2023 Deer Pics/Chat/Excuses

[Oklahomabassin]

Bucks are starting to show back up at feeders which leads me to believe the rut is winding down or at least going through a lull. I guess it could just be the cold and snow driving them in.

Significant uptick in tracking calls, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

[BobbyV]

Bucks have started hitting our feeders more than the previous couple of weeks. Jury duty didn't pan out today so after working Tuesday-Thursday of this week I'll be heading out again on Friday to see what I can see with my crossbow. Might take a rifle just in case I see a nice bobcat or something else with fur.

 

[dennishoddy]

Opening day was a boomer for my son, dad, and myself. Dad tagged out first on a nice 8pt, then my son with a big 10 that we hadn’t seen on camera since last year, and then I took my turn on a big 8pt about 4:30pm. We’ve never killed 2 bucks in a day when all of us hunted together, let alone 3.View attachment 432201View attachment 432203View attachment 432204

What a day! Congrats to all the hunters.

 

[dennishoddy]

No big bucks here. Froze in the saddle yesterday morning until I couldn't move the toes on my left foot. Kinda cool to see snow on the ground, even though I hate the cold. Back in the saddle at 2PM, and the temp was warmer but the wind was brutal. Does actually showed up where I expected at 430. Can't eat antlers.

Can summer come back now, please?

Do you have a pic of what a saddle is? I’ve been seeing that across the net, but no pics.
No horse saddles from you jokesters. Lol!

 

[2busy]

Do you have a pic of what a saddle is? I’ve been seeing that across the net, but no pics.
No horse saddles from you jokesters. Lol!

I always called the area between two hilltops the saddle. At least everyone around here does.
Edit to add. Think of the two humps on a camel. The part in-between would be the saddle.

 

[Okie4570]

Do you have a pic of what a saddle is? I’ve been seeing that across the net, but no pics.
No horse saddles from you jokesters. Lol!

Think of it like sitting in the pouch of a sling shot hooked to a tree lol.

 

[2busy]

Think of it like sitting in the pouch of a sling shot hooked to a tree lol.

I had to look up hunting saddle, never heard of them. No thanks, looks uncomfortable like the fold up chairs that squeeze your hips.

 

[Coach_1]

Saddles are very comfortable and allow you to be more mobile. Perfect for public land hunters.

 

[TedKennedy]

I had to look up hunting saddle, never heard of them. No thanks, looks uncomfortable like the fold up chairs that squeeze your hips.

Nah, it's similar to what linesmen use to climb poles. Properly set up, I can sit/stand comfortably for hours. It took some getting used to (I bought mine in April) but now it's great. I was just saying yesterday I may get rid of a couple stands because I don't use them any more.

The only downside is it's not easy to crossbow hunt from it, though I did manage some success earlier this year. With some practice that will no doubt be easier. My very long muzzleloader is not geared for saddle hunting (or any climbing hunting) - but I made it work as well. I used an AR Sunday, as short and light is the ticket.

The huge advantage to saddles is A. they are lightweight, B. I can climb trees that would be inaccessible with a standard climber.

FWIW, I have a fear of heights and I feel safer in the saddle than I do a traditional climber. The only comparison safety-wise is a Tree Lounge, but that's fairly heavy and noisy.

 

[TedKennedy]

you can tell from this pic (from the saddle) that the tree I'm in isn't a telephone pole. It's a gnarly, forked, multi-branched disaster. It's also the only tree on the south side of this meadow that gives me a view. I would have been unable to successfully hunt this area without it.

That being said, a better tree would have been preferable. There will be some tree trimming up there in January.