Heading out for a few days

[StanG]

So what is your weapon of choice for the hunt? I did a management hunt at a local state park one year. It was archery only. Shot a nice doe but I didnt go back in subsequent years.
The way it was there the animals were so used to human interaction that they were not afraid of humans at all. It was like going to a target range and it was so unsporting I had no desire to ever do it again.
Your hunt will obviously be a different scenario than that- which is a good thing man. I actually felt bad after my hunt. I knew the animals needed to be harvested but in a situation like the one I was in to have them literally see and smell a human and just keep strolling right up was just too messed up for me.

[lipripper]

We were not allowed all over the island, just the hunting areas, which encompassed most of it. Any places with old buildings etc. were in safety zones. Beautiful place!! I will go back. I was shocked at how TINY not small...TINY..the deer were. I had several easy shots at some does but couldn't do it. They couldn't of went 40 lbs and were full grown. I saw some that were taken that I couldn't believe..Im talking like 20 lb deer.. CRAZY!! Some of the bucks were in the 100 lb range and plenty of hogs. I took a 90 lb Boar hog. I understand it was a management hunt and next time Ill just buck hunt again. Unless a rare larger doe showed up. Here are A few pics..



























hog I took

[Bouncer]

pretty cool rip, where you able to get a pic of the tiny deer or no? they sound like their own species, like a pigmy deer or some shit.

[lipripper]

I got a pic of the deer cooler..the large deer are about 75 to 90 lbs dressed out in this pic..you can see how little some of them are...most are mature..not yearlings... My buddy Troy had one come up and bed down 30 yds from him..he got a pic on his cell of it sleeping.LOL..they aren't tame like in a park..they are very spooky/ critters. I also included a pic of hog cooler.. I just couldn't see shooting the little does with a .50 cal Black powder rifle..Way over kill. So I just buck hunted. Didt see one..LOL. I know and realize the hunters are there to shoot the deer for management...I just couldn't do it they were so small. I know we have small deer I hunt here on the coast..but these island deer were TINY...LOL Ill try again next year...maybe Ill feel differently now that I've experienced it, But I doubt it...
Deer cooler..


Hogs

[Bouncer]

I get the feeling that while you had fun you prefer a more natural way of hunting. Out in the open woods by yourself without all the hand holding. This was almost like going fishing at the aquarium type thing. Or am I totally off?

[lipripper]

no, your way off..its pure wilderness on the island..amazing place.

[Bouncer]

there is something about the woods down there that is extra creepy. the way that stuff kinds hangs off the trees is straight out of a creepy movie. rip would you be a bit scared out there at night by yourself? i'd be swinging into the darkness thinking bigfoot is on my ass!

[lipripper]

there is something about the woods down there that is extra creepy. the way that stuff kinds hangs off the trees is straight out of a creepy movie. rip would you be a bit scared out there at night by yourself? i'd be swinging into the darkness thinking bigfoot is on my ass!

Not at all..fear is just an emotion.

you have to control your emotions..you know bro..you can get hormones to help with that:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[MattG]

Nice pics Rip! The woods there look like you went back in time 10,000 years

[blm]

They look like the typical deer (size) I see in Florida.

Deer or not, time out in the wilderness like that is therapeutic.