Taxman's 2005 Hunting Journal

[Taxman]

This season started in February as I purchased my first bow to use around my home.

We aren't allowed to use rifles down in these parts of Southern Ontario and the choice is a shotgun or a bow. Well the shotgun season is a week before I head north for my rifle hunt for deer and the bow season is three months long.

The decision was easy!

A 1992 PSE Precision Edge 5050CM!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/MyBow.jpg

Being a father of three young children, I didn't have $ 1,000 to drop on an outfit. So, with the help of a generous member of "The Ontario Hunting Lodge" (another hunting forum), I was able to purchase all that you see here for a remarkable price.

Now, I had only shot a bow a few times, so this was quite the venture for me. I wasn't sure if I would truly enjoy it. And I knew that I would have to practice to get better.

Practice, practice and more practice...

Mike

(edited for content and picture)

[Taxman]

The next step was learning how to shoot.

I took the bow into The Bow Shop in Waterloo. They helped me set the bow up properly to my draw length, set my peep high and out of the way to learn to shoot without it and other miscellaneous tinkering.

I read all I could about moving your sights and the information gained from the internet was invaluable. I was all set to go.

First shot I took with missed my target and hit the kid's plastic jungle gym in the back yard :oops: Fortunately, I hit right at a joint and the damage in internal and you'd never know otherwise.

I knew that I need to learn to shoot properly so I signed up for lessons. Again, The Bow Shop provided the answer and I signed up for a six week lesson for only $ 85.00. For that price I was able to get in three hours of shooting on an indoor range.

I wouldn't say the lessons were fantastic (that all six lessons were full of information and such) but I did learn about proper form, learned to shoot with both eyes open and finally get my peep moved back down to start using it again.

I quickly broke the 200 mark shooting indoors and currently average 235. My weekly scores are generally closer to 250 right now and I'm looking forward to breaking those scores 10 at a time.

Mike

[Dillershortbow]

Now taxman you want to hunt with a bow practice shooting your first arrow perfect or as good as you can. Most times in the morning you never get a practice shot. So your first shot of the day is the most important shot for you. Just my opinion

[Taxman]

Right you are Diller!

My overall objective is to consistently score 8 or better on 100% of all shots at the grey and black bull dowload available here (I think that's a 6.5 inch diameter).

However, shooting targets lets you get out more and practice, practice, practice.

When I start shooting my broadheads (sometime this month), I'll be tracking single shots instead of multiples.

Mike

[Dillershortbow]

At 3d shoots during the summer ones i`am not trying to win i will not warm up just to practace my first shot of the day is a kill.

[Taxman]

Well,

Speaking of 3-D shoots, I attended my first 3-D shoot ever at the Hamilton Hunting and Archery Club on June 5th.

I was really nervous about attending (being a rookie and all) but they were extremely friendly hosts. I took some practice shots on their outdoor range (10, 20 and 30 as at home) just to be sure the three pins I had were accurate.

Then they paired me up with two older members of the club who took me around.

My first 3-D shot was a 10 and I missed the 12 ring by millimeters. I was feeling a little sheepish thinking these guys may have thought I was sandbagging, but the next few shots took care of that!

In the morning, I shot 3 12's, 6 10's, 11 8's and 5 5's.

In the afternoon, the shots were all set up a bit tougher:

1 12's, 7 10's, 11 8's and 6 5's.

In total, I shot 409 out of 500 and I didn't think it was all that bad. I left feeling very satisfied with the experience.

I am looking forward to my next 3-D but I don't think that will be until September 11th.

Mike

[Dillershortbow]

Those scores sound good to me for the first time 8) how I`ll bet you`re hooked i no i was my first one and i am still hooked and getting worse . :cheers:

[Taxman]

The next major stumbling block that I face is getting permission to hunt on the private property in my area.

I run softball in town and we were busy until July 25th with all the work that goes with that. Plus my two boys were in soccer as well and that made getting out really difficult.

On July 27th, I finally went to two farms. The first, the one I really wanted to hunt. The second, the place I felt was a slam dunk for getting permission.

The First Farm

Last year, they had soybeans in and I saw at least 10 different deer throughout the summer and fall. I almost hit a buck there last year, but didn't only because I slowed down to look over their fields.

This year, they put in wheat and I didn't really spot many after it started growing.

I was really nervous as I drove up the long drive to the landowner's home. Fortunately, they were out in the yard but I felt like a travelling salesman as I got out and offered my best HELLO!

They were quite friendly with me and quite receptive, but advised me that it is an agreement with the neighbours not to let anyone hunt the land. They tried to think of others who may let me hunt but came up empty.

