How has Everyone’s Hunting Season at Home been?

I've been hunting white tail deer hard since opening weekend, and have not been able to connect. All the wrong deer have been passing by giving me the finger. In one of the places I hunt the county has a 15" outside spread rule, and everything we've seen have been inside the ears. We have not shot a doe because of the rut, but now that it's over we can't find them. Go figure. Hopefully my luck will change after Thanksgiving. :)
I hope you luck changes. Stay in the woods as much as you can, that helps. Glad my place doesn't have that inside spread rule, I would have to let mine walk. (Only 11 inches inside)
 
I hope you luck changes. Stay in the woods as much as you can, that helps. Glad my place doesn't have that inside spread rule, I would have to let mine walk. (Only 11 inches inside)
I have a buck from my teenage years that scored right under 130" with a legitimate 10" spread. He walked out facing me and I thought he was a little basket rack, then he turned sideways and it was long tines all over. I often think of that deer when I'm hunting in my main area that has a 13" rule.
 
I hunt in an antler restriction (13 in minimum inside spread) county as well and while it can be a pain when a truly mature deer doesn't make the minimum. But there are a LOT more bucks that make 3.5 and 4.5 years old.
 
I hunt in an antler restriction (13 in minimum inside spread) county as well and while it can be a pain when a truly mature deer doesn't make the minimum. But there are a LOT more bucks that make 3.5 and 4.5 years old.
Let his deer pass several times opening week. He looks great from a profile but won't make the 13" cut. Should make a fine 4.5 old deer next year if the neighbors don't shoot him.
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Perfect example...I would love too have him next year on my lease.
 
My brother-in-law’s ground blind was destroyed by bears on Friday night. We’ve got pictures of a mama and cubs on the corn and then playing with the camera that night. Somewhat chilling, as I had been in that blind with my three year old daughter only hours before.
 
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Killed a forky Mule Deer here at home a looong way from the road.
Decided to to cut it in half to Backpack it out after I dragged the hair off of both sides. My wife had the the rear half in her Pack.
Used a M700 .280 Rem. LH KS Mountain Rifle and Handloaded Barnes 145 grain LRX Bullet.
 
That's one reason I sure like the snow. Sure makes dragging easier.
 
Monday and Tuesday, no bears. Maybe they are in the cornfields. We have tomorrow morning to figure it out. But I am happy.
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Not a hunt near my home, but it was stateside. South West Texas Aoudad. You can see Mexico in the far distance. The Rio Grand is in the valley direct behind the ram and I. Very challenging hunt, which made it very rewarding. Hiked 32 miles total in three days in 90 degree heat. I had a really great time.
6B1F9355-91A6-4BAA-AC03-082D32A3E843.jpeg
 
Not a hunt near my home, but it was stateside. South West Texas Aoudad. You can see Mexico in the far distance. The Rio Grand is in the valley direct behind the ram and I. Very challenging hunt, which made it very rewarding. Hiked 32 miles total in three days in 90 degree heat. I had a really great time. View attachment 209631
The Barbary Sheep is my nemesis! Trying again in January! Super cool animal
 
Not a hunt near my home, but it was stateside. South West Texas Aoudad. You can see Mexico in the far distance. The Rio Grand is in the valley direct behind the ram and I. Very challenging hunt, which made it very rewarding. Hiked 32 miles total in three days in 90 degree heat. I had a really great time. View attachment 209631
One of my favorite animals since I was a youngster. Still never went after them but hope to soon.
 
One of my favorite animals since I was a youngster. Still never went after them but hope to soon.
That was my first guided hunt, and I had a blast.
 
I'm up to 7 deer now, nothing to brag about as I have to run up numbers where I hunt.

The real news is I got draw for a Gould Turkey hunt in Arizona for this spring!!!
Are you going to hunt around Hannigan Meadows?
 
@Bullthrower338 not 100% sure just know north of AZ highway 80.

Talked with an outfitters who told me what unit to try for. Has a great success rate.

Still pumped I never draw anything.
 
The Barbary Sheep is my nemesis! Trying again in January! Super cool animal

They are a very cool critter. What a tough beast. Ever since I saw a picture of a Aoudad from a hunt and the scenery they live in (SW TX desert), I was conspiring to hunt the cliffside mountain for a sheep of my own. It took quite a while to make it happen. I feel privileged to have been able to taken a fine ram. I’m still working on the euro mount to properly display it. A coat of Mop-n-Glow and bondo’ing the horns back on, and it will find a spot to rest in the living room.

Good luck in January!

2DC6A060-420D-40EA-8DD4-EA14ECA9C89D.jpeg
 
They are a very cool critter. What a tough beast. Ever since I saw a picture of a Aoudad from a hunt and the scenery they live in (SW TX desert), I was conspiring to hunt the cliffside mountain for a sheep of my own. It took quite a while to make it happen. I feel privileged to have been able to taken a fine ram. I’m still working on the euro mount to properly display it. A coat of Mop-n-Glow and bondo’ing the horns back on, and it will find a spot to rest in the living room.

Good luck in January!

View attachment 209642
Looks great! I used to hunt them(very unsuccessfully) on the New Mexico Rim, you are right, the scenery is worth the price of admission!
 
My brother-in-law’s ground blind was destroyed by bears on Friday night. We’ve got pictures of a mama and cubs on the corn and then playing with the camera that night. Somewhat chilling, as I had been in that blind with my three year old daughter only hours before.
A lady who had a question for me was surprised to discover I was bear hunting. She noted the last time she drove through Pennsylvania, a bear crossed the road In front of her carrying a deer in its mouth. Not quite the cuddly little animals some think they are! Glad you and your daughter did not witness the blind destruction first hand, @JakeH.
 

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