Travis C on Deer and Turkey Hunting

Read what Travis has done as he has some amazing accomplishments and took the time to share with all of us his stories that are true hunting accounts without any embellishment typically found in magazine articles.

I wanted to send you some pictures of some of the deer and turkey I've harvested over the past two years from club land, and also wanted to thank you and your staff for doing such a great job. I'm always finding club land that is perfect for trophy bucks and turkey. Because of your scouting and selecting of club land there seems to be endless opportunities to hunt exceptional land. I am also impressed with your receptionists in the office. I'm sure their job can get very stressful and nerve racking, especially during the peak hunting seasons, but every time I call the club office they are polite, kind, and eager to help. Sincerely, Travis

P.S. Included are pictures of two turkeys from Kansas, one from Missouri and a bow buck from Missouri. A story I wrote from the Missouri bow buck hunt is also included.

Make Your Own Luck Buck!

By Travis C

While I was scouting my hunting area in early October, I found a bedding area and an alfalfa field that the deer were using. An old logging road that came from the alfalfa field led in the direction of the bedding area the bucks were using. The road had four scrapes coming from the field about 30 yards apart. I knew I had to be in the perfect spot but there were no mature trees close to the scrapes. I had found my hunting spot but had no stand site. After various thoughts of tripod stands and ground blinds I still didn't feel comfortable with those methods in that area, especially bow hunting. Then a few days later while talking to friends about this year's bow season, my friend said that a lot of bow hunting is just plain luck. Later that night while lying in bed I had hunting on my mind and was trying to figure out my strategy for hunting the scrape line. Then it dawned on me that my friends were right. Some of bow hunting is luck and being in the right place at the right time, but what if I could make my own luck. That's when the plan all came together.

The next afternoon I went to the scrape line and assessed the setup. There was only one tree in the whole section that could hold my stand so that's where I decided to hang it. I could only go up the tree 10 feet and that is low for me because I usually try to get 20 to 25 feet if I can. Now with my stand and shooting lanes in place it was time to make my own luck. The scrape line was 40 yards from my stand so I decided to make two mock scrapes to entice the deer to use my scrapes on their way to the bedding area. From the existing scrapes I put two mock scrapes leading the bucks travel up towards my tree stand. I felt it was my only chance to hunt the area that seemed to have so much potential and evidence of a nice buck. After putting the stand and mock scrapes out, I put dominant buck urine scent in all the scrapes to let the deer know there was another buck using the scrape line. 

After three long days of waiting to let the woods settle and let the deer get accustom to the new scrapes, it was time to go hunting. On the way to my stand I shined the flashlight toward the scrape I had made and to my surprise and excitement there was a scrape four times bigger than mine was. Plus the overhead licking branches were torn and splintered in every direction. The buck not only used the two mock scrapes but he tore them up in what looked like an angry rage. Unfortunately though, I sat that morning for five hours in 75 degree weather, saw a couple of squirrels and that's about it. That kind of put a damper on my excitement. 

In my experience, scrape hunting is the best if you hunt them after consecutive days of rainfall. I waited two weeks, which seemed like a month for it to rain and it finally did for about a day. The next morning I awoke early before the alarm sounded and stepped out to check the wind. The wind was perfect, blowing out of the north and the rain was coming to an end. After gearing up I was on my way to see if my "make your own luck" theory would pan out. 

I nestled into my stand well before daylight as the woods slowly started coming alive with sounds of nature and the sky started to brighten. As I took in the beautiful orange sunrise the morning was changing into the main reason I love to bow hunt, Big Bucks. I could see the alfalfa field about a hundred yards away. As the woods got lighter I spotted a deer walking towards the old logging road. I thought to myself, so far so good, but I couldn't tell if it was a shooter buck. The deer went to the first scrape on the logging road coming in my direction. It was a buck and by the looks of his body he was a bruiser. The buck went to the fourth scrape and was still working his way to the first mock scrape that I made in hopes to bring the deer closer to my stand for a shot. 

