Who's getting ready?

[Jake Scott]

Elk season draws near.  Deer season is hot on it's heels.  Though I won't get to elk hunt until 2015, I am PUMPED about deer season.  So here is my question.  Are you guys ready?  What have you been doing to prepare?  What will you be taking to the woods this year?  Let us know about your planned tactics and quarry.

I'll start....

I haven't stopped preparing since last season, when closing day left me so close, yet still so far from my first traditional harvest.  I have shot literally thousands of arrows in the past year.  I have had cameras out at all my hotspots since last season, with lots of good numbers and some really nice bucks.  I am making a trip to my lease in central Tennessee at the end of next month to get work on our food plots and move stands if need be.  I have spent every available opportunity in the woods.  I will be taking my Foley recurve, 53@28 and shooting fmj .400's with brass inserts and Simmons interceptors out front.

Can't wait to hear from everybody else!

Jake

[nineworlds9]

I shoot around 3-4 times a week, sometimes more if I have time.  I focus on meaningful shots and use a target with vitals and practice broadside and quartering away shots from distances 10-30 yds.  My no.1 weapon of choice this year will be the 56" 2pc Javaman Elkheart I won on the St. Judes auction.  I also have several other bows that I plan on carrying during different times of the season if I feel like it.  I practice with all my bows and generally before I go out on a hunt at the WMA near my house I do a few warm up shots with the chosen bow either the night before the hunt or the morning before if I am going out in the afternoon, to 'calibrate' my brain.  But generally I will be sticking with my Elkheart.  Love that bow.  Will be shooting my choice of full length Beman Centershot 400's or Easton Axis Trad 400's, either with 50 or 75g inserts and my choice of Magnus Stingers or Snuffers depending on what I feel like installing that day.  

I haven't had much time to scout this year but I was fortunate to draw a quota tag for hogs a few weeks ago and do a summer hunt in the area I like to go.  Saw 4 nice deer and even put an incredible practice stalk on one, so feeling pretty danged pumped for September.  Just put one in range and I plan on sealing the deal!  

[3Feathers]

I,m getting the itch bad also.I have switched to a heavier broadhead this year.Going to use 200gr. ACE.Have my cedars cut and tested.Will be hunting with my HH Cheetah that's 66in. 48lb at my draw of 25in.Been shooting from seated position most.Going to ground hunt with my ghillie.Made a few ground blinds this past spring during turkey season.Hope to get out real soon to do some scouting.

[Jake Scott]

Hey Nine, I followed your hog hunt thread, sounds like an awesome time was had for sure.  Best of luck this deer season.  3feathers, best of luck to you as well, one of my long term goals is to go after deer from the ground.  I need to get a couple under my belt from the trees first though    

Jake

[nineworlds9]

Thanks brother, best of luck to you too!

[katman]

16 days and I will be swatting sceeters dodging snakes redbugs and ticks, in a tree stand after whitetails. Broadheads are sharp and in quiver, checking stand sites this weekend. Hogs are also on the menu. Clothes are washed and ready. Hoping for a cool spell that weekend.

[Jake Scott]

16 days!!!!  Man you're lucky!!  Best of luck!    

Jake

[CoachBGriff]

I also have switched to a heavier arrow and broadhead this year - Axis 340's with 75 grain inserts and 160 grain Eskimos.  I've been enjoying sharpening knives and broadheads, and my countdown is on!

I've been practicing from a tree stand and a short bucket as I plan on hunting a little more from the ground this year!  

I have one trad harvest to my name, but after a rough 2013, I'm now feeling more confident than ever.

[fnshtr]

Leaving WV on August 29th... hope to be on the mountain in elk camp on September 1. I've been losing weight and dealing with kidney stones.

Shoot everyday, sometimes twice a day. Will be hunting with the bow in my signature. WW BHs on gold tips with 100 grain brass insert.

Have to be back by the 19th so my son can return to work.

After that it will be whitetails and squirrels. One week of turkey in the fall here in WV.

