A 5 Pines Farm Giant

[23feetupandhappy]

Hay Jim, do you think ol angus only uses that funnel on a certain wind which is actually a wind that is a wrong one for you to be able to sit it?
Seams he’s always heading the same direction....
Is there a spot down stream of there that will allow you to sit it on a different wind?

You do your homework better then most but thought I’d just put it out there.

Hope you get to see him stick bow close

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Great updates Jim!  I am happy you reported Angus walks.  Now you may continue your chess match with him.  It sounds he is favoring your property during this pumpkin season.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

hey Ben

Yup he seems to always have his nose into the wind!

Yes on the photos I have of him , I am not sitting the stand because of that exact reason.  I fully believe his core is a nasty bit of buck thorn infested hillside just across my fence/property line 100 yards to the south of the funnel. So moving to the south is not really an option as I would have the same wind issues. I have only got him going the opposite direction on camera when he is following a doe.

It certainly seems that way any way

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I'm still rooting for you Jim. I hope you have the opportunity to decide whether to shoot or tip your hat to such a respectable creature

[BrianC]

I was hoping Angus would be "sharing" the supper table w/ you today Littlebigman!!  After all, it is Thanksgiving!!

Keep after him, he'll slip up and you will be there to capitalize on his mistake!

I'm not buying a muzzleloader tag this year, but plan to get out a few more times w/ the the stick and string and see if I can't put some venison in the freezer.

Brian

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

There has not been a lot to report over the last several days. AM movement has been non existent. I was once again skunked this AM. That makes the last 5 morning sits in a row. Afternoon movement consists of a few fawns on their feet around 3 pm and then at 4 30 a mad dash  by adult deer down the bluff  sides to the food plots that are left.

During the extreme cold spell, the deer completely exhausted the corn I had hoped to have available in December.  They are hitting the beets so hard that they too will be long gone before the seasons end. While I don't hunt over either of these food sources it has in the past kept deer here into the shedding season.


Today is the final day of the 2nd shotgun season but also the first day of the late muzzle loader season. Between the cold and the hunters in orange the deer are extreemly alert.


Last evening I did witness a chase by a small buck and I also had an up and comer 8 point following their trail later. This makes me hopefull the 2nd rut will soon be here, giving me one more chance at Angus or one of the other big guys I know are still here somewhere. Hopefully it's just a matter of s few days ......

[Keefer]

Jim,
  Even though I have only been in a few sits this year I think about Angus and how you are making out learning his patterns etc. I see guys take Big bucks with guns but I am not a bit impressed when they show me pictures But I am impressed when I come here and read about all the hard work you put into your farm and placing your stands.
  Trying to work with the wind and the deer trails not to mention the timing on when the deer move etc.
 Those are the story's I enjoy reading such as yours and keep up the good work .
 You have definitely kept me coming to this site everyday just to see your post on how your're doing !  

[curlis]

This has been a great saga. Keep the faith, hopefully it will work out.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

The last 2 evenings I returned to the birthday stand. Each time I walked the red line directly to the stand to save time. Last night just before dark a great 10 point buck checked out a small doe about 40 yards away from my perch. Once he was satisfied the little doe was of no interest to him , he cut a corner and left via the contour ( blue ) trail avoiding me but providing me with great views of his head gear.

Right then I decided to stop playing musical stands and camp in this spot each night as long as the wind is right untill I get a shot at something!


So today with bright sun and blue skies, it was a balmy 21 f with a wind chill of 15F at 2 pm. I lingered by the fire in the yurt and finally headed out at 2 15 Pm rather than the normal 1 :45pm.

As I slowly made my way to the stand to avoid getting sweaty , I bumped 3 different deer. It didn't occure to me untill much too late that these deer were on their feet and on their way to feed. This would cost me dearly.


I was standing at the bottom of the ladder stand , putting on the final layer of clothes when I spotted a mega doe along with 2 followers headed down the trail srtaight for me. Grabing my bow and knocking an arrow, I slid up against the tree trunk that the ladder stand is attached to. But I am gloveless and without a hat and it is 21 F out!  After a few seconds I peeked around the tree to see the doe standing at 40 yards and starring my way. I knew I couldn't win this one and threw in the towel so I could fininsh dressing and climb the darn tree!

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

So this stand sits directly in between my best 2 food plots. I can see into each now that the trees are bare and sometimes if the deer are in the right spot watch them as they move about. It's like looking thru a spiders web. It's easier when there is snow on the ground but tonight that was not a help as we lost our snow cover over the holiday.

Anyway I had glanced down towards the food plot below at about 4 30  and I could see several shapes out in the field below. With the help of my bino's  I focused in one buck who was larger than all the rest. He had his head down but I knew who it was. After a minute of two he finally lifted that magnificent rack and I knew for sure Angus was still walking and on the home place. He must refuge here , as he has lived again after 16 days of open shotgun season. Hopefully he will stay another two weeks and avoid the smoke poles as well!

I was loosing the fever but it's back as strong as ever!

[Friend]

The unyielding pursuit has been most fulfilling as the substantiated hope consistently stokes the fire.

[9 Shocks]

Oh baby!  Keep after that big old boy!  Awesome updates...keep em comin'

[schlaggerman]

Hi Jim, Hate to interrupt your hunt but you need to do something different, something unanticipated by your big boy. By now he has you figured out much better than you have him figured out. You saw him out in your food plot, I assume you must have a pretty good idea which direction he came from. Here's my advice for what it's worth. Get a portable stand and try to intercept him in an entirely different location as he comes to this food plot. Obviously he's comfortable coming there in the daylight and as the weather gets nastier he'll need to come more often. Hang a portable mid-day along his suspected travel route and then let the area cool off a couple of days. Hunt it when the wind is right. He didn't get big by walking past an area he knows a predator is probably lurking, make a change. Good luck, Dale

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Thanks Dale. Point well taken.

Tonight Jayne played RECON for me in the house with the spotting scope.  Angus and two other bucks came down to the plot right past an existing ladder stand. So I am thinking I may elect to sit there tomorrow.

Tonight while Jayne was watching those three in the food plot, I was watching this guy just 60 yards above me.

unfortunately he spotted a doe to check out and that was that! He is a gorgeous deer with a very dark black forehead. He looks as good hard horned as he did in velvet!!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Hey Jim, that's a dandy.

[3arrows]

 Dale, x2

[Whip]

Still pulling for you Jim!  If you can put that guy on the ground and it will be the highlight of your already glorious hunting career!  Get him!

[Iowabowhunter]

Love the story so far, here's hoping for a story book ending and a giant on the ground. Pulling for ya!

[Justin Falon]

Schlaggerman

Great advice!  Throw him a curve ball as Don Higgins says.

Justin

[GCook]

I keep opening this thread ready to see the LDPs.

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