2022-2023 Hunting Thread

[Sam Lin 3541]

Uh, look at it the other way. You normally only see 1-2 a year and you just took two out in a single day? You clearly have a coyote problem now, even if you didn't before.

[Frank Drebin 5616]

I hunt a lot.  Normally in south Texas.  Have been at wife’s dad’s place in east Texas this week.  Was a pretty night last night.  No game.  Father in law did kill a spike.  He’s up there in age so I gutted, skinned and quartered it.  
 

 

[Pdawg88 1110]

Hunting at our lease outside of Seiling Oklahoma. It is a cold bitch today, still a bit of snow on the ground. Hunting a ladder stand between where the deer leave the wheat fields and go back to bed. Had to come set a pop up blind for my daughter and i to come hunt this weekend, so decided to do some bowhunting while I’m here. 

[PTINS 3442]

I saw this guy 4 days in here at the house. 

[Reagan1k 3016]

Saw on camera what I believe is a prime example of the drought's effects...... for us anyway.

We had a 3.5 / 4.5 yr old main frame long tined 10 with a nice G2 kicker last year that we'd hoped would be really special. 

He's easily identifiable because of a white spot on his hide.

Watch him all last year and knew he'd made it through gun season.

Haven't seen him since February.  He finally showed up last night on camera (I guess the cold and / or rut finally got him out of seclusion).

He's added some mass and his G1/G2/G3 lengths are arguably better, but he lost at least 12" of combined G4 length (nothing more than bumps this year) and his 3" kicker is now just a nub.  He's in good shape physically, and IMO definitely shows at 4.5 yrs now. 

If he'll stay on property and not get himself shot by neighbors (and we have a better weather year) it'll be interesting to see a side by side by side comparison showing the effects of a drought in the middle as he ages into a mature buck.

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

Good luck breakfast at the only place I’ll eat at when I’m down here. Now it’s time to start the killin’

[hookemATL 11604]

Wife has big paper due for her Masters program so I am biting the bullet and watching both kiddos for Friday - Saturday. Which allows me to trade off on Sunday and head out to get some burn piles done in the morning before getting settled around 2-3 in the blind. Plan on hunting Sunday night and all day Monday. 
 

if the deer don’t want to come out and play there has been a coyote issue the past month or so. Need to make them pay for stealing chickens. 

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

10pt and two does down. This is gonna be fun cleaning until damn near midnight

[CHIEF 5071]

Was gonna leave tonight but CHIEF Jr. is still in a class giving a presentation. Also, my late father's sister passed, and visitation is tonight. We are leaving in the morning for the lease, in Benjamin, won't be coming back till Monday the 28th.

CHIEF

Edited November 19, 2022 by CHIEF

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

It’s not what it used to be by any stretch of the imagination, but it ain’t a trip to see Grandma if I don’t get my Schroeder’s fix

[CHIEF 5071]

8 hours ago, Herbie Hancock said:

Good luck breakfast at the only place I’ll eat at when I’m down here. Now it’s time to start the killin’

It's funny, all the guys I hunt with are from Temple/Killeen/Belton/Salado, they drive 5-5 1/2 hours each week to hunt in Benjamin.

CHIEF

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

Gonna head out in the morning with all three stinkies to give momma a break and cruise around on the side by side with them, maybe explore some creek beds, and just do some fun stuff out at our family land. The flintlock is gonna have to chill for a bit, and I'm going to bring along my .243 that is set up for longer range shots as well as my .300 BO for when we are exploring the creek beds in the brush after last weekends monster buck for the property casually crossing the road 250 yards off while I was cruising around with my flintlock episode. Anyhow, the plan is to spend some time with them just hanging out, not really looking for anything, but being ready, and then take them back home to momma in time to get back out for an evening hunt and then another in the morning after spending the night in the camper. After that we'll take the camper home (we are going camping over Thanksgiving break, which looks like it might become a family tradition, so I gotta make sure everything is ready) and head out to the inlaws' place where the middle kid will probably want to go sit in the blind out there with me. 

It's dang near as complicated as sports season just planning time to hunt and balancing family as well when you have young children. I'm just glad I have one who wants to go do that stuff with me at only three years old.

[deadshank 24651]

Rained out this morning in Uvalde.  Glad to have the moisture.   Have lots to do before the entire mob shows up for Tday weekend.   Will have 10 people down for the complete madhouse.  
 

Lots of turkey to eat, whisky to lie and embellish over and tags to fill.  
 

A great time of year. 

