Deer Hunting
On Youth Rifles
My sons have been hunting with me for years. #2 starts this year on his own as an adult with 6 Youth seasons under his belt. #3 son is 10, and is finally deciding he’s ready. I made some simple rules above and beyond what KY law requires: 1) My sons had to have passed Hunter Ed before they could hunt. #2 did it when he was 10. #3 passed his at 8. That gave them something to work for, and it made sure they understood what they were doing. 2) No Yute rifles. My kids are big for their … More . . .
Mineral Licks — it’s almost too late
Habitat How To’s from KDFWR Here’s a link to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources site. Check out the PDF on Mineral Licks. It’s what I use as a guide. The biologist that writes a lot of these grew-up just up the road from me, and his father helps me with my food plots. If you’re trying to establish a new lick, I’d go easy on the di-calcium phosphate and introduce it slowly. The first year I added it to my lick, it soured the deer for well over a month. It’s also getting fairly late in the … More . . .
When should I set my stand?
I’ve hung a stand at 3 PM and bagged a big buck at 6. I then went back to that same tree, put my stand up at 3 PM the same day next year and bagged a bigger one by 3:30. The truck was parked less than 100 yards away. Go figure. That is not to say that you should not be careful. Back in the old days, when I hunted a 1st weekend in October bow opener, I used to do all my preparations over Labor Day weekend. That was still when I hunted with a climber. I would … More . . .
Passing Thoughts on Mineral Licks
Habitat How To’s from KDFWR Here’s a link to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources site. Check out the PDF on Mineral Licks. It’s what I use as a guide. The biologist that writes a lot of these grew-up just up the road from me, and his father helps me with my food plots. If you’re trying to establish a new lick, I’d go easy on the di-calcium phosphate and introduce it slowly. The first year I added it to my lick, it soured the deer for well over a month. It’s also getting fairly late in the … More . . .
Back from the Taxidermist
He’s back from the taxidermist. The Monarch of the Forest II has come to rest on my fireplace. The previous occupant of the spot got moved across the room, a smart little 8 pointer called “Mister Deer.” He was my first bow kill buck from 1991. He entertained all three of my sons over the years. In the old days, I would come home at night and grab the youngest and we’d go say hello to Mister Deer and the work on pointing at noses and ears and such. He wears a camo logo cap: Roger Wyant’s Original Sex Lures … More . . .
Would you buy a Crossbow
The question over at KentuckyHunting.net was this: How many of you deer hunters will get a xbow if they extend the xbow season for the full bow season? Just wondering if it would change anyones mind. A yes or no will do…no bashing please. Funny you ask that question. I’ve been close to purchasing one for a couple of years now. Yes. In fact, it is a resounding yes. The main reason I don’t is because of the window between the end of ML season and the start of Modern Weapon season. There is a couple weeks in there where … More . . .
Any close calls? Did you fall?
From the D&DH Forum Funny you ask this question. I just submitted my first story to D&DH magazine based on my 20+ years as a treestand survivor. I can’t claim any falls, but I have had a few very rapid descents. I always had a safety belt on, so things never got all that bad, but they could have. The worst was 1988. I had a kit-built climbing stand that was just a platform. You were supposed to go up and down either by bear hugging the tree or using your safety belt to pull yourself up. I was twenty … More . . .
Best 30-06 Ammunition?
Overall the Whitetail is not that hard to kill. Just about anything you put into it is going to get good results. 30-06 is probably the best general-purpose round out there. On deer at normal deer ranges, it is probably a bit of overkill, but that’s okay– I’ll take overkill any day. In fact, ’06 is one of my favorites. I started out with 180 grainers and shot the first 10 years with them. I’d started out hunting boar, and I found a good load and bought as much of one lot as I could find. That was over twenty … More . . .
Distance Travelled
Over on the 24HourCampfire there is a lively discussion going on. One fellow has stood on the Pillar of TrVth and said that high-velocity, lower caliber cartridges produced faster kills than larger slower ones. Of course, this is yet another incarnation of the old Dead Right There (DRT) argument– what makes deer run after being shot? What makes them lie down and take a dirt nap? It’s a perennial favorite. Here is what I said on the subject: Personally, I think we still don’t know as much about what actually kills deer as we think we do. Otherwise, there would … More . . .
