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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Kevin Winkler on November 20, 2010, 10:47:00 PM

Title: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 20, 2010, 10:47:00 PM
I live in the CWD zone here in WI and I really don't enjoy gun deer hunting anymore. I can bowhunt in the CWD zone with my bow during the gun season, so I headed out this morning 40 minutes before opening time.

I had taken time off this last week to do some bowhunting on my property. I had a few close encounters but no shots. The deer activity has slowed down quite a bit from the week before, but work kept me from going out before this week.
It was a cold and crisp 18 degrees this morning and I took my heater body suit anticipating an all morning sit. The stand I chose is along a creek on my property that funnels the deer movement along the creek.

I got all settled in, nice and cozy in my heater body suit with 15 minutes to go before season opened and I was all set! a few minutes pass and I look across the creek and a doe was working her way along the creek. Duh! season wasn't even open yet. Now I would have liked to taken a doe to help fill the freezer, but no luck with this encounter.

Here is the view from my ladder stand on the south side of the creek
 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6691.jpg)


(20 minutes later) I am sitting in stand thinking? Was that doe in heat? which buck might be following her? Then I Prayed, Lord please help give me a shot at a descent buck and help me to make a good swift killing shot.
A few minutes later I look across the creek and see another deer headed my way along the creek, so I ready myself for a shot buck or doe!

To be continued!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: S.C. Hunter on November 20, 2010, 10:51:00 PM
Nice!  :campfire:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: David Spear on November 20, 2010, 10:59:00 PM
Kevin, are you hunting with your new shrew? If so which one did you get?
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 20, 2010, 11:08:00 PM
Not yet Dave. I'm hunting with my 54" CH that I was shooting at Compton. I got a email from Gregg Coffey last week and he will be building my new 56" CH starting this week!    :thumbsup:  

But my 54" CH and a Woodsman head did the job today!

 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6699.jpg)
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: David Spear on November 20, 2010, 11:12:00 PM
You might get more blood with a Model T  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: amar911 on November 20, 2010, 11:15:00 PM
Congratulations, Kevin. There really is not that much difference between a 54" and a 56" Classic Hunter, but the 56" does feel better at my 29.5" draw length. It is pretty much the perfect light and handy bow for treestand hunting like you were doing, although the deer that left all the red stuff on your arrow might disagree!

Allan
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 20, 2010, 11:18:00 PM
More than this!

 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6697.jpg)

or this

 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6702.jpg)
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN on November 20, 2010, 11:27:00 PM
come on Kevin, we want more!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on November 20, 2010, 11:32:00 PM
:campfire:    :coffee:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: mmisciag on November 20, 2010, 11:39:00 PM
More, more, more!

Martin
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: gregg dudley on November 20, 2010, 11:56:00 PM
GREAT blood trail!  Let's see what was on hte other end of it.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Richie on November 21, 2010, 12:29:00 AM
The suspense is killing me.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: stik&string on November 21, 2010, 02:02:00 AM
Nice blood trail!!! No CWD zones around here so I am anxiously waiting for firearm season to be over to get back out..... I can't wait for the end of this one.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Gun on November 21, 2010, 02:12:00 AM
Lookin good so far....
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: cacciatore on November 21, 2010, 02:30:00 AM
Very promising blood trail.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Thumper Dunker on November 21, 2010, 02:36:00 AM
Bet its a good one.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 21, 2010, 06:38:00 AM
You gotta just love fall in the northern states when the Super Shrews turn the leaves and grass colors.    ;)    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: frassettor on November 21, 2010, 07:42:00 AM
Great job Kevin... Wish I could Bowhunt during the Gun Season up here
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Whip on November 21, 2010, 07:57:00 AM
I guess there is a bright side to everything, and with CWD one of the only good things is that you get to use your bow during gun season!  I'm sitting here in the woods with my muzzleloader and nbot really into it so checking Trad Gang instead.  

Congrats Kevin!  Now, just how long do you intend to drag this story out????
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Bobhat on November 21, 2010, 08:25:00 AM
:campfire:    :coffee:  anticipation.....lovin the pics so far........
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: frassettor on November 21, 2010, 08:32:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Whip:
[QB] I guess there is a bright side to everything, and with CWD one of the only good things is that you get to use your bow during gun season!  I'm sitting here in the woods with my muzzleloader and nbot really into it so checking Trad Gang instead.  

Your right Joe, I sure wouldn't want CWD in my area, but to hang on to the bow for another 9 days is ALWAYS welcome  :readit:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Traddict on November 21, 2010, 09:00:00 AM
Those trails are always pleasant to follow. Congrats!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 21, 2010, 09:04:00 AM
OK! Now that I have basked in the satisfaction of dragging this out!

