The Farm - Eastern KY
- Thread starter HB_Hunter
- Start date
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
2018 was a busy year for me. I had a dozer operator come in and open up about 3 acres on a long flat bench in the bowl in February. He also opened up some trails that had been neglected. I frost seeded clover shortly after and planned to build a box blind and plant the LC rye mix in September. Those plans changed when I got drawn for a KY elk hunt.
I spent April turkey hunting and most of the weekends after Memorial Day at the lake. Once I figured out where I would be elk hunting, I spent a couple weekends scouting there. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done on the habitat side.
I killed a bull elk a few days after opening day and got one of my target bucks the second day of gun season.
Time to start working on the goal list for 2019.
I spent April turkey hunting and most of the weekends after Memorial Day at the lake. Once I figured out where I would be elk hunting, I spent a couple weekends scouting there. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done on the habitat side.
I killed a bull elk a few days after opening day and got one of my target bucks the second day of gun season.
Time to start working on the goal list for 2019.
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Most years I setup in a blind and am able to get the turkeys to come to me. This year they were henned up on the ridges so I had to go after them. It’s hard to beat being 20 yards away leaning up against a tree when they gobble. I called in three birds and was lucky enough to get this one.
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Here are a couple pics of the cleared bench fairly high on the mountain. I frost seeded clover, which came in really good. I established a mineral lick, which got good use. This is surrounded by a 4 year old clear cut that is thickening up nicely. It is a jungle. I’m planning to get the LC rye mix planted here next fall. I will mix in white clover and work to establish a clover plot for the future.
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
I didn’t get out for opening weekend because we spent Labor Day at the lake. My first deer hunt was mid October during the early KY ML season. I saw a few does, but no bucks. I decided to wait for November to get back out.
I sat all day 11/3 and the morning of 11/4. I saw about 15 deer the first day. Mainly small bucks and does and one nice deer I couldn’t get a good look at. It was really wet this fall and the leaves seemed to stay on forever. I saw them long before I could hear them.
Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
I sat all day 11/3 and the morning of 11/4. I saw about 15 deer the first day. Mainly small bucks and does and one nice deer I couldn’t get a good look at. It was really wet this fall and the leaves seemed to stay on forever. I saw them long before I could hear them.
Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
I went out the morning of 11/11 hoping he would cruise back through. The ridge I walk in on had three fresh scrapes. I was hoping he made them the night before and would be back to check them.
About an hour after first light I saw movement in a thicket about 70 yards from me. It was a single deer, but I could never see it’s head. It was working away from me. I decided to grunt to see if I could get it to come back. It stopped immediately and started to circle back.
Finally I could see its head and could tell it was a good buck. He kept circling and finally gave me a shot at about 75 yards. I squeezed the trigger and ‘click’. The gun didn’t go off. I decided to re-rack the cartridge before trying to load another one. I slowly pulled the action back and forced it forward.
He kept circling and finally stopped again and gave me a shot between two big oaks. This time the gun fired.
Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
About an hour after first light I saw movement in a thicket about 70 yards from me. It was a single deer, but I could never see it’s head. It was working away from me. I decided to grunt to see if I could get it to come back. It stopped immediately and started to circle back.
Finally I could see its head and could tell it was a good buck. He kept circling and finally gave me a shot at about 75 yards. I squeezed the trigger and ‘click’. The gun didn’t go off. I decided to re-rack the cartridge before trying to load another one. I slowly pulled the action back and forced it forward.
He kept circling and finally stopped again and gave me a shot between two big oaks. This time the gun fired.
Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
I waited about 15 minutes and got down to take a look. I was fairly sure I heard him crash just over the hill. I got to the shot location, but there was no blood. I walked about 10 yards in the direction he went and saw a white belly. I hit him in the heart and he only made it about 40 yards.
wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
You and I need to talk. My two labs would love to hunt elk sheds with you. Be a ball to find one - you know where to go - I don't have that advantage. We could hit deer sheds on your farm too if you like.
Wayne
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
I elk hunted about an hour and a half from the farm. We had a few around before they opened season on them outside the elk restoration zone. I know exactly where to go where I hunted, but don’t have permission to shed hunt. Wouldn’t have a clue where to look on public land.
I have a terrible time finding sheds on the farm. I’ve picked up a few when I’m not looking for them, but I’ve only found a couple when I was actually out looking. Dogs would probably help tremendously. I usually try to get out in early March to look. Let me know if you’d like to meet up.
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Yeah...I was fine until the ‘click’. I worried I made a bad shot because I really didn’t expect the gun to go off and I was flustered. Also jerked the trigger a bit. Thankfully it was good.
Chainsaw
Well-Known Member
Congratulations on pulling it off. On a hunt a week or so ago after seeing a ton of deer and almost shooting one or two when I went to take the bullet out of my gun there was none there: With it being cold and having multiple layers of clothes on I'm not sure I could even have found another bullet in a reasonable amount of time so your hunt was near and dear to me right away. Glad you got him!
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Wow, you have had a heck of a year with both deer and elk. A big congratulations to you!
HB_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Banner year for sure. Best part is I have a chest freezer full of meat. I grilled one of the tenderloins for Thanksgiving.
