coonhunter
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Posts posted by coonhunter
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This exact subject has been coming up at my work. I am from the old school where you practice with your weapons until the shots are almost automatic. But, and it is a huge but, even that doesn't stop people from getting too excited and shooting too soon, or when there never was a good shot to start with.
Like Rob-c, I have fond memories of a few bucks over the years that were well within range, but never presented a shot. Sure, it was disappointing, but it wasn't the end of the world either. One of my greatest hunting memories is of a giant 8 pointer that I had been after off and on for a couple years without ever getting a shot.
One frosty morning he chased a doe by me 3 times in 15 minutes, all within 25 yards. I tried grunting the first two times, and said "Hey!!" the third time. He never slowed down, and I was about jello when it was over. That is one buck that will always sting a little. Now, I am a damn good shot with bow, and this was one huge buck. Never even dreamed of shooting even though the second and third time he came through, I was already at full draw.
Hunters need to pay attention to their surroundings. Look for shooting lanes and no shoot areas. Plan ahead, and it is not a crime to not shoot an arrow or pull the trigger.
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I would hunt it. Now, you need to get in there and really look around you. Figure out where you can get clear shots at, and where you will have to hold off, or maybe not even get a shot. I love the thicker woods, but sometimes you just don't have a shot. That's the part some hunters never learn. Look for branches right in front of you too because lots of times your scope will be just above them, but your barrel will be right in line. Almost guaranteed you are going to see more deer in the thick stuff, it's just a matter of getting a clean shot. Good luck.
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aboa 13, I was hunting 7m in the new berlin /columbus area.
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I would like to see the gun season turned into two one week seasons with a cool down in between. This has nothing to do with being selfish. I would just like to see more hunters out past the first weekend. Hell, most hunters don't even use vacation time anymore. They used to always take at least the first week of gun off, and the camps were full, bars were full, diners, were full, etc. Now, they switched it to Saturday, and the guys go to camp the first weekend, and are for the most part done. Instead of getting more people in the woods, the switch has put less people out there in my areas. This is in the areas of 4F and 7M.
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It was a new one for me this morning. I have never seen deer tolerate coyotes at all, always vacating the area. Well, this morning I had turkeys and deer feeding on acorns around me. I heard something coming up the hill from the swamp and assumed it was another deer, but it wasn't making as much noise as the earlier ones.
Up into sight walks a nice bear. It proceeds to walk about 60 yards from the closest deer, and starts crunching up acorns. The deer knew he was there, but other than bobbing their heads and keeping an eye on him, they kept right on feeding as well.
When the bear left, he went back towards the swamp, and as the deer left, they all headed to the swamp as well. It was neat to see and interesting to me that the deer will tolerate a bear but not a coyote.
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Doc hits it on the head. The powder bottles seem like they work well, but a milk weed will give you a true perspective. I have setups that deer will come right thru even though the wind appears to be right at them. Milkweed shows the current arcing and carrying above them.
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Beauty. Look at the fat ol gut on that buck.
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You guys getting cold feet probably, as others are saying, have too tight of boots. I didn't even have my cold weather boots on today. Just 800 guide gear cheapies with merino wool socks. Saying that, I still made a dumb mistake this morning. I was running a little late and got in a big hurry to get up the hill and climb a tree. Long story short, I sweated a little too much getting there, and was unable to sit all day as planned. I had to climb down at 10:30 and waste a little over an hour travelling back and forth.
I'm not sure what the temperature was at my hunting spot, but it was 14 when I left Oneonta. It was noisy. All the deer I saw this morning were rooting for acorns, and I could actually hear them crunching them in their mouths. I saw a mix of does, fawns, and young bucks this morning, with no chasing at all. Finally got too darn cold and climbed down to go home and change. My wife thought I had a deer because I never come home early unplanned.
I got back over about 1:00. Bad spot for getting in in the afternoon because you are just so exposed getting to the woods. The good thing is the bedding is mostly on the back side of the saddle. I grabbed my climber and went down the saddle further because I was seeing some deer movement that I couldn't get a good look at that morning.
I wasn't in the tree 20 minutes and started seeing deer. Finally I heard grunting and got to see a couple bucks harassing a small group of does. Apparently, none of them were ready because they both settled in and started eating . Other than that, still not much sign of the does being ready. I saw a total of 23 deer on the day with at least 7 different bucks. I wish i had a kid around that wanted to get a buck because I have had plenty of opportunities. Overall, it was a good day despite my getting down early. A lot of daylight movement, and the chasing can't be far off.
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Yup, I understood what you were asking about Bolt action. I take my shots at a little longer distance so I have a better entry and exit angle. It is an issue as you get up a little higher. No way I am cutting the back straps before I am butchering.
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It takes a big man or woman to take a good look at themselves and not like what they see. With deer hunting it is easy to fall into the snob trap. We have plenty right on this site. I have been in your exact shoes about 10 years ago with a two year old 10 that i had let walk a bunch of times, only to be shot by a buddy. I kept my mouth shut and put on a happy face, but it truthfully ruined my whole season. At least you came to grips quick. I let it cost me the rest of the season.
