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skijunkie55
08-02-13, 16:02
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00044.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/PICT0024.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/PICT0025.jpg

I'm just getting excited about the season this year. Been putting in a lot of time at our property in SW Michigan. 100 acres of woods/wetlands with food plots scattered throughout. No fence. Fields consist of clover, brassica, rye/buckwheat, turnips, and various other plantings. Have thousands of acres of corn fields surrounding us so it's a perfect "hideaway." Just waiting on these boys to shed their velvet and pack on the pounds.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2635.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1366.jpg
my weapon of choice.

Stangman
08-02-13, 17:25
Nice setup!


I'll be setting up my game cam this week. I've seen tracks of a monster in one of the spots I've set up. I have a feeling he was the big 10+ point I saw scouting last year, but he disappeared during the season. So, I can't wait to get that camera up and see if its him.

u_not_i
08-02-13, 21:04
Looks like you've got some good genes running around out there. The patches look like they are in great shape also. Ours are browning already due to heat and lack of rain by this time of year. I share your preference in bow brands also. Been running a Q2XL for years. Good luck this year.

Safetyhit
08-02-13, 21:10
Wow do you have so tremendous potential there. Now if it goes the way I recall all of those bucks will seemingly disappear when you finally get up in the stand. :D

skijunkie55
08-02-13, 23:10
Wow do you have so tremendous potential there. Now if it goes the way I recall all of those bucks will seemingly disappear when you finally get up in the stand. :D

That about sums up my season last year. Had one nice sized 8 walk in during opening week. Decided to let him go because I knew there were bigger... The remainder of the season they were caught on trail cams at either 5am or 11pm.

But here they are again this year. Glad to see they didn't fall prey to our trigger happy neighbors down the road :D

Chameleox
08-03-13, 00:14
Looking forward to 2013 as well!

I sold my uber-scoped rifle, and will be using my slug gun for the firearm season (unless I can find a good deal on a lever action or even a revolver).

This will also be my first year bowhunting. Looking forward to the challenge (and the extra days).

Good luck to you guys!

.46caliber
08-03-13, 09:12
This year will be my first deer outing. Long time waterfowler. But Skypup's 70gr. TSX thread has inspired me to take the AR out. I can smell the country fried deer steaks now.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

LHS
08-03-13, 21:58
I'm looking forward to it as usual. This year I'm going to change guns, though. For years, I've used a Remington model 7 in .308 with a cut-and-recrowned 16.5" barrel and a Leupy 2-7x. This year I'm going to field-test my new Ruger African in 9.3x62mm Mauser with an SWFA 1-6x.

bluejackets92fs
08-03-13, 22:37
Got a free Mathews Z7 a few months back. Sounds like I will be hitting the woods again this fall.

rushca01
08-04-13, 16:57
Getting pretty anxious myself. Just bought a new Matthews creed and getting it dialed in. I have 4 tree stands ready to put up next weekend so we can cut shooting lanes. Just put some more mineral lick out as the activity around the cameras has slowed a little. Food plots are looking "ok" but they could be better.

Guns-up.50
08-04-13, 20:12
Definitely ready.... op if you need help clearing out thoes pesky deer let me know me and the maathews will come help...;) good luck ths season

gun71530
08-04-13, 20:16
I can't wait, my freezer is getting empty, and I'm giving my AR a go this year.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

lunchbox
08-04-13, 20:29
This year will be giving 556/AR go, puled dot off mounted scope and zeroed. Still undecided on ammo for season, been looking around threads and brushing up on 556/223 ballistics, etc.. Really wanting to stay away from frangible rounds and similar, as meat harvest is a concern. Alabama deer are not very big so looking for round that put'em down without destroying too much meat.

gun71530
08-04-13, 20:41
This year will be giving 556/AR go, puled dot off mounted scope and zeroed. Still undecided on ammo for season, been looking around threads and brushing up on 556/223 ballistics, etc.. Really wanting to stay away from frangible rounds and similar, as meat harvest is a concern. Alabama deer are not very big so looking for round that put'em down without destroying too much meat.

I'm using my 5.56 AR, for the first time this year. I'm going with ASYM 70 grain TSX.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

skijunkie55
08-04-13, 20:51
Definitely ready.... op if you need help clearing out thoes pesky deer let me know me and the maathews will come help...;) good luck ths season

If I get my tags filled in the first three weeks il'l let you know ;)
I'm having venison withdrawals as last season I got nothin. Opted out of muzzle loading season this past winter due to my son being born. Time to fill the freezer!!

.46caliber
08-04-13, 20:54
This year will be giving 556/AR go, puled dot off mounted scope and zeroed. Still undecided on ammo for season, been looking around threads and brushing up on 556/223 ballistics, etc.. Really wanting to stay away from frangible rounds and similar, as meat harvest is a concern. Alabama deer are not very big so looking for round that put'em down without destroying too much meat.

