I never dreamed we would get drawn. The other 3 members of my group were successfully drawn last year. Even though i am new to the group, no one figured that our group would get the nod 2 years in a row. Primitive archery at Mcalester AAP, an annual dream hunt for some regular guys like us.
Many times we have discussed the possibilities of seeing one of the 10 most wanted, one of our guys actually got a glimpse of one of them last year but it was fleeting and too far away to be considered as a shot opportunity. One never knows, maybe this year will be our year, regardless the time will be well spent and the memories will be great. Time for me to get a recurve and start practicing, preparing myself for the days ahead and making sure that I can close the deal if provided the right opportunity. I also need to shed a few pounds to facilitate better hiking and safer climbing.
I am sure there will be many dreams of a close encounter with one of the "Most Wanted" and I am equally as sure that even if that outcome never materialized just the possibility that it may is worth all the effort. I will try and document as much of my experience as possible during the months ahead and hope everyone is anticipating this years hunting season as much as I.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Get Involved Today!
There seems to be a fair amount of concern with the public that should Obama happen to win a second term, that there would be a considerable attack on the 2nd Amendment. Rantings from one of our supreme court justices do not help but spread the "fear factor", Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg -- Diminishing the Constitution. (It is deeply concerning to me that someone clearly this un-patriotic should be able to function at such a high level within our society)
Locally here in Oklahoma as well as nationally we have a some excellent gun friendly legislation being discussed and looking positive on the voting front. Be sure and get involved today, make your voice heard and lets let the crazies know that we believe in the founding principles in this great nation of ours the greatest nation in the history of the world.
Oklahoma
Federal
Just in General
Sunday, February 12, 2012
It's Always Deer Season
Wow can't believe it is February..On a good note that means we are one month closer to opening day 2012. As many folks are still savoring the fruits of their hunts, I am dreaming of next year. Just a quick shot of the lease for 2012....I know it is going to be a great year...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Late Season Hunt
A bit of fiction.
Sitting in stand day-in, day-out during the rifle season can be tough, especially as a hunter gets “picky” about the shots he desires. Tough doesn’t begin to explain it when, as the last day of “gun” season expires, so does the hunters buck tag.
However, all hope is not lost, and it is important to realize that opportunities still exist to fill a buck tag. Late season hunting signals continued change: change in the weather, change in daylight and change in deer activity.
One of the warmest days I've ever had on a stand was also one of the coldest. Late in the day--a day full of wind, sleet and occasionally snow--a small reprieve in the weather provides opportunity. With most hope lost and on the verge of hanging it up for the season, the snap of a twig and rustle of leaves warms me so quick that I begin to sweat. Coming out of the thick bedding brush, the heavy 10-pointer casually strolls toward the food source. Although wary, he seems at ease like he knows that most of the pursuers that dogged him a month ago are at home in their recliners watching deer hunting TV. While the weather has been poor, he has been holed up in some thick brush biding his time and now he is ready to dine. Hunger trumps fear it would seem.
I notice that he is utilizing a well-established trail, one with many scrapes and rubs along it’s historical line, one that has seen many a rut. Today he does not visit the scrapes nor pause to rub his antlers on a tree, following a season of fighting his skull is sore and he is tired of inflicting new damage on his once perfect rack that is now scattered with cracks and chips. Although he never ignores his nose, it is apparent that he is not significantly concerned with scent. He pauses periodically to test the air but never bends his head to sniff the ground, apparently he just isn’t interested or none of the doe are entering into the fabled second rut.
As he meanders down the trail I realize my breathing has become less controlled and my heart is pounding so hard, I can scarcely believe he cannot hear it. In about 20 feet he will walk directly downwind of my scent and the game will be up. Raising my bow and focusing my will I place the pin on his shoulder and begin following his walk, just as I am about to give him a “bleat” he pauses and turns his head to investigate a rustling in the breeze, my arrow is released and flies true.....
It feels absolutely tropical in these woods at the moment.
Sitting in stand day-in, day-out during the rifle season can be tough, especially as a hunter gets “picky” about the shots he desires. Tough doesn’t begin to explain it when, as the last day of “gun” season expires, so does the hunters buck tag.
However, all hope is not lost, and it is important to realize that opportunities still exist to fill a buck tag. Late season hunting signals continued change: change in the weather, change in daylight and change in deer activity.
One of the warmest days I've ever had on a stand was also one of the coldest. Late in the day--a day full of wind, sleet and occasionally snow--a small reprieve in the weather provides opportunity. With most hope lost and on the verge of hanging it up for the season, the snap of a twig and rustle of leaves warms me so quick that I begin to sweat. Coming out of the thick bedding brush, the heavy 10-pointer casually strolls toward the food source. Although wary, he seems at ease like he knows that most of the pursuers that dogged him a month ago are at home in their recliners watching deer hunting TV. While the weather has been poor, he has been holed up in some thick brush biding his time and now he is ready to dine. Hunger trumps fear it would seem.
I notice that he is utilizing a well-established trail, one with many scrapes and rubs along it’s historical line, one that has seen many a rut. Today he does not visit the scrapes nor pause to rub his antlers on a tree, following a season of fighting his skull is sore and he is tired of inflicting new damage on his once perfect rack that is now scattered with cracks and chips. Although he never ignores his nose, it is apparent that he is not significantly concerned with scent. He pauses periodically to test the air but never bends his head to sniff the ground, apparently he just isn’t interested or none of the doe are entering into the fabled second rut.
