I am in a similar situation, set a camera in a certain spot and found a bear and cat highway a five minute walk from camp. I was wandering around in the middle of the night last weekend playing with my new thermal and had something huffing at me from a stand of oaks. I could see some heat through the trees, but could not make out what it was. I approached it and made some noise, but nothing flushed and stomped off. Even though I had a rifle, I got a little nervous and left it be.
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- Thread starter Catscratch
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Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
Got video of some chucklehead taking pictures of my tree stand today. I was not happy. I don't recognize them, but then I wouldn't. All the locals I knew are either moved on or passed on.
Bears are expanding in my home state of Arkansas. It is a management success story that our G&F is quick to tout, but it is an animal almost no one wants on their property. A lot of people like bears - as long as they are on someone else’s land. Kind of like gators - lot of folks that dont live with them think they are cool to see - but would you really want one in you pond where your dogs swim and grand kids fish?
I would not want hunting land in bear or wolf country.
I would not want hunting land in bear or wolf country.
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Bears are no fun to have around, I can tell you. They do a lot of damage, even when it's not for food. Curiosity, play, reaching/stretching - and for food. A neighboring camp on our mountain had a bear tear the lid off a big outdoor chest freezer, hinges and all, to get to an empty hot dog wrapper left in it from the previous hunting season. Nothing else in that freezer! We had numerous things damaged at our own camp over the years, including an underground heavy-walled poly water line. Backhoe service needed to replace that fiasco. Best time see a bear for us ...... in our crosshairs.
Feelslikefar - Good video of that bear. Thanks for posting.
Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
Never seen a live bear when I wasn't driving, not sure I care to. I've gone back and forth over the years. Used to have zero interest in shooting a bear. Then one tore a giant hole in the side of the cabin, did huge amounts of damage, not just to the structure but things inside. Then I changed to "I'll kill every bear I lay my eyes on!" Gone back and forth a few times. Not sure where I am now, it'd probably be a game time decision. Frankly that's how all my deer hunting has ever been... "Do I really want to shoot this thing?" For many years the answer was usually no and I didn't.
I can usually tell when bears have been about, things in the yard turned over. My nephew, while not young, is still a fairly new hunter and still in the "killer" phase, I have no doubt he'd shoot a bear in a second. So I have no doubt eventually I'll be trying to get one out of the woods whether I shoot one or not.
I can usually tell when bears have been about, things in the yard turned over. My nephew, while not young, is still a fairly new hunter and still in the "killer" phase, I have no doubt he'd shoot a bear in a second. So I have no doubt eventually I'll be trying to get one out of the woods whether I shoot one or not.
That's me too. Whenever I get an animal in the sights I listen for that small voice to say yes or no before I pull the trigger. Proximity to a road is always a factor, but my gut and tying to listen to God is what makes the decision. I am struggling right now in turning the cat hunters loose to reduce the cougars. I like the big cats, but when you get threes and twos on camera, it seems a bit much.
I did have a bear years ago bust the window on a trailer trying to get to the cinnamon bears I left on table. That's ironic. Maybe I should bust in his den and look for some sour patch kids?
Anyone have an opinion on what might be going on with this deer?
Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
Cat damage?
Or maybe it just ruffled its feathers? Or maybe browsing in some wet veg? I think its nothing other than my cwd paranoia. I am not wearing an N95 mask in the forest yet....
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Turkey Creek
5 year old buck +
Some goofy stuff lately! I have this camera set on interval during prime time. Not sure if I got lucky and the bird just landed as the picture took or the shadow may have triggered the camera. Second picture bird shadow is perched on the camera.
Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
This is a BIG rack for my little hill. Technically it's a six pointer. Though it could just be one on one side and three on the other. lol
Once a year we'll get pics of a roaming buck who'll wander in during the rut, that most folks on here would say is a good start, or would be nice in another 3-4 years, but for here they're monsters. We don't get big bucks, or at least big racks.
I guess it's multi factor, no Ag, not particularly high deer density, not lots of competition and adjacent to 1300 acres of state forrest and the orange army.
Once a year we'll get pics of a roaming buck who'll wander in during the rut, that most folks on here would say is a good start, or would be nice in another 3-4 years, but for here they're monsters. We don't get big bucks, or at least big racks.
I guess it's multi factor, no Ag, not particularly high deer density, not lots of competition and adjacent to 1300 acres of state forrest and the orange army.
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Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
Feelslikefar.
5 year old buck +
Sure, after I post all that he shows up today with some slightly more respectable friends. lol
I'm surprised all the activity I'm getting on that camera. Making me think setting up a blind down the bottom or up on top. Though I know sitting there watching that narrow strip would get mind numbingly boring. And for a narrow two track path you need to be ready to go and always watching. They likely won't be standing around eating there come November. Also it's close to the cabin. I'm always curious how us being there effects them. Yard full of stinky cars, cabin full of stinky people, kerosene smell whichever way the wind is blowing. I've always been surprised how far away I CAN SMELL it, they've got to be able to smell it for miles.
I'm surprised all the activity I'm getting on that camera. Making me think setting up a blind down the bottom or up on top. Though I know sitting there watching that narrow strip would get mind numbingly boring. And for a narrow two track path you need to be ready to go and always watching. They likely won't be standing around eating there come November. Also it's close to the cabin. I'm always curious how us being there effects them. Yard full of stinky cars, cabin full of stinky people, kerosene smell whichever way the wind is blowing. I've always been surprised how far away I CAN SMELL it, they've got to be able to smell it for miles.
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Howboutthemdawgs
5 year old buck +
Love them!
Turkey Creek
5 year old buck +
There was a Big 8 that was blind in one eye the Fall we bought our farm. Did not get to hunt much that year and never saw him again after that year. He was definitely on my hit list.
Turkey Creek
5 year old buck +
Do your Southern bucks follow the same antler pattern as our Northern ones? Not sure why that just crossed my mind. Since some portions of the south have a different rut time, thinking maybe they hold antlers longer? Maybe not? LOL