There's a very nice thread on the 70gr TSX in the reloading forum. Skypup even did some research after a kill where he recovered the bullet. 69.9 grains. No frangible worries with that projo.

Barnes does factory loads with it as their Vortx line in .223 and Silver State Armory loads it in a 5.56 cartridge. Between $23 and $30 a box.

Saving my pennies for a Leupold to meet the task of collecting some tenderloins.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

lunchbox
08-04-13, 21:02
I'm using my 5.56 AR, for the first time this year. I'm going with ASYM 70 grain TSX.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2Thanks, ya those are noteworthy, but still looking for differ(cheaper&more avlb) options. But will use them if can't find suitable alternative.

lunchbox
08-04-13, 21:11
There's a very nice thread on the 70gr TSX in the reloading forum. Skypup even did some research after a kill where he recovered the bullet. 69.9 grains. No frangible worries with that projo.

Barnes does factory loads with it as their Vortx line in .223 and Silver State Armory loads it in a 5.56 cartridge. Between $23 and $30 a box.

Saving my pennies for a Leupold to meet the task of collecting some tenderloins.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2Yup saw thread (w/ nice albino piggy) thought they more exp. to tell truth, might have to give them more concederin.

Rekkr870
08-04-13, 21:21
This year will be giving 556/AR go, puled dot off mounted scope and zeroed. Still undecided on ammo for season, been looking around threads and brushing up on 556/223 ballistics, etc.. Really wanting to stay away from frangible rounds and similar, as meat harvest is a concern. Alabama deer are not very big so looking for round that put'em down without destroying too much meat.

The 5.56 is the only caliber I hunt for whitetail with here in Arkansas. I've had great results with the Federal Fusion 62gr spire point ammunition. I've also taken one with Hornady 75gr OTM; The OTM yielded great results as well. Federal Fusion destroyed less meat though.

skijunkie55
08-04-13, 21:25
All this talk of center fire rifles for whitetail...

And I'm stuck with shotgun/muzzle loader during firearms season. My poor .300 WSM is sitting collecting dust. Curse you zone 3:suicide2:

Rekkr870
08-04-13, 21:28
All this talk of center fire rifles for whitetail...

And I'm stuck with shotgun/muzzle loader during firearms season. My poor .300 WSM is sitting collecting dust. Curse you zone 3:suicide2:

Damn that sucks. Can you use a handgun?

skijunkie55
08-04-13, 21:33
Damn that sucks. Can you use a handgun?

Yep. My brother has a Ruger .44 super redhawk sitting in a box just waiting on a scope that could be an option. I have my Springfield 1911 but I'm not too confident taking 75+ yard shots with it yet :)

David Thomas
08-04-13, 21:41
I'm looking forward to it as usual. This year I'm going to change guns, though. For years, I've used a Remington model 7 in .308 with a cut-and-recrowned 16.5" barrel and a Leupy 2-7x. This year I'm going to field-test my new Ruger African in 9.3x62mm Mauser with an SWFA 1-6x.

Awesome new gun!

skijunkie55
08-07-13, 13:53
Went out to take a look at the fields yesterday... We've had a good few weeks of cooler weather and rain so all the fields are lush, green, and in need of mowing. Definite change from last year (drought)

Anyone else have trail cam pics? I'm curious as to how whitetails in the other parts of the states are growing :)

lunchbox
08-07-13, 20:49
Anyone else have trail cam pics? I'm curious as to how whitetails in the other parts of the states are growing :)This is why you shouldn't put "Deer Crack" in feeders.. Bear dance party :D http://thechive.com/2013/07/29/wildlife-cam-captures-bear-dance-party-video/

skijunkie55
08-07-13, 21:07
This is why you shouldn't put "Deer Crack" in feeders.. Bear dance party :D http://thechive.com/2013/07/29/wildlife-cam-captures-bear-dance-party-video/

That's awesome!!

Ridgerunner665
08-07-13, 21:20
I hope I have some trail cam pics when I get home...cam has been set for 5 weeks.

Will post em if I got em!

C-grunt
08-08-13, 00:15
Not going to make it this year. Maybe next year. Got a new rifle though. TC Encore in 7mm08.

RyanB
08-08-13, 00:29
I'm looking forward to it as usual. This year I'm going to change guns, though. For years, I've used a Remington model 7 in .308 with a cut-and-recrowned 16.5" barrel and a Leupy 2-7x. This year I'm going to field-test my new Ruger African in 9.3x62mm Mauser with an SWFA 1-6x.

