Deer Hunting
The Whelenizer Makeover
The Whelenizer is back on the rack, I had a blast trying out my new cast loads down at camp over the weekend. I went with the idea of loading as I went, 5 rounds at a time, and I got a chance to survey all the territory between 42 grains and 50 grains of H4895. Accuracy was best between 42 and 44. I was able to break 2500 with 50 grains, however both the accuracy was poor and the velocities were all over the place. My conclusions are as follows: 1) 43 grains of H4895 gave consistent velocity and … More . . .
News from the Shooting Bench
I have been working feverishly with new cast loads for my 35 cals. This past weekend, I finally got a chance to run them through the chronograph. 35 Whelen I pulled the Whelenizer out of the rotation last year in preference to my new 30-06 Ruger Hawkeye. This year, it was time to put it back in. I have been casting RCBS 35-200-FN with gas checks, and then powder coating them. My old Whelenizer load for the Rem 7600 was a 200 grain Rem CL over H4895, running at slightly reduced velocities– roughly equivalent to a 358 WIN. I started … More . . .
Now THAT was 8lbs of Powder!
I just purchased an 8 lb container of H4895. When I went looking, Brownells had the best price I could find: $210.44 delivered. Brownell’s cancelled the order right after I placed it. I guess somebody finally got around to looking on the shelf and realized they were out. Graf’s was only $10 more. It replaces an 8lb jug I purchased from Powder Valley in 2006, about this time of year. I probably won’t have to do much more in the way of loading before deer season, but I was down below a pound, and with all the shortages, I decided … More . . .
More on Shotgun vs. Rifle
Some of my deer friends over the line in Indiana are taking me to task for my support of the new centerfire rifle rules. In particular, they would question the issue of safety. To them, I offer this: Study: Shotguns not safer for deer hunting Ballistics tests, prompted by accidental shooting of Valley woman, give surprise results. March 29, 2007|By Christian Berg Of The Morning Call FOR THE RECORD – (Published Friday, March 30, 2007) A 12-gauge sabot slug fired level 3 feet off the ground can travel 8 percent farther (including ricochets) than a .30-06 rifle bullet fired in … More . . .
Indiana Deer Rifle Changes Nixed
The word I have is that the Indiana DNR has pulled support for the recommendation that would have liberalized centerfire rifle restrictions in this year’s deer hunt. Board to vote on use of high-powered rifles for Indiana’s deer hunters See Indiana Deer Rifle Changes Nixed “We saw it as a social issue and since it was not societal acceptance for it overwhelmingly or opposed to it we have asked for it to be withdrawn,” said DNR spokesman Phil Bloom. The DNR says public hearings and community input shows the decision making process at work, but they’ve made it clear where … More . . .
More on Indiana Deer Rifle Changes
I have some more info on the proposed rule changes that would let Indiana deer hunters use most centerfire rifles starting in 2015. Pointer, a buddy from 24hourcampfire.com has sent me some links. See below: Here’s the news article: http://www.greensburgdailynews.com/commu…ed756f6074.html Here’s a link the Natural Resource Commision website: http://www.in.gov/nrc/ Here’s a link to the actual proposed rule change. This does not just deal with rifles, it’s all rules. http://www.in.gov/nrc/files/lsa14453_proposed.pdf From what I understand, the rule change is still up in the air. You can still comment on it: Comment on Rule Get going. Let them know what you think. From … More . . .
So What Now?
Since the announcement in of Indiana’s rule changes allowing centerfire rifle for deer, I have been deluged. The same was true earlier in the year when Ohio announced PCR for deer. Everyone wants to know what it all really means. My guess is it means y’all are going to be wanting some new deer rifles. The big thing to remember in both cases is that the average deer is taken inside 80 yards. If you hunt out of a stand in the woods, that distance will be shorter still. Hunting in Kentucky for 15 years, I think my longest shot … More . . .
Shotgun Vs. Rifle
I have been getting a lot of flak over my recent article on Indiana moving to centerfire rifle for deer in 2015. Fewer, but still a few, folks have been complaining to me about Ohio’s move to Pistol Caliber Rifles (PCR). I would like to set the record straight. 1) If you really have a problem with either decision, I am not the one to be telling. Write your state representative. The truth is, Indiana and Ohio are on there way to the same point, allowing all centerfire rifles in their modern weapons seasons. It has been in the works … More . . .
