Hunting hogs in the Florida "Hammocks"

Jason and I have talked about hog hunting for several years.  Hunting hogs with a bow has been something I’ve wanted to try since I first picked up a bow.  When Jason called and offered me a chance to go on a 3 day hog hunt with him and friend, Mike Switzer, I jumped at the chance.

Before I knew it, we were off to Florida Cracker Outfitters for our late January Hog hunt.  After getting off the plane, we made the short drive to “camp”.  When the trip particulars were described to me, I was under the impression we would be “roughing it” for the week.  I envisioned a run down camp with the bare necessities.  Upon meeting Courtnay (one of the outfitters), we made the 4.5 mile trip off road back to camp.  As we drove back the grass road, I was surprised and excited we would be staying so far back in the Florida woods.  As we turned into the driveway of “camp”, I was in shock.  Before us was a beautiful house/camp where we would be staying for our hunt.  This place was butted right against a lake which, as I was told, was chalk full of crappies and bass.  It was quite apparent we wouldn’t be “roughing it” this week.

Our "cabin" for the week

View from the back porch

Upon arrival, we were met by a young fellow named Jake who was going to be one of our guides for the week, and Julie our camp cook.  Courtnay gave us the rundown on how the week was going to go:  The hunt was going to be out of blinds in the morning/evening.  In the afternoons, we would try to spot and stalk on any pigs we might see on our travels.  We were hunting on private property but these hogs were unfenced and 100% wild with absolutely no human contact.  We learned from the outfitters, that Florida hadn’t received much rain and the hogs were hanging in the un-huntable “meadows”.  Meadows, by their definition, were practically impenetrable scrub marsh, with saw grass mixed in.  After seeing one of these meadows, I quickly understood why we wouldn’t be archery hunting in those areas.  Even after receiving this information, I was still thinking this is a slam dunk… we’re hunting hogs after all.  Minus my first opportunity, I was proven about as wrong as any individual could be.  My perceptions of hog hunting before the trip couldn’t have been more off base.  Honestly, I figured they were blind dumb animals, and the hunt would be an easy relaxing adventure with the guys.  If I would have handled my first encounter with hogs correctly, I might still believe that.  As I quickly found out, I didn’t give these animals nearly enough credit.

After our brief orientation, we quickly shot our bows to make sure they were on and got showers for our first evening hunt.  Jason and I were going to hunt together for the week, while Mike Switzer and Courtnay (the outfitter) were going to pair up for the week.   On the first evening, Jason decided he would run the camera and I would be the shooter.  Jake and Courtnay set us in a Palmetto blind over looking a small wet field next to a swamp.  After getting settled in, I was trying to figure out how to get a shot out of our set up.  I figured there was a spot in the blind that, if I sat straight up, I could clear the palmetto branches.  After about an hour in the blind, Jason whispered “pigs coming from behind us”.  I turned and saw 3 hogs coming right to the front of our set up.  I readied for the shot and realized the first unexpected problem in trying to take a hog with a bow.  These dog gone things just won’t stay still!  As I was trying to communicate to Jason on which one I was going to “take”, they would move.  The boars were all about the same size with the color variations being orange/black, blonde/black, and all black.  I figured I would shoot the first one that gave me an opportunity.  As one would present a shot by the time both Jason and I were on him, the hog would move.  Before the hogs moved off, I had committed to “taking” each of the three hogs, but we couldn’t get both the camera and the bow on them before they moved.  As the last one moved out of the wet field into the swamp, I was becoming disappointed at our misfortune, but that was short lived.  The orange/black boar came back out and stood at a perfect slight quarter away at 18 yards.  With both the camera and bow settled on him, I released my arrow.  To my disbelief, I saw my Lumenok sail about 1 foot high and 2 feet to the left of its mark.  I couldn’t believe I missed that shot, let alone missing that bad.  I was thinking how did I pull the shot that badly, but after examination from where I was shooting, it was clear I didn’t get over the palmetto.  In other words, I completely blew my first ever “slam dunk” shot at a hog, and in front of the camera at that.  As we made it back to camp we met with the other outfitter Jeremy and his father Glen.  They had already arranged to take us out to some of the blind sites to check trail cams and make a plan for the next morning.  After checking 6 different cams, there was no doubt there were plenty of hogs at this place, but 2 sites looked to be much more active than others.  We had our plan set for the morning hunt.