They said that they hadn't seen many deer lately, but while I was talking with them a doe came out at 80 yards and two fawns went tearning through as well.

Again, they were friendly and the took my mini resumee of sorts that I've prepared.

The Second Farm

OK, these guys are friends of ours and I figured it was a no brainer. They own farm property on the other side of town.

I approached the father and he tells me he would like to give me permission, but can't. Someone else farms the property for him and they have the exclusive rights.

0 for 2 on the first night. I will be going out tomorrow or Wednesday and it's time to really crack down until I find something.

I'll keep you posted.

Mike

[Taxman]

Went out last week and stopped in a five different farms. Only two were home, so now I'm currently 0 - 4.

Two turned me down, two weren't at home and one had a German Shepard sitting on the porch and I wasn't getting out of my car!

Anyways, going away for the weekend and will be back at it next week.

Mike

[Dillershortbow]

I have pretty much given up trying to hunt private land. I log on a large beef and hay farm i can shoot bears yotes but no deer and there is so nice deer on that place.

[Taxman]

Went out again tonight and hit six places (only one had no one at home).

Got three no's and two maybes (we'll see). One of my no's came from a farmer that has had a group on his property for 20 years. His parting words were kind indeed, "Thanks for asking first though".

The first place I stopped at was a fellow deer hunter who also went up north every year for a rifle hunt.

Doesn't even hunt his property, but a group of guys from town do (one week shotgun season). Told me that he didn't mind if I bowhunted it.

Got a contact from the party that hunts in and will be calling tomorrow.

Got three more no's and the last place I stopped at seemed interested as well, however she said she'd have to talk to her husband to be sure.

Currently at 0 - 2 - 7!

At least I got two maybes!

Mike

[Taxman]

Well, I haven't made it out to lock up that one property due to an illness in the family of the guy I have to talk to.

But today, a guy that knows I'm having problems took me out and we set up two stands.....one for him and one for me. :)

Here's some pics from today.

My first adventure climbing trees:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Stand4.jpg

In the stand,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Stand6.jpg

Looking up from a 15 yard shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Stand7.jpg

A close up,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Stand8.jpg

So, hopefully I'll be out for my first bowhunting experience next Saturday afternoon!

Mike

[Taxman]

October 1st - Evening Hunt

Well,

Went out on my first bowhunting exercise yesterday and what a thrill.

I'm stll not comfortable getting in treestands but have no problem getting out when terra firma is waiting for you.

I climbed the stand and put in another step to help the cause only to realize that I left my seat cushion, binoculars and bow case (just the case, not the bow) laying on the ground not tied up. :bash:

Then, I grabbed a facemask that Billert from Team 5 lent me and dropped my marking tape from the tree. :twak:

So, I finally hoisted my bow and spent the next three hours listening to sounds, watching squirrels and actually saw a raccoon (boy that flash of brown really got my heart pumping).

So, anyways, I get down before legal light is over (just to be sure) and I work my way back to the cars. Billert, Team 5 thread, spine shot a doe and used all three broadheads that he had in the process.

So, I actually got to draw and fire at a deer! :thumbsup:

Now, I've deer hunted for four seasons with a rifle, but I had a crippled doe at 5 yards and I was shaking like a teenager in the back of a car on a Saturday night.

I shot two shots before I squarely hit her shoulder good. Now she wasn't going anywhere. One more shot and I clipped her lung and she was gone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/BillertsDeer2.jpg

While I didn't get to see anything it was great to get out.

Here's my view from my treestand at 15-20 and maybe even 30 yards!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Treestand2.jpg

Mike

[Grunter]

that first time is always a killer experience - even if you don't land an arrow where you wanted!

I remember my first time in a treestand - my legs were locked-in, could hardly stand-up to get down!

Way to go Mike!

[Valley Lad]

That was a pretty nice doe Billert shot (I saw the pics at HuntOntario). I get almost as excited when a hunting buddy gets a deer as I do myself.

Hopefully you get yours soon - I know you've worked really hard and paid your dues when you tried to help him track the big buck he shot last fall. Good luck!

[Taxman]

Thanks for the comments.

I added the pictures I was talking about!

Mike

[Taxman]

October 7th - Evening Hunt

Went out Friday October 7th and sat in the same stand once again.

Didn't see anything with the exception of up to 8 raccoons (may have saw the same one more than once).

The farmer was taking out the corn in the field and I thought the deer would be coming in for the dinner bell.

Oh well, walked out at dark, checked out the corn field and started walking back only to jump a deer feeding at an apple tree.

Mike

[Taxman]

October 10th - Morning Hunt

Thought I'd try an early morning hunt out.

Got up at 4:15 am and drove to the spot. Me and another guy set up blinds right near different apple trees near the forest edge.

