Post by LeverGunner on Sept 26, 2024 16:35:44 GMT -5
Whitetail deer season this year is going to be interesting. I have 18 acres I hunt on. It's mostly hills, and it's quite brushy. The deer love it. They love a wild place. The only part that is maintained is my yard in the front, and my jeep trail going to the back. I don't do a lot on the land, occasionally I'll walk it, or hunt it, but most of the time the critters are free to be left alone.
Last year, I was overlooking a low spot, a small basin shaped area that is covered with walnut trees. There are some hickories, maples, cherries, poplar, and sycamore trees around the edges, as well as a few oak trees at the top of the hill. There is water about 1/2 mile towards the west. The deer love this area, I find scrapes, I find licking sticks, rubs, and plenty of trails.
Last year I hunted this area of my land, and I passed on a spike buck. I was handgun hunting, and I saw what I thought was a doe. I cocked my Blackhawk, took careful aim, and waited a second, a second too long, as the deer raised its head and I saw spike antlers. It was the most beautiful grey pelt I'd ever saw on a deer and I considered taking it anyway. But I know there are some large bucks in the area, and I would then have to pass on any that I saw. So I let the spike walk.
I didn't have another chance at a deer for the rest of the season. I did see some others on different days, but didn't have clean shots.
There was on day I was nestled in the rocks, overlooking a trail. I felt something watching me, I turned my head very slowly, and then I heard a blow and some heavy trotting. A buck had come up behind me. There are trails all over, and while I was watching one, I reckon that day they used the other.
On the last day, I started out in the early afternoon, to walk back to my spot. I still hunted down my jeep trail as I made my way to my spot. The jeep trail cuts through a patch of thick red cedar trees. Nice thick cover for any critter, but especially deer. I noticed a couple does to my right, about 20 yards away. I had my Blackhawk in my hand, but I would have had to take a one handed shot. I chose to re-position my stance so I could take a clean 2 handed shot, when I moved, the bust out like quail. I dropped where I was and sat there probably half an hour, in hopes to see one again, but didn't. I didn't get another chance. I sort of regret not taking that one handed shot, as I know I could make it. But I also like to play it safe with shots.
Modern gun season is only 2 weeks long, spanning 3 weekends. I don't bow hunt, because for me, it's more about the guns and experience, than it is killing the critters. I like to use a special gun.
Last year that gun was my Blackhawk 44 Special, but I'm not so sure that it'll be that gun this year. I'm leaning towards using my Winchester 1892 chambered in 44 Magnum.
It's something I've been thinking about all year, and as the time gets closer, thinking about more and more.
This year, my boy who is 5, is going to accompany me some. I am planning to hunt opening day by myself, as that's the best day. Then take him some of the days. He's super excited, as I've been talking about deer season since the end of last season and he's catching the fever too.
Last year, I was overlooking a low spot, a small basin shaped area that is covered with walnut trees. There are some hickories, maples, cherries, poplar, and sycamore trees around the edges, as well as a few oak trees at the top of the hill. There is water about 1/2 mile towards the west. The deer love this area, I find scrapes, I find licking sticks, rubs, and plenty of trails.
Last year I hunted this area of my land, and I passed on a spike buck. I was handgun hunting, and I saw what I thought was a doe. I cocked my Blackhawk, took careful aim, and waited a second, a second too long, as the deer raised its head and I saw spike antlers. It was the most beautiful grey pelt I'd ever saw on a deer and I considered taking it anyway. But I know there are some large bucks in the area, and I would then have to pass on any that I saw. So I let the spike walk.
I didn't have another chance at a deer for the rest of the season. I did see some others on different days, but didn't have clean shots.
There was on day I was nestled in the rocks, overlooking a trail. I felt something watching me, I turned my head very slowly, and then I heard a blow and some heavy trotting. A buck had come up behind me. There are trails all over, and while I was watching one, I reckon that day they used the other.
On the last day, I started out in the early afternoon, to walk back to my spot. I still hunted down my jeep trail as I made my way to my spot. The jeep trail cuts through a patch of thick red cedar trees. Nice thick cover for any critter, but especially deer. I noticed a couple does to my right, about 20 yards away. I had my Blackhawk in my hand, but I would have had to take a one handed shot. I chose to re-position my stance so I could take a clean 2 handed shot, when I moved, the bust out like quail. I dropped where I was and sat there probably half an hour, in hopes to see one again, but didn't. I didn't get another chance. I sort of regret not taking that one handed shot, as I know I could make it. But I also like to play it safe with shots.
Modern gun season is only 2 weeks long, spanning 3 weekends. I don't bow hunt, because for me, it's more about the guns and experience, than it is killing the critters. I like to use a special gun.
Last year that gun was my Blackhawk 44 Special, but I'm not so sure that it'll be that gun this year. I'm leaning towards using my Winchester 1892 chambered in 44 Magnum.
It's something I've been thinking about all year, and as the time gets closer, thinking about more and more.
This year, my boy who is 5, is going to accompany me some. I am planning to hunt opening day by myself, as that's the best day. Then take him some of the days. He's super excited, as I've been talking about deer season since the end of last season and he's catching the fever too.