Deer Season Post-Mortem, 2014
Okay! Deer Season is over. It is time to write a note to myself for next summer. What did I learn? What do I need to do? Stopping the Stink I think the top thing I learned this year was about the Shamanic Baking Soda Method, and its limitations. The use of baking soda did not fail me this year, but I sort of failed the system. It happened during the middle of the week. I’d had fresh clothes up until Tuesday. I started to re-use stuff on Tuesday, and the deer gave me a 3 hour chorus of snorts. … More . . .
The Last Weekend
I started writing this at sunrise Sunday. At the time, I was all into watching just a hint of a sun try to make a showing in the east, The clouds had started to gather as SuperCore and I sat out at the Thoughtful Spot, When we had gone out there, the sky was clear. “Nasty clouds.” said SuperCore as the first wisps came over and started blotting out the stars. For me, it was like someone had dropped the curtain. The show was over. I did not mind, really. It had been a good show. So it was now … More . . .
Tagging Out, 2014
In the past, tagging out seemed to be such a chore. By the time that last tag is on the line, I am usually thinking more about how much space there will be in the freezer than anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’m pissing off the poor deer hunters in Pakistan that never see a deer, but if you hunt deer, you know that after the buck tag is filled there is that period of time in the year where you stop having the same thrill up your leg. That was yesterday. The only thing was this … More . . .
Report from Deer Camp 2014
Deer Camp changes you. Every day I climb into the stand and think up a way to start this article, and every day I have tried to start it differently. Saturday, I would have been talking all about SuperCore’s big 8-pointer that he got at 0700. Sunday, I would have probably talked about dropping off Angus with his mom after hunting on his own for two days. The rest of the week, I would have written about jonesing on the pending blast of cold air, or the rain before, or all the encounters I had with deer I really did … More . . .
Random Thoughts on the Opener
Now that I have been writing this weblog for a decade, it is easy for me to go back and see what I was thinking and doing in the run-up to the Rifle Openerin previous years. Even before that, I have been dealing with getting ready for Deer Camp since that included diapers for little Angus (we called him Goober back then) and making sure there were toys for Mooseboy. I’ve got most of the chores done for the year. This year will be the first time since 2010 that I will be trying to hunt all of Opening Week. … More . . .
The Shamanic Portable Stump
As I wrote in a previous missive, I really appreciate the writings of Dr. Ken Nordberg. He, through his yearly almanacs, was very inspirational to me early on in my deer hunting career. I cannot say Ken got me started using a portable stump. I was using my version clear back in the early 80’s. However, when I saw Ken’s description of his method, it made me feel affirmed. First off, I want you all to study Ken Nordberg’s method of Portable Stump hunting and this one, on how to build a portable stump for yourself Then I want to … More . . .
Muzzleloader 2014
It has gotten so that our early KY Muzzleloader Season has become a dry run for Rifle Season here at camp. We do not have any Yutes at camp anymore, now that Angus is hunting on his own as an adult. So this past weekend was like a dress rehearsal, getting all the bugs worked out. I am sure that if a serious buck had walked out in front of us, he’d have been hanging on the pole, but normally early ML weekend has been a good time to get the gear in order, get our heads wrapped around the … More . . .
An Experiment
This is an experiment. I’ve had this idea rolling around in my head for 25 years or more. Back in the 90’s I started playing with the idea of simulating acorns dropping from trees as an attractant to deer. Deer hear acorns falling, and the go to investigate, right? My first experiments were with acorns and rocks shot from a slingshot from my treestand. Nothing. I suspect the problem was two-fold. First, the sound of the slingshot probably a put-off, and secondly there was the extra motion of shooting it. Let’s fast-forward about 10 years. When the kids were small … More . . .
Indiana Rule Changes for 2015– Centerfire Rifle!
