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Hunting 24/25: big bucks and a lot of ducks!


markstanco

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I agree with the above, but the biggest issue are the neighbors. I have a very healthy population on my place. The neighbors basically believe in the "if it's brown it's down." We had up to 3 doe on my place that dropped twins every year. Throught the last few years all but one has been shot by a neighbor. I talked to the guys I think are doing it and they swear they wouldn't shoot a doe with twins. They are the only ones that could have shot them imo. They don't travel far. It is just a tough environment hunting on these smaller places. 

 

With that said, I ordered a timed protein feeder and plan to feed some going forward. So I guess I am a hypocrite? 😃 

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Lyssy and Eckel stocks it bagged in a lot of places and will bring in bulk if they don't have it already.

Most feed stores will order it for you if they don't keep it on hand if you'll agree to buy a certain amount.

Side note - be wary if you have any Aoudad.  They're like a heat seeking missile when it hits the ground and will break your bank in a hurry.

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I agree with the above, but the biggest issue are the neighbors. I have a very healthy population on my place. The neighbors basically believe in the "if it's brown it's down." We had up to 3 doe on my place that dropped twins every year. Throught the last few years all but one has been shot by a neighbor. I talked to the guys I think are doing it and they swear they wouldn't shoot a doe with twins. They are the only ones that could have shot them imo. They don't travel far. It is just a tough environment hunting on these smaller places. 
 
With that said, I ordered a timed protein feeder and plan to feed some going forward. So I guess I am a hypocrite?  

Have the protein timed to open during times when hunters are in blinds and hopefully the deer will be at your place getting a snack instead of getting shot at the neighbor’s.
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Well, my cold streak continues.  Did a cast-n-blast with my son and his buddies this weekend in Port Mansfield.  Two ducks and three fish between six of us.  First duck hunt for my son and he didn't even get to pull the trigger.  Bill the bird dog was disappointed and was givin the boys the what for on the ride back.  Fished our asses off Saturday afternoon with minimal success as well.  If anyone is on a hot streak and wants to be completely disappointed, give me a shout... because I'm your guy.  

My son is usually so even-keeled, but he started to show some signs of frustration on the drive home yesterday.  He's had zero luck this year.  Struck out turkey hunting.  Two fishing trips to the coast put up goose eggs.  Went all deer season and didn't see a shooter buck.  Went last weekend on a doe mission and didn't see a single doe.  Seems like every hunting / fishing trip we've had has been a dud.  And these aren't speculative areas.  Proven spots with history of great results.  Our timing just sucks.  

Only silver lining was that I did hook a really nice 24" red wade fishing Saturday afternoon.  Fun little tussle and good eating last night.  And, the weather was awesome.  

IMG_3110.jpg

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8 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

Hard not to be frustrated but I'm sure he'll figure it out soon (if not already) - that pic is what it's all about.   fwiw, been a VERY rough year for ducks. 

We had a LONG conversation on the drive home about exactly that.  Enjoying the moment.  Appreciating what you're surrounded by.  And, the fact that they call it hunting not killing and fishing not catching for a reason.  Slow weekends like we had makes it much sweeter when you do have success. 

I've been getting my ass kicked at work for the last 18 months.  But, that all fades far into the background when you're hip deep in the Lower Laguna Madre carefully steering a redfish into your dip net.  I swear I got him on the stringer and just kind of stood there for a few minutes taking it all in.  And, I'd trade a limit of trout or reds caught soaking bait from the boat for just one nice fish like that red on artificials while wading.  

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At first I thought it was just his hock right above the grass line and the leg beneath it.  Then, I thought it was two frames merged together or something.  But, I zoomed in, and now I truly think that leg is gone just below the joint.  Holy crap.  

Had a doe like that around the corner from my house a few years ago.  Looked totally healthy otherwise, but right leg gone below the joint.  

View rece.jpg

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Welp, wasn't planning to head to the lease this weekend, but with the hard freeze coming up on Monday, looks like I gotta make a trip after work tomorrow so that I can shut off the water and drain everything so we don't end up with busted plumbing in the camp house. Was hoping somebody else was bringing their kids for final youth weekend, but doesn't sound like it, and since I'm "lease manager" for our group, I drew short straw.

Ehh, could be worse, it's only a 2 hour drive, and I'll have a nice quiet evening to myself out by the fire. 

Edited by Storm the Field
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11 minutes ago, Storm the Field said:

Welp, wasn't planning to head to the lease this weekend, but with the hard freeze coming up on Monday, looks like I gotta make a trip after work tomorrow so that I can shut off the water and drain everything so we don't end up with busted plumbing in the camp house. Was hoping somebody else was bringing their kids for final youth weekend, but doesn't sound like it, and since I'm "lease manager" for our group, I drew short straw.

Ehh, could be worse, it's only a 2 hour drive, and I'll have a nice quiet evening to myself out by the fire. 

Nevermind. One of the other guys shut everything off right before the last freeze 2 weeks ago. Nobody has been back since, so no trip necessary. 

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@USCATX A: I’m seeing a lower leg when I zoom in, highlighted markup below.

B: the buck is standing with perfect posture and his weight pretty evenly distributed, and they tend to show some really weird posture if they’re missing a leg, like that photo above.

e69219ac9085a1f84f78cbc02453e360.jpg

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9 minutes ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

If their back leg gets injured, you'll often see the opposite antler grow all funky. 

Funny? enough, I have another young buck with a bum back leg. Maybe got hit by a car or just messed with the wrong buck. His opposite antler is non existent. He looks like a 2.5yr old so I am hoping he will heal but very likely he never amounts to much. The side that did grow is impressive for his age. He was also chasing ass all season like his life depended on it 🤣.

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