The buck put his nose down, freshened up the scrape, licked, and rubbed his antlers on the licking branches. Then the buck cautiously walked towards the last scrape and it was at this time I realized I was going to get my shot. My knees started to shake and my heart was beating 90 to nothing. The buck was 30 yards away; he stopped and started looking like he sensed my presence. I then tried to calm my nerves and take a couple of deep breaths. The buck then walked to the scrape and tensely stood looking at the scrape. I was starting to pull my bow back when the buck looked right at me at 20 yards. I thought my hunt might be over but then he jerked his head up and started vigorously thrashing the over hanging limbs. I sighed with relief and slowly pulled back my bow and lined my peep sight up with the buck's shoulder. There was one branch in my shooting lane, so at full draw I waited. The buck took one more step and I pulled my trigger release for a good shot right behind the shoulder. The buck instantly jumped and ran 20 yards before he crashed in plain sight of my stand. 

I usually try to be quiet and not get too excited but I couldn't control my emotions. I started waving my arms and stomping my feet like I had just won a million dollars. So I carefully got out of my stand and walked to my beautiful buck that was a result of lots of scouting, preparation, guesswork, skill, and of course, a little bit of luck.

Travis' Missouri Deer Article

Patience

As the alarm sounded I was up in an instant anticipating the opening of the Missouri rifle season. To serious hunters that first day of the season is comparable to a Christmas morning for a child.

I had hung four stands on two a-joining properties in northern Missouri. The stands were set up for different wind directions and morning and evening deer feeding patterns. The stands were set up on my scouting trip in August so the deer were used to them. The morning was very cold and windy, but perfect for one of my morning stands so I started my walk to the secluded area which was about two miles away.

I was glad to see my limb lights as they guided me those last few steps to my stand. After sitting on my stand for about an hour, I saw a rack coming from a drainage ditch in front of me. As the deer drew closer I could see that he was an eight pointer. He was walking on a path that led right under my stand. At a mere 15 yards, I chose to let the buck walk. I had second thoughts about my decision, but reassured myself that he would be larger next year. I had shot a nice nine point with my bow three weeks earlier and it was then that I promised myself I would be even more patient and try to get a bigger buck this time.

That evening I sat by a fencerow that overlooked a bean field and scrape line. Right before dark a small eight point came out and worked his way to the bean field. I knew from scouting that there were two trophy bucks in the area so I again decided to wait for a chance at one of those bruisers. 

On the way back to camp the weather turned nasty. The wind was blowing so hard that my truck swayed with every gust. That night in my pop-up camper I couldn't sleep at all and it wasn't because of the anticipation of the next day's hunt, it was due to the sleet pelting my camper. I felt like popcorn in the microwave minus the heat. With the wind chill feeling well below zero I had many thoughts of a warm bed and packing up a little early. Then like I always do I thought of one of my favorite sayings, "You can't be a successful hunter if you're not in the woods". After encouraging myself I started putting on my camo and noticed the wind and sleet were slowing down. That was all it took to get excited about that day's hunt.

As I stepped out of the camper I felt a cool breeze that chilled me instantly. The wind was coming out of the west and even though it was very cold it was perfect deer weather. One of my favorite stands was perfect for a west wind so I knew that would be my spot for the day. When the wind is out of the west deer usually move the best, well not this morning. I didn't see anything but a small flock of turkeys scratching for acorns. At around 1:30 PM I began to pack up and head to the truck for some lunch and to thaw out. As I stood and turned around a doe was standing 30 yards behind me. Luckily, she didn't see me but she was on her way down the trail looking back every few feet. I quickly turned and looked for what she seemed to be looking for knowing a buck was probably fresh on her trail. Sure enough I heard a grunt and then a body appeared. He was definitely looking for love but wasn't sure where the doe went so he began grunting heavily. I couldn't tell he wasn't a shooter. Both sides of his rack was busted and his body size was pretty small for a northern Missouri buck. He eventually caught the doe scent and continued on his trek after her. It seemed the rut was in full swing and I was in a pretty good spot for hunting all day.

