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Hunting
Nov 13, 2014 14:42:41 GMT -6
Post by Winterland on Nov 13, 2014 14:42:41 GMT -6
Hey all I have been away from everything doing some whitetail deer hunting in Northern Minnesota. I see the forum is still here, good to see.  I had a great time visiting friends and family. Getting in the woods before the sun rises sitting in tree stand or sitting on a bucket watching the woods for a deer as the sun comes up is amazing. I passed up many small deer and finally shot smaller one but had to pass up a nice buck because where I was hunting, a State park, you can only shoot anterless. Did have some great experiences with another 2 bucks coming close to me as I was standing. I never saw them but could hear them grunting but the big old bucks are smart and they must have smelled me. The heart really gets pumping when you are sitting in the woods for hours and hear something walking towards you. An amazing feeling. You do have to dress warm even though the temp wasn't real cold 10-25F but when you are sitting still trying to avoid detection you can get cold especially if there is any wind. When I say it isn't that cold I have hunted when it is 20 below. That is cold. Sorry to say no selvedge was worn hunting. Here is my gear. I wear a lot of wool from my Icebreaker merino longs johns and undershirt with a LL Bean wool commando sweater, a Columbia thick wool button shirt and pants with a Cabela's Windshear pullover hoody. I wear a Cabelas's blaze orange vest, stocking cap and mittens that fold down to reveal your fingers for shooting. You have to wear blaze orange when in the woods during deer hunting. I have a merino wool facemask from Triple Aught Design also. I don't wear everything when I walk to my stand as you get overheated. Everything goes on when I get to my spot. I have a Cabela's backback full of my goodies, water, survival things in case I get lost etc. I have plenty of beef jerky and trail mix to keep up my energy to help keep me warm. I hunt with an old army rifle a sporterized Enfield 1917 30-06 bolt action with a Bushnell 3-9 scope. I have used it since I was a teen. Shot many deer with it and only had open sights for years. Much harder than having a scope. Here are a few pics. Me, a pic of my view, my brother standing on the beach of Lake of the Woods which we are hunting right next too, A buck that a friend shot. 216lbs which is a nice deer. |
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Hunting
Nov 13, 2014 15:11:30 GMT -6
Post by Winterland on Nov 13, 2014 15:11:30 GMT -6
Can't seem to insert images only can do attachments. Lost my computer skills in the woods. Attachments:
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Hunting
Dec 1, 2014 20:52:53 GMT -6
Post by variable on Dec 1, 2014 20:52:53 GMT -6
More power to ya, I can't take the cold (Raynaud's from allergic reaction). I don't imagine I'd hit jack squat with the corpsicles my fingers become. I'll stick to the range.  |
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Hunting
Dec 1, 2014 22:42:12 GMT -6
Post by Winterland on Dec 1, 2014 22:42:12 GMT -6
More power to ya, I can't take the cold (Raynaud's from allergic reaction). I don't imagine I'd hit jack squat with the corpsicles my fingers become. I'll stick to the range. A response to my hunting thread. I thought maybe everyone here was either vegan or thought meat magically appeared in grocery store coolers. Being facetious here. I just read about Raynaud's as my fingers have started being sensitive to the cold at times. I did have frostbite a few times as a kid and thought that was a cause as that is what I have always heard. Sounds like it is somewhat true as they mentioned that in the Raynaud's articles. Will read more into this. Sorry to hear you have it as it sounds like it can have some serious symptoms if not kept in check. |
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Post by variable on Dec 2, 2014 6:05:58 GMT -6
I think only the primary form ("allergic to cold") has the bad side effects; I've only got the secondary form. From what I've read, it sucks but is manageable. As long as I wear good gloves and don't do anything dumb (like shovel snow without gloves, deeeeerp) my hands are fine. But it is an odd feeling to be able to wiggle your fingers that are dead white and feel nothing. This is why I like the indoor range during winter. |
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Post by DigDug on Dec 2, 2014 6:13:50 GMT -6
@winterland thanks for the post! Don't hunt myself, would like to learn but just don't have the time. More important I don't know anyone who can/would teach me. I have deer on my property and probably could get one here with a bow (to close to homes with a rifle). Would need time to practice.
But I do/did have chickens,rabbits,pig,goats so my kids know meat just doesn't come from a store wrapped in plastic.
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Post by gaseousclay on Dec 2, 2014 9:21:50 GMT -6
hunting has been on my bucket list for awhile but I never got around to it, despite having taken a firearm safety course through my local DNR a couple years ago. I used to have a couple of rifles that I had to give up for financial reasons. I had a 1990 Browning A-Bolt .270 win (with Leopold VX3 scope which I still have NIB) and a 1983 Winchester 9422 lever gun. I was sad to part with the Winchester 9422 because it was in mint condition and they don't make them anymore. Coincidentally, my father in-law just got back from a hunting trip in Colorado and bagged his first Elk, on his last day no doubt - I think it was a 10 pointer.
