Post by jkratz on Mar 11, 2010 11:31:55 GMT -5
Hey all,
I have been a lurker for some time on the site and have really enjoyed it and hope to start becoming an active member. Like others have mentioned this is one of the better sites for IN hunting information. Below are the two bucks I harvested last year.
The first was my archery buck from IN, my first buck in the state as I just moved here last year. November 2nd roled around and I had been seeing some very quality deer on a smaller farm that I had picked up. The evening before I had seen what I thought was a mid 150s 10pt. working a scrape line about 200yds away from my setup. Back in August I had prepared a tree near that location for a Lone Wolf Setup and decided if the wind was right I would hit that area the next day. Well, as luck would have it the wind was WSW on the 2nd and absolutely perfect for that setup. I packed the Lone Wolf on my back and slowly made the mile walk back to this location. I was setup about 2:15 and within the first 15 minutes I was covered up in deer, 3 does/yearlings and a small buck. All 4 deer worked through the pinch just as I had drawn it up, now I just needed a big boy to follow. Deer continued to work through the area for the next 2 hours until about 4:30 when there was a lul in the action. Finally, just after 5:00 a doe busts through the thicket behind me about 80 yds. Here body language revealed she was being harassed and shortly after I saw a large rack making its way through the thicket. However, the doe turned and went the other way, and much to my dismay took the buck with her. Just when they were out of sight, I grabbed my horns and hit a short rattling sequence along with some loud grunts. Within 2 minutes I could hear a deer approaching from my south and closing the distance fast. This area is probably one of the thickest bedding areas I have ever seen so I never saw the buck until he popped out in a 20yd shooting lane, looking right in my direction. It was the same buck I had seen chasing the doe just a few minutes ago, he had circled and come in quite a ways from where I last saw him, but no doubt the same buck. As he stared in the open timber behind me I thought for sure the gig was up and I would never get drawn on him. Much to my liking he turned and began walking slightly quartering away to my 30 yd lane. Just before the lane it was thick enough that I was able to draw undetected. As he stepped into the 30 yd lane I settled the arrow behind his leg and sent the Rocket Hammerhead screaming. Loud rib crack, hind leg kick and short run into the bedding area and I knew he was done. I backed out in order to ensure he had time to expire, went to the truck and called some buddies to help out on the drag. A short time later we were all hi fives after we recovered the Big 10.
Kratz
Indiana Archery Buck - Main Frame 10
The Muzzy buck wasn't as exciting of a hunt as the one above. Long story short, the buck came to bump a doe at about 80yds, no shot on film so I had to let him walk. Luckily the doe didn't want anything to do with him and 5 minutes later he walked within 20yds and I let the hammer drop on him. Was a great hunt and turned out to be awesome footage.
Illinois Muzzy Buck - 19 scoreable
Me and my Brother with IL Bucks
I have been a lurker for some time on the site and have really enjoyed it and hope to start becoming an active member. Like others have mentioned this is one of the better sites for IN hunting information. Below are the two bucks I harvested last year.
The first was my archery buck from IN, my first buck in the state as I just moved here last year. November 2nd roled around and I had been seeing some very quality deer on a smaller farm that I had picked up. The evening before I had seen what I thought was a mid 150s 10pt. working a scrape line about 200yds away from my setup. Back in August I had prepared a tree near that location for a Lone Wolf Setup and decided if the wind was right I would hit that area the next day. Well, as luck would have it the wind was WSW on the 2nd and absolutely perfect for that setup. I packed the Lone Wolf on my back and slowly made the mile walk back to this location. I was setup about 2:15 and within the first 15 minutes I was covered up in deer, 3 does/yearlings and a small buck. All 4 deer worked through the pinch just as I had drawn it up, now I just needed a big boy to follow. Deer continued to work through the area for the next 2 hours until about 4:30 when there was a lul in the action. Finally, just after 5:00 a doe busts through the thicket behind me about 80 yds. Here body language revealed she was being harassed and shortly after I saw a large rack making its way through the thicket. However, the doe turned and went the other way, and much to my dismay took the buck with her. Just when they were out of sight, I grabbed my horns and hit a short rattling sequence along with some loud grunts. Within 2 minutes I could hear a deer approaching from my south and closing the distance fast. This area is probably one of the thickest bedding areas I have ever seen so I never saw the buck until he popped out in a 20yd shooting lane, looking right in my direction. It was the same buck I had seen chasing the doe just a few minutes ago, he had circled and come in quite a ways from where I last saw him, but no doubt the same buck. As he stared in the open timber behind me I thought for sure the gig was up and I would never get drawn on him. Much to my liking he turned and began walking slightly quartering away to my 30 yd lane. Just before the lane it was thick enough that I was able to draw undetected. As he stepped into the 30 yd lane I settled the arrow behind his leg and sent the Rocket Hammerhead screaming. Loud rib crack, hind leg kick and short run into the bedding area and I knew he was done. I backed out in order to ensure he had time to expire, went to the truck and called some buddies to help out on the drag. A short time later we were all hi fives after we recovered the Big 10.
Kratz
Indiana Archery Buck - Main Frame 10
The Muzzy buck wasn't as exciting of a hunt as the one above. Long story short, the buck came to bump a doe at about 80yds, no shot on film so I had to let him walk. Luckily the doe didn't want anything to do with him and 5 minutes later he walked within 20yds and I let the hammer drop on him. Was a great hunt and turned out to be awesome footage.
Illinois Muzzy Buck - 19 scoreable
Me and my Brother with IL Bucks
...turkey scout