While I was walking back tot he truck I spotted a doe running full speed on a hillside about 500 yards away. I then focused back behind the doe and I saw a huge body and a glimmer of a white rack. Instantly, I ran down the hill in hopes of intercepting the deer in the ditch. As I reached the bottom of the hill I met the doe head on. We both stopped dead in our tracks for a second then she continued down into the brush. Knowing I was in a good position I found a steady rest on a tree and waited. Then here he came at full speed. I grunted loudly stopping him in his tracks. I could tell he was a nice buck, but wasn't sure he was one of the deer I had been scouting. As he dashed off I thought that this day might come back to haunt me later. It seems from my experience deer typically give you 5 to 6 seconds to get ready for a shot, judge the size and shoot. So you always need to be ready ahead of time.

After seeing all of the activity I went back to my stand for the evening. About two hours passed and I was getting pretty antsy. I couldn't stop thinking about the two deer I had passed up and that I had to go home tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, my shooting light was diminishing more and more, but my anticipation was growing. That time of day is always the most magical because you know a deer could walk out at any time. Later, while I was putting my binoculars in my back pack and taking my face net off I heard something walking up the hill.

The crunching of the frozen leaves got closer. Suddenly, an enormous body appeared but his head was hidden behind some brush. He worked his way into an opening so I grunted but there was no response. I continued to grunt about six more times but he would not stop. I let out a half grunt half scream and he froze looking right at me. All I could see was his head not giving me a clean shot. He was a definite trophy. His spread looked to be 18 or 19 inches wide with 8 points. I thought it was over and he would bolt any minute but to my surprise he started walking again. I knew it was now or never so I let out another sound that to this day I can not describe and he stopped with his shoulder visible. I squeezed the trigger and the buck dropped right in his tracks.

Without patience I would have never been able to harvest this deer. When you're hunting always try to anticipate what is going to happen. Try to imagine that trophy buck coming in and play through what you would do in different situations. Above all if you pass up a nice deer just be patient and have faith that a bigger more mature buck might be lurking in your area.

Travis' Kansas Buck Article

G-2

To many hunters a Kansas deer tag is a valuable possession. I've heard about Kansas hunting all of my life and everyone says the same thing. First, that the deer population is abundant and second, there is always potential for a mature buck. After researching places to hunt and the cost of licenses I decided to apply for the well sought after Kansas tag. Months of anticipation went by and finally I received a letter from the Kansas Parks Department with my Kansas tag inside. Not only did I get a tag; I also got my first chance to hunt a unit in the southeast portion of the state. This was exciting because I had already scouted this area and had permission to hunt from the hunting organization I'm in. 

In my scouting for the 2000 gun season I was in a 300-acre section of land. The property was split with one side heavily wooded, with a creek running down the middle. While the other side was very thick with brush and thorn trees everywhere. Where the two sections met I felt was a perfect place to be in November. The area had already shown a few good rubs back in late September. 

I decided to hang a stand up about 25 feet in a tall oak tree over looking the brushy thorn trees positioning my back to the wooded area. I could shoot up to 450 yards in front of me because the brush was only about 6 to 7 feet tall, and behind I could shoot about 20 to 30 yards. I felt confident in choosing that area, even though I didn't see a lot of bucks on the previous scouting trip. 

For the next month I hunted the Missouri archery season and let the Kansas property go undisturbed. I decided to go scout the Kansas land again and hang another stand. After hanging the stand I went to check out the earlier stand and see if there were any new rubs or activity. To my surprise the place was tore up. There were rubs on trees all around the stand and scrapes were all up and down the deer trails. I had seen enough to be very excited about that upcoming hunt, so I crept slowly out of the area trying to not leave any scent behind. After about a mile a doe ran across the road around 50 yards in front of me. I stopped and watched the doe trot across a small soy bean field and then put my eyes back on the road. There he stood, a monster Kansas whitetail, just like the one I had been dreaming about all year. He stood in the middle of the road for a second. I scrambled to get my binoculars, raised my optics, and as fast as he appeared he was gone. From the glimpse that I got he was definitely a trophy buck in anyone's book but what stood out the most were his back tines. So for the next couple of weeks all I could think about was "G-2", my nickname for the beautiful deer. 

