2011-2012 Season
Well, this season started off like many others. I spent countless hours and miles, making the 60 mile trip into SE Ohio to scout and check trail cameras, all summer long. This year’s results were mediocre, but the occasional “shooter” would show up, periodically. I run a total of 4-5 cameras, spaced out over 3-4 miles. I create mineral licks, using a homemade brew (see recipe under products). This seems to work well in most situations. I also decided to make the trip to Canada
Summer 2011
Again, most of my whitetail hunting was to be done on public land in what is not considered to be a “Big Buck” territory of Ohio. The deer densities are fairly decent, but the lack of agriculture is not present. Therefore, the deer survive mainly on browse in the National Forest Lands. I have over the last 3-4 years found areas that several bucks seem to congregate to, but it’s no guarantee once season rolls around.
The drive to harvest mature animals keeps me motivated, none the less. So, battling the heat and humidity of checking cameras in the dead of an Ohio summer (yes it gets hot here too), becomes a little more tolerable. On average, my bi-weekly camera runs, total about 4-5 miles of hiking. This may be overkill, as there are places within 200-300 yds. of the highway that would probably produce results, but I am not willing to take that chance.
In the end it is all worth it! There are some they may read this that have the same drive as I, with the satisfaction of catching a mature buck on camera. It is comparable to a kid on Christmas, every time I pop that little SD card into my small digital camera, and look at the results!
September 2011/Canada Mule Deer
On this year’s trip, I decided to fly, rather than drive the 30 hours across country. I was partnered with another hunter from Arkansas
The trip stated on September 24th, with a flight from Columbus, OH to Great Falls, MT (via Minneapolis). I met Ron, my hunting partner for the week, at my connecting flight. Everything went as planned and all of my equipment made it through the brutality of the baggage handlers! We stayed in Great Falls on Saturday, only to make the 3 hour drive and cross the border into Alberta, early on Sunday. There we met up with Graham (outfitter) ate lunch and shot our bows for a while. It is important to shoot once in Alberta , because you just can’t emulate the wind that you encounter out on the prairie, back home in Ohio Blaine
It has become common place with Blaine that you not even discuss the animals that he has been seeing. So, the first morning we have a nice fulfilling breakfast and head out in the pre-dawn darkness. Our first stop is where my trip started 2 years prior. After glassing for several minutes we began to spot numerous bucks heading into the coulees to bed for the day. There was a group of 6-7, with several good shooters. Now, I really didn’t have a specific size of deer in mind, but one in particular was the one we were after.
The bucks headed into a small side hill, where they fed for another 1-2 hours. After they disappeared from sight, we decided who would shoot first. Well, after some back and forth, it was decided I was the lucky participant to make this happen. So, Blaine and I made a long trip around and through the sedge brush, to try and make what appeared to be an impossible stalk, due to their position and lack of cover.
I should leave this part out, but it adds to my weaknesses as a bowhunter! As we were heading towards the bedded deer, we happened across a lone, bedded buck. This deer was less than 10 yds. from us, and had no idea we were right behind him. Before I go any farther, I practice religiously, for the whole summer. My main shooting is done from 40-60 yds. and sometimes even farther. One would think that shooting form this distance would make from crack shots at close range? Wrong!
Blaine quickly tells me to shoot. So, with an arrow already on the string, I draw, aim, and fire! Nothing. Miss. The buck barely moves, due to the high winds covering our sounds. Well, instinctively, I dispatch another arrow and begin to draw. But, Blaine quickly calls me off, as it becomes obvious why. The buck, a raggedy, forked horn, was not what I (or anyone) would travel to Alberta for. Eventually, he runs off and I begin to second guess Blaine’s abilities and judgment. We continue on, to our intended targets.
Soon after the miss-hap, we come to a 200-300 yd. section between us and the bedded bucks. Now, if you’re not familiar with the terrain on the prairie, most of it is low sedge brush and grass (4-6” high). While contemplating our next move, the bucks suddenly appear and spook from the hillside. We immediately drop to the ground, with only the grass to lie in. I begin to think, that the stalk is over. There is no why these cagey deer will tolerate these two grown men laying on the ground, 200-300 yds. away. Well, I was wrong. The deer fed around for what seemed like 2 hours, as we laid there basking in the sun. After sometime, the bucks begin to head back to their original bedding areas. Soon after, we scurried, hands and knees burning, across the prairie, cutting the distance to 50-60 yds. I literally wore the skin off of my knees, but we now had some cover to hide ourselves.
This is where the adrenaline starts to kick in! It’s a mix of emotions, both of anticipation and doubt. How long will we have to wait for them to stand? How far will they be when they do get up? Can I make the shot before the deer bounds away? These are the actual thoughts that raced through my mind, not only this time, but every other stalk as well.
