Outdoorsman Thread

[WillyCamaro]

[treefarmer]

Good stuff, Gdogg! That 8pt is a fine one and the spike is too, after all what's the ol' sayin', "Ya' cain't eat the horns!"
Treefarmer

[garddogg56]

That spike is going to be tender like veal TF Thanx guys t'was quite a day for an opener..

[doglegg]

Sweet success

[zzyzzogeton]

Today was the first day of deer season (general) down here in Texas. October was bow and Black powder seasons. November and December are "whatever is legal" months.

I took this 9 point buck this morning. I used my trusty old lever action Marlin 336CS 30-30 using the factory install iron sights, just like I have for the last 25 years.



An "interesting" incident happened during this morning's hunt.

While lining up to take the shot, I noticed that I was having a little difficulty getting the post and notch to line up right on the deer. My first thought was, "OH, Sxxx. Old age (65) has hit and I'm gonna have to break down and spend money on a scope." Well, finally I decided my sight picture was as good as it was gonna get, so "BLAM!!!"

The deer crow-hops a little and runs off stage right, but not at a dead run, so I figure "OK. I hit him. Now let's wait a while."

I usually wait about 45 minutes before chasing after a deer that doesn't drop dead in its tracks. So I pull out my book and sit in the blind reading to pass the time. I got engrossed in the book and before I knew it, an hour had passed. I put the book down, traded out my reading glasses for my "far-seers" and went down to where the deer was standing when I took my shot.

Sure enough, there were several spots of bright red blood on both sides of where he was standing. "Well, looks like a lung shot. He's gonna have run a bit." Went and got my "blood trail tracking supplies" (a roll of toilet paper) out of the blind and started marking the blood trail.

About that time, my phone rang. It was Kenneth (my B-n-L) asking if I had got one (he had heard my shot from the other side of the farm.) Told him, "Yep, but I got a blood trail." He said he'd be right over with my nephew and great-nephew, who were also hunting with me today.

By the time they got there, I had about 40 yards of blood trail laid out. Kenneth started helping with the trail and the other 2 started making circles out to see if they could find it or cross the trail by chance. With Kenneth's help, the tracking went faster. After about a total of 85 yards of tracking through heavy brush, we spotted the buck lying in an opening. When we got to the buck, I looked over and saw that we were only about 30 yards from my blind. The buck ran in a circle nearly double the shot distance (50 yards), dropped and died at a little more than half the distance from my blind that I shot it at.

All that is just a standard sequence of events in a Texas brush country deer hunt.

What was "interesting" was that shortly after Kenneth started helping me trail, a branch caught at my glasses and flipped them off. I caught them before they hit the ground. To my surprise, one of my fingers went right through one of the lens holes. There was no lens in the left side of my glasses. I looked around but couldn't see the lens anywhere. Crud!!!!

After we got the buck dragged through the brush and a gully up to the truck, Kenneth and I started looking for the missing lens while the other 2 field dressed the Buck. Kenneth started looking along the path from the blind to the kill zone while I worked my way back to the blind. When I got to the blind, I looked inside. There on top of my outer jacket was the missing lens. Apparently the lens fell out when I took them off to glass the buck when he popped out of the brush.

No wonder I couldn't seem to get the sights on target!!!!! I was trying to aim without the left corrective lens in my glasses. I was lucky to hit the buck anywhere, much less a kill shot. The other three had a big laugh over it. I'm pretty sure I have not heard the last of this incident.

[treefarmer]

Congratulations, that's a fine deer. Not many in our woods with head gear like that. I could share some tales about losing glasses, maybe more accurately about gettin' 'em knocked off while on the tractor.
Treefarmer

[royal0014]

That's too funny zz .... lol

[TPK]

.

So was it a "long shot" or a "blind shot"? lol

[TripleF]

.

So was it a "long shot" or a "blind shot"? lol

Knice deer!! Good eating!!

Please note....I'll trade for venison jerky, or goose, etc.

[steve99f]

You don't have to invest in a scope this year ZZ so that's some good news. And Nice buck too! Glad that turned out well.

GD looks like a successful hunt and a good time, the way its should. Nice buck!

I've got about 4 weeks to go and its killing me seeing folks already at it.

[Doc B]

Congrats, ZZ!!! Nice deer and great story!

[Old Hunter]

Nice, successful opening day Dogg - nice to see your ladies involved as well as the young men.

ZZ, great story and fine buck - and with that story you are now a permanent part of your families hunting lore - a lower level of immortality!

OH

[Dinadan]

Looks like great deer hunting, Garddogg and and ZZ. I like that lunch setup, Dogg. That is the way to hunt!

[Doc B]

I've had "The ranch" property for ten years, now. The first couple of years, I went through a couple of those 1-2 man "tent" deer blinds. They would only last one or two seasons. I tried $150 ones and $250 ones...they all would fall apart, after a year or two. I finally got so frustrated, the last two years I threw together some pallets and wrapped it in a canvas tarp, for a ground blind.That obviously has zero protection from the elements. Here is last years, falling apart....

I wanted to build a blind...but; during the working years, never found the time. Finally, retirement has given me some extra time. This week I finished up an 8x8x8 blind I built on top of my storage container. My building skills are pretty limited...but it's pretty solid and bolted through the top of the container. I hung burlap "see through" curtains. One of my favorite features is the low window. My back is my limiting factor...so I can throw out a sleeping bag and lay in the "sniper" position...or more likely fall asleep. If I don't get anything...I'll certainly be more comfortable, this season.

[cudgee]

Nice little set up you have there. Those little tents do not stand the elements.

[TripleF]

Yesterday morning!! 4 boys and one dad!!

[Old Hunter]

Good stuff Scott, I know those boys had to be happy landing fish! OH

[TPK]

Good deal Scott! A day for all to remember, especially those boys.

[glennbad]

Been getting caught up on this thread, nice stuff everyone! Scott, those boys look like they are having a great time fishing.

It was a little cool Saturday morning, low 30's when I got up, but the sun came out and it warmed up to around 50 or so. I was blowing some leaves when I spotted this little guy. Probably just a run of the mill garden snake, but maybe someone here recognizes the banding. He was cold at first and wasn't moving too much, but when I put him back down, he was moving a little better through the grass.

He wasn't more than about 4" long. I showed the pics to my wife, and she asked if killed it. I told her, no, why? She was afraid he'd get into the house. I mean, he was clear on the other side of the property, sheez.

[Steve Warden]

Ring-necked snake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-necked_snake
I Googled common snakes of New Hampshire

[glennbad]

Thanks for that. I suppose I could have googled that myself, LOL. Slightly venomous, eh? Good thing it was tiny and that it was cold out.

[Dinadan]

Scott - looks like fun was being had by all!

Glenn - very cool very tiny snake. I have never seen a Ring-necked snake.

[Steve Warden]

Thanks for that. I suppose I could have googled that myself, LOL. Slightly venomous, eh? Good thing it was tiny and that it was cold out.

I confessed to using Google to admit I ain't really that smart!

[WillyCamaro]

Foolin' around with "new" camera ….

[doglegg]

WillyC, thanks for showing us around your place.