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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Do-it Rep on 07/29/19 11:20 UTC
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We are still several months out from the start of hunting season here in Iowa but it's in late July and August that my quest for a big deer begins. Deer are putting on antler growth daily and the undergrowth of the timber is in full form. I start my hunt with a few phone calls, some map study and possibly a few meetings with landowners. It's usually the time of year I place trail cams, clear shooting lanes on existing stand sites, replace any old straps on old stands and hang a few new ones. It's laborious work in the heat of the summer but it can pay big dividends come November/December. I'm feeling optimistic about some of the new stands we put up and am looking forward to cooler weather ahead. I had a couple of hours before heading home and decided to hit a farm pond and do some crappie fishing from shore. A hot bite was icing on the cake to a solid weekend!
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I'm right there with you Kyle -
Besides working on my garage over the past few months, I've been building a fully enclosed box blind so I can stay comfortable on those sub-freezing all day hunts (plus I bought a few new ladder stands to put out as well)... August 1 is usually when I plant my fall plots, but I just have so many other things going on that I haven't mowed the pasture yet, and the sad truth is I doubt I will get to it this year... the clock is ticking!!!
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Went to my camp this past weekend and checked things out too.
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They sure have our SE zone deer season messed up this year. I may pass on hunting altogether.
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They sure have our SE zone deer season messed up this year. I may pass on hunting altogether.
Depending on my archery success, I may hunt the MN gun season... although I would be hunting away from the CWD hot spots, I wouldn't let that scare you as long as you get your animal tested.
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Kyle hair jigs got the job done and is that the fork tail grub. Hope all has a successful hunting season.
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I'm right there with you Kyle -
Besides working on my garage over the past few months, I've been building a fully enclosed box blind so I can stay comfortable on those sub-freezing all day hunts (plus I bought a few new ladder stands to put out as well)... August 1 is usually when I plant my fall plots, but I just have so many other things going on that I haven't mowed the pasture yet, and the sad truth is I doubt I will get to it this year... the clock is ticking!!!
What type of food plots do you like to plant, David? We've been really dry in the southern part of the state. We could use some moisture. The corn is curling and there are large cracks in the ground. Those fully enclosed blinds are fun to hunt out of and can make for an extra couple days in the stand a year.
They sure have our SE zone deer season messed up this year. I may pass on hunting altogether.
I heard there were some changes happening. I haven't heard or looked into what they were but I have heard some grumbling about it.
Kyle hair jigs got the job done and is that the fork tail grub. Hope all has a successful hunting season.
That's a 3" Mo Magic in that photo in the Bluegrass color.
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Here in Indiana (and much of the Midwest) the wasting disease is suspose to be a big problem. It effects a deer's brain, causes them to shake and not eat. The DNR said that the only way to get rid of the disease is to reduce the deer herd way down. Hunters don't get the job done, they don't kill enough deer. There's a big meeting going on in the Midwest to study how they can cut the deer population way back. You guys hearing anything about this in your areas?
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We plant Clay peas in the summer and a Rye grass Oats mix for the winter.
What type of food plots do you like to plant, David? We've been really dry in the southern part of the state. We could use some moisture. The corn is curling and there are large cracks in the ground. Those fully enclosed blinds are fun to hunt out of and can make for an extra couple days in the stand a year.
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What type of food plots do you like to plant, David? We've been really dry in the southern part of the state. We could use some moisture. The corn is curling and there are large cracks in the ground.
For your dryer conditions, the one thing I would not miss planting in August would be purple top turnips... if the spacing is right, turnips do surprisingly well even when relatively dry. Frost is not needed to sweeten them as some might think because they naturally sweeten with age; planting now has them grow to their fullest potential (basketball size) and naturally sweeten in November, and deer will be digging through the snow to get at them yet in January.
I've planted lots of other things (too numerous to mention here), but the #2 thing I would plant in August is winter wheat because it has a higher attraction than rye until both freeze hard (though both grasses might suffer as long as it stays dry)... clover can be a good alternate as well (however I prefer to plant this in the spring to get better development)... the bottom line is to have something for nutrients (which they seem to gravitate towards in in mid to late December) besides the large scale carbs from turnips or corn.
In my years of testing, beets has the highest attraction with corn in second place and turnips third, but corn and beets take substantially more of a commitment of time and money, so turnips are always a go-to for me.
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We plant Clay peas in the summer and a Rye grass Oats mix for the winter.
What type of food plots do you like to plant, David? We've been really dry in the southern part of the state. We could use some moisture. The corn is curling and there are large cracks in the ground. Those fully enclosed blinds are fun to hunt out of and can make for an extra couple days in the stand a year.
