Most honorable #2 son, Moose, got one to the meatpole yesterday afternoon. He took her out the front window at Midway. I was shooting out of Hollywood and when I heard the shot, I came down and went over. As it happened, Remnar was just arriving at camp. We had … Continue reading →
It has been since 2014, but my Savage 99 kept its promise this morning. I’ve been carrying it up into the stand for The Rifle Opener since 2003. The Savage 99 in 308 WIN has only been shot at the biggest bucks. I always put it away after filling my … Continue reading →
The Commonwealth of Kentucky picks the second Saturday of November as the beginning of its Modern Weapons Season. This year, that means The Opener is on the 13th. Looking back on it, it has always seemed like the date of The Opener has flitted about. I was sitting here fretting … Continue reading →
I emerged this AM from the secret underground Shamanic Reloading Cave with the first of four rifles destined for our upcoming deer camp. The Rifle Opener is a week from tomorrow. I try to be ready well ahead of time. There were several projects that I wanted to work on … Continue reading →
From Quora: How do I stalk deer with a bow? First off, let me give you some background. I started bowhunting whitetail deer back in the early 80’s. I spent 20 years as a bowhunter before my shoulder pooped out on me. I have not bowhunted since 2007. I have a … Continue reading →
At our camp, Early KY’s Muzzleloader Season has turned into Not Hunting Season, and it was highly successful. First off, let me explain Not Hunting. Years ago, I put forward this idea, and I received a lot of positive feedback. The rules are simple. In order to successfully engage in … Continue reading →
From: 24hourcampfire.com earlybrdCampfire Regular Joined: Nov 2015Posts: 1,169long mtn va How do they affect the deer as far as early morning riding going in vs walking I’ve done the walking up mountains for 30 odd years and had good success? The answer I am going to give you may … Continue reading →
There are days where it seems the intentions of the Almighty are playing against you. Everything has gone about as good as it can get these past couple of months. I found my problem “down there” at an early enough time that there may likely be no complications going forward. … Continue reading →
Over the weekend, we celebrated our 20th Anniversary at the farm. Angus, Moose, Mooselette, and KYHillChick all came down along with Remnar and his lovely wife, Moondance. The highlight of the trip was going out to the Thoughtful Spot and enjoying my 20th Anniversary cup of coffee with Mooselette in … Continue reading →
The KDFWR is telling us that we shouldn’t gut deer for fear that we might get Covid. https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/SARS-CoV-2.aspx In August 2021, the USDA confirmed the world’s first cases of SARS-CoV-2 in free ranging white-tailed deer in Ohio. The virus (which leads to the illness COVID-19) has been previously detected in wild mink, … Continue reading →
I walked into a conversation down at Mister Browning’s Store the other day. O.D. was in the process of egging on a guy he calls “Bigtime.” The truth is, I don’t remember Bigtime’s real name. I’ve taken to calling him Bigtime as well. He seems to like it. The reason … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
Mac, a 24hourCampfire regular asked “How Has Your Point of View on Hunting Changed as you aged?” The problem is that you take 40 years and try to distill it all down, it ends up with something like: “WWII happened because Hitler invaded Poland. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
You may have noticed that the shaman has not been all that prolific since the end of Turkey Season. It’s true. I have not been posting all that much. However, I’ve been doing a lot with the weblog. Some of it has to do with adding functionality. A good deal … Continue reading →
As usual, I was home in my recliner to observe the end of Turkey Season. It was Mother’s Day. However, that was just an excuse. I was pretty well played out. The weather was cold and rainy all day Sunday. I was glad I came home. One of the stand-out … Continue reading →
I do not usually miss a turkey. Missing two the first week is unheard of in my long career. However, this morning saw my second since the Opener. The first was due to taking a shot without being properly situated. The one this morning has me scratching my head. The … Continue reading →
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: … Continue reading →
I know I’ve told this story before, but it bears repeating. Back when I started turkey hunting– we’re talking Regan’s first term– A good turkey gun was any gun that could put 2 pellets through a Dixie cup at 40 yards. You put a Dixie cup on a stake and … Continue reading →
Covid hit the family, and knocked the snot out of me. I was down for the better part of a week, and I’m just starting to feel like myself. Yesterday was the first day I had to actually use the Hornady Auto Charge to load rifle rounds. The results were … Continue reading →
You know how you can keep pitching a topwater lure back in the lily pads and after enough casts that ol’ bass will suddenly explode?A couple minutes later you and that fish are looking eye-to-eye, Sometimes I have real empathy for the bass. This is one of those instances. Folks … Continue reading →
I wrote a piece back in the early fall giving advice to the New Guy at Deer Camp. At least one fellow, Remnar found it to be good stuff, so I figured I’d try and compose one for Turkey Camp.  In this first installment, I’ll deal with the shooting system … Continue reading →