Our palmetto blind for the evening

View from inside the blind

Jason and I would be hunting a stand called the eagles nest; while Mike and Courtnay would be hunting the same blind I had my miss out of the previous night.  The next morning came, and I made the decision to be behind the camera.  We arrived at our location and Jason offered to install the tree arm (holds the camera) for me.  We only had one light between the two of us, so Jason took it up the tree to install the arm which left me on the ground with no light.  There was a stream about 20 yards on the opposite side of the tree we were about to set up in. I heard splashing and “growling” in the stream.  Without a light, I couldn’t see a thing.  I figured about that time, I would take the opportunity to run up the ladder to see if Jason needed any help with the tree arm.  Jason got a good chuckle out of my availability to help and we finally got settled in our setup just as light was breaking.     This morning was a perfect example of how our hunts went for the next day and a half.  We heard hogs chasing each other and growling around us, but we never saw a hog.  They knew something was up in our area and wouldn’t commit to coming through.  As we were finishing up our hunt, we received a text from Mike.  He had the same 3 hogs I saw the evening before in front of him, and put a good shot on the blond/black one.  We met up shortly after to trail, and hopefully recover this hog.  I was filming the recovery and couldn’t believe the blood trail this hog left.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  After 30 yards Mike recovered his first wild hog, with a perfect shot behind the shoulder.

Mike Switzer with his 1st wild hog

The next 3 hunts were all the same.  We had hogs around us but they just wouldn’t commit to our stand locations.  After our morning hunt on the last day, Jeremy came to get us and we could see how excited he was for our last evening hunt.  The wind finally settled down and the hogs were on their feet.  He was scouting while we were on stand and found a couple areas that were “torn up”.  He saw several hogs and suggested we go back for a quick lunch while he made a blind and hung stands in the two new locations he found.  Since Mike had already had taken a hog, he was on camera duty while I was the shooter for our final evening.  As we were getting into our stand, I received a text from Jason saying they had seen 1 big boar and 4 smaller pigs as they were going in to their blind.  We also had an encounter with a nice hog within a half hour of our sit but I couldn’t get a shot at him before he moved off.  They were definitely up and moving and I was excited to see what the rest of the evening would bring.  About 45 minutes before dark, Mike spotted 4 hogs on the hillside directly across from us heading our way.  The 2 big boars came into the right of us with the 2 decent hogs standing about 15yards in front of us.  I told Mike I wasn’t waiting and I was going to take the boar in front of us.  Mike gave me the go ahead so I drew, settled the pin behind his shoulder, and this time my arrow found the vitals.  The hog moved off slowly to our left and disappeared into a thick patch about 50 yards from us.  The bigger boars circled us and apparently came across my hog because they stopped roughly where we last saw the hit hog and started growling.   Now it was time to wait for our guides and Jason to make it over to our stand, but I felt good about the shot and the hog’s reaction after the hit.  After about 45 minutes the guys came and we made a straightforward recovery.  The blood sign was solid and we found my hog about 70 yards from our stand.  It felt great to finally get my first wild hog on the ground!

Jason and I with my 1st wild hog

Our trip ended that night as we were flying out of Jacksonville early the next morning.  This hog hunt had so much more than I had expected.  The guides and outfitters were some of the best I’ve ever hunted with, and the accommodations were second to none.  Just by being around Courtnay and Jeremy for the week, I feel I’ve become a better hunter.  On many of my experiences, the outfitters and guides job was to put us on our game we were hunting.   When hunting with Florida Cracker Outfitters, the guys taught me everything from how they hunt Florida Hogs, turkeys, deer, and gators, to their heritage and the history of hog hunting in their area. They have great pride in what they do, and will share with you all they have learned through the years.  In general this is just a great group of people to hunt with.  As you can tell, my first wild hog hunt was everything I hoped it would be and more.

PA Whitetail Winter Wrap Up

This year was a very hard hunting year for me in PA.  Archery season produced only one shooter buck out of range.  I did have an opportunity at a doe but had a clean miss.  She too was just out of range and I misjudged the shot distance.  Only several other deer were spotted during the many hours in the field of archery here in Pennsylvania. I found hunting public grounds pretty tough. There was very little feed due to the gypsy moths and that pushed the deer into other areas. So all I could hope for was better luck during the Pennsylvania rifle season.

Winter is such a magical time of the year as we watch the woods transform into a silent escape.  Food sources being covered whitetails seem to minimize movement.  Then there is the invasion of orange disrupting the stillness with echoes of gun fire.

 I put in a great deal of time but couldn't get a shooter buck within my sites during archery or rifle seasons here in Pennsylvania.  Unable to put that buck on the ground I longed for venison to fill my freezer.  I decided that I would take a mature doe as soon as the opportunity would present itself. That opportunity happened the first Wednesday of rifle season.  The morning only produced about 2 shots in the far off distance on the Game Lands we were hunting. Then around 10:00AM around 100+ yards I could see 5 deer moving through the timber up the hill from me.  About 5 minutes later the turned and headed down the hill at an angle right to me. The first one leading was a big mature doe.  I let the rifle bark and she dropped within 30 yards from where I was standing.

