Hey guys. Just wanted to check in since I have gone out a few times now.
I have been going out to Kingsbury in La Porte County. First off no I have not harvested anything. I have the 1 buck permit and I have seen a few does but that's it. I know I could always get it for does too but I guess I don't want my first harvest to be a doe. Since 1 buck is the basic license, and they seem to be harder to find, I feel like it would be almost like cheating to switch to going for a doe just because that's what I've seen. I don't know if that makes sense but that's how I feel about it.
Anyways I have been stalking on the east side of the park. It's a pretty darn big area with some nice open field spots and dense woods too. I have done a few circles all around checking out the lay of the land, always planning it out to be in the wind as much as possible when I explore based on where I am entering from, going up empty tree stands just to glass around for a min, not to sit, and keep walking. Then I sort of figured out where I thought it might make sense to plop down on the ground for a while finally on another day (this last Sunday) based on everything I was seeing. I did not find a bedding area - the woods get really really dense far inward, like logs fallen everywhere, 15 ft visibility, so I didn't want to chance being too noisy that far in. So either there is bedding near the center or there isn't. I sat for a long while in my spot, great cover but also good visibility on a few spots, did some calls, heard some distinct noises near by but still no out of the cover enough to see. So maybe they were close, maybe not. I'm still learning...
However, for the amount of walking/stalking/hiking I did all together, (probably about 7 or 8 miles worth based on the map), I feel like the other big area of the park, I think it's area 8, is where it's at. That's where I always see the most cars, but I don't want to go into an area where there's already 5 or 6 people, and multiple tree stands being used, within a 2 or 3 mile radius, while I'm stalking around on the ground. So I thought I would give the other area a try. Obviously the main area is popular for a reason.
So long story short, nothing so far and I don't know if I can get back out there with work, but it's been really informative for me. I mean just getting out there, testing out what I've learned from reading and watching, looking for the signs, listening, practicing being as quiet as possible, all that.. it's just fun anyway and I know I need a lot practice to get to where I'm gonna really be able have any kind of skills. So more than anything it just feels good to be active in it no matter what - to be able to say I am getting out there on my own and connecting to the experience and reading the woods and giving it a try.
Also, had a funny experience that I'm sure is common for everyone. So Sunday evening, right after sunset, walking back through about a mile of open field to my car, since it's past shooting time anyway. Very dim light out. All of the sudden I realize there is a big doe about 30-40 yards away from me just eating right in the open. I stop because it startled me, blending in so well at that time. I look at it for a second... and then it sees me and we just stare at each other in the eyes for like the longest 30 seconds in history. Then it saunters off and I keep walking to my car. Like "ok you have a good evening too ma'am." lol. It was a funny way to end the long day, and that it was so close to my car right in the middle of the openness.
Anyways, glad to be here and be a part of it all. Good reading everyone's input and congrats to everyone who has been successful at harvesting so far this year! Good hunting to all!
well, about the doe tag. Don't give in if you set a goal to harvest a buck unless you absolutely want to harvest either. The rewarding part of setting goals is they are yours! Like my Booner or nothing goal. I haven't seen 1 single shooter buck I would consider a shooter but saw 14 differnt bucks so far from Brookville, to Wilbur Wright and our private property in Bloomington. I have harvested 1 doe. About the bedding. Whatever the thickest stuff is usually is the bedding areas. Another way to find out is as you were circling if you see trails coming in and out thats a sign thats bedding. Earlier in the year deer don't travel far from it due to heat. Later in the year deer will travel up to a mile I've seen just looking for food. They do big circles and just bed where they can. Keep at it the more time you spend the more you learn and you'll put yourself in position to see more deer. You see does usually you'll find bucks as well eventually. Scrape lines and rubs are a true sign of a buck but also, they may not be there any longer either as they travel far during the rut sometimes so you just have to be there right time type thing.
Update! I decided to take a half day off of work tomorrow (can't really justify a whole day for a few reasons). That doesn't give me much time, but I can't resist going out there just one more time. I think I'm gonna go out to the bigger area where more people usually are. The fields are bigger there, so if I can scout out a good spot inside of the tree line that would give me lanes into the woods and out into the field, maaaaaybe I'll have a chance. I'll have around 3 1/2 hours until sunset when I get there. But again, it's just fun to go. One last short adventure.
yeah I'd like to do that for next year. But it's short notice at this point to buy a muzzle loader, learn how to shoot it well, and then go out with it.