Update: 3/29/2016 What Indiana DNR failed to do the Indiana Legislature has accomplished. See Indiana Passes New Deer Rifle Rules Update: 5/20/2015 It is looking like the rule changes are going to be nixed. See Indiana Deer Rifle Changes Nixed : I just got a tip that Indiana has approved the use of Centerfire Rifle in a much broader range of cartridges by removing the maximum length rule. Basically anything from 243 WIN to 45-70 will be legal.The change is for next deer season (2015), not this one (2014). Here’s the verbage: Allows additional rifles to be … More . . .
On the Subject of Cheap Scopes
Up until recently, I considered myself a connoisseur of cheap scopes. Bushnell Banner was about as expensive as I’d go, and I’d shot probably most of my deer with $30 scopes. I’m reforming. I started after last season pulling off cheap scopes and putting on something better. I bought a Bushnell Elite 3-9X40 for my new Hawkeye and couple new Bushnell Banner 3-9X40 and a Bushnell Trophy 4-12X40. I have to report they were all worth it. It’s because: 1) The clicks are not even. 1 click may be 1/4″, but 8 clicks might be more like 5 inches. 2) … More . . .
UV Killer Redux
It was 6 years ago this month when somebody on the Deer & Deer Hunting forum started asking for opinions on UV Killer. I gave my opinion, and cross-posted it back here on my weblog. I did not realize this was going to be the prelude to the most turgid, controversial period in this weblog’s history. I certainly didn’t realize that 6 years later, my original post on this subject would be getting over 50 hits a day. The fact that you all are hitting on those posts still today are testament. It still kind of galls me how something … More . . .
Ten Year Anniversary
It was August 2004. My job was stagnant. The solder factory was up for sale, and all my big projects had been put on indefinite hold. I did not have much to do, but the company still needed me and the pay was good. I just had to figure out how to stave off boredom. I went for long drives at lunch, and I thought about things. On the homefront, we had purchased the farm a few years earlier, and I had done a lot of rehab on the place. With two sons poised on the brink of being suburban … More . . .
O.D. and the Squeaky Toy
There are little white country stores up and down Route 10 all the way from the Ohio River to . . . well, frankly I have never been past Germantown on Route 10, however, I suspect there are stores like that all along the length of the road as it winds through the Trans-Bluegrass. I used to favor the one at Lennoxburg, but after Jake retired, I have been trying others. It is a lot like finding a new church; you visit around a while until you find a place that is comfortable. All these stores are the same and … More . . .
Hornets in the Garden of Stone.
The Garden of Stone is a place at deer camp where we’ve been killing deer like crazy since 2008. It is a 200 X80 yard long pasture. My big luxury box, Midway sits at one end and my favorite treestand, Campground sits at the other. Deer come out into the middle to feed. The name, Garden of Stone, comes from the fact that I started putting a small rock next to where I’d shoot a deer so that I could pace it off later. Pretty soon, there were stones all over the mid-section of that pasture. The guy who hays … More . . .
The Status of Shamanic QDM
At our camp, we have no particular standards. This is the first year we will all be adults– my youngest turned 16. I think it is rather goofy to have kids passing on less than ideal deer unless they choose to do so. I know there is a lot of stuff out there about QDM and such, and I am not saying it is complete hokum, but there needs to be some sense of proportion. It used to be that I really thought I was doing the right thing by trying to kill doe and eschewing smaller bucks. However, in … More . . .
Deer Intelligence and the 4-way Stop
I have tried to answer the question “How Smart are Deer?” for most of my hunting career. I know they can’t be THAT smart. However, the thought has been rolling around in my head since I did that last piece about Ken Nordberg. I was on my way to work this morning, and I saw something that provided me some insight. I wish I had been aware enough at the time to have taken a video, but I was well down the road before I realized the significance of what I had seen. During the week, I stay in town … More . . .
The Doctor, the Shaman, and the Elephant
Before I go any further in this endeavor, I want to commend Doctor Ken Nordberg and his son John. Their efforts in the field of deer hunting are exemplary– Ken for his body of work and John for his effort to make Ken’s work available online. The only “gentle nudge” I can make to John is to hurry up and make all the out-of-print almanacs available again in .pdf format. Back a long time ago when your shaman was at shaman school, the teacher gave us a book that contained the story of the blind monks and the elephant. The … More . . .
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