Good luck to all... be safe!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have been shooting once a week or so.

I think of hunting non stop.  Days have been cool lately and my thoughts are constantly in the woods.

I have scouted public land and will be getting my climber in there sunday to make sure my spot is set.

I still have to scout a couple "back up" spots in case someone is in "my" area.

I have been shooting a heavier bow to build strength.  I cant wait.

[Rays Arrow]

Can't wait to go.  Arriving at camp the evening of August 29th. Several days of scouting and then game on.  Muzzy phantom Mx, easton axis traditional, 75 grain inserts, new Asolo  boots today.

[Jerry Jeffer]

First I want to thank all of my tradgang friend for the prayers and support that have helped me get through a rough road dealing with cancer this past year. I was diagnosed with lymphoma two days after winter bow ended. That last hunt of winter bow with my friends was memorable, and the best hunt I had all year.

I will be starting this season with re-newed health and vigor now that I am clear of my illness. I'll be hunting the same mountain as always. Hunting tactics will morph as needed.

I dropped arrow weight a little from 765gr to about 650gr. I'll be shooting my 70" 55#@28" yew Mahantango longbow again. I just can't put that thing down. Shooting this past week at Denton showed my re-newed strength, and I shot well.

I can't wait to start another season with my long time friend and hunting buddy Deadsimple. Thanks for your prayers buddy. Life is good, and God is great.
Best of luck to everyone.

[m midd]

Glad to hear you are better Jerry. I almost didnt get to see another hunting season myself. I had a pulmonary embolism and spent 14 days on a vent. The 15th day when i woke up the doctor asked me my name and what month it is. I answered my name is mike and i hope its not september because ive got to go elk hunting. He said dont worry its february. So ive been getting ready since feb. Im back to my hunting weight bows  and cant wait to get after the elk, only 30 days until i leave. My hunting bow is a 64" 63# GN Critter Gitter shooting a 650gr GT with a grizzly head.

Good luck to everyone this fall.

[Dave Pagel]

50 days until I leave for a drop camp elk hunt in Colorado.  I have been shooting 75 arrows a day with my 60# Silvertip.

I also now have my own small piece of whitetail property in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan.  I have been doing habitat projects all summer preparing for the upcoming October 1 opener.  I am very excited about that.  Many traditions will be started and memories will be made.

D.P.

[damascusdave]

I will hunt with one of my 1960 Kodiaks...I will use arrows with sharp broad heads...I will hunt legal game...I will only take high odds shots...so as ready as I ever am

DDave

[Kc kreger]

My two sons and I will be in Co. chasing elk with our bows 2nd week of the season.  It's a little over 30 days away for us.  I can't wait!

[Blessed One]

Been shooting daily. Torn between broadheads either using Simmons Treesharks or Magnus 135 grn 1.5 inch with 100 grn adapter. Both sharp as razors, but for some reason that Simmons looks intimidating to me for making 2 holes in game, but may just be cause I have not shot anything with them. Will be in the woods with both a 65# and 58# Toelke takedown whip.

Counting the days till the beginning of November headed to S.E. Ohio to chase big whitetails with my longbow for the first time. To say I have no anxiousness about not using a compound would be a lie, but good, bad, or ugly I am going for it. I have noticed a transition in the last 2 years of my hunting, and I am enjoying the overall experience of the hunt, not just the kill.

Blessings of safety, opportunity, and flawless execution to everyone this year!!!

[GreyGoose]

Shooting almost daily, and working out a lot.  Not least, bought my license online at lunchtime on Tuesday.

[huntnmuleys]

been shooting everyday, and running my aching butt off.  im ready.


good luck all..

[halfseminole]

Building a ghillie suit and new heavyweight arrows, and practicing with my 70# warbow, which is almost to the first goal weight I set myself, and so I'm setting the bar further to 100#.  Went on my first solo hike since the stroke, and my first camping trip.  Just plain stoked since last year I didn't know if I'd walk again.  Still not very stable, but I'm not quitting.