rugerla1

Getting ready to head out. I had a great time yesterday, even though the wind was ridiculous, it warmed up, and I got a little wet. Saw bucks cruising and does feeding before the heavy rain hit early in the morning. After the rain the wind got really strong and the action slowed down. Saw a doe walking along a creek bed about 400 yards away and a buck followed ten minutes behind her. A 3 pointer came barreling across a thousand yard hayfield and checked a scrape before making a new one. I moved up to the top of a ridge above a pond for the rest of the day. Immediately had a doe blow straight out from me. Knowing she didn’t wind me I stared through the cedar wood line border and bam, big bobcat comes easing out. Second time this week. He strolled across the pond bank and right past me at 15 yards. I lip squeaked him to get a little more of him on video. Big sucker! After that I had two does come out and feed (1 bedded down almost the entire time) for almost an hour 70 yards from me. Praying the wind didn’t swirl because it was nice to have live decoys. They left and it absolutely died off. 30 minutes before sunset three does came out, one ate and left, the other two stayed. A spike busted out of the woods and started bouncing around like “Look at my antlers!” Lmao. The does jumped away and continued eating. He walked up the the pond and drank for a minute before nibbling on some grass. He acted startled and eased into the woodline, then quickly walked diagonal up the ridge. A minute later a 2.5 year olds 6 pointer came out and drank for nearly two solid minutes. The does stare at him as he walks up to the high center of the pond bank and trots towards them. This was the coolest thing I saw all day. He made it about 10 yards and both does took off running towards him, smaller one turned on a dime as she got within feet of the buck, turned, squatted and peed. She then took a couple steps and turned around to watch him walk up and sniff it. Like they were saying “Hey, check me”. Watched doe squat many times during the rut even around deer. But never seen them run up to the buck like that, it was pretty awesome to watch. No shooters all day but an amazing day in the woods. Cant wait to see what the cold weather brings today.

Man that sucks! Hope it didn’t mess up your truck too bad! I had to work today and made me sucking walking out the door at 4:30 feeing that cold air but not going to the woods lol. But gotta do that dang grown up stuff too. I’m off all this week so hoping my timing was good for vacation. It seems I chose wisely looking at the forecast for Mon Tue and Wed. I’m going out in the morning to be in the stand when the storms clear. Should be good movement I’d say. Good luck to everyone going out!

Nice buck, congratulations Henry!

Yes I sure did Red! This muzzleloader weather needs to go on and cool off. I’m back to work this week but off next week. It looks like this Thursday and Friday will be cooler but not sure what next week will bring.

Indeed! I was worried she’d be mad I was getting another shoulder mount done since they’re not cheap. But instead I was told to do it. Much safer for me when I sleep this way lmao!

I’ll post up later what he weighed, Flowers Processing was so packed they said he’d text me today with the weight. I was going to do a European mount and my wife said no, she wants me to get full shoulder mount done because he’s so different. It’ll be a nice mount when it’s done.

My friend and I both figured he was 3 1/2 definitely no older. Didn’t figure he got all that in 2 1/2 years but knew that he wasn’t 4 1/2 for sure. The TWRA biologists aged him at Flowers and said he was indeed 3 1/2.

Thank you!

It’s really hard to get a grasp of what you’re seeing when you look at this bucks rack. This was the third buck I saw this morning and I put my muzzleloader down and started to let him pass. Then I looked again trying to figure out what I was seeing on his head. I was half standing, twisted to my left, and leaned back against the tree when I shot....the first time. He jumped, looked towards my direction and immediately resumed making scrapes and rubs all the while easing CLOSER to my stand. I couldn’t believe he didn’t run off! I reloaded just knowing that any second he’d be gone like the wind. Was able to stand all the way up and line up the shot like I should have the first time. He ran about 20 yards and dropped 15 yards from my stand. When I realized he was expired I climbed down to look and thought dang, he’s crazier looking than I thought! I’m so happy with this buck, he will probably be the only buck I ever see like this. He has 19 points, 15 of those are scoreable points. It was a fun morning to be out and glad to have a freezer full of meat and a beautiful non-typical rack to talk about for years! I didn’t get to bow hunt as much as I would have liked to but Monday I was in a tree all day and watched bucks chasing doe like it was full rut. I didn’t see one doe today, just this buck and the two early cruisers. But they were daylight cruising and that’s what gets us tore up. I think it’s going to cut loose full force the next cold drop we get. Heck it feels like a beautiful Spring day out there today haha. Hope everyone is enjoying the hunting so far, it’s getting ready to get more fun. P.S. Please wear your harnesses and be safe!

I have three and they all have cool reasons for me to like them, but two are very special to me. #1 is one my Dad gave to me. It’s a Savage 99e chambered in .308 win. It’s been my favorite since I was little and after begging for 30 plus years he finally passed it on to me. #2 is one that was passed to me after my Pappaw passed away in 2001. It’s a Marlin 336 chambered in 30-30. He shot it to sight it in after purchase in IIRC 1974 or 1975, and never shot it again after that. Receipt was still in the case with the rifle and it all looked like it was purchased yesterday. #3 is one I got from my father-in-law a year ago or so. I didn’t even know they existed before he called me. It’s a Ruger 96/22 chambered in .22mag and has a short, smooth action. I mean it is an absolute dream to shoot. It does not have a Volquartsen trigger feel by any means, and is what most would call a heavier trigger pull. But it’s smooth and crisp so I’m happy exactly the way it is. Ive always had a soft spot for lever actions but outside of a .357 or .44 mag lever, I’m extremely happy with what I have acquired and will keep them until I pass them on to my daughter.

I will put in another vote for Sig Romeo 5. I absolutely love that optic. I also have had great luck with my Vortex Sparc 2 and one that seems to have been forgotten, the Vortex Strikefire. The Strikefire is definitely not as compact as the Sparc and Romeo so that may be why it’s passed on these days. Just some options for you. if you ever do decide to drop the cash for a better optic, I love the Eotech and Trijicon optics. But yes they are expensive compared to the others you’re considering for now.

Well it’s October 30th and due to work I have spent a grand total of 9 hours in the woods since bow season opened. However, cooler temps are here and after this weekend (youth hunters only) I am off all next week! Can’t wait to get out there and get after it finally. Things are starting to warm up as far as activity and daytime buck movement. I’m excited to check my cameras and plan my hunting spots for the week. Good luck to you all and if you’re taking your children hunting this weekend have fun and more importantly be safe, wear those harnesses and come home the way you went out.

Glad y’all had a good time Slappy!!

Thank you!

Man that looks good!!!!

Picked up my mount after work today. Kilgore did an amazing job as always! Hope some of y’all were able to make it out this opening day since I couldn’t.

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing! Sounds like a really good experience with beautiful scenery.

Congratulations! I’ll check out the thread for sure.

How’d you do?

Well it’s opening tomorrow morning y’all! I’m excited but have to work most of the day. After work I’m going to the taxidermist to pick up this buck in the picture. My buck from last year and personal biggest. I’m excited to climb a tree for sure and wanted to wish everyone luck! Be safe!!! I’ll post a picture of the mount when I get it.

Congratulations!!!

Wow, that’s awesome!

Welcome to TGO!

All of my AR’s have BCM charging handles except one. I put the Geissele Ambi on my Mk18 and I love it as well.

I’m a big fan of DD fixed iron sights.