The regular deer hunting season is over for the majority of hunters.

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Those that are still after the trophy buck will have their opportunity with bow and muzzleloader. This was the year where you could shoot a buck without having to get a doe. We had our earn a buck tags from last year just in case they were needed. Of course, this year we saw more bucks than does which was a first. 
  We passed up the small bucks and did manage to shoot a nice 8 point buck. I was the lucky guy who had the opportunity and made the most of it when the big guy came through.
Wayne deer

I am pictured with my buck with Kevin being my photographer.
Sometimes, fate just plays a part in the story. Since I need hip surgery, climbing a tree stand is not easy anymore. Therefore, I found this nice ironwood tree that had a strong supporting limb only two feet off the ground. The wind was out of the east and directly into my face. The tree was located right at the edge of a steep slope that overlooked the road. To my north are small woods with lots of cover that the bucks like to use when traveling from wood lot to another when pressured by other deer hunters. 
  I was quietly sitting in the stand when I got a whiff of an odor in the air that smelled like a deer. If you have cleaned a lot of deer, you know their glands have a very strong sense of smell. About 50 yards east of me was some very thick brush. I figured a deer had to be in the area and probably a buck. The odor quickly dissipated and everything seemed quiet for about 30 minutes.
Wayne Ralph's%20Buck%202011-3

Ralph is having a shoulder mount done with his deer. Ralph’s wife, Stacie, took the picture.

  Deer when hunted will stay in one spot for a long time before making that next important step. Then I smell the odor again but see nothing. I was about to try the fine art of texting, which I am no good at, when out to my left I catch this quick glimpse. Here is a nice 8 point buck moving quickly down the hill and stops in brush only 50 yards away. I put the cellphone away, grabbed the gun, put the scope on him and pulled the trigger. The buck immediately dropped, and I waited 10 minutes before approaching.  I am pictured with my buck with Kevin being my photographer.
  My friend, Ralph Hemling, had a good deer hunting season. He took this nice 11 pointer on Sunday morning around 7:15 with his 12 gauge shotgun. This monster buck had an inside spread of 21 inches. According to his son, Brad, he drove the deer right to him. I always think it takes a team to be successful. The driver has to make the deer run the correct way but not too fast. The shooter has to be quick with super marksmanship form. Ralph is having a shoulder mount done with his deer. Ralph’s wife, Stacie, took the picture. 
  Bow season saw some very nice bucks. My neighbor, Ryan Simonson is pictured with this beautiful 10 pointer (see photo at bottom of page).
Wayne Tim Finley

Tim Finley is pictured with a Chinook salmon.

Ryan was fortunate enough to harvest a nice 8 pointer on the same day. That had to be one of his best deer hunts ever. Sometimes, everything falls together and you make the most of your opportunities. 
  Jeff Kratcha shot this impressive 8 point beauty with massive horns in Iowa county and rough scored around 150 points (see photo at top of page). Sheri Kratcha took the picture and is an excellent photographer. I try to take good photographs but it takes a lot of pictures to find just that right one.
  I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t put a fishing picture in my article. My friend, Tim Finley, who has perfect timing sent me pictures from Lake Michigan shoreline near Milwaukee. Tim is pictured with a Chinook salmon but also caught some impressive brown trout.
  No snow yet which is fine with me. I would like just enough snow to make it white around Christmas. December is the month for the bird count. So if you are interested in participating and live near Richland County just drop me an email for more information. Remember to get out in the outdoors with a friend or friends.

Wayne buckmattwhetstone