The first Saturday of rifle I headed back out hoping to possibly connect with a buck.  The snow started about an hour after we were in the woods. And it snowed and snowed and at one time looked like  a blizzard.  There was no way to keep the camera dry so we packed it away. Within 2 hours we had several inches of snow on the ground. Everything was covered. There was no movement and no shots.  It sure didn't seem like the first Saturday of rifle season in Pennsylvania. We saw only one other hunter and by 8 AM he got up and left. The snow wasn't letting up and I knew without hunters moving, the deer weren't going to be moving much either.

Since Don didn't have a rifle he decided to sit looking one way and I would keep an eye on the other. It was so hard to see and it was totally silent. If you weren't seeing the deer you sure weren't going to hear them! Shortly after 9 AM Don sees 2 deer sneaking up behind us. I quickly scope them, no horns. I quickly decided to fill my second doe tag. 30.06 cracked and down went my second mature doe. 

I have hunted for many years and in all the years I have hunted I have NEVER shot 2 deer in one year. I never felt the need. I usually was blessed to shoot a buck in archery or rifle and then I was done. It was enough meat to last the year. So this was a first. Jimmy hadn't been having luck at that point hunting either so I told him if I could shoot another doe I would so he could get his deer bologna he likes made.  And I don't know if any of you have seen the size of my kid lately?  Well he is 13 and 6 foot tall.  So we can use more than one deer a year now.

The rest of the season I hunted for a buck but mother nature didn't cooperate much either. Ice, Snow, rain, high winds we had it all.  I still went out with the hopes the Lord would bless me with a shooter buck. But it just didn't happen.

I was tickled to finally put a deer on the ground this year. Well, two actually.  It will definitely be a Pennsylvania hunting season to remember. Spending time afield is a blessing! The harvest, that's the bonus!

Listening to my loved ones and friends recreate their hunting adventures and sharing my hunts with them brings smiles to everyone's face. Creating memories that will last a lifetime and reinforces our heritage in the minds of those who cherish every trip afield.

 Here are some pictures from family and friends who were successful this year during the PA whitetail season.

Dad with his archery doe

Brandon with his archery doe.

Don with his rifle buck

Jimmy's friend Cody with his first buck

Friend Tom's nice rifle buck

Brandon's friend Scott with his flintlock doe

Jimmy with his first ever muzzleloader kill

Lansky Deluxe 5 Hone Sharpening System

Lansky Deluxe 5 Hone Sharpening System
By Mike Bell, Sportsmen Portal Field Staff

Cost
$32.49 online

Product features

• Patented, precision-engineered, multi-angle flip-over knife clamp
• Sharpening hones on color-coated, finger-grooved safety holders
• One guide rod for each honing stone
• Specially formulated honing oil
• Extra long knife clamp screws
• Custom molded storage/carrying case to hold all system components
• Complete easy-to-follow multi-lingual instructions

Lansky sharpening angles

• 17 degree – A severe angle recommended for razor blades, X-Acto blades, scalpels or similar tools.  Provides an extremely sharp but delicate edge.
• 20 degree – A commonly used angle for higher quality blades and provides an excellent edge for kitchen cutlery and filet knives
• 25 degree – The recommended angle for most knives that need a durable, sharp edge.  Ideal for hunting and outdoor knives
• 30 degree – An outstanding angle for knives that see the heavy use of cutting cardboard, wire or carpets.  Recommended for heavy duty use.

Personal Assessment of product

Until coming across the Lansky Sharpening System, I was never able to put a sharp durable edge on my knives.  I’ve tried whetstones and though I could put a serviceable edge on my knife, it was never truly sharp.  I had friends, and family who were willing to sharpen my knives for me, but I was always bothered by not being able to do it myself.  I came across the Lansky Sharpening System from a co-worker.  He was telling me about his knife sharpening kit and offered to let me try one of my knives on it.  After receiving the kit and a few instructions from my friend, I gave it a shot.  I took the system home that evening and brought my dull hunting knife to a razor sharp edge on my first try.  This was the first time I was able to get a truly sharp edge on my hunting knife.  I was amazed at how easy this system was to use and purchased a Lansky that night.  After receiving my system in the mail, I had all my hunting knives honed and ready for the upcoming hunting season.  The great thing about this sharpening system is that it takes the “art” out of sharpening knives.  Just put your knife in the clamp, decide what angle you want on your blade, attach the rods to the hones, and use the slots built into the clamp to bring you knife to a razor sharp finish.  Though I already had an idea how to use the sharpening kit, the instructions were thorough and easy to follow.