In the off season, my buddy called me to come see his mount. He was so proud of that deer and it made me feel like a total ass being mad about him shooting it. It made me turn a new leaf over when it came to deer hunting. No longer do I worry about what people shoot, what they shoot it with, or anything else. It was a great reminder that contrary to a lot of opinions on here, most deer hunters are happy to have a place to hunt, and will gladly shoot the first buck they see, and they will be happy as hell to get it. Throw in a doe or two and their season was an overwhelming success to be talked about all year.
Hunters like us, that let bucks walk all the time, tend to forget that a lot of hunters have never seen a 16 inch wide 8 point while hunting, and they are for sure going to shoot it thinking it is a monster, and for them it will be. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and if they shoot it on your land, you can bet your ass they will never forget it, or the people involved.
I spend my time now mentoring youths and new hunters during rifle season. I still chase the bigger bucks with bow, but it really seems like I have the most fun helping others get their first deer. It is amazing to me the number of young girls that want to hunt and just need someone to help them out.
Thanks for the post Moog. It gets people thinking.
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Bolt Action, that is a good question and observation. I am one who gets up usually a little over twenty feet . I prefer my shots to be 15 yards and up, not because I am worrying about back strap, but because I worry about making a good clean shot through both lungs.
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I am there for the duration usually, so I pack good. I have a big thermos of coffee, a couple ham or roast beef sandwiches, a couple bottles of water, a couple granola bars, and some small candy bars. i don't always eat it all, but I like to have it in case I get hungry.
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Today was my first hunt of the year. I hunted a new spot in 7m that I had never set foot on. I scouted from the road and from Google maps to confirm what I was seeing from the road. I picked a saddle with mostly oak trees with thorn apples below on one side and a thick swamp on the other side.
The morning started with a light frost and as it got light and warmed up, I was covered in fog for about an hour. I walked in in almost dark conditions, and got to the saddle and waited for it to get light enough to pick a tree and use my climber to get up about 20 feet. I pulled up my bow and thermos and settled in for a chilly sit.
Until the fog disappeared about 8:30, I never saw a deer. From about 8:40 until 11:00, I saw 17 deer that I could identify by eye or with binoculars, and another half dozen I just couldn't tell what they were. 4 were bucks with the largest being a basket eight. The rest were a mix of does and fawns. Seems like a pretty solid spot, but have no idea if there are any bucks i will be interested in or not. The farmer claims there are a couple big ones, but I like to see them with my own eyes to judge.
Like most of my spots, this is open land with permission granted as long as you are willing to take some does. There was nobody else hunting there this morning.
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I have an old Remington that I use. That knife has skinned who knows how many coon, and gutted and butchers every deer I ever killed. Barely have to touch it up and it is as good as new.
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As long as my muzzy is not chipped or bent, I resharpen and reuse. Not a big deal at all. I have no problems with penetration or blood trails. It is just my preference to keep my costs to a minimum while still having proper equipment.
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Core makes a good point about weighing your broadheads. Through complaints over the years, they are a lot closer in weight than they used to be, but I still try to match three arrows in my quiver. I only shoot 240 fps, so I want my arrows to be as close to identical as I can make them.
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All I do is put my clothes in a garbage bag with a box of baking soda. My boots too because I have had deer come and smell my boot tracks. Just put the stuff on when I get to where I am going.
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I agree with the practicing until it is just natural and you don't have to hardly even think about hitting where you want. But, and it is a big but, you need to be able to keep your composure when a deer is in sight and coming your way. I see a ton of guys that can shoot awesome in the leagues and 3D shoots, but can never get a deer, and miss easy shots every year because they fall to pieces as soon as a deer comes.
I don't want to take the excitement away, but there comes a time when you have to relax, and let your form take over. That is the biggest hurdle for a lot of bow hunters.
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Thanks for the heads up. I was just going through plastics to see what I need, and I need to stock up on a couple colors of worms. i know what they will be now.
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I will give a thumbs up to Hacksaw Ridge. I usually don't even watch movies anymore, but this one kept me interested the whole time.
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For me it is AC/DC, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Guns and Roses. I'll stop there because the more you think, the more bands you can think of. Lets just say, I grew up with a heavy dose of rock, and it was loud.
Now, I am a country bumpkin most of the time, but roadtrips bring out the rock.
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For me the 3 1/2" turkey loads are just too much for my 870. I shot two because I thought I must have not seated the gun right the first time. Nope! Had it perfect, and it rocked me just as much the second time. Traded my brother the rest of the box for what he had left of a box of 2 3/4.
.375 H&H was a completely different recoil. It shook my whole body, but I would shoot that gun again. Done with the big shotgun shells.
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That's exactly how I learned many moons ago except the tire was faster and bouncing. Make sure of where your rounds are going.
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If you can still feel them pricking , get your hands softened up doing a batch of dishes or taking a bath. Then take some good tape and pat it on the affected area. It is not 100%, but it sure does help.
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First bow kill!
in Bow Hunting
Posted
Hey, good job. Now you know you can get it done with a bow. Maybe the next one will be chip shot at a slammer.