I love tracks.

One of the fun parts of hunting and fishing for me is putting all the clues or pieces togther. Tonight Luke and I went out to retrieve a sd card from one of our cams and we came across this big track. Now with deer it is really hard to tell a buck from a doe. This track is of a very heavy deer that was walking with several other deer. Notice how it spreads due to the weight and the dew claws are in the mud as well. This usually means a bigger than average deer and bucks usually get alot bigger than does. SOOO... we are going to be thinking on the positive side and call this one a buck.

Just another piece of the puzzle to put together.

Luke's hand

my hand

Pre-season scouting

Last night Luke and I went out a little before dark and watched a bean field that we will be hunting this Fall. Last week we watched four bucks from the road. Usually this time of year bucks are in "bachelor groups" and when you see one - you will see more. One of the bucks last week was a pretty good one, but we were 500-600 yards away. Last night we tried to get a little closer to see what we have for this year, but we only watched one doe come out and then it got too dark to stay.

One thing I would like to pass on that really worked for us. The bugs last night were awful and sitting in chest high weeds, in between a bean and corn field, we about got carried away. HOWEVER, I brought my Thermacell and in 5 minutes Luke and I enjoyed the evening with ZERO bugs. If you have not heard of the Thermacell, you need to go get one. I have taken this little gadget with many many times and it always works. Best $20 I have ever spent. Here is more info:

http://www.thermacell.com/

Getting ready for October in July

Bob Clark and I spent a couple hours at one of the properties we hunt getting ready for deer season, which starts Oct. 1 here in Indiana. I know it is about 90 degree's, but I have learned over the years that if you can get your stand setups done in July/August it really helps you later. As we put up new stands, move others, add ground blinds, and trim out shooting lanes the deer will have settled down by Fall. It amazes me how familiar the deer are with their surroundings. Imagine going into your house where someone had moved a chair, lamp, or taken down a picture. It is the same in the deer woods, so we try and get our setups done a long time before the season even starts. July/August sweat and bug bites really pay off in the Fall. Here are some of the cam pics we have taken so far.

Reel Times Introduction

If you are around me for anytime at all, you will see my love for the outdoors. My goal for this blog is to share with family and friends my "REEL" fishing and hunting adventures. Come along with me as I take my kids, friends, or sometimes just myself on reel adventures in the world God has created us to enjoy and be stewards of.