2024 Deer Season Stories/Pics/Etc.

[Steelers Fan]

Even with deer season over for me, I still can’t stop thinking about it, and this is the kind of random stuff I ponder.
I’ve observed an interesting phenomenon over the years of hunting on the Salt Fork, and that is there are some bucks that don’t seem to want to cross the big river. I’m sure they all do when they’re looking for loving, but it’s only rarely that I’ll see the same buck on my northern most camera and on my southern most camera which is on the south side of the river.
The buck I killed last month was one of those river crossers. I know from camera activity and actually “seeing” him that he made the round to every feeder I have, and I have little doubt to the neighbor’s too.
The buck I killed in October only visited the two feeders I have in what I call “the middle” which is about 150 acres between the big river and the smaller wet weather river channel, but I know for a fact that he was visiting the neighbor’s place.
These are things you learn from cameras that you would only know otherwise by sitting in the stand and in my opinion what makes them an invaluable scouting tool.

The October buck hadn't caught wind of what was to come yet. He was still in the normal, early feeding pattern. Hitting only the feeders close to his preferred bedding area. Also, travel is not conducive to October temperatures in a fur coat. The November buck was bar hoppin'. Cruisin' the deer trail highways, scent checking bedding areas enroute to every bar and restaurant in his territory and maybe beyond. He's done with one and on the run for another interesting night of fun!
As for cameras, they are incredible tools. They have their place but can be misleading too. You can gather intel from them but your always behind the curve. Everything you record is what has happened and not what is to come from each transitional part of the season. As Roland Martin said, "I've lost some tournaments fishing for memories." It still requires a season or two to understand their overall movements. The cellular models seem great because you don't have to field check them and blow, educate and be patterned by the very buck you're trying to outsmart. Don't outsmart yourself. I don't hardly use them anymore. Once you've hunted an area and know the common, seasonal patterns, you'll understand that you can only kill them if you are there.

 

[retrieverman]

The October buck hadn't caught wind of what was to come yet. He was still in the normal, early feeding pattern. Hitting only the feeders close to his preferred bedding area. Also, travel is not conducive to October temperatures in a fur coat. The November buck was bar hoppin'. Cruisin' the deer trail highways, scent checking bedding areas enroute to every bar and restaurant in his territory and maybe beyond. He's done with one and on the run for another interesting night of fun!
As for cameras, they are incredible tools. They have their place but can be misleading too. You can gather intel from them but you’re always behind the curve. Everything you record is what has happened and not what is to come from each transitional part of the season. As Roland Martin said, "I've lost some tournaments fishing for memories." It still requires a season or two to understand their overall movements. The cellular models seem great because you don't have to field check them and blow, educate and be patterned by the very buck you're trying to outsmart. Don't outsmart yourself. I don't hardly use them anymore. Once you've hunted an area and know the common, seasonal patterns, you'll understand that you can only kill them if you are there.

You might be right about the October buck, but the December buck was back and forth from the north feeder to the south feeder in July and August.

We’re going to have to agree to disagree on the usefulness of cameras.

 

[Steelers Fan]

You might be right about the October buck, but the December buck was back and forth from the north feeder to the south feeder in July and August.

We’re going to have to agree to disagree on the usefulness of cameras.

I agree with you more than disagree. Deer are not all the same and they have their own personalities and traits. Studies have shown that. We all search for the combination to unlock the secret while continually trying to outguess the variables. I just seen a video on a buck that traveled 3 miles quite regularly. Going across numerous properties past a score of hunters and landowners. All of the places between and at each end had photos of that buck. He'd weave his way under the cloak of darkness and in mid-day sun thru thickets and terrain, foiling all those along the way. Meanwhile an equivalent buck stays tail tucked on a quarter acre, content with breeding just a couple of local does. Curiosity killed the cat and greed gets a lot of bucks killed. Cameras let you know what's there, at least in front of the camera. If you have a large property or numerous properties, cameras will increase your odds. For me, I only have a couple of small parcels to hunt so it comes down to timing. I go when I can - when conditions are favorable. Sometimes, more so in the past, the photos have made me greedy. Then I'd make the mistake by going at a less favorable time, not even knowing I boogered it up.

 

[dennishoddy]

And you wonder why you never draw an antelope tag…

Never drew an elk tag either. I was a helper for a friend that did draw.

 

[Dorkus]

I used my cart to bring three elk from the Wichita Mountain Refuge. Two bulls and a cow.
You need a lot of trot line cord to lace them in.

Bungy cord is the way to go. A little trick we learned from our goose cart.

 

[kwaynem]

I use a ratchet strap or paracord