We have been scouting some new deer woods. It is public land, but the terrain is rough and the woods and brush are thick. There are other hunters, but they usually stick close to 4 wheeler roads. If you are willing to climb hills, you can usually get away from the other hunters. We saw several does and three bucks. One buck was a spike, one was a small 8 point and one was huge. It was a wall hanger by anyones book. Several locals have been complaining about black bear problems. The game and fish boys have been sharing information about the area and bear complaints. We have not found any hog sign. Turkeys are every where. Looks like a very good year, except for hogs. My blood is flowing. I am ready to go, but it is about 6 weeks until bow season and 8 weeks until muzzle loading season and 10 weeks until rifle season. Time is pasting slowly.

I hear you. It's still another month here before we can shoot anything worth eating.

My hunting doesn't kick in until the middle of December - Man, that's a long wait! :(

We received a crushing blow today. The new 2004 hunting booklet came out. We are only allowed one buck in zone 2 and no doe, unless you were one of the lucky few to get a zone quote permit. I have practiced all summer with several different guns, bows and muzzleloaders. Oh well, I can still take a bear in deer zone 2 and I can drive to south Arkansas where the deer limit is 3. Looks like a lot of driving this fall and rearranging my vacation to match hunting seasons.