Product Limitations

There are only a couple of things I could mention as “limitations” when using the Lansky Knife Sharpening Systems.  This system is used by running a hone over the knife as the fixed surface, as compared to running a knife over a whetstone as the fixed surface.  A little more care is needed when using the Lansky Sharpening System. The same friend, who introduced me to this kit, also cut himself bad when the hone slipped off the blade and ran his finger into the knife edge.  This is completely avoidable ,and the system is safe to use, but always use care when dealing with knives.  Also when doing large knives (above 6-7 inches) it is recommended to do ½ of the knife at a time.  When trying to sharpen the whole knife at once, the angle changes too much and the rods might not be long enough.  I have done our chef’s kitchen knife ½ at a time, and though it took a little longer, the end result was great.

Recommendation

The Lansky Sharpening System is easy to use and has brought out razor sharp edges on knives I have never been able to get sharp before.  The process of sharpening my knives before owning the Lansky Sharpening System had been frustrating and often times impossible.  After using this system, I believe this product would work great in any outdoorsmen’s home.

Carter's Hunting Lodge

Date: November 7-14, 2009

Location: Milton, Illinois, Pike County

Species: Whitetail

This year I met with Carter’s Hunting Lodge at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. During that time I made arrangements with Randy Hall and Nathan Carter to hunt with them during the rut.  Carter’s Hunting Lodge offers TROPHY whitetail archery hunts in Pike County, Illinois. (You can see the story of my hunt under my Field Journals) Needless to say, I was in for a true hunter’s delight.
Lodge: They offer a comfortable laid back stay at their hunting Lodge. When entering the Lodge you can’t help but be astonished at the big Pike County bucks hanging all over the walls. Not to mention the wall plaques of pictures of hunters with bucks taken over the years. That alone gets you excited for getting in the woods. The Lodge is roomy yet cozy and comfortable. When you came home from hunting the ladies would have a wonderful warm meal ready with all the fixings!  Catered from the local eatery Dink’s Diner.

Food: When you came home from hunting the ladies would have a wonderful warm meal ready with all the fixings!  Catered from the local eatery Dink’s Diner. The food was delicious and there was plenty to go around! They provide you with two meals per day Noon and Night. A complimentary breakfast will be provided the morning of the hunt. The food was delicious and there was plenty to go around!

Stands: Carter’s has over 8000 acres of prime hunting ground managed with various food sources. There was no need to worry about being crowded by other hunter’s there was plenty of room.  They have over 250 stands anywhere from 20-24 feet.  All stands are double hung stands mostly done for the purpose of filming.  They were either a hang on stand or a permanent built stand. All stands had a ladder which made climbing easy.  Carter's can place you in a stand giving the hunter every opportunity according to wind direction and deer movement. Guides will take you to your stand locations and pick you up mid-morning to go in for lunch then back out in the evening. Or you can opt to stay out all day and hunt as we did.

Deer: Carter’s does have an antler restriction of a 140 inch minimum and there is a fee assessed if you choose to shoot less than 140 class bucks.  That is why it is TROPHY hunting. By having this restriction Carter’s assures that their bucks are reaching their full potential and maturing.  Thus providing the hunter with quite possibly a buck of a lifetime! The big bucks we saw were in the body size of up over 200 pounds with massive antlers.  The bucks have interesting characteristics of kickers, drop tines, split brows and so on. A lot of character running around their property!  The bucks were big, healthy, big, and did I say they were BIG??

Guides: Carter’s has a Guide for everyone. Some of the return hunters chose to go to their stands on their own and so forth. Which is an option to those repeat clients that are familiar with the stands, property, etc. The Guides will take you and drop you off to your stand each day, recovery and processing of your deer and give you guidance according to your feedback from each days hunt. I know there wasn’t a Guide at Carter’s that you wouldn’t like. All the guys were personable and made you feel welcome as soon as you introduced yourself.

Carter’s has over a 76% return rate with their clients.  Which is totally understandable. I know I wanted to go back before I even left! During the week Don and I saw around 50 bucks and more does and fawns than we could count. The stands were comfortable and numerous!  They have food plots and water sources all through the property. I absolutely loved my hunt with Carter’s. Everyone treated you like you were family and the Lodge was laid back, comfortable, good food and fun.  These boys know how to manage deer!  We saw proof of that!

Carter’s also offer hunting property and land for sale in Pike County and surrounding areas with their Real Estate Company, Carter Realty Network.
If you are looking to harvest a Trophy Whitetail in the mid-west with a great group of people, I would highly recommend Carter’s Hunting Lodge.