As I saw the deer approaching my shooting lane I could see a rack through the trees, I readied my Shrew and when the buck came into full view I saw the left side of his rack and it looked big enough.
I generally follow the "Let him go so he can Grow" principle, but it has been several years since I have loosed an arrow at a decent buck and I have passed on several smaller bucks, I decided to shoot.......so as I came to full draw I focused on a spot just behind the bucks leg and them "Bam" the arrow was gone!
His legs kicked out and he ran for about 50-60yds then slowed to a walk and disappeared into a willow thicket. As I was replaying the shot in my mind I got those old and familiar shakes and heavy breathing....If that feeling ever leaves me the hunt will be over.

I decided that I would give him 1 hour before taking up the trail. And a trail it was, even I could follow this with out hardly looking. After a short tracking job I found him just a short distance from where I had last seen him.
WHOO! HOO!

 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6706.jpg)

 (http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk140/oldtwohairs/IMG_6716.jpg)
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: inthere10x on November 21, 2010, 09:11:00 AM
congrats, excellent blood trail.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: TSP on November 21, 2010, 09:12:00 AM
That's a beauty, Kev.  Great shot placement, too.  Great pics!

Just curious...are you required to wear hunter orange when hunting with a bow during gun season, or is it optional?
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Mike Vines on November 21, 2010, 09:12:00 AM
very good story with a great ending.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: JCJ on November 21, 2010, 09:15:00 AM
Nice Kevin. I think he is a dandy buck.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Wiley Coyote on November 21, 2010, 09:31:00 AM
Congratulations!! I bagged an eightpointer with my Super Shrew in October. I was pumped!!  :thumbsup:    :archer2:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: KentuckyTJ on November 21, 2010, 09:36:00 AM
Very nice, beautiful funnel spot there. congrats.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Shape Shifter on November 21, 2010, 09:36:00 AM
Awesome job.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: rastaman on November 21, 2010, 09:42:00 AM
Very nice deer!  Way to go sir!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN on November 21, 2010, 09:44:00 AM
Nice job Kevin! way to get him.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: fishone on November 21, 2010, 09:48:00 AM
Great story, nice buck and nice shooting.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Whip on November 21, 2010, 10:17:00 AM
Nice buck Kevin!  To do that during gun season ma'es it a"l the more special!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Bonebuster on November 21, 2010, 10:21:00 AM
No noise...hardly an intrusion. Yet look at the results!

Excellent!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: chuckbow on November 21, 2010, 10:22:00 AM
:notworthy:      :notworthy:      :notworthy:  
  now thats a gun season opener to remember! congrats.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: pacopperhead on November 21, 2010, 10:24:00 AM
awesome!!! good blood trail to
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: tradbower on November 21, 2010, 10:25:00 AM
Great Story and a Very Nice Buck  :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: swp on November 21, 2010, 10:28:00 AM
Congrats!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: knobby on November 21, 2010, 10:33:00 AM
Nice buck, Kevin. Congratulations and way to stick with it against the odds.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Java Man on November 21, 2010, 10:40:00 AM
Wat to go Kevin!!!  :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: S.C. Hunter on November 21, 2010, 10:41:00 AM
Congratulations! Great looking deer and a fantastic blood trail.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: BCWV on November 21, 2010, 10:54:00 AM
Congrates on a fine deer, story and pics. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Bowhunter4life on November 21, 2010, 11:02:00 AM
Way to go!  Congrats!  And thanks for taking us along, almost made me go grab my wool looking at those pics.  Not many 18 degree mornings around these parts!  ;)

Congrats again!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: varmint101 on November 21, 2010, 12:10:00 PM
Nice buck, congrats!  Looks like a real good place there.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Rice Spann on November 21, 2010, 12:24:00 PM
Great story!  Very cool to take him during the gun season.  A question for WI hunters... In CWD zones, like Kevin's, archery season continues through the gun season, but in other zones one could still hunt legally with a bow providing they have purchased a gun deer license?  Thanks
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on November 21, 2010, 12:31:00 PM
Nice buck. great job!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: PA-Spot on November 21, 2010, 12:53:00 PM
ATA-BOY
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: frassettor on November 21, 2010, 01:00:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Rice Spann:
 A question for WI hunters... In CWD zones, like Kevin's, archery season continues through the gun season, but in other zones one could still hunt legally with a bow providing they have purchased a gun deer license?  Thanks
No, I wish we could
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Chris Surtees on November 21, 2010, 01:11:00 PM
:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Gary Logsdon on November 21, 2010, 01:14:00 PM
Why can't they have this kind of thing on the Outdoor Channel?  Oops, on second thought, don't anyone attempt to answer that one or we'll lose the "feel" of this fine thread:^)  Their loss, our gain. Way to go!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on November 21, 2010, 01:38:00 PM
Nice job, Kevin.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 21, 2010, 03:39:00 PM
Glad you all enjoyed the story!

