Pre Season Scouting 2011

The trail cameras have been checked a few times over the last couple of weeks and, quite frankly, we've been a little disappointed with the amount of pictures we've gotten.  Whether it is camera malfunctions, the heat, or the standing corn we're not getting the amount of pictures we're used to.  The fun part is trying to figure out the variables and start patterning the deer.....once we can get the cameras working properly.

In addition to checking the cameras, we were able to get some work done out at the land last weekend.  On Friday 7/29,  the mid north food plot got sprayed for weeds, we checked the ladder stand by the water fall, and moved James' ladder stand on the south side.  We checked the progress of the food plots as well.  Then on Saturday 7/30, Danny and Doc moved a stand to the far north.  Needless to say we're more prepared by the first week of August than we've been for many years.

Here are a few pictures from the Mid North food plot:

James spraying corn/beans in Mid North food plot

First buck in Mid North food plot

Deer are eating the beans!!

Tassels and ears

Newest picture from Amen Ravine:

Big bodied deer with its head out of the frame.  Buck??

After many pictures of all sorts of wildlife in the Sand Box last year, it's been quite disappointing so far this year.  Not sure if the camera is acting up or what is going on.  The sand has tracks, but there's not many pictures on the camera.  Hopefully with some more tweaking we can get it figured out.  Here's some pics from the Sand Box:

Pre Season Scouting 2011

Checked my cameras for the first time this year after hanging them up last Saturday morning.  After a week of 99-105 degree temperatures I wasn't sure how much activity would be on the cameras.


Sand Box:  I placed one of my cameras on the same tree overlooking the Sand Box as last year.  We know this is major travel route, so it's usually a good bet to produce pics.  Today, however, there weren't any pictures of wildlife on the camera.  I had two "blank' pics of the sand which is usually a sign of a fast moving animal.  Since it had rained all night and into the morning, the sand was a blank slate except for very fresh and large buck tracks.  

 

Mid-North Food Plot:  This year we decided to place food plots on various locations of the property.  The four acre field on the north side was a logical choice.  We're calling it the "mid-north food plot".  James worked his ass off getting the food plots in.  Now that we're starting to see them grow, we're anxious to see their benefits.  Danny placed his camera on a loan tree smack dab in the middle of the plot.  As I approached the tree to check the camera, I kicked up a covey of young quail!  This is the first time I've seen quail on this piece of property.  I checked his camera and he got some nice pictures of a tom turkey and a doe cruising along the corn.  There were also two pictures of the same buck.  Unfortunately the pictures are saved on the internal memory of the camera, so I am unable to upload the pictures.  I did take some pictures of the food plot and some prints.  

Amen Ravine:  Amen Ravine is a new area that we wanted to check out this year.  There is a nice ravine that comes down the from the ridge and opens up to the mid-north food plot.  Due to some tree removal over the past few seasons, it looks like a nice funnel for wildlife movement.  I placed my other camera in this ravine last week and was very curious what kind of pictures it would produce.  While there weren't tons of pictures, I did get these two pictures of a nice doe.  

Results of the 2010 Deer Seasons

Archery:

Jason Pinnow -- 1 Nubbin' Buck

Gun:

Jason Pinnow -- 1 Small Doe

James Cassidy -- 1 Nubbin' Buck

Off Season Improvements Will Be Made To Increase the Number of Deer Seen and Harvested.

Northside Swamp Pics (Swamp Monster Revealed!)

Notice the swamp monster is wearing orange!

Cedar Stand # 2

New photos from the cedar stand. Times are one hour fast.

Cedar Stand Photos

Taken from the Cedar stand-Late October through November 14th

Jason's Bow Kill

Finally got a bow kill on the board out at The Land!!  I was able to shoot this nubbin buck out of Baker's Stand on the afternoon of Thursday 11/4/10.  Danny and I had planed to take a few days off of work to hunt the rut.  After seeing a few deer the day before hunting by myself and seeing three doe while sitting in Baker's Stand that morning, we were hoping the action was just heating up.  After lunch and a little siesta Danny, Doc and I went to our spots.  Danny went to the Sand Box, Doc was hunting turkeys by the Cedar Stand and I decided give Baker's Stand another try.  The weather was decent.  Cool and party cloudy, however a chance of wet weather lingered.  As I made it to the stand, I realized that I had forgotten my quiver and arrows in the Quarry.  Frustrated and tired from my initial walk to the stand, I hustled back to fetch my arrows.  After I finally made it back to the stand, for the second time, I took the time to laugh at myself and thought that the afternoon's hunt was doomed before it even started!  After a few minutes, however, I caught movement out in front of me.  A deer had popped out of the finger and was making its way right towards me.  While seated, I slowly grabbed my bow and got ready for a shot.  The deer got within 40 yards and started angling towards the opening in the fence line.  Seeing that it was an antlerless deer, I knew that this was finally my opportunity to earn my buck tag.  I knew the opening was 30 yards and I was able to stop the deer broadside just before the opening.  Settled my pin, fired and made a nice shot.  As the deer made a complete 180, I could see blood spurting from the exit wound.  The deer sprinted across the field and into the woods above the old food plot.  I knew it was a great shot and I was really excited.  I immediately made phone calls to Danny and Doc to tell them the good news.  As I waited for Doc to come with the truck, I got down and found my arrow.  The shot was 33 yards.  I followed a nice blood trail to the edge of the woods and there it was, laying dead only 15 yards into the woods.  When Doc arrived, the wet weather had moved in and we had a few minutes of rain and heavy wet snow.  It didn't matter, however, as I took care of the tagging and field dressing.  The deer ended up being a nubbins buck and not a doe as I first anticipated.  Either way, it put meat in the freezer and earned by buck tag.  Doc was able to snap a picture.  Overall, it was a great way to end my day after forgetting my quiver and thinking "all was lost".