I went to set up camp the day before season started and the farmer of the property came over to say hi. I asked him smiling, "Have you seen G-2 around here lately?" The farmers face became serious, he replied, "Yes, I have. He was chasing a couple of does down by the creek last weekend." The smile from my face turned serious as well because that creek was only about 1000 yards from my stand. Needless to say, there was no sleeping that night for me. The thought of the G2 buck would not leave my mind. 

Trying to be as careful as possible I climbed up into my stand and got ready for the day's hunt. About 45 minutes later the eastern sky started to lighten when I heard a grunt from a distance. I couldn't see anything because of the darkness and the grunting kept getting fainter and fainter. Gradually it got lighter and I spotted a deer off in the distance. I peered through my binoculars at a buck about 500 yards away. He was headed in a different direction so I grabbed my grunt call and blew, but there was no response. So with all of the air in my lungs I let out a louder grunt stopping him in his tracks. He was so far away and it was still pretty dark so I couldn't tell if he was a shooter. The buck then turned and continued his route away from me. I thought to myself what I needed to do, and then it hit me. It's the rut; bucks are obsessed with chasing some tail. So I used my doe estrus call to get the buck interested and it sure did work.

He turned around and walked straight towards my location. As he closed the distance to 50 yards I could tell he wasn't a dominant buck. With eight points, broken tines, patchy hair, and an ear split down the middle all I could think was that I was probably hunting the buck that caused that damage. As he came closer a gust of wind carried my scent and he trotted off into the bushes. It wasn't even 7:00 a.m. yet and what a morning it had been. Little did I know that the excitement of the morning was just getting started.

Five minutes after the buck had passed through I spotted two does 300 yards away crossing in front of me. The does were acting strange and looking back behind them. Maybe G-2 was what the does were looking at. It was then that I saw a buck walk out where the does were. It was the deer that I had just passed on. My excitement came to a halt with a long sigh. I began to think that the deer must be the dominant buck in this area because he was with the does. I relaxed a bit, set my gun down, and watched the deer through my binoculars. Then the does, even the buck began looking behind them. As I looked behind them I saw G-2 standing tall and proud. The other buck quickly receded behind the does. They started moving off not paying much attention to the big buck. Then the big buck began moving off and I was forced with the same situation as earlier.

I used my doe in estrus call to try to stop him, but all I got was a stare. The smaller buck and does gradually moved on while G-2 stayed starring in my direction. He wasn't too interested in my call but I did have his attention. I thought I would try to entice the buck by emulating another buck chasing a doe.

The mud was flying as he came running to my buck and doe calls. I then thanked God that I was 25 feet up in a tree because this deer was upset. The buck was now 40 yards away and I was ready for the shot but he was coming straight in not offering good shot placement. His ears were laid straight back. His hair was bristled. His neck and posture was that of an angry dominant buck. Still with no shot the deer gradually started slowing down at 15 yards from my tree. It wasn't going to be as long of a shot as I thought. I took careful aim as the buck went behind some brush. He took another step clearing the brush and stopped starring right at me. I froze and then he took another step and I slowly pulled the trigger. It was a good shot. He ran directly under my tree and went down about 20 yards from me. From my stand all I could see were his G-2's sticking straight up over a foot and a half long.

My Kansas season was only a few hours long but my scouting seemed to be a three month process. Throughout my years of hunting all my success's stemmed from many long hours of scouting. I have found that experimenting with different call sequences gives you more chances to call in big bucks. G-2 still stands tall and proud as he is perched up on my wall at home ever reminding me of my first Kansas tag.

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