At 7:15, heard large stick breaking but nothing showed. Nothing else the rest of the morning.

Went for a small stalk to find a trail running about 20 yards into the bush towards the bedding area. Noted for next time!

Mike

[Taxman]

Monday October 10th - Evening hunt

Well, nothing on the ground, but my most exciting bowhunt of the year.

A buddy Billert, put me in field where he felt I'd see deer (after three outings so far....nothing). He didn't know what I had in store!

At 6:15 the parade started. Looked out and saw a doe and two fawns at about 100 yards on a cut corn field. They were looking over their shoulders at something in the bush behind them and it didn't take long for them to leave the area, white flags flying!

Then, 5 minutes later, another doe almost walked into my blind from behind me. Heard her stomp and rustle away and stop at 20 or 25 yards. Too bad she was in scrub! I gave her a couple of grunts, but she simply went on her way.

At 6:30 I looked way down the 200+ yards and saw two big bodied deer. Grunted at them too, but they were simply cutting through to get to some standing corn.

Then, at 6:45 I looked to my right and saw a doe with two fawns.....no wait.....three fawns. Only 40 yards out and closing......35 yards......then she winds me. She bolts forwards a few yards and is looking around in bewilderment.......after a few seconds, she's had enough and heads back into the forest from whence she came.

I was all ready and just waiting for the shot, but it never came.

Mike

[kakko]

just be patient it will come our moose came at the end of archery season although the three weeks of waiting watching calling looking at a ton of track stew it all came together.
now that moose is over for us we are starting to talk deer in cambridge I'll keep you posted so we can get you out with us

[kakko]

Have you been out lately! we have to back up to camp to make it ready foir winter. thinking about going down south soon. when are you going to Iron Bridge? want to try and time it so you are available in Cambridge. let me know

[Taxman]

I haven't been out since October 10th. I was all set to go out on October 23rd (a date that my beloved MRS had known about for weeks). Unfortunately she decided to wait until I was about to pack the car to put the old guilt trip on me. :flame:

So, I will hopefully get out once or twice this weekend. It will be the last hunt before the shotgun season so this will be the last time for a while too (to let them come back to normal routines).

Let me know your schedule and I'll see what we can work out!

Mike

[Taxman]

Finally made it out and put another 2 hours in the stand. As shotgun season is approaching, we remove and reinstall all our steps every time, so we're a little loud going in and coming out.

Had a good feeling despite the fact that the wind was all wrong for the stand. Use scent eliminator and apparently it worked. At 5:00 a forkhorn (approximately 6 inch tines) walked out into a field behind my stand that I don't have a clear shot at (yet).

This, combined with the fact that I wouldn't have shot him anyway (as I'm saving my buck tag for my rifle next week because it's also a doe tag where I'm heading) made sure he would live to see another day!

Here's a pic that's a bit blury due to focusing problems, but you can clearly see his tines.

Mike

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/Buck11-3-05.jpg

[Taxman]

Went out again for the last day before a week's break for the shotgun season that starts tomorrow.

It was a very blustery day in Southern Ontario with wind gusts up to 100 km/h. When I arrived at the stand I figured I should just hunt from the ground.

After some time on the ground, I realized that the shots would be 10 yards and less, no blind and I wouldn't have a lot of time to see them coming.

So, I decided to try to get comfortable in the stand after all.

I'm half way up the tree and look to see a doe 5 yards in front of my tree. She knows something is up, but doesn't flag me and gets out of Dodge quickly.

:twak:

I should have at least had my first shot at a deer this year!

Got up in the stand and called in a spike buck shortly after.....wasn't very big at all and I would have had to have had both tags in my pocket (anterless and anterlered) in order for a truly legal shot.....onward he went.

On a brighter note, Billert, a member at this forum, tagged out for the year with this guy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Taxman_003/EightPointer5.jpg

I'll let him tell you the story!

Off for my rifle hunt on Friday! Be good all.

Mike

[Valley Lad]

Taxman: How'd the rifle hunt go last week?

... or maybe you're one of the fortunate ones who gets a free pass for both weeks of rifle season?

[Taxman]

Good news and bad news.

The bad news is the the I tanked out on the rifle hunt. I had to wait until Thursday before seeing my first deer and he was really moving and didn't present a shot.

The good news is the the whole group crapped out. That means that no one needed to use my doe tag and now it becomes a buck tag for my local area. That means I can shoot any deer that I choose to that decides to walk in front of my stand.! :thumbsup:

I've got some pics of the rifle hunt that I'll post later.

Now, I've looked at my schedule and I have 5 more days that I'll be able to get out. Hopefully I'll get to connect on something!

Mike