We talked softly and devised a plan, based on where we thought the deer may have been bedded. With only 4-5 min. of reaching this location, 2 of the bucks rose from their resting place. They were on us! We quickly gauged one and decided to try and take him. After some quick maneuvering, I drew aimed (I think) and……missed! Again! I initially thought the shot connected, as it made that distinct sound. But, we watched the deer run across the prairie, only to stop a distance away and survey these dark shadows, hiding in the sedge. Immediately, we were at it again, as the other bucks in the group, stood up, curious to the disturbance around them. I immediately spotted the one we were after. This was an estimated 200” mule deer! This was the reason I travel to Alberta! Well, it wasn’t to be, as soon as I stood to shoot, the entire group headed for safer ground. We ended up chasing this deer and the group for several miles until they crossed the highway and emptied into another of the numerous coulees, hiding in the vast Canada prairie.
The next day would provide some more of the same. We would drive at first light, and do a lot of glassing from various vantage points. Throughout, this repeated sequence, we would occasionally take turns walking the dry creek beds, searching for these seemingly ghostly deer.
Late morning, on the 2nd day, we spotted a buck running at the bottom of a hillside. He was alone and appeared to worth a look. We continued to watch as the buck bedded in a small clump of brush, at what appeared to be at least a mile from the truck. It was decided that Blaine and I, stalk this particular deer. It was a 2 hour hike to keep the wind in our favor and basically, circumnavigate the buck’s current position. We were able to locate our landmark and snuck to within 40-45 yds. of the unsuspecting deer. As we nestled in and prepared the area around us, those emotions began to take place. I was unable to spot the bedded buck’s antler, but Blaine assured me, he was still there. So, the wait began.
The proper thing for bedded Mule deer is to wait for them to stand and feed. They usually will rise up, from their bed, every 2-3 hours to stretch and feed. The thought of alerting them, causing them to rise, seems to backfire, as they are already cautious animals and any unwanted tension is not recommended. So we wait. And wait, and wait. As Blaine lies there “resting”, I suddenly spot movement in the brush, the telltale sign, of the buck moving his antlers, quickly gets me into shooting mode. As suspected, he rises from his bed, obviously unaware of our position. I alert Blaine, so that he can get a final range on the now feeding deer. 45 yds. No, wait! 42 yds. Finally, I hear, 40 yds., and I have a small opening in the brush, exposing the bucks vitals. A flood of confidence takes hold! As I loosed my arrow, from the string, I watch in what appears to be slow motion, as the red and orange fletching’s disappeared into the buck’s chest, an apparent lethal shot.
The buck ran for 40-50 yds. before the Slick Trick broadhead, relieved him of his vital fluids. After a few congrats and some pictures, we quickly skin and quarter, then begin the trek back, to what appears to be the truck on the horizon! That night is filled with joy and a few rye (whiskey) drinks. A good night sleep was in order.
Blaine prepping for his photo shoot!
The next day we spend spotting a different area. We find several worthy bucks, only to have Graham tells us about a deer they spotted a few miles away. A shooter for sure! I get to spectate and watch Ron and Blaine stalk this deer close to a mile away from the truck. This stalk happened quickly, with the bedded buck in plain view the entire time. This was like watching something on TV. After a short wait, Ron made a shot, then another, and then one more. The buck went down within sight. And we were going to celebrate once more. Graham and I headed up to their location, from pictures and to recover the deer. Later that afternoon, drinks were flowing and a good time was had by all! A good way to end another successful trip!
(Left to Right) Graham, Mark, and Ron.
2011-2012 Ohio Season
Well, the Ohio Season can be wrapped up in a short summary! I did not have high hopes coming into this archery season, as I was only able to capture a few bucks on trail camera, worth shooting. The bucks that did appear, were random, and seldom caught more than once. I put in a lot of hours in the tree, with many all day sits. I had several good encounters in late October and even drew on a quality buck, during the rut. But, as usual, once gun season comes and goes, so do the buck sightings until late December or early January. This year was no exception. Although, I would see plenty of does during the year. the bucks seemed to move in and out very quickly, possibly switching back to nocturnal after, what I think, was a long drawn out rut.
I would go on to harvest several does (2 w/bow and 1 w/gun), while letting several smaller bucks walk, possibly to see another year. But, I did have one very close encounter this year! A buck I may have had an early trail cam pic of. This buck was found dead, along the rail road tracks, within main my hunting area. He appeared to have been hit by a train, as there were no visible wounds and the winter had been fairly mild (especially up to that point). He would score approx. 148” and sported some great mass and some non-typical characteristics.
So, I would consider this year a success. As, I try not to include quantity or quality of animals harvested in my enjoyment of the outdoors. Just the fulfillment of spending time in one our most valuable resources, mother nature!
