Indiana Passes New Deer Rifle Rules
What the Indiana DNR failed to do in 2015, the Indiana Legislature has done in 2016. It’s official. Hoosiers will be able to hunt deer with rifles in 2016!
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Deer Camp 2015 — The Final Ritual
I mentioned to Angus last week as we were on our way out to Campground that it seemed like everything at Deer Camp had become a ritual. Even the most mundane things, when repeated for a decade and a half take on a ceremonial quality. Last weekend was the yearly … Continue reading →
A Doe in the Scope
We are heading home today from deer camp, marking the end of week #1. It is time to go home, do some wash, eat a big turkey dinner, and watch some football before heading down after dinner on Thursday. No, I have not gotten the big buck. Nor have I … Continue reading →
So What Deer Rifles Are You Using, Shaman?
So what rifles are you using this year, Shaman? There have been a lot of changes to the deer battery this year. I just thought I would give y’all a quick rundown. Mine: Savage 99, 308 WIN This is the same rifle I’ve been using for most every Opener since … Continue reading →
Muzzleloader Season 2015
Even though I have been hunting the early Muzzleloader season in Kentucky for 15 years straight, it always seems to catch me by surprise. One evening in October, there is a mad rush to get home, get packed and get back on the road. There is the mad rush at … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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) … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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, … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →