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View Full Version : How'd you do this (last) year....?


gedenke
January 15, 2010, 12:56 AM
Well, since it's now 2010 and most of our hunts are over with, let's hear some success stories from '09! AND I WANT TO SEE PICS!!! I'll start:

I had a great year this year! Nothing spectacular, but man, did I have fun! Started off with a cougar. I called in a young tom to 12 yards with a cow elk call! Way too close for comfort!

Opening day Fall Black Bear has me and a buddy killing two bears in two minutes on the same hill! Here's the story on that one:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375120

Second day of the deer hunt I get a small forkie Blacktail.

And last but not least, I got my first elk! Tagged a nice cow on the last day of the year....12-31-09. That's what I call a new year's eve party!

And now the pics:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/006.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/SUC50057.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/HPIM0034-1.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/image001.jpg

2damnold4this
January 15, 2010, 07:50 AM
I called in a young tom to 12 yards with a cow elk call!

Wow!

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 08:12 AM
Indeed ^ WOW!

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 08:32 AM
This'll take a few posts as the pic limit is 6 per so bear with me......

I started off my typical hunting season slow. Went on one dove hunt (on public land) and got so frustrated with the number of people crowded around one field that we left in short order. I fired one shell, killed one dove, gave it to the guy next to me and left. Only bird hunting I did this year.

Then on to archery deer season, which here in NC opens mid-Sept.

I can sum up my archery season with one picture:

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/ArcheryBoredom.jpg

I saw deer nearly every outing. But they were always WAY OVER THERE! My usually successful archery setups failed me this year. I tried making some adjustments and moving some climbing stands but it didn't pay off. Moved one stand to where the deer seemed to be funneling through an area and lo and behold they moved back to their old pattern and walked right under the tree I'd just left. Them's the breaks sometimes.......

This was the first year (aside from 2007 when I broke my back) in about 8 or 9 years that I've been completely skunked with the bow.

On to muzzleloader season. This is where it started to get interesting.......

Opening day 8 pointer:
This one walked up within 30 yds of one of my stands (I finally found the deer!). Chip shot with my CVA Optima shooting 250 gr. SST over 2 777 pellets. Dead in his tracks.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Buck1from2009.jpg

closeup:
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Buck1from20092.jpg

Couple days later......Doe: 85 yd shot down to the creek below my other ladder stand. DRT.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Doe1from2009.jpg

Couple days later.........'nother doe: This one was again about 25-30 yds from one of my ladder stands (where were these deer in archery?). She ran about 30 yds from where I shot her to where she folded.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Doe2from2009.jpg

To be continued.......

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 08:47 AM
Regular gun season started off a little slow for me. I saw plenty of deer, but they were all spikes and I didn't want to spend my second antlered deer tag just yet. I'd seen a nice deer earlier in ML season and couldn't get a shot at him.

One evening in my stand overlooking the creek I took a fox:

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Foxfrom2009.jpg

90 yds with a headshot from my .30-06.

Probably the coolest thing that happened in gun season was that my 4 year old son got to come with me for the first time:

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Huntersfirsthunt2009.jpg

He had a dentist appt one morning so I took the day off, we got the dentist out of the way and then went hunting. We were sitting in a 2 person ladder stand in a little patch of woods and I'm looking over my left shoulder for deer on one particular trail. I feel a little elbow in my ribs and hear a whispered "Daddy, there's the deer". I look to my right and sure enough a doe is walking not 50 yds from the stand. Try as I might I couldn't get a clear shot with my .243. She was weaving in and out of the brush and briars and I didn't want to take a bad shot. She walked on, but it was cool to share that experience with him. I expected him to be bouncing and all over the place as he's usually a little hyper. He was quiet and still and engaged in the hunt. Looking forward to taking him more next year.

The second coolest thing that happened this year was that one of my nephews FINALLY killed his first deer. He's hunted with us for several years and has had some misses and some missed opportunities. He finally got the monkey off his back.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Bearsfirstdeer2009.jpg

A couple weeks later I took my first deer with a rifle for the year, 3 point buck:

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Buck2from2009.jpg

60 yd shot from the ground with my .30-06. This deer literally stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me, giving me a perfect broadside shot. I took it. He fell right where he stood.

The last week of the season I took this good sized doe with a neck shot from 40 yds. Again, dead in her tracks. I haven't done much tracking this year :D.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/rantingredneck/Doe3from20092.jpg

All in all we had a good season. My family and a couple other guys have pretty much exclusive access to a large dairy farm. The landowner has one rule. Get deer off his property. We managed between the 9 of us who hunt there to take 43 deer off the property this year. With MANY more left behind to replenish.

This is the first year in several where we didn't kill a coyote. We saw a couple but always as a grey flash and gone. I've seen a ton of turkeys there this year and have evil plans for them for April.......

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 08:54 AM
Now if I can just find the time to get all my gear cleaned up and stowed I'll be happy :D.

I've still got a backseat full of camo and ammo........

earlthegoat2
January 15, 2010, 09:18 AM
Gedenke,

What rifle did you shoot that cat with?

It looks like a 22 and if that is the case it is probably a magnum and if that is the case then that took some stones.

Brian Pfleuger
January 15, 2010, 10:46 AM
I had a very good archery season.... and a very bad gun season. Possibly my worst ever, well, tied for worst I would say.

Hog Hunter
January 15, 2010, 10:59 AM
Had a really good deer season, seen alot of good bucks this year but not the one i had my eye on, shot 1 doe early in the season, took a 100 pound boar hog with my bow and a 80 pound sow with my rifle. Rattled up a nice 11 that my girlfriend shot, she had never shot a deer so i let her shoot him. Id rather sit with other people and show them the experiance and thrill that takes over when that bigun walks out. Today is our last day of the season so ima be lookin for them squillers till turkey season!!!

gedenke
January 15, 2010, 12:09 PM
What rifle did you shoot that cat with?


I knew someone would catch that! Yes, it is in fact a Marlin .22mag. Not my first choice for anything bigger than squirrel, but I wasn't actually hunting for cat...just kindof happened. I was out exploring and saw some fresh kitty tracks, so I figured, "what the heck", blew a few cow calls and here he comes. This opportunity doesn't come along very often, so I took a headshot...

rantingredneck.....nice looking fox!

Countertop
January 15, 2010, 01:00 PM
Don't have pictures ready but here goes (and this doesn't include waterfowl hunting on the potomac, cause thats a daily occurrence)

Went to NC for a deer/hog hunt in October and took 4 deer in two days (A 6 pointer, a 4 pointer and two does) - we hunted evening and next morning. Didn't see any hogs in the stand.

Went to PA with the ruffed grouse society for a two day grouse hunt, buddy and I hunted about 20 miles of forest, flushed 45 birds, and shot 3 including a big 'ol bird who is getting mounted.

Two weeks later I went to S. Dakota with folks I work with on a 3 days pheasant hunt. Its a big party hunt - with 20 of us - hunting wild birds (many of the preserves out there that run lots of trips are flush with pen birds, we didn't go to a hunting resort, we were hunting around a few feedlots and a hutterite colony with folks we know for years). We limited out by 2 pm each day (ie: 60 birds) and then spent the late afternoons walleye fishing on the Missouri. I saw 3 big mule deer and had the biggest whitetail buck I've ever seen jump out of a food plot I was blocking on, and run straight at me, passing by about 5 feet to my right)

Then I went Sika hunting in Maryland on the eastern shore. I didn't get one, but my buddy shot and missed a 6 pointer.

Got out another day in Virginia and shot a spike buck.

Went back to NC with 5 members of our armed forces who had just returned from Afghanistan and took them on a bear hunt on a friends property. We ended up shooting a 500 pound and a 300 pound bear. Then right before Christmas I got a doe and a huge (165 pound) spike buck.

Season isn't over yet though, as we have an extended antlerless season here in Virginia, which I've been using to hunt a new piece of land I just got rights too. Saw a ton of sign, but so far no deer. I am also heading back down to Carolina in mid February to hunt feral swine with dogs. And will be heading to Utah for an American Bar Association meeting in March. I have an invite from a client in Utah to hunt coyotes on the Utah/Nevada border and have an invite from another guy just over the Utah border in Idaho who wants me to come hunt Mountain Lions then. I need to decide which to do.

Disappointments??
I was supposed to go on a dove hunt in East Central Oklahoma but work got in the way, had to cancel a trip to Western Oklahoma to hunt Mule Deer, and missed the Minnesota deer rifle season on the trip to SD by 3 days (and couldn't shoot some deer my buddy showed me on his game cams). And my traditional Christmas Week trip to hunt Quail in Georgia was cancelled because of a family medical issue (it was the same one that cancelled the OK Mule Deer trip).

Anticipation for next year?
I've been invited to Africa (Need to get wife's ok), and will be returning to Oklahoma for the dove hunt, a quail hunt and that Mulie. And the Idaho folks are trying to get me to hunt "real game" as they call it.

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 01:12 PM
I knew someone would catch that! Yes, it is in fact a Marlin .22mag. Not my first choice for anything bigger than squirrel, but I wasn't actually hunting for cat...just kindof happened. I was out exploring and saw some fresh kitty tracks, so I figured, "what the heck", blew a few cow calls and here he comes. This opportunity doesn't come along very often, so I took a headshot...

As the other gentleman said. That took stones..........

rantingredneck.....nice looking fox!

Thanks, It was the fourth one I'd seen that evening. We've been hitting the predators on this farm pretty hard the last few years. It's starting to pay dividends in that the quail and rabbit are coming back hard. Saw one covey (among many sightings) of 11 quail this year. Unusual in this part of the state to see even 1 wild quail.

Countertop
January 15, 2010, 01:39 PM
It's starting to pay dividends in that the quail and rabbit are coming back hard. Saw one covey (among many sightings) of 11 quail this year. Unusual in this part of the state to see even 1 wild quail.

Good news. Where in Carolina are you?

rantingredneck
January 15, 2010, 01:40 PM
I live in Alamance County but hunt in Orange.

Rembrandt
January 15, 2010, 02:08 PM
Not a good year, but it wasn't all bad. Crops were late getting harvested and then we got hit with about 30+ inches of snow.....tough hunting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Wildlife/IMG_1350.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Wildlife/IMG_1340.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Wildlife/IMG_1345.jpg

Archery....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Wildlife/182b79d7.jpg
Gun season....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Wildlife/IMG_1354.jpg

davlandrum
January 15, 2010, 02:29 PM
Total strike out as far as animals on the ground, but I got to hunt, got away from the blackberry (satan's handcuff...), hung out with people I like, sipped a little of the good stuff at night by a big campfire. I could whine about it, but it would be a bunch of BS to say it wasn't a good year.

Bowhunting elk this year, I ended up in a fog bank. Elk so close to me I could hear them chewing. Puff of wind cleared the fog enough to see at the same time it pushed my scent to them, so it was a mad stampede. One nice bull in the group, but I would have taken a cow no problem.

Shorthair
January 15, 2010, 03:40 PM
Had a very rough year, due to the economy and personal issues I didn't get out at all, not even to bird hunt. Finally caught a break Thanksgiving weekend, went out to my usual spot and shot this spike at just over 300 yards from the blind there in the background on top of the hill. Was in my blind for all of 30 minutes, it was just light when I spotted him on a food plot I had planted a couple of years ago. One shot dropped him on the spot, my longest shot ever.
That really is 300 yards, I had GPS'd all expected shooting areas a couple of years ago and know all the distances. I'm always amazed at what depth of field does to distances in photos. And the best part of all, I got to take my 9 year old son out a couple of times that weekend. Great times!
Custom Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag, 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip handloads.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/gspdave45/dave2009spikesm.jpg

hogdogs
January 15, 2010, 05:27 PM
I haven't bagged any deer yet. Only been out only a few times and the only times I seen deer, once it was way out and my buddy wouldn't wait for me to get on the second one of a pair before he shot his. Once I seen 2 but at max distance in a rain and scope was wet enuff I didn't feel confident in the shot.

Brent

DiscoRacing
January 15, 2010, 05:39 PM
We had three hunting in our group this yr.... got an 8point and six does between the three.... no pics.

BIGR
January 15, 2010, 07:22 PM
Got a decent 8 point with the muzzleloader and a doe with the new 7 MAG. I bought. I let a young 8 point walk the last day I hunted, guess maybe if he makes it he will be bigger in 2010. Going to deer camp tomorrow to get all the tree stands and the camper. Thats always a sad trip because I know deer season is over for sure.

gedenke
January 16, 2010, 12:55 AM
Great stories and pics guys! Keep 'em comin'! I really enjoy hearing about other peoples hunting experiences, especially from different parts of the country. And special kudos to those of you who shared it with youngsters and new hunters!

Rembrandt....that european is a fantastic buck, nice job!

TCman
January 16, 2010, 01:34 AM
The season started slower than usual for me. I only hunted a few times during archery season, but managed to bag a small doe.Over the past two years I have found sign from what looked to be a large buck, but have never seen him during daylight hours. The neighbors have seen him only a few times feeding at night. This year I decided to place a stand farther back into the woods, hoping to bag the big one. I didnt hunt this stand at all during archery. I wanted to leaves to have fallen to get a longer shot with my muzzleloader. It payed off!
I killed the biggest buck ever killed on the property. 10 pt. 140 inch 190 lbs. The shot was about 80 yards, while he was just trotting by.
That evening I shot another doe about 100 yards feeding in a bean field. Then two days later I shot a doe in the property owners front yard. It was a 175 yard shot. There was also a buck with this doe probably bigger than the one I already killed. Good news for next year!

StiveC2007
January 16, 2010, 02:20 AM
09 season kinda sucked. didnt get out much cause of college and not having a job. My dad bag a nice doe in CT with his bow, then 2 weeks later some one stole the bow out of his car (thought he locked it ).

I blew a chance at nice 8 point buck in CT, he was about 52 yards away never went broad side and was hiding behind a rock, only shot he gave me was middle of the chest shot. Im pretty good at 20-40 yards but I didnt feel confident in taking the shot, so I didnt take it. still kicking my self in the ass for not letting an arrow fly. Didnt see jack during shotgun in MA and didnt even go out for ML cause I was being a little girl and it was cold out. so another year with out a deer, atleast theres next year o yea I cant hunt CT cause they jack the out of state resident license to 176 dollars so it would be about 200 cause i usally get a turkey tag. was about 100 for turkey and archery license, now its 176+28. all i gotta say is this better change, cause if it doesnt the rest of new england will be upping the prices for their hunting seasons.

Also Bagged a 25 pound tom at 15 yards on top of a rock wall. first turkey ive ever got, had my uncle calling him in. I was pretty much in awe after I pulled the trigger that my uncle asked if i was even happy bout getting one. later in the day when reality set in, i was all to pleased. it tasted delicious i might add

94bluerat
January 16, 2010, 07:01 AM
Every season is a great season!
3 deer and my first Yote!

lt dan
January 16, 2010, 07:48 AM
shot about 20 wart-hogs for 09, this one was the one with the largest warts.

lt dan
January 16, 2010, 08:00 AM
actually i think the hog on the right was the heaviest of 09, but smallish teeth.

Todd1700
January 17, 2010, 10:24 AM
Well my deer season isn't over yet. Not until the end of January. But I have killed the following so far.

Oct 20th I got up a tree overlooking a narrow trail where I had spotted a bachelor group of 6 bucks a few days earlier. At about 5 pm this wide 6 point came along and stopped broadside at 15 yards. I sent a 3 blade 100gr Muzzy broadhead right over his heart. He weighed 180 lbs which is pretty good for a Bama buck. Despite only having 6 points he had a 19 1/2 inch inside spread.

http://i35.tinypic.com/153o11l.jpg

In November a buddy and I went on a hunting trip up to Pike County, Illinois. We were on a do it yourself hunt on a farmers land near Pittsfield. It was tougher than usually hunting because the corn was still standing when we got there and the weather turned warm on us. But on the 4th day this buck below came out of a corn field trailing behind 3 does. I saw them come out of the corn and loop around the edge of a little pond out to my right. I was hunting a narrow lane between the pond and a deep ditch behind me. They where coming right at me. I drew on him at 30 yards but he stopped quartering towards me and right behind the limbs of a little tree that were criss crossing his vitals. No shot! When he finally started to move again he followed the does right past my tree but I could not get him to stop. I shot him walking at 10 yards with a Grim Reaper expandable. It drove through the left shoulder and buried into the offside shoulder. He snapped my arrow into when he ran. I watched as he headed back out into the field and his chest just kept getting lower and lower as he ran. Finally he just plowed the ground and cut a flip. Main frame 10 point with a split right brow tine making him and 11 point. Weighed 230lbs.

http://i36.tinypic.com/257lo5k.jpg

sc outdoorsman
January 17, 2010, 12:39 PM
I got 3 does and passed on many more bucks and does. Inever did see any big bucks this year. The best thing that happened this year is my son killed his first deer. A big doe that he got two days after getting his first rifle. There were two really happy people in the woods that day and I think he is really hooked on deer hunting now.

James R. Burke
January 17, 2010, 01:49 PM
I will try to get some pics up but alittle green on posting pic's. With a combo in the U.P. of Michigan one needs a min of three points on one side, and the other four or more on one side. If you buy a single lic you cant go back and buy another, but that one all you need is one antler 3" or longer on one side. We been trying to leave the smaller bucks go here, and looking for bigger ones, and taking some does if the permits are avaliable. The first one I got was at 125 yards kind of running but not real fast seven pointer. Took a shot knowing if I hit him it would be in a good spot or a nice miss. Hit him in the base of neck thru heart, and out shoulder. I am on a hill. Stll went about 30 yards. The second one was at 200 yards which is almost unheard of here, most shots are 50 to 75 yards. It was getting dusk, and I seen him grazing between some trees, he had a real big body. When I picked up the rifle he stepped back and looked right at me. All I could see was from the neck up. I tryed the neck, and he went down so fast I almost missed it. Oh before the shot I knew he had the four on one side. I posted it before but I have a short memory. Had them both weighed. I believe the seven was 152, and the bigger one which was a eight with a smaller rack was 182. So it was good year for me. My wife let some forks, and a spike walk she had just one lic so she could have taken either one. I was pretty proud of her. We have been seeing some nicer bucks leaving the small ones go so its working, but its up to the hunter if you want it and its legal go for it.

grubbylabs
January 17, 2010, 02:05 PM
Well my Elk season was a bust did not even get to see one during season. My deer season was slightly worse, I hit a good sized do and was never able to find her.

But my Duck season was fairly good, better than I thought it would turn out. We had over 18,000 duck and geese die on a reservoir right before season started. But we still had a reasonable productive season, best of all I got to take my 4 year old son out for the first time on a duck hunt. Next year if I have time to hunt(school and all) I hope to take him on some short day "hunts" Which will probably turn into father son walks, but I am sure they will be exciting.

DRice.72
January 17, 2010, 02:55 PM
This was my first year deer hunting. Inexpirence was my enemy, I sat and watched deer I couldn't shoot. I'll be back this fall though to try again. I also want to try getting on some other game too. Its a lot like fishing, there is always next year!

Shorthair
January 17, 2010, 04:08 PM
Really Todd, you don't expect us to believe you killed anything without a scent locked shadow mossy oak mountain treeline camo pattern on, do you?
:D JK, nice buck!

James R. Burke
January 17, 2010, 04:53 PM
Rembrant and Todd 1700 very nice bucks. With a handgun and bow. WoW. You guys should be proud. Also not to shortchange anyone there are some very nice deer I am seeing. Way to go.

James R. Burke
January 17, 2010, 06:52 PM
Shorthair just wondering were in Michigan do you live. I am in the U.P. over by Iron Mountain. Just curious. By the way I had a Shorthair for twelve great years, never scorded that many birds in my life, and doubt if I ever will again.
Jim

Dannyl
January 18, 2010, 10:26 AM
HI,
This year I only had to days to hunt. My wife shot her first buck (a Springbok) and I took a VERY nice size Oryx.
Looking forward to next season...
Cheers,
Danny

Shorthair
January 18, 2010, 06:17 PM
Hi James, I live in Troy, suburb north of Detroit. One of the best trips I ever made was a 2000 fall UP grouse hunt with my late great GSP Remington. We hunted Gwynn, mostly.

James R. Burke
January 18, 2010, 07:58 PM
HI Shorthair,
I think it is one of the best all around hunting dogs there are. But that is just me, and I know not ever one would aggree with that, but like I said its just me. Had mine from eight weeks till he passed at (12) . Cremated him, and buried him with a marker and the hat I was wearing when I got my first bird with him, at the spot we got the bird. I had a real nice deer season one seven and one eight both pretty big body wise. The eight was in the 180's but did not have a super rack but it was o.k. When you came up this way you were in a great spot, nice hunting there. But like anything you have your good, and bad days. Hope yours was a good trip. Nice meeting you, and I am sure we will talk again. Take care and good luck with all your hunting.

youp
January 18, 2010, 08:44 PM
This is a picture of the deer I got this year.






No, I do not see a picture either. First year since '85 I blanked. It is becoming apparent to me that the wolves and coyotes are turning the whitetails into canine feces. I prefer turning deer into homo sapien feces, oh well.

knoxville
February 1, 2010, 09:47 AM
good year past on many bulls and called this small bull in for my little brothers first bow kill

knoxville
February 1, 2010, 09:49 AM
oh ya and also my 09 185 3/4 p&y buck and archey turkey

L_Killkenny
February 1, 2010, 02:10 PM
This year was my worst year hunting in my life (Not to be a downer or anything :p). Started off well enough with 11 coon on opening day (first weekend of Nov). That night I came down with a fever and was on my back until Dec. 1 when I was finally well enough to return to work. Missed all the good coon hunting by that point. Deer season started on Dec 5 but because I had missed so much work I was only able to hunt opening weekend and accomplished that coughin and hackin my way thru the timber. Saw deer but the wind and fate was not with me. The following tues we had the first of 5 major winter storms move thru causing me to miss work on weds, thurs, and fri because our road was impassable. Same thing at Christmas, week after new years, etc etc. Throw in a couple or 3 weeks of below zero weather.

We did try some more coon callin in January and managed a couple more, some late season doe hunting in which we didn't fire a shot (one weekend), one day of small game hunting and a few days of coyote/fox hunting and that rounds out my season.

Total for the Season reads like this:
2 fox, some coon, 1 rabbit, 2 squirrel

This is coming from a guy that ususally hunts 1-8 hours a day, 4-5 days a week in Nov (depending on work and weather), every weekend plus holidays, some evenings and a 5 day deer season in dec. and then weekends in Jan. My usual take in recent years = lots of rabbits, coon and squirrel, 5-10 fox and coyote, and 1-4 deer. On a bright note: I did call in a red last night to with-in 75 yards (final day of season) and put it down.

This year sucked donkey turds!

LK

crimsondave
February 1, 2010, 02:46 PM
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs118.snc3/16531_104716796212523_100000226085964_127258_2502748_n.jpg

landcruzr
February 1, 2010, 03:18 PM
This was the best year of my hunting life so far.......and I didnt get a thing.I put the effort into showing my 14 year old son all I could on hunting and......
My son got his first deer this year, a 110/115 lb doe on the ground with a bow.....
Made me feel like I did well at teaching him the sport. It sure was a proud day:D:D

Booner B
February 1, 2010, 09:48 PM
Had my best season yet. Killed a nice 8 point with my bow, 95 3/8. got a 200 pound bear with my honda accord (not my prefered killling instrument). took 4 does for the freezer.

The best part of the season was the things i saw, rather than those that i killed. I saw the three biggest deer i've ever seen (the pilot antler restriction policy is finally working!) Saw a real nice 10 - about 135, a massive heavy horned 9 - 130ish and a really wide 8. Also i saw 6 bears (the one i hit, a 300ish boar, and a sow with 3 cubs.

best of all, the things i saw this year gave me a lot of hope for years to come. the quality of the game in my area has really improved due to the new management strategies by the DEC, and i'm looking forward to eventually getting one of those big ones i saw!

it used to be in my area, when my father was my age, seeing a 4 pointer was a rare thing, and an 8 was almost unheard of. Now I see 8s and tens with regularity, and they're getting bigger!

davecharles
February 2, 2010, 04:32 PM
Not my best year but I still had a lot of fun. Here is one I took with my TC Omega. I'm getting old so i bought a 4 wheeler to help me haul deer the mile between my stand and the road.
Dave

Lee Lapin
February 3, 2010, 09:15 AM
I was able to get out in the woods one more year, and see plenty of deer and other critters. Didn't shoot any of them. Don't care one whit. It was a great season... wouldn't mind another just like it next year.

lpl

gedenke
February 4, 2010, 10:17 PM
Some great posts folks! Keep em' comin....it's almost time to start thinking about THIS year! Turkey & Spring Bear is just around the corner and there's always yodel dogs to deal with.

Oh, and sorry to those of you who had less than satisfactory seasons. For what it's worth, I hunted with my Pop up in central Washington....didn't see a single buck ('cept the ones hangin' in OTHER PEOPLE'S camps) but man, was it a good trip! Hope you all have exceptional experiences this coming year. Be safe...and shoot straight, we'll see ya back at camp!

gitarmac
February 6, 2010, 09:53 PM
got my first pig
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3854433096_c1ac8f93dc.jpg

then got a couple more
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4240345981_829bc91d3f.jpg

then got a doe that I dont' have a still of. Not really much considering how much I sat but I can't complain.

gedenke
February 6, 2010, 11:39 PM
Not a pig hunter (yet), but that looks to be a good sized one! Nice shooting! I do have one question though, and this is for everyone, is wild pig meat good? I imagine it would have a "gamier" flavor than a farm hog, but bacon is bacon.

kaylorinhi
February 26, 2010, 06:55 PM
Not bad for my first year, 2 shots, 2 bucks!

The seven is decent width and the 8 is what I call "praying Hands" not real wide but a typical eight so I am happy with myself and my buddy who let me take the eight on his lease!

alaskaman94
February 28, 2010, 11:42 PM
early season bear

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/huntin09004.jpg

lil sis with 1st bear

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/bonnie.jpg

moose camp.

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/moose.jpg

my lynx of 09

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/lynx2.jpg

mallard

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/mallard.jpg

ducks

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/ducks.jpg

these are just a few! i love growing up in alaska!

alaskaman94
February 28, 2010, 11:53 PM
a few more... kinghttp://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/king.jpg

silver on flyrod http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/silver.jpg

grousehttp://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss163/nagolbob/grouse2.jpg

drhunta2
March 8, 2010, 07:36 PM
Struck out with turkey, doe with the bow, yote with the bow, 162lbs spike with rifle and a 4pt with muzzle, and the camps most prized kill - 3 cases of labbats blue in 4 days. No kids, no wife, I would say it was a great hunting season.

b.roberts
March 9, 2010, 12:41 AM
Wow alaskaman 94! I think you are very luck to grow up in such a sportsman's paradise. Keep up the good work.

Badaboom
March 9, 2010, 10:57 AM
http://home.comcast.net/~rbrent5/pwpimages/Rick_bull1_WL.JPG

87mustang
March 9, 2010, 08:01 PM
here's how you keep the soybeans growing in Ohio!!

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc359/1987mustang/0614081108.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc359/1987mustang/0614081002.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc359/1987mustang/0612081739.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc359/1987mustang/0629081643.jpg