Summer/Fall journal

[LongSpur39]

Well between work and home haven't been out fishin much. That should all change from here on out. Trail cameras and attention to tree stands should add the extra to the summertime activities. Along with shootin the bow often. This morning seeing a couple of bucks small bucks together in the field sparked things a bit.

[LongSpur39]

Not much fishin ,but the woods are looking pretty good. I have noticed something ,thats somewhat different. The bach groups of bucks are smaller than the usual 6 to 8 bucks. Not that there is less bucks. They are just hangin in smaller groups and on different parts of the property. I'm sure its probably food related. Still haven't been able to figure out where the larger bucks from last year are? With the large corn fields an the readily available water on the flats. They are probably spending most of their time in the bottoms. The next month should reveal something.

[JerseyHunter]

BRO THE HRS IAM WORKING DONT REALLY HAVE MUCH TIME BUT THE MONEY REALLY HELPS.

[LongSpur39]

I have been having some bad back problems. So lately when I do get out it's like physical therapy. Hopefully they will ease up a bit before huntin season. I have degenerative spine/arthritis. i went a long time almost 6 months with no major issues. But for the past month been down right nasty. I can't sit in the boat for very long at all. And if I go fishin someone has to unload the boat,not this boy. So my fishin has been to a minimum to say the least. Just can't do it! . My little jaunts to the woods are about my only getaway right now. And even then I pay for my moments of bliss. Good thing for vicodin! ;D

[LongSpur39]

Eventhough it was around 80 today ,the woods just had that fall feeling. Some early fallen leaves on the trails is the sign it is approaching. I can't wait to sit in the stand to enjoy another archery season. Looking forward to those overcast cool days sittin atop my perch.Today made me feel it's just good to be alive. I thought of a lot of things from years past. Friends and family who can no longer sit in their favorite stands. Hunts from last year and the years before.Just a darn good day. Now if I could just get back to normal health wise. The restrictions are drivin me nuts. Back to business as usual will be most welcome. ;D ;D

[LongSpur39]

Todays adventure to the woods was pretty darn good. Still havin a few technical difficulties with trail cams. Heard lots of turkeys in the hollow,and man were they vocal. Found somethin I'm pretty sure I've never seen before or just haven't been as observant. A scrape which appears every year on an oak ridge had been hit. For the first week of september,I don't recall every seeing one this early. It was definitely opened by a large deer. My theory is that he has just lost his velvet and because of the amount of acorns this year.He might have got a little frisky while munchin on the acorns. Usually in a good acorn year there is a lot more rubbing goin on. I think the next few weeks should make for some interesting scouting.

[LongSpur39]

yesterdays scouting session went pretty good for both turkey's and deer. The farm has quite a few birds feeding in the partially cut corn fields. 3 longbeards look to be hangin in the back corner of the smallest field. May have to take the blind in with us on friday. Two of them look like 3 yr olds nice thick long ropes. The deer movement seems to be slow around the camera areas. But after doing some walking physical therapy,I found plenty of sign . And some of it looked pretty consistent goin toward a few stands. Stayin in the outskirts now,minimal disturbance time. But as always it drives me nuts not to check the cams near the stands. Depending on wind direction and weather. I atleast have the first couple,few days planned out what stands I'll be huntin. Just hope the winds cooperate.

[LongSpur39]

Well it's good to know goin on a hunch once in awhile,give's a surprise. I think the buck I've tried to get a crack it for two years has possibly given me a couple clues to his where abouts during the day. I've had the cameras set up pretty much on the perimeter of this area from on top of the hill to the bottom. I found his tracks but never was able to get him on camera? I think I have narrowed him down to 8 or 10 acres of the property. The problem is it is on a hillside ,where the winds are very unpredictable,no matter what direction it's blowing. If he is exiting it going toward the cornfields in the evening. Chances are he is coming from the same direction to enter his bedding area in the morning. I need to get more pics of him,without tipping him off. Maybe if I go to the top and walk down through the steep ravine. And then slip in from a direction he wouldn't expect danger to approach. Maybe I could get a stand in there? Have to wait and see how or if my back gets somewhat back to form ,before even thinking about that deal. the chess match begins.

[LongSpur39]

Well so far between trailcam pics,sign,and actual visuals . It is definitely looking like the deer patterns will be slightly different than last year. The deer are staying in the big woods and cover ,and it seems the areas are localized too. Some bucks are goin to the fields with daylight. But most are hangin in the woods a majority of the night. The few stands I have closer to the fields may not be so great for evening sits? The neighbor said he has hit the field a couple of nights in the past two weeks,with a spotlight. Both on top and in the flats. He said there wasn't very many bucks ,but quite a few doe's. And the bucks were out there at around 10 o'clock. I'm pretty positive that will all change in the next couple of weeks. But for the beginning of the season it could be tricky getting to the stands in the wee hours of the morning. Not all to excited about jumpin deer on the way to my stands.