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Post by Winterland on Dec 2, 2014 15:22:17 GMT -6
DigDug that is great that you raise some of your own food. gaseousclay Both are great guns. That Browning with a Leopold is a perfect deer rifle. Hopefully the father in-law is generous as elk is some great eating. I can understand people not knowing hunting when they were not raised with it. I moved to Northern Minnesota in my younger years and my mothers side of the family, all Finlanders, settled there. So I grew up with hunting and also my stepfather was a conservation officer. I remember Christmas and birthday presents always being guns. ha! I was taught hunting, trapping, fishing pretty much anything about the wilderness. In the city now but love my getaways.
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Post by variable on Dec 2, 2014 18:19:19 GMT -6
See, now that'd be nice, getting raised with it. No one in my family hunts, and I was the first to own any firearms. They outlawed trapping in my state and make hunting a pain and then wonder why bears are in your garbage, coyotes are eating your snackdogs and deer are defoliating everyone's shrubbery. Probably will have to import hunters in 20 years.
gaseousclay, you can still get into a .22 for relatively short money and just do target shooting. It'll all come back. My dad hadn't shot a Garand since he got out of the Army umpty years ago. Put one in his hands a couple of years back, he was ringing a steel plate at 300 yards within his third shot.
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Post by wisdom on Dec 2, 2014 18:43:33 GMT -6
DigDug that is great that you raise some of your own food. gaseousclay Both are great guns. That Browning with a Leopold is a perfect deer rifle. Hopefully the father in-law is generous as elk is some great eating. I can understand people not knowing hunting when they were not raised with it. I moved to Northern Minnesota in my younger years and my mothers side of the family, all Finlanders, settled there. So I grew up with hunting and also my stepfather was a conservation officer. I remember Christmas and birthday presents always being guns. ha! I was taught hunting, trapping, fishing pretty much anything about the wilderness. In the city now but love my getaways. I think it's interesting how those who hunt seem to have the most respect for wildlife and the wilderness. |
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 10:24:46 GMT -6
Post by usctroll on Dec 3, 2014 10:24:46 GMT -6
I grew up hunting in Alaska and still hunt fairly often in TX. We have a company lease that I'll be at next weekend and it shouldn't be a problem to off a doe while my clients go for bucks. I've done bow, rifle and handgun and it's all fun its own way.
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 10:36:42 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by DigDug on Dec 3, 2014 10:36:42 GMT -6
So last nite at 3 in the morning (just got home from work) there was 5 Deer (Doe's).
A few questions. 1 how far away from a dwelling would I need to be for a Bow? I know every state may be different, but generally whats a safe distance?
2- If I was to get a good shot, how far would a deer run after (Im afraid it would end up in a nabors yard, I'm sure it would and would be fine though)?
3- are deer hard to find after?
4- field dressing? Is it hard? It looks tricky
May get a bow and start practicing for next year.
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 10:44:05 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Winterland on Dec 3, 2014 10:44:05 GMT -6
I grew up hunting in Alaska and still hunt fairly often in TX. We have a company lease that I'll be at next weekend and it shouldn't be a problem to off a doe while my clients go for bucks. I've done bow, rifle and handgun and it's all fun its own way. what are you hunting? |
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Post by usctroll on Dec 3, 2014 11:11:15 GMT -6
I grew up hunting in Alaska and still hunt fairly often in TX. We have a company lease that I'll be at next weekend and it shouldn't be a problem to off a doe while my clients go for bucks. I've done bow, rifle and handgun and it's all fun its own way. what are you hunting? Whitetail deer and hogs next weekend. I shot my first turkey at the same place this spring. Central TX is pretty much overrun with whitetails and they aren't particularly hard to hunt compared to my formative experiences climbing mountains in Alaska to hunt Sitka blacktail deer. That said, cornfed whitetails taste about 10x better and I'm a sucker for venison jerky. |
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Post by usctroll on Dec 3, 2014 12:02:17 GMT -6
