Great weather and views from stands

[deadeye]

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were great days to be out hunting. Nothing was shot but everyone had the opportunity to shoot a deer if they wanted to. I guess after seeing the 5 great bucks taken during the so far (I'm counting my brother-in-law's land, my friend and neighbors land and my land). Although we do not hunt as a single party, being all the land is connected and we generally manage the deer in similar fashion, (just shoot does and big bucks) I feel any deer shot could have been shot on any of our properties. I trail camera pictures of 4 of the 5 big bucks that were killed so far this year. I have posted some pictures of the bucks but for ease of viewing and for the new guys, I will post them again.
I kicked off the season by getting my first doe with a crossbow. Yesterday I had a very nice 8 pointer in the crosshairs but decided not to shoot. When he turned to walk away, I saw his antlers well outside his ears. Got me thinking maybe I should have let one fly. He should be a beauty next year. My brother-in-law shot a very small deer (at least in the academic sense of the word). He said all along he only wanted a small amount of venison. Well, he certainly got what he wanted. lol. We then had a great youth season with a 15-year-old girl getting her first deer (a nubbin), a 14-year-old getting his first deer (a 5 pointer) and another 14-year-old getting his first buck (a very nice 10 pointer).
   
Young girls first deer.


Young boys first buck.


Young boys first deer.


Grandsons opening morning 11 pointer.


Pretty nice 9 pointer taken on Tuesday.


I have lot of pictures and videos of this buck but he ended up in my neighbors
sights on Monday.


I have pictures of this one as well, my neighbors wife shot it on Tuesday.

[LPS]

That is sure a nice herd of deers DE!

[Steve-o]

And a lot of happy kids.   

[deadeye]

After all the deer pictures I forgot to post some "view from the stand" pictures. Here's a few from this past 4 days. Although it was overcast it was still a pretty nice weatherwise. I took the opportunity to sit in a few stands that I haven't been in for years including one that I was in for the first time since we put it up four years ago.

Saturday Evening from high up in a big ash tree overlooking a big swamp near the woods.


Same ash tree. Through the binos I spotted a buck and doe across the swamp.
The doe ditched the buck and made her way across the swamp to me. Beautiful sight to see.
Unfortunately the buck didn't follow her. 
[

Same ash tree looking over some CRP where we planted pine trees years ago.


Same ash tree. Beautiful sunset that evening.


Sunday morning stroll through the CRP. Lost many trees to buck rubs.


Tamaracks in full fall color.




Yellow tamaracks and green pines make a beautiful sight.


First time sitting in the "cell tower" stand. I think we set this up 4 years ago.
Great cell phone coverage but pretty exposed to wind. Very nice view of the
surrounding area.


More cell tower views.


More cell tower views. I could have sat there all day.

[LPS]

Great views!

[Dotch]

Very nice!  Surprised those tamaracks have held on this long. They were coming on when we were in Canada a few weeks back but the rain was knocking the needles off & making them look dull.