph, sunset 6:44 p.m. (Hunting close 7:14 p.m). After an eventful afternoon of moving and clearing out shooting lanes for two portable hanging stands, I decided it was time to do a little hunting. I decided that the wind was right and I really hadn't disturbed the area up by acorn alley. I got into the stand and was all settled by 5:00 p.m. All I heard was turkeys that flew up at the end of the night to the south of me. Totals: 0 deer

Friday, October 3, 2008 a.m.

Friday, October 3, 2008 p.m., 43 degrees, mostly sunny, wind SW 3-5 mph, sunrise 7:04 a.m. (Hunting opens 6:34 a.m). After a late hockey practice up in the cities, I knew that I was not going to be able to fall asleep. Therefore, I decided to get an early start on the weekend and drive down to Wisconsin to do a little hunting at Copper Creek. After a short nights rest (I got in a little before 1 a.m.), I got up and decided to give it a try from my bow stand below the rock out crop on the plateau south of the creek. My goal this weekend is to shoot a "lady" or two (Wisconsin is "earn-a-buck) so that I am ready for rut and the gun season next month. After I parked the Ranger at the bottom of the hill, I started to walk up the hill towards my stand. As I crested the hill, I kicked up a couple of deer that ran to the south. I got into my stand and was all settled in by 6:20 a.m. At 6:40 a.m., I heard a deer up the hill to the west of me walking down on the upper switchback. For some reason, it blew out a warning call and took off to the south. The only thing that I can figure is the temperature inversion screwed me and it got wind of me. Oh well. At 7:50 a.m., two hen turkeys walked by about 30 yards to the north of me heading west. At 8:15 a.m., I looked back towards the south and saw a tail of a deer on the trail near the ladder stand. By the time I turned around with the binoculars it was gone. That was it. I got down around 9:00 a.m. Totals: 1 deer

Saturday, October 4, 2008 p.m.

Saturday, October 4, 2008 p.m., 64 degrees, mostly sunny, wind SE 10 mph. I decided to head out to Arlies Knob for the night. I decided to head out early after missing the morning hunt. Got to the stand at 3:50 after not kicking up anything on the way in. At 6:15 I noticed a doe about 75 yards to the North of me. She ended up walking to about 20 yards from me. Being the rookie bow hunter I was tempted to take a shot. She was a big doe and I tried to snap a picture but my phone died just as I tried. After about 10 minutes she took off and I figured if I was going to shoot a doe that I could wait for a shorter shot! The bucks must have followed Bob to Wisconsin this weekend. Hopefully he has had better luck than the Fawnslayer! Totals: 1 deer, 1 doe.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 p.m.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 p.m., 57 degrees, mostly sunny, wind NW 9 mph, sunset 6:54 p.m. (Hunting close 7:24 p.m). Well tonight I didn't have much of a choice as I had a meeting end late and I still had to drive home, feed the dogs, shower, and change. With this being said, I figured that I would try to sneak into the ladder stand. I had just walked into the woods at 5:45 p.m., when I kicked up 5 deer that ran to the north east and ran down towards Arlie's nob. At 6:45 p.m., two does and a fawn passed through 75 yards to the South East of me heading towards the bean field. That was it while I was in the stand. While on my way back to the house, I kicked up a big deer that ran about 40 yards to the south of me heading to the east. It joined two other deer in the small food plot behind the house and then disappeared into the woods to the north east. Totals: 3 deer, 2 does and 1 fawn.