Any muzzleloader luck???

[sglass]

Went til 2 today. Got there around 0630. Dad shot a three inch spike, he thought it was a doe when he pulled the shot off and did not see the spikes until we went to gut it. ***** for him. He seen a 6pt and two other does, all I had was two big bearded turkeys under my stand. Slow day for us in Morgan co. today. Normal day is 8-16 deer this time a year. I have never seen as many acorns in my life. I think it has them scattered. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND HUGE!!!

[ironhead70]

check photo board

[mhall]

Alot of watching and no shooting. Waited on the Doe's because of this heat, just didn't want to fool with cutting one this weekend unless it was ole big head. I passed several bucks including one Sunday morning I may very well regret, but I'm really trying hard to get a Pig this year. It was a 8 or a 9 point, basic 8 frame that was about 21 to 22 inch outside spread, very good mass and nice tine length. I held off but it was a nice mature deer, big body to. Watched him make two scrapes at 60 yards, when he walked off out of sight I mumbled to myself, ''I hope you didn't just screw up''. Maybe it will pay off, we'll see.

[Jbyrd]

Man a 21-22 inch spread is a PIG . wow would have been lighten the ole smoke pole if I was you... good luck

[mhall]

Man a 21-22 inch spread is a PIG . wow would have been lighten the ole smoke pole if I was you... good luck

That was outside spread now, not inside. I've been second guessing myself ever since but I've been lucky enough to take alot of deer like that one and I'm gonna try to hold out this year and see if it pays off with a better one. Like I say I might not see a better one than that one this year. Two years ago I shot a buck similar to what I'm describing on first muzzleload weekend and was happy with it. However later during the modern gun season during Rut, I saw a much better deer I had a gravy shot on, I play by the rules so I watched and kicked myself. This year I'm trying to hold out and see what happens, who knows. I am blessed to have a very good place to hunt we have managed for 16 years, taking lots of Doe's and letting Non mature bucks walk so there are some quality deer to wait on if I can just Get-r-done.

Good luck out there fellas

[Procraft Cat]

Big fat doe for me at 7:30 Saturday morning. I was at the processor by 9:00. Looking forward to some backstrap and summer sausage!!

[fishincreek]

Never regret passing on a deer mhall- it's all good. Now for the tough part, give him a pass the entire year and see what he is next year.

[mhall]

Never regret passing on a deer mhall- it's all good. Now for the tough part, give him a pass the entire year and see what he is next year.

Yea we do this alot and the surrounding properties use to do the same. Now those same properties are filled with guys that shoot everything they see and think deer season is a year long event. Alot of the two and three and a half year old bucks we let go we never see again, sad but true. Also Poaching at night has become a huge problem in our area. I have found alot of big bodies the last few years with no heads on them. A couple of them went as far as to cape it back for a shoulder mount. Fricking MAGGOTS!!!

[stripernut]

my son shot a 19 inch 9 pt on opening day of youth season, we saw 4 shooter bucks and 5 does by 11 am. i went to the same stand on opening day of muzzleloader and saw a year old 7pt and 2 does.....and that was it for the rest of the weekend. scrapes everywhere, lots of rubs tracks and piles of deer droppings everywhere....just no deer lol. checked with 2 local taxidermists and they said this was the slowest muzzleloader season they had in 15 yrs. but everybody is seeing loads of buck sign so im looking forward to the rut. good luck everybody

[sglass]

Sunday was better for us. We seen seven does and a spike and a 5pt. Every year I let the small ones walk but never see em again. I do however hunt Morgan Co. where they can roam a 1000 acres. Lots of hiding spots for them but a great place for BIG deer. Killed a 9pt buck a few years back that would dress close to 300lbs. Taxidermist thought I shot it in canada. Have a photo I need to scan to put on here that has it hanging and me standing beside it leaning. He was a PIG!! Made my fridge in the garage look tiny.