A 200 yd slug gun?
From 24hourcampfire.com slug gun hunters mideerslayer mideerslayer Member Registered: 05/14/08 Posts: 11 Loc: Michigan Here in southern Michigan we can only use slugs and muzzleloaders What are you guys having the best luck with when it comes to long distance slugs I have had great luck with lightfields and copper solids on paper, but the lightfields dont work as good as copper solids on deer in my eyes I was thinking of trying hornady sst or the new aero tips by remington I am trying to make a honest 200 yard slug gun, i can get great groups on paper … More . . .
Head Shots — Shaman’s Statement of Self-Definition
I found this tucked away today in a discussion of head shots pro and con from the 24HourCampfire.com . To be exact: #205865 – 11/10/03 10:03 AM I had an opportunity this weekend to seriously consider the issue of head shots: bagged two deer in two days. Both presented broadside shots at 100 yards or under. Both got it in the chest. Both got the top of their hearts shot out, and at least one lung. Both died within 5 seconds. Did I have a choice? Yes. Did I stop to consider shooting anywhere else? No. Why? Why would I … More . . .
Where do I hunt in KY?
From KentuckyHunting.Net Swift Arrow New here Hey all! I just thought I would introduce myself. I am from Michigan and I am going on my second year bow hunting this year. Anyway, I took a drive down I-75 this weekend and noticed a lot of forest area along the way, mostly near Odensville. I am thinking about hunting in KY this year. Can anyone suggest some good areas to hunt? By the way, I wished to God that I could live there because it is absolutely beatiful and everyone ain’t in a hurry to kill each other, lol Thanks If … More . . .
How high should my stand be?
I used to be a nosebleed cowboy. It just wasn’t hunting unless I was 25 feet in the air. There were a few occasions where I hunted lower. In one case, my feet were barely 8 feet off the ground, and I managed to bag back-to-back bucks out of that tree. However, it never got me to thinking about changing. Then about 7 years ago, I bought a buddy-style ladder stand so that my son could come with me. It was only 15 feet high. My luck started to improve, and I now keep the climber in the shed, and … More . . .
Beyond Fitness
Fitness is important, but so is acc. . . . accclim. . . being acclimatized– maybe just as much. Pushing a pencil in an office and working out in a gym does not prepare your body for hunting conditions. If you haven’t been outside in a while or you are traveling to a much different climate to hunt, it can take quite a toll on your body. Altitude can be a real bear. I flew to Denver– just once. I didn’t notice the change until I had to park way out in the back of the hotel parking lot and … More . . .
I Take Back What I Said About Food Plots
I remember writing on here not too long ago about the efficacy of food plots. Part of it I still agree with, but I good part of it I want to repent. Let me just lay this out straight for you. First off, we acquired our farm in 2001. In Spring 2002 I had the state wildlife biologist come over and do a survey. He gave me a lot of good ideas, food plots and other things. I immediately went out and bought $200 worth of seed. The guy who had promised to help me get the seed in the … More . . .
Is Stealthy Worth It?
I’ve sort have gone full circle over 25 years. I started out blundering through the forest and not minding where I walked. I still saw deer whenever I went out. Then I became stealthy and started pussy-footing. I still saw deer. Then I went and got ultra-stealthy and started walking like a deer. I’m not going to say I’m back to blundering, but I’m a lot less careful than I was back twenty years ago. Why? I’ve had just way too many times where I screwed up, missed the trail and fumbled around, dropped gear from my stand, and generally … More . . .
The shaman Invents the Future of Deer Hunting
It was Nosmo King, the shaman’s friend, who found him. The shaman had been missing for days. However, a package had arrived at deer camp, and promptly disappeared. It had been addressed to SHAMANIC ENTERPRISES. Everyone figured the shaman was up to something. “There y’are.” said Nosmo. “Whatcha been up to buddy?” “Oh,” said the shaman. “Hello, Nosmo. Nothing really. I’ve just been . . . INVENTING MY FUTURE!!! That’s all.” With that, the shaman held up a blinding piece of day-glow cloth. “What is that?” said Nosmo, holding his hand up to shield his eyes. “It’s my ticket to … More . . .
