Archery opening weekend & saddle hunting.

[Kayak_Runner]

Well, I don't see anyone discussing it so I happily will. I had a great opening weekend especially in the mornings as the heat wasn't completely unbearable. Hunting two public parcels one about an hour west of StL off I-70 and the other about an hour south of StL. Only saw does on Saturday, with a noticeable lack of hunting pressure on both days. I spent most of the day on the ground walking field edges with a fairly dead wind while trying to dodge hordes of turtles. Found a coyote bone pile, and missed a pair of does that crossed from beds into the wood edge in the process. Noticed the posterior end of one browsing in the acorns and got within 20 yds. Decide to hold off shooting (dumb) as it was opening day and I had higher hopes I would see one of the bucks I had seen the year before. Was able to watch for a while before I got picked up and they spent the next 10 minutes listening to them stamp, bark, and snort at me. The wind was still dead, they saw me but didn't smell me and I assume that was the reason for them only running 20-30 yds further vs all the way down the hill to the adjacent property. 

Sunday was dead, and I was far less mobile. Found a spot to set up and climbed up for the sit. I'm trying out a new stand method with a saddle setup, that's been pretty comfortable, and far easier to set up and take down and allows me to block a lot of movement with the tree itself as I can swing nearly 360 degrees around it. Decided to call it around 10 AM to get down and walk some of the outer edges I hadn't been through before. 

I also finally have my recurve sorted as well! It's a Ben Pearson Hawk 7370 I found in an estate sale for pennies and will be taking that out more this year once the 135gr Zwickey's I order show up.

Hoping for cooler days soon!

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I don't deer hunt but I like hearing about it.  Thanks!

[JestersHK]

Looks like a nice spot ya got there.  I might try to get out with the cooler temps this weekend if the rain holds off.  Most of my buddies who hunt have all just shot freezer fillers so far.  The ones who waded through the ticks and mosquitos that is.  No big ones yet!

[Kayak_Runner]

I've lowered my bar to freezer fillers for this weekend....mostly because I'm taking the recurve and with my luck you'll probably see a photo of deer jusssstttt outside my comfort range.

Excited for the cool mornings this weekend! GL this weekend. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

My son got covered in seed ticks last weekend while out.  He's excited for some cooler weather.

[JestersHK]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

My son got covered in seed ticks last weekend while out.  He's excited for some cooler weather.

Funny you mention that my daughter was out with no shoes on and her ankles and feet got covered in them as well.  Nasty little suckers... Our mosquitos are just awful as well and out pretty much 24/7.  Gone through more bug spray this year than ever...

[JestersHK]

2 hours ago, Kayak_Runner said:

I've lowered my bar to freezer fillers for this weekend....mostly because I'm taking the recurve and with my luck you'll probably see a photo of deer jusssstttt outside my comfort range.

Excited for the cool mornings this weekend! GL this weekend. 

Good luck as well!  Awesome you are using a recurve.  Wish I could still use a bow, but rotator cuff says otherwise...

[snagged in outlet 3]

You can’t walk outside here without the skeeters.  They’ll fly in your ears if you let em.  

[Terrierman]

Up here on this dry Springfield Plateau, mosquitos are not normally a problem.  This year I don't think I've been bitten once at home.

That's a great deer hunting early season report.  Love hearing about the recurve hunting.