They are at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show  each year in February, or you can contact Them at:
Randy Hall  1-217-779-0404,     P.O. Box 259, Milton, Illinois 62352     randy@carternetworkrealty.com

Trophy Whitetails Free Range, By Don Ott

Gearbox:

• Medalist Stalker Fleece Pants and Coat
• Medalist  Base Layers
• Medalist Packable Rain pants and Coat
• Hunter Safety Systems Pro-Series Safety Vest
• LaCrosse Alph Burly Rubber Boots
• Kodak Easy Share ZD 8612 LS  Digital Camera
• Canon XHA-1 HD Camcorder 

A journey to Pike County Illinois. World record bucks, monster long beards, waterfowl, morel mushrooms and Carter's Trophy Hunting Lodge!

Teresa and I drove all night and arrived in a little town of Milton, Illinois.  I pulled off the road and questioned a gentleman at the Post Office in an attempt to locate a gas station and of course a place to graze.  The gentleman kindly smiled and pointed directly behind the vehicle and stated, "Well Dink's Diner is the only place to eat in this town and the gas station across the street is open but not manned."  I thanked him and proceeded to the gas station.

To my surprise it is an UNMANNED gas station with no human beings present. The sign reads, "24 HOUR SERVICE,SWIPE YOUR CARD. IF NO PRESSURE , WAIT 30 SECONDS FOR THE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP AND PROCEED."  Talk about small town America.  Population 300 SALUTE!  After a few laughs we ventured about 10miles up the road to Pittsfield in hopes to find more resourceful accommodations.  Little did we know, eating at Dink's Diner is like eating Mama's home cooking after over indulging there on a couple of occasions.

Pittsfield, Illinois is also home of Jeff Foiles Inc., and the Archery Shop. The only bow shop within 50 miles.  After talking to a few of the patrons, this is the place to go for personal care of your bow and friendly staff!

Once we fueled up and found a place to eat we headed to Carter's Trophy Lodge where we were greeted by Nathan Carter.

Once inside, I managed to pick my chin up off the floor and wipe the drool from my lip in astonishment of all the trophy mounts adorned on the walls.  Nathan conducted a short safety briefing while checking Teresa's license. Some casual conversation and we were escorted to our humble abode.

Once unloading all our gear we returned to the Lodge and met some of the hunters, our Guides Eddie and Randy.

Talk about resourceful, 8000+ acres owned or leased, 250 double hung stands, bow hunting only for MINIMUM 140 class whitetails. Escorted to the stand site strategically placed due to wind direction, food source and whitetail movement.   A cameraman's dream...double hung stands at every location to acquire the over the shoulder shot when presented.

Free range whitetails that are given an opportunity to mature only means one thing, MONSTER BUCKS!  For you as the hunter, a chance to harvest a buck of a lifetime.

The first night in camp we took a ride with Randy to check out the property. Hopefully get some footage of bucks and/or buck activity. The deer trails look like cattle paths, fence posts and cedar trees are shredded and the bucks are chasing does. Shortly after admiring a few rubs we rounded the corner to encounter a buck tending a doe.  An act of nature that most hunters never see in a lifetime of being afield. We were able to capture this act int he first hour with Carter's Hunting Lodge.  To a bow hunter this means the rut is near. Enabling multiple sightings of mature bucks and the ability for the hunter to prey on mother natures weakness of such an elusive animal.  The desire to reproduce, forcing the most nocturnal animal to be seen within the guidelines of legal shooting hours.  Making dreams come true.

With the camera in hand I attempt to capture the beauty and fruit of Dale Carter's labor as he enables others to enjoy his passion and embrace their innermost desire.  The thrill of a whitetail abound on the forest floor as one attempts to put a well placed shot with his or her bow on a buck of a lifetime.  Stimulating an endorphin dump that over-rides the brain's ability to remain calm and in control. Stabilizing a tiny pin on a minuet hair in hopes of silencing the pulsating heartbeat in ones head. Better known as BUCK FEVER!  I call it heaven on Earth!

Everyday at camp the rut activity was getting more intense.  A minimum of six bucks sighted up to eleven on our most active day.  The Guides told us if you were here when the rut goes into full swing, peak rut...it is off the hook with buck sightings.  Being from Pennsylvania hunting State Game Lands, eleven bucks in one day is virtually unheard of.   I couldn't imagine being suspended above the forest floor when the peak rut kicked off at Carter's Hunting Lodge!

Most hunters I talk to that have taken a hunting trip have complained of not seeing doe and very few bucks.  This was not the case.  We saw plenty of doe and when you saw one running you could bet one thing. There was a buck in pursuit, grunting and growling behind her.

