2018 Archery Season

17 days until go time! How many people actually hunt the early September season? Where in Wisconsin are you hunting? What type of terrain? Any expectations? Introducing any youth to the great outdoors? 

I will start- I absolutely love the first 2 weeks of archery! 

I will be hunting the northern part of Juneau county!

i will be climbing very close to the hottest oak tree in the area! I usually start on a beautiful 40 acre chunk of county land! Trying to leave the private alone until the youth hunt! 

I have higher than normal expectations for this year due to the mild winters and great crop selection! The herd is in really good shape! Not quite as good as pre 2000 doe slaughter years but getting close again! I’m somewhat scared to drive on the roads at night which hasn’t scared me in almost 20 years now! Really hoping my 12 year old daughter or 9 year old nephew connects this year?

We should possibly have 5 youth hunters this year so that is going to make for a great year as long as safety is priority #1!

Im extremely excited as always and ready to go! 17 days and it’s my favorite time of year! I also wanna wish everyone else a safe, enjoyable, and memorable season ahead!

You kill a few 150+'s every year?  We haven't have a deer on cam in 2 years that 3.5.  

There are pockets of good areas they shoot mature deer,  I said that,  but 90% of Wisconsin is just killing land.  If you are killing 3 deer 150 plus I'd say your land is probably one of the best i know of.

LB,  I think you are way underselling the quality of deer hunting in WI. While I certainly agree that overall quality in the state could be improved dramatically, there are many areas south of Hwy 29 that grow very big deer. Obviously, habitat and controlled hunting pressure/harvest restraint are key. My land is likely fairly close to yours and is surrounded by typical "brown is down" yahoos. We see 150 inch + deer every year and manage to kill a few. There are reasons why we're able to do this.

Droptine,  you clearly haven't hunted any areas in WI beyond western.  Your statement is so far from reality it's not even funny.

WI has way more "scorch the earth" than "QDM"

That pic of that buck from 18,  what a stud.  man,  beautiful deer.

Never hunted Illinois but with all the QDM in the state of Wisconsin I can’t imagine a much better place to hunt. I guess if I chose a place to hunt it would be North of the US border. 

I’ve hunted Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.   The trophy spot is clearly Illinois.  The hunting pressure is low and there are quality bucks.  But there’s not a 150 inch buck behind every tree !

Helluva buck Drptine!!!!

LB,...pretty narrow minded on your part to add the FB friend comment. You have no idea what others know and experience. Do you think every part of Iowa/Illinois, etc, has 150"+ bucks running all over it? There are many quality bucks taken in many parts of WI (but most don't show their deer off on social media...me included. Because of petty comments such as most of yours)

Sarona, i'm glad you feel that way.  Stay in WI.  

Full Draw,  Facebook and twitter friends don't count.  

Well its true that Pepin holds some great bucks but they aren't easy and just because he lives there doesn't mean its a slam dunk. Lots and lots of 125" deer and smaller are shot in Pepin and Buffalo counties. I personally know people who live and farm in Pepin county and own over 600 acres and they kill a 160 plus on average every 5-6 years. Congrats on a great buck- I'm sure you earned him!

If you look at his profile,  he's from Pepin WI,  no secret the hills hold big deer.  That's the only thing that keeps western and southern WI decent yet otherwise it's would be a vast wasteland like the rest.  Change WI to shot gun only,  move the gun season to Dec 1,  one buck,  and we all would have those opportunities.  Unfortunately that will never happen.   

Great buck Drop.  I've never seen a buck in WI over mid 50's.  That's why I spend very little time in WI anymore.  If you don't hunt western WI or out of state,  you have little chance to see, muchless shoot something of that caliber.

Let’s hear the story droptine? If that ain’t a personal best you are on some crazy ground!

drptine

AWESOME buck. Not sure if you have told us the story. But could you please tell us about the deer, hunt, & harvest?

Thanks, 

Big Mac 

Thanks, I was pretty lucky to kill such a beautiful buck;