Kansas 2012 - like to join us? openings Unused nonresident tags available

[Ray Hammond]

We are traveling home today so look for stuff tomorrow

[varmint101]

Sweet!  Congrats on the doe.  Can't wait for  ...the rest of the story.

[Bill Turner]

Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for the rest of the story. I'll be lucky to see 21 deer all season on the public land where I hunt. Look forward to these stories to keep me on course.  

[Terry Green]

[Randy Morin]

Cool stuff hunting in the "Land Of Giants".  But...you cant go around calling stuff "Land of Giants" and expect to not get the "Humble" slapped down on-ya.      You gotta be a little more reserved...go in with real low expectations...and then "bam" the big boy graces you with his presence at 15 yards.  Reverse psychology...works everytime (actually about 10% of the time).          

C'mon Larry...I am looking forward to some stories.

[Ray Hammond]

Larry had a great trip

He's driving so it'll have to br tomorrow

[pdk25]

Originally posted by Ray Hammond:
Larry had a great trip

He's driving so it'll have to br tomorrow

Glad to hear it. He deserves it.

[chopx2]

pins and needles! Can't wait to here!
     

[Nattybumppo]

Spent a week there last year (KS/NE border) and will spend 3 weeks there 2012. There is no place like it IMO. I came home buck less last year too. But bringing home 2 does that meant I had 300lbs of meat... Doesn't hurt your feelings any!!

[KentuckyTJ]

Good job Ray. Did you learn how to shoot deer from Biggie?

Can't wait for the rest of the story.

[Ray Hammond]

I was hunting right on the edge of a sanctuary we didn't want to go into

I shot her through the front legs and lungs which put her down quickly - I was thankful!

Buckless is a price paid by selective hunters sometimes but I was real close to dropping the string twice on the same toad so I had a great time- and we are going back in November to try to use my tag

We just went thru LBL Kentucky area on our way to GA

[GO Rogers]

   

[jcar315]

Anxious to hear the details.

 

[LONGSTYKES]

Great looking monster buck, love that picture. Congrats on the Doe., Ray.  Hope all of you have a great hunt.

[Duckbutt]

Looking forward to hearing about this.  Sounds like it's gonna be a good'n.....

 

[Blaino]

I just can't get over the rocking chair on that deer's head! Impatiently waiting for the whole story.

[michbowhunter]

Well, let me just start off by saying thanks to Ray for setting up the hunt.  Even though I didn't come home with a buck, I came home with some new friends and memories and sometimes that is what it's all about!  
I did take the camera out, but usually when there were no bucks around...I guess i'm just not cordinated enought to use the camera and the bow at the same time.  Here are a few photos from one of the first mornings.

   
 
 
 
 
 

Thought she was going to run me over!!

[michbowhunter]

The next couple of days I decided to move to an open field bordered by hardwoods.  I was hoping to see, at least, where the deer were moving.  I set up the decoy to hopefully get the attention of any buck passing by.
 
 
 
At about 9am I had an absolute GIANT of a buck appear at the opposite end of the field...he already had his eye on the decoy and didn't seem real happy about the buck in his area.  He proceeded to make his way across the field right toward the decoy.  This was,for sure,the biggest deer I have ever seen.  I'm not quite sure how big the rack was...but it was large!!  
Anyway, he made is way toward me (quartering toward me the whole time) and I never had a shot that I felt comfortable with.
In this photo you can actually see the path the buck took in the wet grass as he made his way around the tree and toward the decoy.
 
I thought for sure I was in the money!  But...as he came within ten yards of the decoy he decided to go on a rampage...plowing right through the decoy!!!
 
This is what was left of the poor little guy!
The buck pretty much spooked after blowing the decoy to pieces and ran off about 40 yard behind me before stopping and disappearing into the woods.
Oh well!  Even though I didn't get the shot, it's somthing i'll never forget for sure!
Here are a few more photos from that same spot, but know sign of that buck again.
 
 
The last couple of days I left the camera behind and hunted a couple of other areas only seeing smaller bucks, does, yotes, and tons of turkeys!

I sure hope I can make it back in November, but if not, you can bet i'll be right back there next year!

[Gen273]

[Matty]

I love that pic of J-Rod's Decoy, we were texting the whole time you could just read the excitment in the text.  I'll keep it short and sweet as I have No tales Of blood Trails.  I Had shots at small bucks Literally every day of the hunt. Most of them which came right under my stand and hung out for a bit. I took My SLR out the first day and the deer were coming in so close It was hard to decipher weather to Pick up my bow or camera with the fear of "the one" coming in and I had the wrong weapon of choice in hand. So I opted to leave the camera at the house and keep my iPhone on hand for pictures which has proven "crappy" From a photographers standpoint. I got a couple that I can post later but Nothing to bark over.  The land was beautiful and there was a ton of wildlife. It was a blast to watch the Turkey and racoons.  They wer absolutely Everywhere. Made it hard when the deer were around. Always seemed to add 30 more eyes...
At any rate the hunt for me is always about just BEING THERE. And having the experience.  I met some AMAZING people on this trip.  We laughed AT and with each other, and Fun was Had. Everyone of these men were Kind and generous, this is what matters most. Thanks again fellas ..lets do it again real Soon!