If you are looking for a hunt of a lifetime. I would sincerely recommend Carter's hunting Lodge. Where not only could you shoot a buck of a lifetime, you will encounter a laid back friendly attitude an exemplified personal care from Dale Carter and his staff. It will make you want to take a road trip just to bring you back to the grass roots of our magnificent sport and those family traditions of camaraderie and fellowship in deer camp.

See Carter's Hunting Lodge crew at the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show and book your hunt of a lifetime!

Shake, Rattle and Drool!!

• Medalist Stalker Fleece Pants and Coat


• Medalist  Base Layers


• Medalist Packable Rain Coat and Pants


• Medalist Gloves and Facemask


• Medalist socks


• Hunter Safety Systems Pro-Series Vest


• Hunter Safety Systems Bow Holster


• LaCrosse Alph Burly Rubber Boots


• PSE Nova Bow 50 #


• Rage 100 grain 3 Blade Broadheads


• 5575 Gold Tip Arrows


• True Fire Release


• Bushnell Range Finder with Arc


• Nikon Binoculars


• XHA-1 HD Video Camera


• Muddy Tree Arm

Last year at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show I noticed an Outfitter Booth that had a whitetail hunter’s dream.  Big bucks displayed all over their wall.  Although I talked to other Whitetail Outfitters, there was something that kept drawing me back to this booth.  Finally I went up and spoke with the Outfitter, Carter’s Hunting Lodge in Pike County, Illinois.  The gentlemen I spoke with were Randy Hall and Nathan Carter. After working out some minor details we had a hunt planned for me in November, 2009 in Pike County during the rut.  Excited isn’t even the word.  Although I think everyone dreams of hunting the big mid-west bucks at some point in their hunting career.  I realized my dream was going to happen.

Carter's Lodge above.

Some of the impressive bucks hanging on the Lodge wall. These big bucks are enough to make even a seasoned hunter "Drool"!

It seemed like time flew and before you knew it, November was here and it was time to hit the woods with Carter Hunting Lodge. On the way out, Randy sent me a text message showing me the buck one of their hunters from Georgia shot the night before. A 10 point 166 inch. I was "wired!"

166 inch 10 pointer shot the night before I left for Carter's.

Don and I drove the 12 hour + trip to Milton, Illinois. (Right outside of Pittsfield, Illinois)   We were greeted by Nathan at the Lodge and after I took a few practice shots with my bow, we met with Randy for a tour of some of the property.  When I say some, I mean only a small portion.  Carter’s has over 8,000 acres of prime Pike County hunting land. Corn, food plots, deer, and more deer, and did I mention they have deer?  Well our first tour proved that the rut was on. We were able to witness and film a small 140 class buck tending a doe at dusk in a field. Proof the rut was on!!!!  This made me even more “wired” to get in a stand the next day.  During our ride Randy explained how things worked at Carter’s, the food plots, antler requirements of a 140 inch rack or better, tree stands, they have over 250 double stands hung all over the property.

Above talking with Nathan at Carter's Hunting Lodge.

Taking some practice shots.

Above, Randy is showing me trail cam pictures of their big bucks at the office, Carter Network Realty.

Above, our Guide for the week, Eddie Anderson

Our first evening out to hunt we weren’t in the stand more than 45 minutes when we saw out first buck across the hillside, with his nose to the ground, grunting.  We also saw a small buck and a doe and fawn.  I just knew this was a sign of good things to come.

Big Cedar tree rub...don't think a little spike did this!!!

Don 24+ feet up hooking up camera equipment.

