A few habitat pics I thought you might enjoy

[Native Hunter]

My target for 2026 survived gun season, but that is not a guarantee. Same thing last year with two others and neither was back this year. We shall see how this works out.






PS - Both of the old codgers in the post just above survived too, along with a pretty 10 point 3 year old. Life finds a way.

 

[Native Hunter]

Second rut well under way here:

 

[Brian662]

Some beautiful bucks there Native. Next year's crop is looking good!

 

[Native Hunter]

Some beautiful bucks there Native. Next year's crop is looking good!

Thanks Brian. I had thought about hunting that deer with the stickers next week during late ML season, because I thought he was probably 5 or more. However, I've decided to take a chance on him getting bigger next year. I know the big 10 is only 4, so he might really gain a lot.

 

[Brian662]

Those deer with the stickers can really make some cool jumps year to year. Have you had good luck passing shooters and seeing them/hunting them next year?

In MN I've given up passing on bucks that make it this long because it hasn't worked out for me to get a Crack next year. In WI its been a different story and most often get to see them get a year older.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Left g3 on that bottom pic looks LONG! Different class of bucks than what I hunt for sure..

 

[Native Hunter]

Those deer with the stickers can really make some cool jumps year to year. Have you had good luck passing shooters and seeing them/hunting them next year?

In MN I've given up passing on bucks that make it this long because it hasn't worked out for me to get a Crack next year. In WI its been a different story and most often get to see them get a year older.

I had great luck for several years. Probably got 60% back, but not as lucky the last 3 years. Last year I let two different 150s go and didn't get either one back this year. I know that one of them was still alive after season closed.

 

[Native Hunter]

Left g3 on that bottom pic looks LONG! Different class of bucks than what I hunt for sure..

That deer is 4 for sure. I have history on him. He is living dangerously lately with all that daylighting. I had him at 30 yards several times during bow/crossbow and saw him 3 times in gun. He's my #1 target for opening day next year.

 

[Native Hunter]

This is a picture I forgot to post. It is an unusual sight for me - a deer actually eating a nasty ole turnip...yuck...

 

[JORDY]

He must have been really hungry!
I have never had much luck with turnips

 

[Native Hunter]

He must have been really hungry!
I have never had much luck with turnips

That's what chasing too many women can do to you....

 

[Bowsnbucks]

This is a picture I forgot to post. It is an unusual sight for me - a deer actually eating a nasty ole turnip...yuck...

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Nice pics, Native! Looks like plenty of buck stock left for next year.

Turnip bulbs seem to get eaten in the dead of winter here, but they aren't a "dig every one up" kind of attraction. Turnip tops get plenty of attention in the fall. WW and WR seem to be better draws all winter long - at least here.