grampy

My first buck was the day before Thanksgiving, 1973. I was sitting along a stonewall fence, looking out into a hay field. This was on the same property I still hunt today! I had seen deer out in that field, riding the bus to school on a few mornings. I had done work for the farmer many times, (my hunting partners Dad) and asked for, and was granted permission to hunt that field. As I was sitting there, a couple doe's came running along the edge, stopped in front of me, then took off again. A few seconds later, a spike horn came running along the same as the doe's, and stopped were they did. My heart was beating so hard, I thought for sure he'd hear it! I slowly raised my 16g model 37 Ithaca and fired. The foster slug found its mark, the buck ran a short distance and fell! That was the proudest moment of my life, to that point. I hung that deer in the barn, and told the story over and over, to my farmer mentors. While they sipped coffee, asked me questions, and winked and nudged each other.

X-2....... this is what I think too. They are apt to move more during the warmest part of the day. To get the most benefit from feeding vs energy output. Just my observations. Every deer is different. Just like us.

Homina....Homina....Homina......what a buck! No doubt he contributed to the local gene pool. So his legacy will live on through some of his offspring. But too bad his legacy didn't end at the hands of a hunter, under fair chase conditions.

I've tracked both. And both were equally, just gut shot deer. Just saying.

John is the one who got me started bloodtracking with dogs. I've heard him make that statement more than a few times. I've seen the same with the 243, in my own tracking years. John has also said........ I have no problem with the 243, or any of the smaller calibers ability to kill deer, they will all kill deer just fine, with a properly placed shot. The problem lies with some who don't spend time learning to shoot that rifle, taking shots way beyond their capabilities, buck fever, rushing shots, inexperienced hunters, not waiting for a better shot angle, or just plain old poor marksmanship. In most of these cases, it wouldn't matter if it was a 243 or a howitzer. A crap shot is still a crap shot. That's why I was called to search for their deer.

Weather, has a bigger impact on changing deer movement, than what a hunter chooses to carry in the woods. Along with many other factors, that have nothing to do with humans. There are far less hunters in the woods now than 25 years ago. Good thing some have an opportunity to use a crossbow. Or there would be even less out there.

Two nice bucks. Get one of em wildcat!

Among us, it has always been whoever draws first blood, tags the deer. Doesn't matter where or how the first blood was drawn. Or who fired the final shot. I've tracked deer a couple times, I hit, that went off our property and was shot by someone else. I stuck out my hand and congratulated them. One, was a very nice muture buck, on state land, during bow season. I shot him, he ran, and bedded under the tree of a kid, I had no idea was there. He put another arrow in him. After following a good blood trail, a hundred yards or so, I came upon the young hunter, standing over "his first bow buck"!! I even helped him drag out his trophy.

Eating about 4:30. No hunting today. Watching football with the boys. I volunteered for clean up duty, as my wife, her mom, and two aunts go to vist another aunt in the hospital, bringing her food and desert!

Here in 4-H, it is very seldom that we get mature bucks on camera during daylight hours. Even less seldom, actually seeing them during light of day. That is the nature of the bucks, as they age here, as well as most places it seems. What works for me, is getting as close to "known" bedding as possible. And this too changes! As we had happen this year! Deer will change bedding areas for a variety of reasons. Just hug the edge, inside the 'thick nasties' but not enough to disturb the deer bedded in there. This is walking a razors edge, as you need to always have the wind advantage, so you don't blow them out of there!!! And you just can NOT, over hunt any one set up! These spots are left alone until the very end of October/ first of November. Also you need to be very adaptable, to what you are, and are not seeing, while in there! Move if you need to. At this time bucks will cruise the dowmwind side, scent checking for any receptive doe. And feeling secure in the thick stuff or very close to it. Also, being close to bedding, puts you closer late running, (morning) or early rising (late day) bucks. There really is no one answer, to hunting nocturnal bucks. I have just given one, that has worked for me. Every year situations change. As do the bucks themselves. So we need to learn and change too. I'm still learning. And I am definitely no expert! Just have a few years of mistakes under my belt. And some occasional luck. Be adaptable. Don't be afraid of making mistakes, but learn from them. Bionic, you have the most important tools to get it done. Intelligence, grit and determination! I'll send you some luck. Sorry for the long post.

First time sitting out a Thanksgiving morning hunt, in a long time for me. My buck tag is used up, my grandson and hunting buddy opted out, because of the wind and cold. Got a house full coming for dinner today, so helping grammy where I can. Will go down and wipe down the rifles in a few, get everything set to go again. Still a lot of hunting to do this year!

A fatal shot, is one where the hunter that shot, walks up to a dead deer. Simple as that.

