'09 deer hunt

[panthrcat]

This year we are doing something totally different (for us) we have built 2 tree stands, and have a trail camera out,, (haven't checked it yet, but am heading out Saturday to pull the card from it) we have a couple of friends coming in from Utah for a 2 week deer hunt,, should be interesting!! I hope to start this thread for the purpose of "logging" our events, and also attach images taken of that hunt,, stay tuned!! our company is expected on Sunday, so Monday morning is Day #1!!

Sue

[harvey lee]

I look forwrd to your reports and photo's.

Good luck.

[Jmnhunter]

MN or Ontario?

[panthrcat]

ONtario!!

[panthrcat]

we're back from 8 days hunting!! what a great time we had!! we tagged out!! got 4 bucks and 2 does!! we had some friends in from Utah, and had a blast!!!! pics and stories to follow

Sue

[Steve Foss]

Sue, that sounds totally cool. Can't wait to see the photos and story. Congrats to all involved!

[516]

So far we have 3 for 8,a 4,6 and an 8 point.

[Musky Buck]

Yesterday was gold. Had 4 relatives that took the week off and yesterday 3 of 4 took very mature bucks and a good friend called and got a monster. Here I am at work the day when it all busted loose, prior we had 1 deer down. That's how it goes, we're finding mid-week has been best as the pressure is less.

[tracker x-2]

so far we a 2 for 4 my brother got a nice 10 pt and my mom got a six pt. Hope this weekend my dad can connect with one of the big ones we know are out there.

[panthrcat]

yea, I was talking to a dude at the parking lot in town, who had a 8 point buck tied to the back of his truck and I got to yakkin at him about it,, I asked him if he was seeing any "big ones" and he replied by saying,, "nope,, all the 'big ones' are g-o-n-e" I asked "howso? where'd they all go?" and he replied "the wolves got them a-l-l"

what do you guys think?

I"m at work today, and not a lot of computer time to go through my story,, but I'll get to is asap!

Sue

[bak2MN]

the wolves will not get all the big mature bucks. They will feed on the ones they can catch. A mature buck is not a likely target for them, not saying they wont kill one here and there. But it does push them out of the area and fast.

[Musky Buck]

I would think the sick and wounded go down first. In the 70's used to find huge sheds, 80's big sheds, 90's ok sheds, 00's yearling sheds dominate. The size structure in many areas like mine is gone. Used to be every farm had a horse or two and a mix of inferior bucks. Today, few farms in my area have shootable bucks running them. It's just the way it is and without closing the season I don't know how it will recover or if it will. Been a huge decline in decent bucks the past 10 years or so.

[InTheNorthwoods]

the wolves will not get all the big mature bucks. They will feed on the ones they can catch. A mature buck is not a likely target for them, not saying they wont kill one here and there. But it does push them out of the area and fast.

This statement is not really accurate according to some articles I have read. In the case of large predators specifically (mountain lions, wolves, etc.), they will often target the older and more mature deer (mule deer and whitetails) because they are easier prey. This is because they are much more solitary than does and grown fawns, and they will often hold tighter than other animals, allowing predators to get close and/or surround them. Additionally, they are also the animals that get the most worn down or are in the toughest shape come winter due to the rigors of the rut, making their escape more difficult.