Picking a Deer Rifle — on the cheap
NOTE:Â 28 February, 2018Â I have written an update to this topic: Cheap Deer Rifles — Redux Archer_Nut on Deer & Deer Hunting says: [I] need a good [starter] deer rifle that is accurate and powerful, but at the same time inexpensive. The thing of it is that whitetail deer are remarkably easy to kill, as long as you place the proper bullet in the right place. Anything from a 243 WIN up to a 45-70 will work. Some guys swear by the 223 Remington, but I think that’s too small. For calibers, I like to stick to the … More . . .
Mineral Licks– It’s almost too late
The best time to be laying out salt and minerals and such is back around when you’re scouting turkey in March. I usually dump a load in way back at the end of deer season, so that they have it the next year. My licks in KY start getting hit in mid-March and peak in early July. My licks in OH seem to peak a few weeks later– about the last week in July. I have no idea why the difference. One thing is for sure: the effectiveness of mineral licks diminishes to near-nothing by the time hunting season starts. … More . . .
Preparing for Bow Season
I’m currently agonizing over when to start pulling my bow this year. Last year, I started pulling it in July– about normal for me. After a few arrows, I noticed a twinge in my shoulder and put the bow down. I was just shy of 49, and I’m entering that phase where being careful with your body becomes a really good idea. I was glad I did. The shoulder got worse, and I had to put off bow hunting. I was still feeling the shoulder clear into Christmas. As late as Thanksgiving, I was in considerable pain and had limited … More . . .
What’s with this buck growl thing
From the Deer and Deer Hunter Forum: The thing you have to remember is this: just because a deer makes that vocalization, it may not be the best call to make. The buck growl is just a very aggressive grunt. Somebody popularized the term “growl” a few years ago, but I knew about it when I successfully used my first grunt call back in 1989. The problem is this: a low growling grunt is the cervid equivalent of walking into a biker bar and yelling “Which one of you sissy’s wants it first!” You may get the ultra-aggressive besotted dominant … More . . .
Up Close and Personal
One of the things that is usually a sure tip that the deer hunter you are talking to is a newbie or a poser is when he gets to talking about distance. A few years ago, I had a guy come up from Georgia to help with an install here at the plant. We got to talking about deer hunting. He was all set. He was going to be hunting at his club– all thickets and swamps. He had a brand new bolt gun in 300 Win that “was going to give him the extra reach he needed.” In the … More . . .
Book Review: Whitetail Advantage by Samuel and Zaiglin
I received a promotional copy of Whitetail Advantage: Understand Deer Behavior for Hunting Success by Dr. David Samuel and Robert Zaiglin for review yesterday. I have been digging through it, and I must say that the world has come a long way. Upon my shelf is over a quarter century’s worth of collecting books on whitetail deer. I am not a serious collector by any means, but I started out my life as a hunter trolling for books at used book stores. I have a few gems and more than few duds. In many ways, this Whitetail Advantage makes an … More . . .
Shamanic Gum
From the 24hourcampfire.com Shamanic Gum The peace of the early morning Campfire was suddenly destroyed as the shaman came roaring in. “Everybody!” he exclaimed. “I’ve found it.” “It wasn’t me!” said another. “I made it to the bushes last night. Honest!” “I’ve got the answer!” said the shaman. “The answer to what?” asked a camper. “To what?” “To how I’m going to make money now that I’ve been ditched by the foundry! I’ve got an invention.” “What kind of invention?” “It solves a problem inherent to deer hunting.” said the shaman. “I’ve always wondered how guys could spend all this … More . . .
Where’d they go?
where’d they go? From Heirloom Turkey Calls Forum Postby geheehunter on Sat May 17, 2008 4:31 pm i was out with the kids today to a spot that last year i spooked a deer while walking with the wife and kids. the year before there were tracks everywhere. the year before that i spooked 5 deer while walking with a friend. the year before that i missed opportunities on 8 deer during the course of archery season as i could only hit to 30 yds and they were at 40+… today, hardly any sign whatsoever. only a few faint tracks … More . . .
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