So last nite at 3 in the morning (just got home from work) there was 5 Deer (Doe's). A few questions. 1 how far away from a dwelling would I need to be for a Bow? I know every state may be different, but generally whats a safe distance? 2- If I was to get a good shot, how far would a deer run after (Im afraid it would end up in a nabors yard, I'm sure it would and would be fine though)? 3- are deer hard to find after? 4- field dressing? Is it hard? It looks tricky May get a bow and start practicing for next year. 1. I wouldn't shoot toward a house that was within a couple hundred yards, but I've shot into a hill behind my house on a 1 acre lot and felt pretty safe about it. 2. Anywhere from right on the spot to hundreds of yards. Generally I'd say you're looking at 100+ yards before it expires. 3. Yes, I've lost two bucks hunting with a bow even after calling a friend with tracking dogs. 4. Dressing isn't too difficult, but is easiest if you have somebody to show you the ropes on your first one. Our deer aren't big (<150 lbs) and I can have one quartered and in the house in 20-30 minutes after starting. I've taught 4-5 people how and nobody has failed yet. I switched to handgun after getting frustrated with bow. I shot a small 8 point with my Kimber 1911 and he ran about 100 yards leaving a nice blood trail. The challenge is similar to bow because the range is still very tight, but to me it feels like a more effective and humane way to deal the death blow. It makes me almost a little misty eyed to wound an animal and have it run off to try to recover. |
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 12:29:46 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by DigDug on Dec 3, 2014 12:29:46 GMT -6
usctroll Thanks, I'd only be able to use a bow (wife wouldn't allow a gun/rifle, I'm ok with that). I have 3 acres myself but live across from an apple orchard. It's the new homes behind me that I'm afraid it may end up in there front yard (but I wouldn't think it would run that way). I'd feel safe using a bow as I'd be in a tree stand shooting down. I would be doing this for the meat. Last nite i walked up to them, got about 25 yards, before they decided to walk away. Seems like it would be easyish. May be a lot different at dusk or dawn.
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 19:33:18 GMT -6
Post by jockohomo on Dec 3, 2014 19:33:18 GMT -6
So last nite at 3 in the morning (just got home from work) there was 5 Deer (Doe's). A few questions. 1 how far away from a dwelling would I need to be for a Bow? I know every state may be different, but generally whats a safe distance? 2- If I was to get a good shot, how far would a deer run after (Im afraid it would end up in a nabors yard, I'm sure it would and would be fine though)? 3- are deer hard to find after? 4- field dressing? Is it hard? It looks tricky May get a bow and start practicing for next year. 1. I wouldn't shoot toward a house that was within a couple hundred yards, but I've shot into a hill behind my house on a 1 acre lot and felt pretty safe about it. 2. Anywhere from right on the spot to hundreds of yards. Generally I'd say you're looking at 100+ yards before it expires. 3. Yes, I've lost two bucks hunting with a bow even after calling a friend with tracking dogs. 4. Dressing isn't too difficult, but is easiest if you have somebody to show you the ropes on your first one. Our deer aren't big (<150 lbs) and I can have one quartered and in the house in 20-30 minutes after starting. I've taught 4-5 people how and nobody has failed yet. I switched to handgun after getting frustrated with bow. I shot a small 8 point with my Kimber 1911 and he ran about 100 yards leaving a nice blood trail. The challenge is similar to bow because the range is still very tight, but to me it feels like a more effective and humane way to deal the death blow. It makes me almost a little misty eyed to wound an animal and have it run off to try to recover. Mind if I ask what load you were using, what distance you shot it at and where you hit it? |
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Post by Mattbert on Dec 3, 2014 20:29:32 GMT -6
It makes me almost a little misty eyed to wound an animal and have it run off to try to recover. This is the main reason why I've never gotten into hunting. I don't consider myself a real bleeding heart, but nor am I indifferent to the suffering of animals. If I can't trust my ability to despatch the animal quickly and humanely, then it's just not for me. I'm not squeamish about keeping a fish for the pan from time to time, especially if it's foul-hooked or otherwise distressed and unlikely to recover, but that's over in seconds after a quick bash or two from a priest. I could see myself doing some wingshooting eventually, but I'm already a fairly serious flyfisher; the last thing my wallet needs right now is another expensive aristocratic hobby. Gamebirds are one of my favorite things to eat, though--right up there with wild boar/pig/hog and venison back straps--so it would be nice to have to skills to be able to go out and get a few for myself if I'm ever living in a place where that's practical. |
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Hunting
Dec 3, 2014 21:10:50 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by usctroll on Dec 3, 2014 21:10:50 GMT -6
Mind if I ask what load you were using, what distance you shot it at and where you hit it? Speer gold dot 200 grain +p if I'm recalling correctly. The range was under 10 yards and he was quartering away. It was a pretty easy shot and the bullet went right through the heart. Expansion was far less than my .270 wby or .270 win, but it was still a clean kill. I'd feel comfortable out to 20-25 yards with my 1911, maybe 35 yards with my .357 S&W. |
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Post by jockohomo on Dec 4, 2014 9:47:27 GMT -6
