Deer Hunting
A Farewell to Lorelei
Last year, Lorelei never showed up. I guess this is as good a time to write her farewell. This all started back in 2010, and lasted until 2012. I’m still a little hazy on the start of it. I do remember spooking a doe early in 2010 on my way to my stand. She came back after sunrise and searched for me. That might have been my first meeting with her. Over time, Lorelei got to patterning me. When I would get into my ladder stand at Campground, she would show up and play a hide-and-seek game with me. She … More . . .
That Winning Edge
The catalogs are out. The sales flyers are mailed. The new equipment issues of all the magazines are starting to arrive. The Fall stuff is on its way to the stores. Everyone will be out looking for the winning edge. Don’t. I don’t mean that if you really need a new bow, or a new rifle or a new jacket don’t go out and buy one. What I mean is stop thinking that spending money will improve your game or give you a winning edge or make you a better hunter or make the deer more dead. I have been … More . . .
Write it down
I was talking to Moose the other day. He’s now in his late Twenties. He has a family and a job. We were trying to reminisce about the early days of hunting together. We realized how much of it was gone. We remember all the big things. We both remember the first buck I took at the farm like it was yesterday. We remember some of the lesser known events, like the zombie doe that fell over at the shot and then got up and ran. The rest of it is all gone now, and it was not that long … More . . .
First Shots with the Hawkeye
This had started out as a fun 3-day weekend at the farm. It turned into a hard slog. However, I did get deer camp mowed and I did get to shoot some of the rifles I treated with Dyna Bore Coat. I am impressed. The point of the exercise was to get the new coating baked in by running a several rounds through the rifles. All of these rifles, most of them had new scopes on them as well, so we were not quite sure where they were going to shoot. Of the 4, the one I had the greatest … More . . .
How Many Shots to Sight-In a Rifle, REALLY
I’ve in the midst of sighting in a bunch of deer rifles. I changed out a good number of scopes over the past year, and now 30-some years of experience is coming to bear. In general I can say that I have been on the paper with the first shot and it has taken about 15 shot to be confident with each rifle. Angus is just starting out with his WIN 670, and it has taken him 40. Both those numbers seem high for a seasoned veteran. I said I had over 30 years of experience. I did not say … More . . .
I Felt Like a Mad Scientist
A buddy of mine was a Jungian psychologist. They deal with archetypes and such. She always said that I was a Promethean type– a true hero mentality. I dunno about all that, but she did leave me some good Joseph Campbell tapes when she moved out. The setup for all this is based on my recent purchase of the Ruger Hawkeye. As part of the deal, I decided to try Dyna Bore Coat. It was a new rifle, so I figured getting it down to the bare metal to apply the coating would not be all that hard. You can … More . . .
Remembering the Monarch
The other day I was down at camp. There was not a whole lot to do. It was hot. I went in and sat in the recliner next to the air conditioner and tried to take a nap. I looked up and saw the mount of “The Monarch” and started reminiscing. As a coincidence the website stats put the story of that buck’s taking at the top of the chart showing what has been read on the weblog in the past 20 days. I guess after 10 years it is time to go back and revisit that story. I re-read … More . . .
Son, This is a Muzzleloader
I had a job to do. Angus is going deer hunting on his own this year. However, we still had not gotten his muzzleloader together. We were all down for a camp-out this past weekend. Sunday afternoon, after Moose and MooseMama left with their friends, Angus and I sat down to take care of things. The rifle is an early 80’s Lyman Deerstalker with a stainless barrel. It is a half-stock, percussion rifle of the standard Hawken variety with double triggers. Last year, I started to get it ready for Angus, and the ramrod stuck. After trying everything (soaking in … More . . .
The Last 30-06 Arrives
Thursday Well, the shaman’s last 30-06 arrived. They called from Hibberd’s in Cleves. The rifle was in. I went over to pick it up. John slid out the box, and then it hit hit me: Exactly when did I do this last? It’s funny, but I could not figure out exactly when was the last time I went to a store and cracked open the box on a factory-new rifle. Was it 10 years ago? 15? I finally had to shove it out of my mind, because John was looking at me wondering why I wasn’t opening the box. I … More . . .