The last two seasons have been very rewarding for me. This is my third traditional only season and I have having the time of my life! So far this season I have harvested a turkey and two deer.
Some people think I an touched!....I am having more fun now than ever before. I was very overcome with emotion after this kill. I give credit to my Dad for mentoring me in my hunting skills and ethics......Thanks Dad! Wish you could have been here with me. Love You.
Unfortunately, I never personally got to meet Glenn St Charles before his recent passing, but somehow I feel we knew each other because of our love of the stick and string. I to am a trophy hunter....until something else comes along.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: matthewp on November 21, 2010, 03:45:00 PM
Nice buck Kevin!!!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: NJSwampstalker on November 21, 2010, 03:50:00 PM
Now that's the kind of blood trail I like!!!  Congratulations on a great deer.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Gun on November 21, 2010, 04:06:00 PM
Way to go Kevin. Nice Buck.
To the rest of you Wisconsinites: Go to Minnesota during the gun season. That's what I used to do when I lived there. I didn't gun hunt and couldn't see missing out on 3 weeks of hunting. The first two Booners I saw were in Minnesota. Go Packers!!!  :clapper:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Matty on November 21, 2010, 04:09:00 PM
LOVE IT!!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: smoke1953 on November 21, 2010, 04:51:00 PM
Congrats buddy that's awesome!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Big Ed on November 21, 2010, 04:58:00 PM
Congrats!!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Mudd on November 21, 2010, 05:46:00 PM
Nice Kevin!! You did good!!

Thank you for sharing.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: greyghost on November 21, 2010, 06:24:00 PM
WTG Kevin, a fine deer indeed. Great hunt and congratulations.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 21, 2010, 08:56:00 PM
Congratulations Kevin on a great shot and story.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: David Spear on November 21, 2010, 10:22:00 PM
Nice shot Kevin
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: imhntn on November 22, 2010, 12:51:00 AM
Very Nice!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 22, 2010, 11:03:00 AM
Very Nice Kevin.  At the Family farm in SW Wisconsin    , it is a herd reduction zone. They have been so successful, that if you see 2 deer a season, you are doing well.

Fine buck, great shot/blood trail.  Congrats. :clapper:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: bad arrow on November 22, 2010, 11:50:00 AM
Darn fine deer!....Phil
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Over&Under on November 22, 2010, 12:12:00 PM
Nice deer!!!  Great pics too, thanks for sharing your success with us!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Cottonwood on November 22, 2010, 12:12:00 PM
Very fine deer indeed and taken during gun season, LOVE IT!   :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: bolong on November 22, 2010, 12:29:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Congrats on a nice buck!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Bill Turner on November 22, 2010, 02:38:00 PM
Good job Kevin. Great blood trail. Thanks for sharing. Not many critters seen, much less within bow range for me this year. Stories and pictures like this help keep my motor running. Thanks again.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Kevin Winkler on November 22, 2010, 04:59:00 PM
A friend of mine came out to my property to hunt with his new/used TC muzzleloader and he only saw one doe Sat. and nothing on Sun.
He did shoot a nice 9pt a couple weeks ago with his wheel bow on another property. (I haven't convinced him to convert..Yet!)
We didn't hear much shooting again this year, but I see when I drove by my neighbors house they had three deer hanging (it's 60 degrees today) and one was the 150" 8pt that I had seen a few times....oh well    :banghead:   I'm glad I won't be eating any of that venison!

Most everyone I have talked to said that they are not seeing the deer. They certainly have lowered the herd in my CWD area also. That's why so many landowners are doing deer management on their own property.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: maineac on November 22, 2010, 05:50:00 PM
Congrats, and a great pictorial and story.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: BowHuntingFool on November 24, 2010, 08:38:00 PM
Thats AWESOME Kev, CONGRATS brother!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Pepper on November 25, 2010, 07:58:00 AM
Kevin,
You tell a great tale, and that is one great buck.
Congratulations.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: doubleo on November 25, 2010, 08:47:00 AM
Congrates Kevin, nice shot and ya gotta love a blood trail like that one.  :archer:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: ChetterB on November 25, 2010, 08:58:00 AM
Thanks for sharing, very nice buck, congratulations on a fine Wisconsin Whitetail, and experience. Thanks again Jerry.
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: LookMomNoSights on November 25, 2010, 10:32:00 AM
Awesome job!   and doing it during the gun makes it that much better!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on November 25, 2010, 04:11:00 PM
Excellent!
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 26, 2010, 10:40:00 AM
Great job Kevin...   :clapper:

I'll be calling you sometime today, we're ready to start your 56" Classic. This one is going to have all the extras...   :eek:
Title: Re: Me and my Shrew on gun opener in WI
Post by: w8n4rut on November 26, 2010, 01:03:00 PM
Great buck Kevin! Even more of a challenge during the orange invasion! Congratulations!