Jump to content

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


markstanco

Recommended Posts

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? 😃 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.
  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Hook 'Em 5
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.  

  • Hook 'Em 2
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

58 minutes ago, HOOKEM4 said:

That sucks. We had a deer we called tripod with the same deal. He was decent but never wanted to shoot him because I don't want 1 ham. Sad deal.

I might have to get one of my boys out there for a late youth season mercy killing.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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. 

  • Rage+1 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@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

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 🤣.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hogs are back with a vengeance at the farm.  Finally had some time to deploy a new hog gun: 6.5mm Grendel PSA pistol with AMG Rattler V2 TS35-384 and Hyperion K.  AAC Sabre Blade Blacktip 123gr is legit.

IMG_6459.thumb.jpeg.8117abd3b4cb403d912aae8c344c3ac2.jpeg


IMG_6472.thumb.jpeg.950808d02be2bdcbd2f0d630520a6fa8.jpeg
 

Still need to refine the thermal’s zero (it’s shooting a tad high and to the right) but it gets the job done out to 200 yards.  I’m using a Maximum Point Blank Range that gives a near zero of 50 yards and far zero at 150 yards (1” high at 100) on a 2 inch target at 2250fps.  That’s good for a 2 inch head/neck shot from 29 to 179 yards.

This rig is waaaay more fun to spot and stalk with than my old DPMS GII 308 and X-Sight 2 HD nightvision scope, unsuppressed.

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/25/2025 at 4:05 PM, solamente73 said:

Hogs are back with a vengeance at the farm.  Finally had some time to deploy a new hog gun: 6.5mm Grendel PSA pistol with AMG Rattler V2 TS35-384 and Hyperion K.  AAC Sabre Blade Blacktip 123gr is legit.

 

IMG_6459.thumb.jpeg.8117abd3b4cb403d912aae8c344c3ac2.jpeg


IMG_6472.thumb.jpeg.950808d02be2bdcbd2f0d630520a6fa8.jpeg
 

Still need to refine the thermal’s zero (it’s shooting a tad high and to the right) but it gets the job done out to 200 yards.  I’m using a Maximum Point Blank Range that gives a near zero of 50 yards and far zero at 150 yards (1” high at 100) on a 2 inch target at 2250fps.  That’s good for a 2 inch head/neck shot from 29 to 179 yards.

This rig is waaaay more fun to spot and stalk with than my old DPMS GII 308 and X-Sight 2 HD nightvision scope, unsuppressed.

MAN. Love my Grendel. We have a very similar setup. Mine's a 16" barrel with a AGM Rattler TS25-384 V1. I've unalived plenty of hogs with it. Usually shoot Hornady Black, but I did pick up several hundred rounds of those Sabre black tips that I haven't shot yet. Hoping to go this weekend. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gorgeous weather on tap this weekend, so I'm gonna run up to my lease tomorrow to get out of the city and enjoy some time in the great outdoors. Need to check on everything at the camphouse after the big freeze and then do some random off-season chores like turning off feeders and shit. Also gonna go drive around to some of the less seldom visited parts of the property and see if I can scout any potential spots for a new stand. End the day with some beers by the fire after a 95% Dry January.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Storm the Field said:

Gorgeous weather on tap this weekend, so I'm gonna run up to my lease tomorrow to get out of the city and enjoy some time in the great outdoors. Need to check on everything at the camphouse after the big freeze and then do some random off-season chores like turning off feeders and shit. Also gonna go drive around to some of the less seldom visited parts of the property and see if I can scout any potential spots for a new stand. End the day with some beers by the fire after a 95% Dry January.

Oh yeah, also gonna hang up my Euro mount that I just got back from the buck I shot back in November. Will be the first mount killed by a current member of the lease to hang in the cabin.

IMG_6718.thumb.jpg.b9ac44b2d46d4792a4cb64e873cf1044.jpg

 

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...