The next morning, Eddie Anderson, our Guide, took us to another location he said had no pressure and hadn’t been hunted. As we pulled into the field to the path leading into our stand, off ran about 20 deer.  Does and bucks around 120+ inches.  “Small bucks” as we would refer to them out at Carter’s for the week.  Back home they would have been “shooters”!  As we were gathering our equipment form Eddie’s truck we heard crashing down in the woods behind us and a buck grunting loudly.  We all just smiled!  As Eddie lead us down the path to our tree perch for the day, the woods reeked of buck urine. It smelled like you walked into a “Tinks” factory.  There were scrapes about every 50-75 yards along the path.  The whole walk in we still heard grunts and deer running all around us.  Eddie smiled and told Don, “You better have that camera ready at first light!”  As we were climbing into our stand, hauling up cameras, equipment, my bow, there were literally deer walking all around us. As if we weren’t even there.  I was so “wired” for daylight to hit so we could see the sights. I was like a kid at Christmas!!!  I thought daylight would NEVER arrive. I kept whispering to Don, “Camera light yet?” I wanted to know as soon as he had camera light so if a buck arrived I had the go!  As the sun rose over the tree tops, deer started to filter into the hollow.  We had a small pond in front of us and could hear wood ducks hit the pond.  Soon we saw some doe and fawns head into the pond for a drink. Then our first buck a small buck.  We heard and saw a piece of farm equipment in the field above us cutting corn.  Everything was late this year getting cut due to the high amount of rain they received out in Illinois.  Nathan, Randy, Eddie, Dale kept telling us, “The deer are in the corn!”  Well, we saw proof of this.  As the corn was being cut, we looked up the hill and a string of deer started out of the corn down the hollow.  One right after another came, does, small bucks.  It was something!  It was only 11 AM and we had seen more deer than I could have imagined.  Around Noon we saw a movement at the other side of the pond and sure enough it had a high rack.  But I was unable to tell how big he was.  He slowly moved around the pond and to my right side with another small rack buck.  (small meaning about 110+)  As he stepped out I knew he wasn’t a “Carter Shooter” but he was a buck with potential.  At home…he would have been drawn on. But I let him walk.  Don and I were just excited to see a nice buck.  The day was busy.  At one time, Don said, “Teresa, small buck to your right!”  I answered, “I know, but I have doe right under me to the left!”  There was just action and deer moving ALL DAY LONG!!!!  It made the day go by so fast.  Finally I hear movement behind us.  Don was filming deer at the pond and as I look I see a buck with a “Noticeable” rack on the bank behind us at about 300 yards.  He was following a doe. I tell him there is a buck.  Possible shooter!  So the bleating grunts and rattling started.  After about 10 minutes we see the buck coming back down the hill to a deep ravine behind us.  He crests the hill 20 yards and offers a broadside shot.  At this time…Don and I are whispering back and forth whether or not he was a 140 inch rack.  He was high, heavy, a 10 point…but did he have it all?  The only thing that left me unsure was he had shorter brow tines.  But I was ready to draw and Don said, “No, I think he’s close but not sure.  May not be there. Let him go!”   So I watched as this beautiful 10 point, walked out of range…VERY SLOWLY may I add.  But I was so Wired Up with the fact I got to see a buck like this at 20 yards.  My hopes were high for another.

Above, the 10 pointer I passed up.

As we got back to camp, one of the guys, Victor, had already gotten his deer first day in camp. 141 inch buck.  Victor has gotten a buck at Carter’s 6 out of 8 years hunting there.

Don was explaining to the guys about the buck we passed on.  Teasing he would pay them to tell me it wasn’t a 140 inch buck even if it was. He was hoping he didn’t make a mistake by telling me not to shoot.  The guys all gathered around and watched the footage.  They said he was REAL close, but not sure if he quite made a 140.  Could be, but not sure. Plus he was a young deer.  All I know…if this guy makes it until next year…he is going to be a beast! Needless to say they all agreed we did the right thing.  Randy kept trying to stress to us, “If you have to THINK about it and try to add the buck’s rack up in your head…..he’s too close for comfort…let him walk!! When you see a big boy…you will just know…there won’t be ANY thinking or judging!”  At this point, it wasn’t as if we didn’t believe Randy…but not having bucks of this caliber around our home hunting grounds, it WAS hard to believe.  But I was still Wired up for the next day to arrive.
Next day, being so much activity went on there, we decided to hunt the same stand.  Saw the same 10 point again.  At this point he kept looking bigger.  But he wasn’t in shooting distance.  Another small 120 buck and numerous does and small bucks.  The wind was around 25mph that day. The afternoon lead us to another stand up over the hill that was at a point of numerous cornfields. You could see forever from this stand.  Eddie told us this was a good afternoon stand and that this is where they had been seeing all the big bucks at. Meaning 180, 195+.  The wind didn’t seem to bother the deer here like it does back home. We saw several does and some more small bucks.

Morning lead us to another stand overlooking a cut cornfield with green grass bordering. This is the stand where we realized what Randy had been telling us.  Around 8:30 AM we saw a doe across the field ready to jump a fence. Don said, “Get ready!” Sure enough all you could see were antlers and then the BIG BOY jumped the fence.  This was the biggest bodied deer I had ever seen in my life. Mass the whole way out his antlers. A big heavy 12 point, dogging a doe, grunting across the field.  He followed her and got within 60 yards, but there was no leaving her.  We heard his growls…YES; I said Growls and Roars behind us.  I had never heard anything like this in my life.  COOL!  The day passed with some small bucks, does and fawns.  The next day more of the same.

Everyone in camp was talking about the big bucks they were seeing. Everyday we saw deer, bucks, and “Carter Shooter” bucks.  But until this point nothing within range.  As everyone back in camp agreed around the dinner table, you just can’t wait to get back out the next day and see what is around the tree!  Why? Because you know you are going to see something and it just may be that shooter.

