Summary
Bill, Paul, and Mike went up for the fourth weekend of deer season, accompanied by Carrie, Mary, Kyle & Grace; Maggie and Polly (without either David or Brenda); and Christina.
Saturday
Paul's report:
Nothing too eventful. We arrived a little late to the cabin because of Mike (no big deal). After unpacking the cars the kids went to the swings. I went to Grasshooper with my Hi Standard 22 pistol that has been in the repair shop for a yr. The gun still has the same problem—I will return it for a refund later this week. Kyle shot a number of rounds. At that point, Mike showed up with his 22 rifle and Christina. Kyle shot a number of rounds through Joe’s ol’ Win single shot 22 rifle. After shooting groups at the bench, he shot cans in the standing position—did well. After, we all went to the cabin where we later ate hot dogs. I was joined by Kyle and Maggie to go the Hook and Bill went solo to Hummingbird. We saw three does and that’s it. Returned and in the dark got the car packed and returned home.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. - Paul
Bill's report:
A passel of kids up for Family Weekend - and no one wants to go out with Uncle Bill! So I lone-wolfed it to Hummingbird, watching Matteoni Ridge.
I passed a down branch, probably from last Monday or so - green but drying, similar in condition to the branch that disturbed your sleep last weekend- on the way to my sit, so I shifted to a different part of the ridge to better watch for animals headed to it. (As far as I know, nothing went there)
At 6:40 a small fork (perhaps 2.5" tines) strode up out of the bottom and went directly to a certain tree. Although it didn't quite stomp through like a mature buck would have, it had its goal in mind. It traveled some 150 yards from first appearance, utterly bypassing two other trees traditionally well-used, and showing evidence of current heavy activity, to get where it was going.
At 7:30 a very nice fork came over from the top at the same time that a medium fork came in from one side. They looked at each other for a bit, and then both walked in to eat under that same certain tree.
Awhile later all three bucks walked away together, in the direction from which the medium one had arrived. Before they left, the two larger ones gave me a brief show of half-hearted wrestling.
Just before dark, a set of high antlers appeared from the back side of a ridge. At 200 yards there was not enough light to have shot, nor could my 10x Sworros determine points, even against the yellow grass. It didn't give the appearance of a menorah but I'll guess at least 3 points. It was in view for only a few steps but I knew its likely path. I trained my binocs on the next spot it should cross- and it did. It was closer now but the evening was also a minute or two darker, so I couldn't make out any more detail. It went behind trees again, but I knew where it would show up next - yup, that same "buck tree" that'd entertained me all evening. It stopped there only for a stand-up bite or two and then continued in the same direction the others had taken.
I waited extra-long before I left, not wanting to spook any of them on my way out. I heard no alarm.
So what is it about that oak tree? I couldn't see that a branch was newly down, though my angle of view let the lower foliage obscure much of the ground around the base and there was also poison oak that could hide such a branch, and the deer spent some of their time eating out of the grass- not concentrating in one spot. Perhaps it is just loaded with the right type of acorn this year (although it has always been popular). I was quite surprised that the first & last bucks failed to take a bite in the other popular spot, nearly in their path as it is.
Big Boy could have had his picture taken - he took the path that's been in my mind as the next place to put the trailcam.
He also could have been an easy pistol shot for someone patient enough to 'hunt small' and stay still. His origin and direction of travel would have given him no scent from a hunter placed where I'd be. Fortunately, I don't need to worry about Ted going after him, as the poison oak under the destination tree must surely have contaminated the deer night after night.
My penchant for staying on stand until can't-see paid off again. Even if I'm unable to shoot, I like to wait for the chance to see those last-minute monsters. And every once in a while some buck's Rolex will be a off, a minute early, and I'll have my opportunity.
I sure wish I could read deer minds. I am against making inferential conclusions regarding animal behavior; I'd love to have a sit-down interview with some old buck.
Why do the older ones stay down until near dark? I can't imagine our (minimal) hunting pressure does it. We are so low impact, we don't chase and harry them, we don't miss shots (oh yeah- Paul) to educate them. And I don't buy the anti-predator argument either. Their only fear should be of mountain lions, and we all know that cats can't see in the dark and are never active after sundown. The bucks don't learn it from their mothers; does and fawns are the first ones out in the evening. I think there's something else at work.
I'd also like to know where all four bucks were going, in that one direction. It could have been to water (and my trailcam might help us with learning a 'normal' watering time) but there are other sources and other, more direct, paths to where they might have been going if to water. What else is out there, that they can't get closer to home?
So, where do you want to go tonight?
Story continues but I did not write it.