Mind if I ask what load you were using, what distance you shot it at and where you hit it? Speer gold dot 200 grain +p if I'm recalling correctly. The range was under 10 yards and he was quartering away. It was a pretty easy shot and the bullet went right through the heart. Expansion was far less than my .270 wby or .270 win, but it was still a clean kill. I'd feel comfortable out to 20-25 yards with my 1911, maybe 35 yards with my .357 S&W. At that range I would have thought that particular bullet (going at +P velocity) would have mushroomed in a big way. Did you recover the bullet? |
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Hunting
Dec 4, 2014 10:40:20 GMT -6
Post by usctroll on Dec 4, 2014 10:40:20 GMT -6
At that range I would have thought that particular bullet (going at +P velocity) would have mushroomed in a big way. Did you recover the bullet? Our deer are not very thick at all. The bullet destroyed a rib going in, sliced a lung, tore through the heart and exited through the breast plate. It maybe have expanded some, but not much and I definitely didn't recover the bullet. My experience has been that jacketed bullets do not expand much in deer even if they are hollow points. A soft point at 3000+ FPS will absolutely explode in a small whitetail, but I fail to see the need for that. It's funny because if you watch WWII movies you'd think the .45 ACP is going to knock somebody/something off its feet. That's not really the case. |
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Post by Winterland on Dec 4, 2014 15:11:18 GMT -6
So last nite at 3 in the morning (just got home from work) there was 5 Deer (Doe's). A few questions. 1 how far away from a dwelling would I need to be for a Bow? I know every state may be different, but generally whats a safe distance? 2- If I was to get a good shot, how far would a deer run after (Im afraid it would end up in a nabors yard, I'm sure it would and would be fine though)? 3- are deer hard to find after? 4- field dressing? Is it hard? It looks tricky May get a bow and start practicing for next year. 1. I wouldn't shoot toward a house that was within a couple hundred yards, but I've shot into a hill behind my house on a 1 acre lot and felt pretty safe about it. 2. Anywhere from right on the spot to hundreds of yards. Generally I'd say you're looking at 100+ yards before it expires. 3. Yes, I've lost two bucks hunting with a bow even after calling a friend with tracking dogs. 4. Dressing isn't too difficult, but is easiest if you have somebody to show you the ropes on your first one. Our deer aren't big (<150 lbs) and I can have one quartered and in the house in 20-30 minutes after starting. I've taught 4-5 people how and nobody has failed yet. I switched to handgun after getting frustrated with bow. I shot a small 8 point with my Kimber 1911 and he ran about 100 yards leaving a nice blood trail. The challenge is similar to bow because the range is still very tight, but to me it feels like a more effective and humane way to deal the death blow. It makes me almost a little misty eyed to wound an animal and have it run off to try to recover. I was going to chime in on these questions but I believe these answers are accurate. The cutting and wrapping of all the deer will take at least 4-6 hours or so for one person, especially if they are not experienced, depending on how big it is. There are many good youtube videos showing the process. My brother did our deer and to keep it simple de-boned everything so you do not need to do much sawing. Also left the meat in bigger chunks, so you can slice steak to desired thickness when you are ready to cook. As far as the game laws and learning how to bowhunt. you could also call up your local Department of Natural Resources to find a local Conservation officer as they would give you pointers and also tell you the laws. They might also know a resource in your are such as a club or someone who might be willing to show you the ropes. Most hunters are more than willing to help someone learn. Your State should have a website with all the laws also. They might even have seminars about bow hunting etc. |
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Post by jockohomo on Dec 6, 2014 8:25:38 GMT -6
At that range I would have thought that particular bullet (going at +P velocity) would have mushroomed in a big way. Did you recover the bullet? Our deer are not very thick at all. The bullet destroyed a rib going in, sliced a lung, tore through the heart and exited through the breast plate. It maybe have expanded some, but not much and I definitely didn't recover the bullet. My experience has been that jacketed bullets do not expand much in deer even if they are hollow points. A soft point at 3000+ FPS will absolutely explode in a small whitetail, but I fail to see the need for that. It's funny because if you watch WWII movies you'd think the .45 ACP is going to knock somebody/something off its feet. That's not really the case. Yeah, movies don't really depict any aspect of firearms in a realistic way. I can assure you that a 600 Nitro Express will not knock "somebody/something" of its feet. |
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Post by Winterland on Dec 20, 2014 20:31:08 GMT -6
Cooking some venison steaks and backstraps on the grill tonight. Pure organic protein. Barely any fat. As Ted Nugent calls it, rocket fuel for the body. It tastes great too.  |
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Hunting
Dec 20, 2014 20:42:35 GMT -6
Post by Old26 on Dec 20, 2014 20:42:35 GMT -6
Awesome - I just made some Bison and avocado tonight. 97% lean and the greens. Good living!
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