For your dryer conditions, the one thing I would not miss planting in August would be purple top turnips... if the spacing is right, turnips do surprisingly well even when relatively dry. Frost is not needed to sweeten them as some might think because they naturally sweeten with age; planting now has them grow to their fullest potential (basketball size) and naturally sweeten in November, and deer will be digging through the snow to get at them yet in January.
I've planted lots of other things (too numerous to mention here), but the #2 thing I would plant in August is winter wheat because it has a higher attraction than rye until both freeze hard (though both grasses might suffer as long as it stays dry)... clover can be a good alternate as well (however I prefer to plant this in the spring to get better development)... the bottom line is to have something for nutrients (which they seem to gravitate towards in in mid to late December) besides the large scale carbs from turnips or corn.
In my years of testing, beets has the highest attraction with corn in second place and turnips third, but corn and beets take substantially more of a commitment of time and money, so turnips are always a go-to for me.
Good stuff gentlemen. I'm eager to learn more in that part of the game. Thanks for the info.
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A few worth pursuing on my dirt... though the bottom pic is not great, the deer is a 160-plus.
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Two more...
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Always good to see what your options are cameras have really helped a lot of people to see just what they have on there property.
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Thats a fine buck. ;)
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Some good crop there efishnc! Bow season starts today here in Iowa. Sure doesn't feel like it with heat indexes over 90 yesterday. I typically won't get in the stand until late October but with a couple of good bucks on camera I may have to slip in there a few times on a cold front.
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At 9 last night it was still 87 degrees here. 58 this morning. About 3-4 this morning we had a real light show as storms passed over. I woke up when the thunder started at around 2:45 and got up an sat on the front porch enjoying the lightning as the front approached. Nature at it finest. I remember a time or two years ago in my bow hunting days in the stand as storms blew up. This 90 degree stuff at the end of September just isn't good.
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Well, I had a near perfect wind and got in early on a ridge saddle 150 yards from where the big guy beds, but he never walked out so I suspect he was never there... (my guess was he bedded in the cornfield vice his normal room with a view)... it looks like I got another chance for a prime sit whenever the wind swings east again.
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Sounds like you've got one worth chasing pegged down pretty good though. That's a good feeling.
I've got a good wind coming Sunday and some post front rising pressure so I'm planning on sneaking in and getting back in the saddle myself.
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A friend and I spent 12 hours doing some heavy duty landscaping (retaining walls) yesterday... then I checked the cameras today only to find out I got punked!
(BTW, this guy scores in the mid 140s and number three on the hit list.)
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I can imagine that critter, with a trickle of blood on his ribs, standing there wondering where the heck that little pain came from. Or a .50 cal hole in the same general area.
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My stand is in a cluster of trees about 5yds up hill from the scrape (which would be a total chip shot with any weapon)... but the key aspect here is to be in the stand when they pass by.
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Funny how they seem to know when to pass by. :P
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I made a trip down south this weekend to the farm with a goal in mind of setting up a blind for the girlfriend's early muzzleloader hunt coming up this weekend. I finally got a good wind Sunday morning to get it set up and slipped in and set the trap. Judging by all the beds, trails, fresh scrapes and sign I think we should have some action. We'll be set up over a nice mix of alfalfa winter wheat and clover. I could not believe all the deer beds out in it. I did manage to climb up in a stand Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and had good movement but did not see any bucks. Temps down in the low 30's this coming weekend should have them on their feet!
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Can’t wait to see the pics Kyle
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Now that's a good camo job.....as long as she doesn't fart. lol
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The hours of prep and hard work paid off this past weekend when Ashley got a crack at this stud and the muzzleloader met its mark! I'd try to explain the excitement in words but I think you'll get the idea :D
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Tell her congrats from me. Very nice deer.
What does she shoot?
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Tell her congrats from me. Very nice deer.
What does she shoot?
I will do that Tom! Now the work begins!
CVA Accura V2 LR nitride and BH209
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Freeze that fat for me!
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Oh yea. Great job
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I will do that Tom! Now the work begins!
CVA Accura V2 LR nitride and BH209
Tell her next year she can do that with my Optima pistol. 90 grains BH209, 225 grain Barnes.
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Nice!... how long was the shot?
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Why to go Ashley now it’s your turn Kyle
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Freeze that fat for me!
I've got 3 gallon freezer bags full for you Tom, and will probably have 1 more after I finish some final trimmings tonight.
Tell her next year she can do that with my Optima pistol. 90 grains BH209, 225 grain Barnes.
Sweet set-up I may need to borrow that sometime ;)
Nice!... how long was the shot?
100 yard poke. Was a pretty impressive shot really.
Why to go Ashley now it’s your turn Kyle
I've been starving myself of fishing lately in preparation for this hunt, Mike, so I'll be back in the woods as soon as I get my fix on the water!
Oh yea. Great job
Thank you sir!
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I've got 3 gallon freezer bags full for you Tom, and will probably have 1 more after I finish some final trimmings tonight.
Sweet set-up I may need to borrow that sometime ;)
100 yard poke. Was a pretty impressive shot really.
(https://i.imgur.com/K3rTO8C.jpg)
Here it is. Going to hit the gun club yet this week to do a final shoot with it and the Accura before the season starts here.
And if freezer room gets to be an issue for the fat before the hunting is all wrapped up, just let me know and I'll come pick it up.
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That is a beautiful gun :o
No worries, I'll have it here for you next time you are moving through, just give me a heads up.
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You need to shoot this critter to appreciate it. Recoil is pretty manageable with bullets at or under 240 grains and the 90 grain charge. Right about 1700 fps.
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Here are targets from today Kyle. The tan/black line target was at 100 yards and is a two holer using Barnes 250 grain Xpanders over 110 grains of 209. The sight-in target was done with the Optima pistol at 50 yards. The covered holes were made using 240 grain, .44 cal XTPs over 90 grains of 209. The other three were Barnes 225 grain .44 cal XPBs with the same powder charge. I'll be hunting the Barnes in the pistol and the rifle.
(https://i.imgur.com/ShxHVzL.jpg)
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Here are targets from today Kyle. The tan/black line target was at 100 yards and is a two holer using Barnes 250 grain Xpanders over 110 grains of 209. The sight-in target was done with the Optima pistol at 50 yards. The covered holes were made using 240 grain, .44 cal XTPs over 90 grains of 209. The other three were Barnes 225 grain .44 cal XPBs with the same powder charge. I'll be hunting the Barnes in the pistol and the rifle.
(https://i.imgur.com/ShxHVzL.jpg)
Love it!
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The oldest Grandson stuck this guy this morning in the cwd zone in SE Minnesota. He can tag three bucks there and says he'' be back in the woods tomorrow morning looking for this one's twin. Near perfect eight point. Proud of the boy.
(https://i.imgur.com/6GLIEAl.jpg)
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The oldest Grandson stuck this guy this morning in the cwd zone in SE Minnesota. He can tag three bucks there and says he'' be back in the woods tomorrow morning looking for this one's twin. Near perfect eight point. Proud of the boy.
(https://i.imgur.com/6GLIEAl.jpg)
Woah. Nice deer.
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That’s a nice one
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Here's mine from yesterday.
(https://i.imgur.com/0JcLSUz.jpg)
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Nice one Tom I see some sausage in the making there.
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Oh yea nice bucks.
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Nice work Tom! Couple of dandies!
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We wrapped up the 1st of Iowa's 2 Shotgun seasons last week. We were blessed with some of the most pleasant weather I remember hunting in for a long time. A couple of windy days and soft ground really made for some great sneaking and spot and stalk conditions and we were fortunate enough to capitalize on it. I got within 10 yards of this brute before we played catch with some hot lead. I couldn't be happier with this big main frame 8!
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That one's bigger than Ashley's? You have those bucks scored? Congradulation on a great season!
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I certainly envy you flat land hunters for your spot-and-stalk visibility, consistent winds, and wide open long range shot potential (even though you didn't need it on this one)... all luxuries I don't have in buff country.
Nice animal, I'm looking forward to hearing the story in person!
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That one's bigger than Ashley's? You have those bucks scored? Congradulation on a great season!
Thanks Gary! We put a lot of effort into this year's hunts and it's always gratifying to see it pay off. We will have to get them both officially scored after drying but I think she got me ;) The frame of the 8 point is larger and has the bigger wow factor but overall I think the buck she shot has more inches of antler from a gross perspective. Both are probably similar in age/maturity but her deer was much larger as far as a body size goes, and a lot of that can be contributed to her buck being shot pre-rut vs mine shot post rut.
I certainly envy you flat land hunters for your spot-and-stalk visibility, consistent winds, and wide open long range shot potential (even though you didn't need it on this one)... all luxuries I don't have in buff country.
Nice animal, I'm looking forward to hearing the story in person!
Thanks David! You are absolutely right. I've always thought your part of the country as being one of the most challenging places to hunt. The terrain is unforgiving and you play the constant battle of thermals and swirling winds. It takes time to learn an area and how the wind and weather affects it. What we do lack, where I hunt, is some of the structural terrain like ridges, saddles, and funnels, You know, the wingdams of the woods that are more prevalent up in your part of the world. Often, where I hunt, the deer can be spread out and finding the right cover around food can be the key to success. This particular buck was up on a hill bedded in a thick fenceline of cedars and hedge that ran along a field of native grasses.
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Thermals are predictable and therefore easy to hunt, but the wind can certainly give a guy fits!