Hunting the Full Moon
We just witnessed the full moon in October. Folks call it the Hunter’s Moon. Folks also kind of get mixed up as to why. I want to discuss the moon’s influences on deer hunting and maybe shed some light on why we associate the moon so closely with hunting.Let me begin by stating that I never have nor will advocate staying on the couch due to the phase of the moon. Every time this topic gets brought up, somebody pipes up with “There’s no way you’re going to keep me out of the woods no matter what the Moon’s doing!” … More . . .
Should I Buy a 6.5 Creedmore Deer Rifle?
I’ve gotten several questions over the past year or so about the 6.5 Creedmore. I guess it is time to lay down a definitive answer. Should I buy a Creed for deer hunting? The answer to this is maybe. I’ll try and explain. What is the 6.5 Creedmore? It is a reworking of the 6.5X55 Swede. It is ballistically identical. You can read nearly everything about a 6.5X55 Swede and apply it to the 6.5 Creedmore. It has been around since the late 19th Century, most notably in the model 96 Mauser. The Swedes have been dropping Moose with it … More . . .
More on Lever Guns ( and Deer Rifles in General)
This all goes back to my post from about a week ago, and a comment I received: Why not a Lever Gun? — 1 Comment Anonymous on October 8, 2021 at 00:42 said:E Why not?Because a shot past 150 yards in my 35plus years has only happened less than the digits on but one hand. I’ve hunted the open spaces with other rifles but the deer have been killed in the woods and thickets. I was hunting in a thicket where I could see only about 35-40yds In so many ways, I could not agree more. You’re right, and I … More . . .
New Stock for the TC Compass
As much as I liked the TC Compass I bought last fall, there were a few niggling problems. First of those was the aesthetics. I’m a sucker for wood. The factory stock was about as nice as I’ve seen in a plastic stock, but Tupperware is just not my thing. Secondly, I was not getting a good cheek weld on the stock. The comb was just a hair low. The simple fix was to put a cheap nylon cheek pad on the butt, but that only exacerbated my aesthetic qualms. I have had good luck with Boyd’s stocks in the … More . . .
Why not a Lever Gun?
From a recent email (address witheld) Shaman, I hunt in almost identical circumstances as yours– pastures, cedar thickets and oak groves. Am I to understand that you don’t recommend lever actions for deer hunting at all anymore? I would think that a nice 30-30 would be ideal. Dave in Warsaw Dave, I don’t think I’ve ever said: “Don’t buy a lever gun” or “30-30 sucks” or anything close. Let me say at the outset that I own several lever actions. My favorite Opening Day GOTO rifle is a Savage 99 in 308 WIN. I also own a Marlin 336 in … More . . .
Refreshing the Lick
I really don’t have an explanation for this. On 8 May, as Turkey Season was coming to a close, I took a 50 lb sack of mixing salt and went out to the Campground Lick and refreshed it. This is a lick that I have had in the same spot since 2003. Every year I dig a trench and pour in a bag of salt and then cover it up. Every year, the deer start pounding it within hours of my departure. There is always enough residual salt in the lick that the timing of my refresh is really unimportant. … More . . .
Indiana DNR Rule Changes
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has changed the rules a wee bit. Turkey hunters can now use .410 shotguns, and can use smaller shot. Deer hunters can now use breechloading muzzleloaders (there’s an oxymoron) like the Traditions Nitro system. See: Administrative Rule (Regulation) Changes Full text here: The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) gave preliminary adoption to the changes listed below governing muzzleloaders for deer hunting, beaver trapping, and wild turkey hunting equipment at their meeting on Nov. 17, 2020. The public comment period has ended, and the NRC will vote on the proposed changes at their meeting … More . . .
On Hunting Pressure and Going Nocturnal
I used to buy the whole “They go nocturnal” thing. However, the more I have learned about deer, the less I buy it. Deer are not even close to us in how their bodies are set up. The have this fermentation process going on. They have to get up and eat, move around, and then lay back down and chew cud in a never ending cycle. If they deviate too far from that schedule they die. Even small perturbations cause them distress the same way we get gas pains from eating bad Taco Bell. I’ve seen two theories on deer … More . . .
On the Topic of 7mm-08
I have exactly one day in the field with my new 7mm-08 Thompson Center Compass. I have one doe down. That does not qualify as a lot of experience. However, I’m sold on it.  7mm-08 has its problems, but none of it has to do with the cartridge or its performance. I was grousing the other day to my compatriots at 24hourcampfire about 7mm-08. Folks get all dewy-eyed talking about its twin, the 7X57. Very little love gets sent towards its successor. Let me tell you how I see it, and also give you some thoughts on the Thompson … More . . .
Deer Season Post-Mortem, 2020
We ran a broom up the mast and headed to port, closing off the 2020 deer season. New camp records: 8 deer went to the pole 4 bucks– 3 went 8 points Most deer from one blind: 5 from Midway — so much for the idea of hunting pressure! Largest button buck: 92 lbs live weight We also had some camp-record-tickling events like: Most 200 yard+ shots Fastest deer to the meatpole: under an hour. The Season Capsulized: The Opener was a mediocre affair at best. Shooting was down. The processors were all talking about it being a bum … More . . .
Angus Nails Another Doe , 2020
Angus managed another doe from Midway this afternoon. At 1615 ET, a herd of doe came out to feed in the Garden of Stone. Angus was poised at Midway with his Winchester 670 and closed the deal. This is the seventh deer taken at camp this year, and the fifth taken at Midway– both camp records. The doe was a big one, measuring a hair over 172 lbs live weight. In a move worthy of The Fisheye Guy, Angus managed to video the shot: Views: 2 Related posts: Angus Bags a Doe Closing Weekend — Shaman Nails a Doe … More . . .
Last Weekend: SuperCore bags a doe
I was sitting at my desk with my last of my morning coffee when I heard 2 shots coming from the direction of Jagendehutte. I radioed out to SuperCore. asking if he needed assistance. No. He had this one in hand. A little later, he was up at the meatpole, dragging a nice doe behind the ATV. O812 ET. Temp 35F. Pretty much the same-old/same-old for this grizzled veteran. Views: 6 Related posts: Angus Bags a Doe Moose bags Doe Closing Weekend — Shaman Nails a Doe Moose’s Doe, 2021 Angus, SuperCore Score Bucks Angus Bags a Buck in KY … More . . .
Angus Bags a Doe
The Second Sunday of KY Rifle Season dawned foggy and warm. Rain was expected before Noon. Both SuperCore and Angus went out; I stayed behind to pack. At 0752 ET, a herd of five doe wandered out into the Garden of Stone to feed. Angus sat inside Midway and watched as they worked their way down into the swale in the middle of the field. He had already picked out the #2 doe. Eventually, enough of her back showed above the grass that he had a shot. At 150 yards, Angus touched off a round of 30-06 and the doe … More . . .
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