Back home with grandson. We were both cold! Definitely in the right spot this morning, as everything to our front was covered in fresh tracks. They must have come through an hour or so before we got there. We even followed a large, wide set of buck tracks for quite a ways. He learned some more about how they move. Saw a few massive rubs too. About 80 yards from where we were set up. He was the only one carrying a rifle today. Told him as we moved, to always be off my left shoulder, and be ready to shoot. He was right there, even picking our way through some thick stuff! He is so far ahead of what I was at his age. He will be a great woodsman. Not braving the bitter cold tomorrow. Will rest up for Friday and the weekend. Zach still has time to get it done! I'll do all I can to help him do just that. Best of luck to all heading out tomorrow! And a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Nice job fellas! Nice shooting Dan! Congrats!

Someone else is hunting this morning, same scenario! Good luck guys.

Sako or Sikka in 270 or 7mm-08. Rifles meant to last more than one lifetime.

Going to wake up my grandson. Today it's all about making memories with him. Hope this day is one he'll never forget. Good luck everyone.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm a very happy hunter tonight. Posted story in the harvest thread. My grandson is here. We are heading out in the morning. Him getting one would mean 10X more to me than my own. If not for school today, he would have been with me. Tomorrow is his day!

It has been tough hunting since opening day of gun. Have not seen a deer!! Nothing! Until today. Had seen multiple decent bucks during bow. Passed a bunch of young ones, and even was second guessing myself about not taking a couple shots, I thought were iffy at the time. (glad I did) We had to keep up with the changing bedding areas, and feeding patterns, as the traditional ones along the swamps, were flooded out with all the rain this fall. So most all our spots were changed again and again. Opening morning came with a bunch of snow. We sat what we thought were our "best" options. Saw no deer. Day two, moved to a spot where they "had" to be! Saw no deer, and no fresh tracks at all. Day three, we figured if they weren't in the first two areas, well they MUST be in this one. Right? Wrong again! No deer or any fresh sign again at all! Was actually thinking have they left the property? Got a call last night from work, a machine was down, could I come in the morning, even though I'm on vacation. Sure, NP. Was out of there by noon. Ran home throw on my stuff, and started thinking where the heck could the deer be on our property! Heading up the hill, I decided to try the lowest end, with pines and some REALLY thick brush. After walking down the tractor access lane, I saw a few fresh tracks! Cool! Got to within 100 yards of a small ladder stand I was going to, and in the thick stuff to my left about 60 yards ahead, a bedded doe stands up! And I see another deer stand up behind her, and immediately see it's a good buck! But I have no shot, the doe is blocking him! The doe is giving me the stare down, but he is looking at her, not me. I knew whatever was going to happen, it would happen fast, as she was getting ready to bolt. She took a step left, right before she bolted, and there was the buck in my scope, thrugh a small window, quartering hard to me. He sees me now, and is looking my way too. I was on him, it's now or never, and trusted myself, and my 270 as I squeezed off the 60 yard shot. His front end dropped, he whirled to his right, and I lost sight of him in the brush. The doe bounded away, and as I watched her go, a bigger buck I never saw is on the other side of the lane!!! He bounds away too! Now I'm not sure of my shot. Did I hit him? Was that second buck him? If it was, how did he get there without me seeing him? So I decided to back out and give things, and myself a short time to calm down. As I turn around, a deer bolts across the lane! I'm on him. It's a spike! Don't shoot!......After threes days with not on deer seen, my hearts beating pretty good at this point. I call my partner Gary, he says stay there, I'll be right down. Sounds good to me. Now the doubt really sets in. When he gets to me I tell him I think I missed. I rushed the shot, as he was getting ready to bolt. We split the thicket, me on the side he ran to, Gary on the side of the shot. Shortly I hear a familiar whistle. And I'm crashing through the brush, to where the buck lays dead! He didn't go 20 yards! A quiet minute or two to give thanks, a handskake and pat on the back from Gary and my buck hunt is over this year. I'm so proud of this one! A lot of guessing, and moving set ups this season. Persistence and patience. Along with some luck. Just shy of 180 lbs. Nice three year old for my area of 4-H.

Big buck down!

You are among the best hunters on here. You gave it all you had, that's all anyone could, or should ever do my friend. Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, it just doesn't work out the way it should. Yes, it stings like hell! Especially to a good hunter, but all you can do is pick yourself up and move on. Get out there with your daughter and take pride in her hunting, as well as your own. Redemption is on the way buddy.

So sorry for the loss of your beloved Max. He was so lucky to have you guys as his human companions. You and Him, gave all you had for each other. The special bond we have with our pets is very strong. We never forget them. RIP Max. You were a good boy.

At work. A machine was not doing what it should. So got a call to come in on vacation. No problem, easy fix. Should be out hunting by noon or so. Just hope to finally see a deer after three days of hunting! Grandson is on deck for tomorrow. Hoping the deer activity picks up for him. Fingers crossed and good mojo sent to WNY, fetch him up John!

Now KC missed extra point! Best game I've seen this year by far! And only halftime! Two very good teams battling it out!

What a great story. Glad you guys got her out! My hat is off to you reeltime. What you did says a lot about you.