Everyone at camp, at home, my friends on facebook, kept telling me that “Thursday” was BBD day.  Back to our stand in the hollow, or holler as they say out there.  Does and small bucks near the pond in the morning.  Late morning behind us, Don sees a MONSTER, at least a 190 inch buck chasing a doe behind us.  I knew this buck had to be big. I have NEVER seen Don this excited and frantic about a buck.  This one he was over the top.  He grabbed the grunt call, horns, bleat and through the kitchen sink at it.  But to no avail.  Around 3 PM I look up on the hill and about 400 yards I see a buck rubbing his horns on a tree. Don caught him with the camera.  After a few grunt roars, we turned his head and headed down the path toward the ravine.  Don was keeping an eye there to see if he would come our way, when out to my right came 2 doe busting down out of the field! I was sure a buck was chasing them. The stopped to my right at a scrape.  I could tell the one doe was in and was keeping an eye on what might be following behind.  When something caught my eye to the left coming around the pond. I could tell it was a bigger bodied deer but didn’t want to move too much to spook the doe 10 yards in front of me standing in the scrape.  Just then, the doe walked over to my left also about 20 yards behind me.  Did you ever just get a feeling like “this isn’t good!”  Why? I didn’t’ know. I mean usually you would want doe by your stand. Especially in the rut, especially if they are in heat!  But something just didn’t feel right.  Just then I looked up the path coming to my stand and I saw HIM!  Yes, as soon as my eyes lay upon this buck I KNEW HE WAS A “Carter Shooter”!!!  He was wide past his ears and HIGH!  I started praying!  I can honestly say this is the FIRST buck I ever saw in the woods that made my knees shake!!!  He was smelling our drag line headed right down the path to us.  If he continued I knew I would have a ten yard broadside shot!   Then it happened.  The doe moved. Too soon. Meaning he didn’t make it down the path far enough to get a closer shot.  He saw them and started his show. Lifting each leg high with each step and stomping it down all the while never taking his eyes off the does.

As he went behind a brush area I drew.  He was 30 yards. The doe started to move down the ravine and he angled away. Hard quartering away.  I fired off the shot.  WHIFF!!!  To his left.  WHAT????  This cannot be.  He took one leap and stood there.

One doe never moved the other, as if nothing had happened, slowly walked down the hill.  I knocked another arrow, frantically I may add.  Hoping the hot doe would bring him back up past the stand.  It started to look that way. But she decided to go down and across the other side. He followed.

Putting on a show. Even turning and looking up the hill as if to laugh.

I was SICK!

Don't I look sick? I just missed the biggest buck of my life!

I could NOT believe the biggest buck of my life just slipped through my fingers. After a few minutes. I realized. That’s hunting.  I was excited and thrilled that I even got an opportunity at a trophy buck of that caliber. What happened, I don’t know. Don and I did notice the next morning in the stand there were a few briar twigs high enough where he was standing that the arrow may have hit and deflected.  OR it could have been I looked at the shot and didn’t hold through.  The heat of the moment I honestly don’t know.  At least it was a clean miss.  When Eddie came to pick us up that evening,I was so excited in telling him about the buck I missed He just laughed. Saying that you would have thought I had gotten it as excited as we were.  Well in reviewing pictures, the buck had kickers and stickers and Randy is guessing in the 160’s.  Just wasn’t meant to be.
Friday was like the other days, plenty of deer to be seen, “Carter shooter” bucks, even the one I missed the day before.  Just none of them within range.

Relaxing at the Lodge after a long day, laughing and telling stories with Randy Hall and Eddie Anderson.

Saturday we spent time with Randy and Eddie before leaving. Finishing up filming, visiting the Archery Shop and Jeff Foiles shop and display room.

Above, Eddie, Randy and I talking at the "Archery Shop" in Pike County.

Above, Jeff Foiles store and showroom.

Above, Eddie goofing around.

Dale Carter and I at the only eatery in Milton, Dink's Diner.

Don and I

Our first time spent at Carter’s Hunting Lodge will remain with us forever.  Don and I saw over 50 bucks through the week. Numerous BIG BUCKS (meaning over 140 inches), does and fawns everywhere.  This is a whitetail hunter’s paradise.  I know this is a place I plan on coming back next year. If you want to hunt TROPHY whitetail. Come to Carter’s!  Plenty of opportunity to see and harvest a TROPHY whitetail. The Lodge is laid back and comfortable, good food, good people, good friends, land, and more land.  And oh yeah they have deer!!  Their management of the whitetail on their property allows these bucks to get to their full potential.  Which allows us the possibility of harvesting a trophy whitetail!