2024 Deer Season

[10mm]

Content warning? I mean we're in a thread with more than a few carcasses, but just so you're aware the heart is pictured below.


Gentlemen, I don't think most of you would believe this without a picture, so I took a picture. The story goes that this is my first year of archery and I ended up buying a barnett 370 on sale from Walmart after a little Google fu. Seeing as how I like to consider myself a responsible hunter, I shot probably 35-40 times during site in and learning the process. A lot of rifle skills translate to crossbow, at least in my brief experience, so I didn't have too hard a time with it. I even built a cardboard target that's about 50 layers thick (thank goodness for amazon addiction) and sacrificed a broadhead to ensure accuracy. I say all that to say this and finally present the picture. In all the years I've been rifle hunting I have never failed to split a heart. It's not something I'm aiming for specifically, more just how grandpa taught me to aim. I had an inkling as I'm gutting last night as I was getting closer to the heart. I pulled it out and saw a neat little "X" on both sides. She ran about 30 yards and dropped.

 

[cg21]

Well daughters bow just got set to 35# and got broad heads with lighted nocks she is ready to go now.

 

[ws6duramax]

My future son in law got this one about 745 this morning at my place. I believe it's his first buck. Rage hypodermic did a number on it.

 

[Bleachey]

Well I whiffed on one last night, sent it right over her back at what I thought was 30 yards. Will do some more target shooting to verify it was user error and not anything weird with equipment, but definitely assume it's user error. Monday evening had a little 6 pointer skirt the edge of the woods way out of range, although he would have been safe even if he was in range. Had 2 does come in around 6pm, get to about 50 yards and veer perpendicular to me then circled back to the north away from me. About 7:15 they(pretty sure they were the same 2) came back and walked on the trail 30 yards to the side of my stand. 2nd one was a mature doe so I got into position, she stepped into a window and I sent it. Saw it go right over her back. She did a little hop and then they hung around thick stuff for about 10 minutes before slowly heading out into the harvested corn field and I watched them walk away until it got dark. Other than my bad marksmanship it was an enjoyable first 2 sits of the season. Did have either a young eagle or really big hawk snatch a squirrel in a tree about 15 yards away and have a loud meal for 20 minutes. I saw it fly in, but when it hit the tree could not see it because of foliage to make out exactly what it was.

 

[spencer rifle]

Me, our youngest and my friend from Lagrange County are all in the lottery for early and late hunts at Chain O Lakes. Last year was tag soup. Hoping for better this year. Staff said the most luck was had setting up on picnic tables in the campground. Might have to try that.

 

[spencer rifle]

Got out into the deer woods this morning. No deer seen but lots of rubs and a few scrapes.

 

[cg21]

Me, our youngest and my friend from Lagrange County are all in the lottery for early and late hunts at Chain O Lakes. Last year was tag soup. Hoping for better this year. Staff said the most luck was had setting up on picnic tables in the campground. Might have to try that.

lol the tame deer that’s funny people feed them all camping season.

 

[Chase515]

Building a buck hut last 2 days. Should be ready for gun season. Picking up cross brace material and the rest of the wood tomorrow.

 

[Hookeye]

Deer hit picked beans at first light and fed away.
Slicks so didnt set up on em
Corn up elsewhere, and the warm temps.....not moving much

 

[phylodog]

Got to the farm this afternoon and we hung a new stand that we may sit tomorrow. Not expecting much movement this evening until last light but hoping tomorrow's lower temps may get them moving. It appears the big boys have started to roam a bit, mostly at night but we'v gotten a couple of daytime pics in the past week.

Good luck to everyone going out and be safe!

 

[El Conquistador]

I went out this evening had a 6 point and 6 doe’s come by. They were feeding on acorns. Glad to see some doe hanging around

 

[cg21]

I was scheduled to go help a kid look for his gutshot deer this morning…. In Illinois () ….. but this rain may have cancelled my morning plans and ruined the chance of finding it.

 

[ws6duramax]

Got to the farm this afternoon and we hung a new stand that we may sit tomorrow. Not expecting much movement this evening until last light but hoping tomorrow's lower temps may get them moving. It appears the big boys have started to roam a bit, mostly at night but we'v gotten a couple of daytime pics in the past week.

Good luck to everyone going out and be safe!

Pretty much that exact same thing here. A few more mature buck pics this past week and the 2.5yr old and younger have all shown themselves in daylight hours. Lots of sparring

Good luck. The first few days this week should be decent

 

[10mm]

I was scheduled to go help a kid look for his gutshot deer this morning…. In Illinois () ….. but this rain may have cancelled my morning plans and ruined the chance of finding it.

Can one even eat a gut shot deer? I mean, I'm sure there are parts that are still good, but wouldn't that spoil at least some of the meat?
Genuinely asking as I've yet to make that mistake (knock on wood).

 

[yetti462]

Can one even eat a gut shot deer? I mean, I'm sure there are parts that are still good, but wouldn't that spoil at least some of the meat?
Genuinely asking as I've yet to make that mistake (knock on wood).

I've tried, found the deer the next day, gutted, rinsed, the meat always had a hint of stench. Edible yes, with alot of marinade. Some of it became dog food.

 

[cg21]

Can one even eat a gut shot deer? I mean, I'm sure there are parts that are still good, but wouldn't that spoil at least some of the meat?
Genuinely asking as I've yet to make that mistake (knock on wood).

I found the deer! Happy since it was only the kids second deer. Liver shot….. but still only went about 400yds ish but it was THICK and no blood because of the pine needles it was a tough track.

So….. the temp outside is the main factor. He took it to a butcher shop and I guess they cooked up a piece and it was fine and after some trimming will still have a decent yield.

 

[yetti462]

I couldn't pass, itchy finger got the best of me. Now for the real work to begin.

 

[cg21]

I couldn't pass, itchy finger got the best of me. Now for the real work to begin.

That happens sometimes.

I went out this morning and was absolutely COVERED in turkeys…. Roosting in my tree and everything scared the cr@p out of me. No I didn’t shoot one I saw no Tom’s all poults and hens not sure I would have was really feeling good about a buck!