9.3 is a hammer on deer sized game. They don't flop as hard as something faster but you can take the shot from any angle you've got.

kittyhawk
08-10-13, 10:46
I am going to use my new 6.8 build this year. I have settled on federal 115gr fusion loads. Took it out last Monday to sight in. Got right at 1moa at 100-200 yards. Love the new weaver super slam 4x20 scope....
Can't wait to put some meet in the freezer. 17774

Scoby
08-11-13, 08:11
Nice trail pics skijunkie55.
Those kind of pics really get the anticipation going.

Hate you are forced to use a shotgun or a smoke pole.

lunchbox
08-11-13, 13:20
I am going to use my new 6.8 build this year. I have settled on federal 115gr fusion loads. Took it out last Monday to sight in. Got right at 1moa at 100-200 yards. Love the new weaver super slam 4x20 scope....
Can't wait to put some meet in the freezer. 17774I think you'll be happy with the 6.8 results, provided good placement deer are DRT.

NickyDunzo
08-13-13, 06:15
These 2 are from the catskill New York region. Been watching the 8 for 2 years now. For my area that's a hard to find deer. Thankfully they have implemented a minimum of 3 pt on one side as of 2011. Now lets just hope these people follow the rules. I have already seen much improvement on my land. The neighboring farmer stopped leasing his land to this group of dishonest hunters (poachers more like it.)

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t555/nickydunzo/null_zps36fe5358.jpg
http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t555/nickydunzo/null_zpsa3aa140d.jpg

skijunkie55
08-13-13, 09:41
October can't come soon enough...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00019.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00016.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00012.jpg
Getting their pre-rut warmup in...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00014.jpg
Oh Helloooo

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt28/skijunkie55/Cdy00015.jpg

Ridgerunner665
08-13-13, 16:27
All I had pics of were does :banghead:

Stangman
08-15-13, 20:01
I went and got a cheapy camera to put up in my new spot I just made yesterday. I just threw a small SD card in it for the night until I could go get a bigger one to put in it today. I came back to switch the cards and found this guy...

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT0010_zps3a3e4661.jpg
http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT0011_zpsa5cbbd2d.jpg
http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT0020_zps30f9e3f5.jpg
http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT0021_zpsefc2e6cd.jpg

Had no idea he was on the property and he stuck around in the spot for about 2+ hours too.

Stangman
09-02-13, 13:51
The last one I posted comes daily now, between 3-5 times a day, and has a twin that hangs out with him now too. Lots of doe have been showing up, which I'm really happy about. Should be really good for rut time. Still haven't found the 10 on camera, but found some more that I'll be happy to put an arrow / 70gr TSX in, depending on season of course :D

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/HUNT0397_zps96dedd36.jpg

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/HUNT0380_zpsa09de203.jpg

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/HUNT0378_zps527f4f24.jpg

Nightvisionary
09-08-13, 06:52
Whitetail? What's all this talk about Whitetails? Everyone knows deer have Blacktails.


http://www.biggamehunt.net/graphics/photos_talltales/blacktail_ultimate_3.jpg

sjc3081
09-08-13, 09:21
Off my back porch
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t191/sjc3081/image.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/sjc3081/media/image.jpg.html)

FozziestBear
09-26-13, 22:24
You guys are getting me even more pumped up. This is my first year hunting and I'm planning on both turkey and deer seasons. Folks say prepare to come up empty, but I'm still hopeful.

The trick is learning how to find them and track them. I don't have land and I'm not a hunt club member so it's generally public lands for me unless someone let's me go with them. Still, we'll see what happens.

LHS
09-26-13, 22:29
You guys are getting me even more pumped up. This is my first year hunting and I'm planning on both turkey and deer seasons. Folks say prepare to come up empty, but I'm still hopeful.

The trick is learning how to find them and track them. I don't have land and I'm not a hunt club member so it's generally public lands for me unless someone let's me go with them. Still, we'll see what happens.

A word of advice for hunting on public land: wear a LOT of orange, not just the state-mandated minimum. You want every braindead, half-drunk moron with a .30-30 to see you.

cctroupe11
09-27-13, 04:01
Since I won't be back from Afghanistan for archery season (which is my favorite), I will be stuck with rifle season. I've always used my .270 or .308 before...but I'm curious if the .223 is enough to put down Georgia's small deer, so I am going to give it a try this season.

Plus, I'll prolly be taking out some hogs and/or coyotes as well.

Ark1443
09-27-13, 09:28
You guys are getting me even more pumped up. This is my first year hunting and I'm planning on both turkey and deer seasons. Folks say prepare to come up empty, but I'm still hopeful.

The trick is learning how to find them and track them. I don't have land and I'm not a hunt club member so it's generally public lands for me unless someone let's me go with them. Still, we'll see what happens.

