Still hunting

[hitman]

Took advantage of the wet leaves and the wind blowing in my face. I was slipping along an old ATV trail through a big thicket on one side and woods on the other side when I spotted a buck coming slowly toward me. After a few steps he walked over into the edge of woods and commenced fighting with another buck. While they were busy pushing and shoving I moved very carefully in position to shoot. I got a good look at both bucks and decided to pass on these 2 young bucks. I have already punched 1 of my buck tags and only have 1 more buck archery tag left. What an exciting evening!

[30coupe]

Sounds like a great time! The older I get the more I just enjoy my time in the woods. Making a kill is a distant second, although I do want to put some venison in the freezer this year.

I watched a couple youngsters like that from my box blind last fall. I had my decoy out in doe configuration and they fought over "her" for 20 minutes or more. I just sat back and watched the show!

[fnshtr]

Great hunt fellow Mountaineer! I'm hung up on getting a doe. Took a buck and have had many opportunities at better bucks, but have to "earn" a second buck in my county (Wood) by taking a doe.

Strange year for me as I am usually "covered up" in does.

Good luck!

[J. Cook]

I'll be hunting WV this weekend with family - hope to cross paths with some cruising bucks myself.  But I'll be more than happy to let the air out of a doe or two if the chance presents itself.  

I love going home to the mountains to hunt.  I miss WV just about every day once fall rolls around.

[highlow]

Thankfully, I am STILL hunting.

[bear bowman]

What an amazing experience. That had to get the blood flowing

[damascusdave]

I am not much for sitting when hunting anyway but the main reason I still hunt is exactly because you come upon situations like the one you describe...I once killed a grouse with my bare hands that I took a shot at with a broadhead while I was still hunting for deer...the grouse flew right into my hands when it took off after I missed...I am off to do some still hunting for mule deer right after lunch today

DDave

[Montanawidower]

Thats a good example of what still hunting can be...

 I think people who say I only still hunt for deer are probably eating alot of tag soup.  When the ground is dry and the woods are quiet, its dang tough to fool a mature deer from a 20 ft tree stand.  

However,with a wet ground or new soft snow, and some wind and its game on.

[hitman]

Yes I feel like you have to pick the right situations such as the one presented to me, otherwise you see a lot of white flags.

I got my deer this year still hunting. It can be done when things are dry, but terrain plays a big part.  At times things will be good and at times things will be wrong.  What I try to do when moving through less than ideal cover is to not blow the chances I may have when getting through it and into better cover.  It takes a lot of concentration.  I have watched, many times, other hunters go crashing their way to their tree stands and seen deer moving out of the way well in advance of the hunters that were charging in.  I have had bucks come into me when the leaves were dry, I think because they heard me, during prerut and during the rut.  I have also jumped deer that only heard me as well.  There is something about being on the ground and being able to move and stalk that puts adventure into hunting, something that sitting a tree stand cannot equal.

[damascusdave]

It is a bit easier when what you are going to see is a white rump but I have seen lots of those...I hunt mule deer in an area where one is just as likely to run into a whitetail...I just have an agreement with the landowner that I will only shoot mule deer as he is a dedicated whitetail hunter

DDave

[fnshtr]

I still hunted this morning/early afternoon. Had a great time . Seen 8 deer, but only after they had spotted me. Conditions were great. Strong, steady wind and the rain ended as I started off.

The coolest thing is that I spotted a turkey below me, to my left as I was moving ever so slowly into the wind along a small flat. The turkey seen me in my leafy jacket, but did not putt. After it moved out of sight I eased down onto one knee. I heard other birds, both across the hollow as well as above and in front of me. Turkey season is in this week in my county. While I had no calls with me, I began to mimic the kee-kee whistle I was hearing.

I called in a flock of 12 birds. I ended up getting a 15 yard shot, but missed. Didn't pick a spot as I was so excited. FUN!

[hitman]

Good job fnshtr , quite an experience. This is the time of year for action.