I'll 2nd that. For me, the learning curve for deer hunting increased greatly when I started archery hunting. This is just my opinion, but I believe it forces you to learn patience, emphasizes proper shot placement, and requires you to understand how your movement in the stand can be seen by deer more so than firearms hunting. Of course, this is mostly because you have to be closer to the deer with a bow. I'm not saying that firearm hunting doesn't teach you these things (I also hunt with firearms), but to me, hunting with a bow makes you learn these things faster. However, if you're going to hunt with the bow, I recommend trying some stands instead of stalking although that definitely can be done as well.
Good luck and thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hey guys. Just wanted to check in since I have gone out a few times now.
I have been going out to Kingsbury in La Porte County. First off no I have not harvested anything. I have the 1 buck permit and I have seen a few does but that's it. I know I could always get it for does too but I guess I don't want my first harvest to be a doe. Since 1 buck is the basic license, and they seem to be harder to find, I feel like it would be almost like cheating to switch to going for a doe just because that's what I've seen. I don't know if that makes sense but that's how I feel about it.
Anyways I have been stalking on the east side of the park. It's a pretty darn big area with some nice open field spots and dense woods too. I have done a few circles all around checking out the lay of the land, always planning it out to be in the wind as much as possible when I explore based on where I am entering from, going up empty tree stands just to glass around for a min, not to sit, and keep walking. Then I sort of figured out where I thought it might make sense to plop down on the ground for a while finally on another day (this last Sunday) based on everything I was seeing. I did not find a bedding area - the woods get really really dense far inward, like logs fallen everywhere, 15 ft visibility, so I didn't want to chance being too noisy that far in. So either there is bedding near the center or there isn't. I sat for a long while in my spot, great cover but also good visibility on a few spots, did some calls, heard some distinct noises near by but still no out of the cover enough to see. So maybe they were close, maybe not. I'm still learning...
However, for the amount of walking/stalking/hiking I did all together, (probably about 7 or 8 miles worth based on the map), I feel like the other big area of the park, I think it's area 8, is where it's at. That's where I always see the most cars, but I don't want to go into an area where there's already 5 or 6 people, and multiple tree stands being used, within a 2 or 3 mile radius, while I'm stalking around on the ground. So I thought I would give the other area a try. Obviously the main area is popular for a reason.
So long story short, nothing so far and I don't know if I can get back out there with work, but it's been really informative for me. I mean just getting out there, testing out what I've learned from reading and watching, looking for the signs, listening, practicing being as quiet as possible, all that.. it's just fun anyway and I know I need a lot practice to get to where I'm gonna really be able have any kind of skills. So more than anything it just feels good to be active in it no matter what - to be able to say I am getting out there on my own and connecting to the experience and reading the woods and giving it a try.
Also, had a funny experience that I'm sure is common for everyone. So Sunday evening, right after sunset, walking back through about a mile of open field to my car, since it's past shooting time anyway. Very dim light out. All of the sudden I realize there is a big doe about 30-40 yards away from me just eating right in the open. I stop because it startled me, blending in so well at that time. I look at it for a second... and then it sees me and we just stare at each other in the eyes for like the longest 30 seconds in history. Then it saunters off and I keep walking to my car. Like "ok you have a good evening too ma'am." lol. It was a funny way to end the long day, and that it was so close to my car right in the middle of the openness.
Anyways, glad to be here and be a part of it all. Good reading everyone's input and congrats to everyone who has been successful at harvesting so far this year! Good hunting to all!
I'll 2nd that. For me, the learning curve for deer hunting increased greatly when I started archery hunting. This is just my opinion, but I believe it forces you to learn patience, emphasizes proper shot placement, and requires you to understand how your movement in the stand can be seen by deer more so than firearms hunting. Of course, this is mostly because you have to be closer to the deer with a bow. I'm not saying that firearm hunting doesn't teach you these things (I also hunt with firearms), but to me, hunting with a bow makes you learn these things faster. However, if you're going to hunt with the bow, I recommend trying some stands instead of stalking although that definitely can be done as well.
Good luck and thanks for sharing your experiences.
Totally agree with the above statement.
Archery hunting teaches you a whole lot more a whole lot faster then hunting with a gun.
It has me..
I've been at it for around 30 years and I STILL learn something new every year.
Moreso archery hunting than gun.
And I hunt both.
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