Don't let the naysayers get you down! Last year was my first time out as well. I went with a friend who had been hunting several times before. We went to a public conservation area, neither of us had ever been there before, no scouting, and on top of that we missed our turn off on the way there so had to double back and ended up arriving around 9:00 AM! (total recipe for disaster right?!)

We went in, walked for about 30 mins & we spotted the outline of a deer past some brush (and heard him, entire area is forested, all leaves were on the ground).

Deer was spooked, walked off, we followed in the general direction & eventually setup on a good spot looking a creek, no blinds, no tree stands, just us on the ground.

Roughly 20 mins later two does walked right past the spot we crossed at (we were now downwind I recall from them) and they walked literally up to our faces. My buddy took the shot with my DDm4V3 ar, and one doe was down about 15 yards in front of me, one shot stop with 75g hornady tap! :dance3:

Sadly he got to take the shot, because I gave him the AR, and was going to use the .308 rem 700... but it was so close quarters, my 4x14x44 zeiss on the rem 700 was too strong, couldn't get the dang shot. My AR had a aimpoint on it so, I'll be running that this year myself!

Point being, even with a total recipe for disaster of a hunt, you could pull it off, so go out there & get some venison!

chadb
09-30-13, 13:38
I love archery season only a few more days and its time to go out.

Stangman
10-11-13, 20:49
Pulled the SD card before heading out tomorrow and found some very encouraging pics. Soooo many pics of this guy this week. I feel like it's Christmas eve...


http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT1650_zps9354a8e7.jpg

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/stangman2v/Game%20Cam/HUNT0562_zpsfb32c10a.jpg

Scoby
10-12-13, 16:37
Beautiful deer.

I wouldn't be able to sleep either!

skijunkie55
10-15-13, 11:56
Well, 2 weekends through and haven't seen anything from the OP. My brother shot a large doe just for venison, which we ended up tracking for 3 hours and didn't find it. Consistent trail the entire time. How a deer can lose that much blood and literally vanish is beyond me. :confused: Deer Jesus came and took her away I think.

We're still seeing consistent flow of deer on the trail cams, but the big boys have gone into hiding.

Guns-up.50
10-16-13, 08:59
Well, 2 weekends through and haven't seen anything from the OP. My brother shot a large doe just for venison, which we ended up tracking for 3 hours and didn't find it. Consistent trail the entire time. How a deer can lose that much blood and literally vanish is beyond me. :confused: Deer Jesus came and took her away I think.

We're still seeing consistent flow of deer on the trail cams, but the big boys have gone into hiding.

Been like that hear in the Jackson area too. We have seen few deer and when we do its usually at the same time 7-715 pm. However you know as well as I do the best part of the season has yet to come.... Good luck let us know how it pans out.

Ark1443
10-17-13, 22:21
@ Stangman

I'd lose sleep over that as well! One month to go for me, I hope I'm lucky, I'll need it this year.... public conservation area again.

SilverBullet432
11-01-13, 23:39
Season opens in 20 mins here.

Ark1443
11-05-13, 07:49
Season opens in 20 mins here.

Two weeks from today for me... cant wait. Just hope I'm over this stupid flu by then. I think it's almost done but I still keep coughing. :nono: Going to suck if that's still going on; will scare the deer away!

longball
11-12-13, 21:35
This year will be giving 556/AR go, puled dot off mounted scope and zeroed. Still undecided on ammo for season, been looking around threads and brushing up on 556/223 ballistics, etc.. Really wanting to stay away from frangible rounds and similar, as meat harvest is a concern. Alabama deer are not very big so looking for round that put'em down without destroying too much meat.

I haven't read this whole thread so forgive me if it's already been mentioned but the federal fusion may be worth a look. If I recall correctly it is a bonded bullet and they offer it in a 62gr load. I ran into a guy a while back who's young daughter used it for her first deer hunt and he seemed to be pleased with the results. Being familiar with the small deer in Alabama I don't think you'd have to do much tracking if you put a 62gr pull through the lungs.


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.46caliber
11-13-13, 06:32
I haven't read this whole thread so forgive me if it's already been mentioned but the federal fusion may be worth a look. If I recall correctly it is a bonded bullet and they offer it in a 62gr load. I ran into a guy a while back who's young daughter used it for her first deer hunt and he seemed to be pleased with the results. Being familiar with the small deer in Alabama I don't think you'd have to do much tracking if you put a 62gr pull through the lungs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

I'll be using the fusion this season. The Barnes TSX is another good choice. 100% copper and folks are getting fantastic expansion and retention with it.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

longball
11-13-13, 06:59
Barnes is definitely a great choice when penetration and weight retention are a priority, or when shooting game that is pushing the limit of your chosen caliber. Given the size of the deer down here, I think the 62gr fusion would be adequate while saving the OP a little money.


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