EastHipster

Yeah...I'm trying to stay out of the woods until Saturday.  Not easy !   About the Scrape....the article I read said that even just scraping away the leaves without adding a scent can get their attention and cause them to stop and sniff that spot. I'll see if I can find it and I'll post the link in a fresh thread.

Some people suggest that you make a scrape every time you hunt... I did it out of frustration as I wasn't confident that I was planning to hunt the right area.

I'm in a good mood today. Found an active Rub line on a nice 'very huntable' trail.   Then found an 8 point 'big enough for my first Bow Season' Buck on my Trailcam by some Mock Scrapes that I did.   Even if i don't see anything on Saturday, at least I won't feel like I am just hunting in the dark.

I've got more scouting to do! I've found a couple of hot trails and had a mock scrape dug up. I went out and made more scrapes in the area and freshened them up. Will have to hit them again after the rain and see if there has been any activity.

Timestepper,   Actually THAT is how I use my Rangefinder. I take it out Scouting/Hiking and guess distances and then check them with my Rangefinder.   Do that a few times and you don't need your Rangefinder with you when you hunt.   I did the same thing with a Lightmeter for Photography (using Vintage cameras)

I just cut in my first Ground blind for the Season. Set up a Mock Scrape a few days ago and found it all dug up this morning :) Cut some shooting lanes...ready to go.   Now to find a few more locations!!  

I have an old school A2 Stock. Balances nice for me. I wouldn't want anything lighter but I also have a 20" Barrel.

DaveS,   If I have a successful Deer Season....I'm sure I will end up buying a Grinder. I just like knowing there is an option as I have never done it myself before.   Fingers crossed!

I have the Simmons LRF 600. Got it used on ebay for $65. Works great for me.   I won't likely be carrying it for Bow Season as I am limiting myself to 20 yards and under (Recurve no sights) and I know pretty well what that looks like.   I do like having it for Turkey/Shotgun hunting though. Finding the sweet spot range for my Pattern is hard for me to 'eyeball' in the woods.

Just an FYI,   Flowers will grind and/or make Sausage etc from Quartered Meat that you bring in as long as there is a Kill tag.

There are a few different versions of the Gutless method floating around. Some start their cuts at the Spine and some from Leg to Leg (that one gives you an intact Hide)   Also look up "Rib Roll" You loosen the meat at the last Rib and go one Rib at a time rolling up the Meat as you work up past the Ribs and up the Neck. You end up with a Rolled up chunk of Meat. Am going to try that one too....

I did get one Chigger bite. Didn't find it until today

Wusses?!!   I'll have you know I use a Tomahawk to cut the crust off of my PBJ Sandwich! Oh yeah, Does any one know where I can get the Scent-Lok BBQ Grill and Toilet for my Treestand? I can stay up there indefinitely if I can catch enough water in my Rain barrel.

Funny... I went out scouting yesterday and had NO Ticks. I was shocked.  Going through high fields and thick woods in Shorts. I sprayed with DEET but that doesn't usually keep ticks off of me.

I plan to do the "Gutless Method" and carry it out in Game Bags. Doesn't take more time than having to Field Dress and then drag through the woods.   Where I am hunting, Dragging will be VERY difficult/pretty much impossible in some of the Stands I am planning.   Unless I buy a grinder, I will just have Steaks and Stew Meat but that's doesn't sound bad to me!

I Still hunt and I get hungry. Snacks let me stay out all day.   Usually:  Apple, Jerky, Dried Fruit, Nuts and a big Protein Bar "Colossal", Thermos of Coffee and a Bottle of Water

Is it a conspiracy where they play it down when they get a report and then they go out and Trap them?

Funny thing too... If you report Hogs on your land, they push you to let them come and Hunt/trap them. They say that you might get a couple of them and push the others off onto other land.

It's pretty clear:   Tenants and their spouses and their dependent children must be bona fide residents of the state and must actually reside on the land.  

If anything, I've been practicing TOO much. Gotta get some more scouting in this week as I haven't pinpointed enough deer in the last 6 weeks (they moved).   But I'm already packing for opening day :)

It includes field dressing and transport to processing too. And full processing is $100 delivered to your cabin

Clarify...for TN, their rates aren't bad.

Thanks for the link. That looks like a good place and their rates don't look bad either.

500 Acres fenced doesn't sound like a negative to me.   I want to do a Spot and Stalk Hog Bowhunt and would like to go to a place that definitely HAS hogs. I just don't want to have a guide walk me up to a stand over a corn feeder and say "ok which one do you want?" :)

I've got a private hunting place to go. A generous friend :)