Why a 30-06?
So shaman, you wait 30 years to buy a rifle. Why is it a 30-06? Oh, that’s an easy one. First off, think back to 1984 and imagine a young, impressionable 20-something. I had fallen in with a particularly hard-core cell of the vast right-wing conspiracy. I was the kid of the group by about 20 years. There were a bunch of other guys, but among the principles were: Big Bob: A retired gun editor, good friends with Bill Ruger, Elmer Keith and the likes. Jerry: A ex-marine armorer with his own gun store. John: A veteran of The Bulge … More . . .
The shaman and the Last 30-06
But … aint many troubles that a man cain’t fix with seven hundred dollars and his thirty ought six. –Lindy Cooper Wisdom Grandpa’s Wisdom I do not usually spend years making up my mind about a deer rifle. However, it was 2007 when I first began to contemplate what I have come to call “My Last 30-06.” Just to set the stage for you, in 2007, I had just bagged the biggest buck of my career. I had two young sons, one had not yet taken his first deer. The other was approaching 16, and would no longer be hunting … More . . .
Ground Blinds
Ground blinds like this are all the rage right now. I’ve got a Hunter’s View Wigam. Hunter’s View Wigwam I’ve had mixed results, but I think it depends on a few things: 1) Context: If I put up the blind in the middle of the woods, I seem to get busted. My best set-ups have been: a) on steep hillsides, where the ground clutter obscures the outline b) where the setting or rising sun is at my back c) behind a blown-down cedar tree. 2) Secondary camoflage: Branches, cedar boughs, etc, placed in front of the blind really enhance the … More . . .
How to hold deer while staying at the hotel?
From The Deer and Deer Hunting Forum kroazn Posts: 1 Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 8:35 pm How to hold deer while staying at the hotel? Postby kroazn » Wed Dec 25, 2013 8:41 pm Hi I am new to the forum and have this question that I couldn’t find the answer to. I am going down to Buckingham, Virginia for their late season deer hunting in few days. I am staying at a hotel for the trip (Employee Discount, can’t beat the price) and I am not sure how to keep the deer while staying at the hotel for … More . . .
Which is More? (a Rem 742 or a 30-06)
A while back, I got a hit on this weblog. Somebody had done a search on “Which is more a Rem 742 or a SPR 30-06?” That one stuck with me. It was fairly ignorant, definitely naive, but it just would not leave my mind. It dawned on me this morning that it was the kind of question I was asking 30-some years ago. At that time, I was asking all sorts of stupid questions, and my buddies did their best to answer them. Therefore, before I hang up my deer hunting hat for the season and put on my … More . . .
I’ve got a Berry!
Dave Berry is a friend of mine from my days at Broadcasting School. Among other things, Dave paints. Wow, does he paint! He’s also a bit absent-minded. He painted this back in 1998, and has been meaning to bring it up from Florida when he visits Cincinnati. This weekend, he finally got out to see Turkey Camp, and finally got a chance to present me with the picture that he did 16 years ago. He has a bunch of other wildlife art available. I have a bunch of his pieces hanging around the house. Check him out: Thanks Dave! This … More . . .
PCR Comes to Ohio
It is my understanding that Pistol Cartridge Rifles will be allowed this coming year for deer hunting in Ohio Here was the first mention I saw of it: ODNR Division of Wildlife announces pistol caliber rifles for deer hunting This is terrific news for Buckeye Deer Hunters. From what I understand, the allowed cartridges will include everything that has been previously legal in a pistol. 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 LC and 45-70 will be allowed. I’ll post more as I find it. UPDATE: Here is more straight from ODNR: Ohio Wildlife Council to Consider Proposed Deer Hunting Dates and … More . . .
Loose Ends
Dang. Here it is almost Christmas, and I have not written a jot since November. You will be wondering what has happened to me. No, I did not fall into the alligator pit in front of the gun locker. No, Scooter the Intern, did not go berserk on Oxy’s and shoot up the Black Hole Institute. Thanks for the email, but no. There is no truth to any of the rumors. It was cold. I’ve been busy at the day job with a big project, and all the bad weather has kept me kind of low-energy. However, I have not … More . . .