As he meanders down the trail I realize my breathing has become less controlled and my heart is pounding so hard, I can scarcely believe he cannot hear it. In about 20 feet he will walk directly downwind of my scent and the game will be up. Raising my bow and focusing my will I place the pin on his shoulder and begin following his walk, just as I am about to give him a “bleat” he pauses and turns his head to investigate a rustling in the breeze, my arrow is released and flies true.....
It feels absolutely tropical in these woods at the moment.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another Nice Oklahoma Whitetail
Trey's 2011 String and a Stick Buck
And the story as told by Trey...good stuff
"It all started when I joined a new chruch. My pastor is a rancher, and in desperate need of somewhere to draw some blood, I asked him if he had anywhere he would be willing to let me hunt. He said he did and he wouldn't charge me a dime to hunt it.
As we pulled up to the property, I knew something amazing was going to happen with this piece of ground. It was a full section, the river running along the back side with soy beans on one side and wheat on the other and a wooded area on the bank. After finding a tree that looked promising with trails all around it, I hung a stand. For the next few weeks leading up to the season, I sat in my truck and scouted the area. One night, I saw exactly what I was looking for, it was a bachelor group with approx. 6 or 7 nice bucks, one of which being considerably bigger, but didn't know how much bigger seeing as how I was 600 yards away.
First day of the season was finally here. I couldn't wait to be in the stand. That day I saw quite a few does and a nice younger buck, but no big boys. October 2nd came around and I decided to hit the stand early. I had been sitting there all day and had only seen 4 does and little forked horn. It was around 6:00 or 6:15 pm when the does came back and started working my way. After debating with myself for awhile, I went ahead and decided to go ahead and stick one of them if the shot presented itself. When they were at about 50 yards, they stopped and looked off to their right. When I turned to look I couldn't believe my eyes. There he was, the big buck I had seen a few weeks before, only 18 yards away! It was getting late, but still light enough to see to make a good shot.
The only thing was, I could only see his body and the right side of his rack. I automatically knew it was him and that he had a good set on his head. So, without hesitation I grabbed my Mathews Z7 Extreme settled my pin behind his shoulder and put a Rage broad head through him. By the time I let everything settle down and got down from the stand, it was dark and I wasn't finding much blood, even though I saw my arrow hit and found pieces of lung on the ground, along with my arrow that had good blood on it. I decided to back out and find him in the morning. Needless to say I couldn't sleep that night. When I went back that next morning, I couldn't believe what I saw. I had no idea he was that big! He had only run 100 yards from where I had shot him and fell over dead.
The only sad part in this story is that the coyotes had found him before I made it back and had eaten him clean from the base of the neck down. At least they left me the head, so now i have a nice skull mount to hang on the wall, and a great story to tell."
See the Gallery with all the pictures
Trey's String and Stick Buck
And the story as told by Trey...good stuff
"It all started when I joined a new chruch. My pastor is a rancher, and in desperate need of somewhere to draw some blood, I asked him if he had anywhere he would be willing to let me hunt. He said he did and he wouldn't charge me a dime to hunt it.
As we pulled up to the property, I knew something amazing was going to happen with this piece of ground. It was a full section, the river running along the back side with soy beans on one side and wheat on the other and a wooded area on the bank. After finding a tree that looked promising with trails all around it, I hung a stand. For the next few weeks leading up to the season, I sat in my truck and scouted the area. One night, I saw exactly what I was looking for, it was a bachelor group with approx. 6 or 7 nice bucks, one of which being considerably bigger, but didn't know how much bigger seeing as how I was 600 yards away.
First day of the season was finally here. I couldn't wait to be in the stand. That day I saw quite a few does and a nice younger buck, but no big boys. October 2nd came around and I decided to hit the stand early. I had been sitting there all day and had only seen 4 does and little forked horn. It was around 6:00 or 6:15 pm when the does came back and started working my way. After debating with myself for awhile, I went ahead and decided to go ahead and stick one of them if the shot presented itself. When they were at about 50 yards, they stopped and looked off to their right. When I turned to look I couldn't believe my eyes. There he was, the big buck I had seen a few weeks before, only 18 yards away! It was getting late, but still light enough to see to make a good shot.
The only thing was, I could only see his body and the right side of his rack. I automatically knew it was him and that he had a good set on his head. So, without hesitation I grabbed my Mathews Z7 Extreme settled my pin behind his shoulder and put a Rage broad head through him. By the time I let everything settle down and got down from the stand, it was dark and I wasn't finding much blood, even though I saw my arrow hit and found pieces of lung on the ground, along with my arrow that had good blood on it. I decided to back out and find him in the morning. Needless to say I couldn't sleep that night. When I went back that next morning, I couldn't believe what I saw. I had no idea he was that big! He had only run 100 yards from where I had shot him and fell over dead.
The only sad part in this story is that the coyotes had found him before I made it back and had eaten him clean from the base of the neck down. At least they left me the head, so now i have a nice skull mount to hang on the wall, and a great story to tell."
See the Gallery with all the pictures
Trey's String and Stick Buck
Monday, November 28, 2011
Massive Oklahoma Whitetail
Nice deer Josh...Check that...Amazing Deer Josh!
And a great publicity shot in the Pryor Daily Times
Way to go Josh, truly amazing deer and congratulations.
Friday, November 25, 2011
9pt Davis, Oklahoma Whitetail
Thanksgiving Bounty
Awesome 9pt Oklahoma Whitetail with a high hat. Deer harvested out of Davis, OK.
Way to go Parker S., Edmond, OK.
Awesome 9pt Oklahoma Whitetail with a high hat. Deer harvested out of Davis, OK.
Way to go Parker S., Edmond, OK.
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