The Shamanic Wheel of Death
No, this is not some New Age drivel. This is all about mice and deer camp and the removal of the former from the latter. This is not an original idea either. I’ve been reading about this for years, and it finally dawned on me last year as I was leaving camp to try and make one. Supposedly it was going to be a perpetual mouse trap that would remain effective from the end of deer season to the beginning of turkey season. Wheel of Death MK I was constructed in less than 15 minutes, AFTER I had already locked … More . . .
And So It Ends Again
If you had told me twenty years ago that I would be sitting here, the week before Thanksgiving with 5 deer taken off my property, and a 188 lb buck of my own in the freezer I would have been ecstatic. Here it is, the Monday after season, and I am feeling quite a bit less so. If this was going to be just a lot of belly-button gazing, I’d shut up and just start cleaning deer rifles. However, I think it is worth sharing. For starters, I set out this year to get two deer myself. I only got … More . . .
Another Double-Header for the Shamanic Dream Team
This was Weekend #2 of the KY Rifle Season. Angus, SuperCore, and I still had tags to fill. SuperCore was looking for a buck. It was warmer than usual, about 48 degrees. The big blow was expected overnight going into Sunday. At 0830, I heard a shot from over at the Jagende Hutte. SuperCore had taken a shot at a doe. A few minutes later another shot came from that direction. As it turned out, SuperCore had a doe come out of Skunk Hollow. He had drilled it and it had run off. A buck had come in shortly thereafter, … More . . .
Shamanic Dream Team Scores Double-Header in KY Opener
We’re just in from the field with fuzzy windchimes hanging on the meatpole. Both Angus and I bagged bucks this morning. This was an average sort of Opener — average temperatures, an average number of shots. The weather was cool, but sunny. Angus and Moose hunted together. This is Angus’ last year hunting as a Yute. Moose decided not to buy a license this year and accompanied his younger brother unarmed. SuperCore went to the Jagendehutte. I went to my usual stand at Campground. Angust took his Mosin Nagant M44. I went out with the Savage 99 in 308 WIN. … More . . .
Last Minute Scouting
This was the last weekend before KY’s Rifle Opener. If it was going to be done before the shooting started, it was going to have to be done before Sunday afternoon. Angus and I went down to camp. Do to my schedule, I still did not have a rifle sighted in. There was a big blow on Halloween night as a front came through, so we needed to check the stands one more time as well. Saturday afternoon I sorted gear while Angus went scouting. I really like seeing him stepping up this year and starting to do things like … More . . .
An Encounter with a Doe
It was the weekend after Muzzleloader Season. We had two weekends to go before the start of Rifle Season. We all went down on Saturday to finish up the mountain of chores left. Saturday evening, Angus and I did some scouting. On Sunday morning, Angus left early to scout Hammond North and Knowlton’s Corner. I slept in and rode out after sunrise to Garbage Pit to put a skirt on the treestand. It was getting on towards Nine when I finally got up the ladder and started working. I was in my Carharts, bibs and barn coat, yesterday’s socks and … More . . .
Henry VIII’s Favorite Dish — Venison Roast
I was discussing venison with a co-worker, and I mentioned KYHillChick’s recipe for venison roast. I realized when I went to send her a link that I had never posted it here. Click on it to make it larger This is a favorite at our deer camp table and it was a favorite of Henry VIII. I will warn you that Elizabethan cooking is odd if you have never tried it. They were dealing with a different world, and it shows. However, you will find this is great stuff. This goes especially well with the Opening Day Feast, and our … More . . .
KY Muzzleloader Hunt
SuperCore started his 5th season of deer hunting with . . . well, a bang pretty well says it. He nailed a nice doe on Saturday evening about 5:30. He took it from the Jagendehutte, with his Traditions in-line. The shot went about 110 yards, the doe was munching stuff just outside the back door at Broken Corners. At about the same time, I was trying to bust a cap on a doe at Virginia. She came, I dropped the hammer, but the Winchester cap did nothing. I actually had two doe come in Saturday evening. The first got wise … More . . .
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