[686 3404]

Got my 10 yr old on her first deer this morning. She spined it, I needed to put a follow up on it but no worries. Saw two coyotes but they were gone before I could get my rifle on one. Saw a half dozen young bucks, one 4.5-5.5 yr old buck that would make antler restrictions but I’m still holding out for a look at the big 10. 33 degrees in Lampasas this morning

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

One more doe this morning right at sunrise. Waited for a shot at another one because they all stayed put and about the time I had one picked out and she started making her to me it started sleeting. Headed home now and I still can’t feel my fingers or toes.

[SamsCorner 395]

Osage County OKLA

[Pdawg88 1110]

1 hour ago, SamsCorner said:

Osage County OKLA

Whereabouts? I lived in Bartlesville when I was in 6-8 th grade. That was 30 years ago. Probably my favorite part off the state, most beautiful by far. 

[SamsCorner 395]

5 hours ago, Pdawg88 said:

Whereabouts? I lived in Bartlesville when I was in 6-8 th grade. That was 30 years ago. Probably my favorite part off the state, most beautiful by far. 

Halfway between Hominy and Pawhuska 

[Kennythetiger 9334]

21 hours ago, 686 said:

Got my 10 yr old on her first deer this morning. She spined it, I needed to put a follow up on it but no worries. Saw two coyotes but they were gone before I could get my rifle on one. Saw a half dozen young bucks, one 4.5-5.5 yr old buck that would make antler restrictions but I’m still holding out for a look at the big 10. 33 degrees in Lampasas this morning

Dia de las muertos. 

[Pdawg88 1110]

3 hours ago, SamsCorner said:

Halfway between Hominy and Pawhuska 

It is beautiful up that way. We hunt between Seiling and Oakwood. Good luck to you this year. 

Edited November 20, 2022 by Pdawg88

[noharleyyet 2837]

The Crown sock is rattling sticks....rut should heat up next week

.257 Wby Mag

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by noharleyyet

[SamsCorner 395]

Good opening weekend for my lease mates.

[MalibuSheriff 1088]

9 hours ago, SamsCorner said:

Halfway between Hominy and Pawhuska 

Nice.  I used to hunt with my dad west of Hulah Lake.  The bluestem country grows big deer.

[cabowabo 4451]

I aim to kill every one of these mother fuckers, bag limits be damned.

[hookemATL 11604]

Oooo they be fuckin’

[fattyflattie 4636]

Apparently one of the kiddos on the lease got a nice management 9.   Haven’t got a chance to get back down since opening weekend; didn’t even see a deer.  Fingers crossed this next weekend goes better. Leasemates said the bucks were all rutting up and running around like idiots this weekend. 

[Kennythetiger 9334]

7 hours ago, cabowabo said:

I aim to kill every one of these mother fuckers, bag limits be damned.

Those are javelina, correct?  Your native species?  I thought you guys really hated the feral pigs. 

[Al Czervik 1228]

Finally, it’s been years since hunting and shooting opportunities have afforded Al this blessing. 
Blanco County, 125g Reduced recoil Core lok, 30-06 70’s vintage REM 700.  
(New trigger courtesy of Remington lawsuit, 5 years ago) Shoots like a dream. 
Please excuse the blood. 

[noharleyyet 2837]

45-70 325gr Flex Tip Hornady LeverEvolution took out half his heart and he still bolted 40 yards. The rut is on...

Large body sheathed in pre-rut fat.

 

 

[cabowabo 4451]

4 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

Those are javelina, correct?  Your native species?  I thought you guys really hated the feral pigs. 

They're native.  For some reason, the State of Texas has deemed them a "game" animal and imposed a bag limit of 2 per year on them.  Bastards show up right after the feeder goes off and clean house.  Unfortunately, that feeder is in a narrow area not conducive to the erection of some hog panels.  I'm taking a chainsaw out there this weekend and am gonna clear an area so I can put some panels up around that feeder and keep those fuckers out and away from the corn.

[fattyflattie 4636]

2 hours ago, noharleyyet said:

45-70 325gr Flex Tip Hornady LeverEvolution took out half his heart and he still bolted 40 yards. The rut is on...

Large body sheathed in pre-rut fat.

 

 

Man, you've got nice deer on your place.  Last year had a nice buck too, iirc.  Congrats. 

[BabaYaga 15208]

6 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

Those are javelina, correct?  Your native species?  I thought you guys really hated the feral pigs. 

Skunk-pigs are like racoons.  Once they find a food source, it's a PITA to get rid of them.  In numbers, they can also deter deer from coming in to the feeder.  I'd smoke as many of them as you can.  

[HouTex 1850]

5 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

Skunk-pigs are like racoons.  Once they find a food source, it's a PITA to get rid of them.  In numbers, they can also deter deer from coming in to the feeder.  I'd smoke as many of them as you can.  

This.  You smell them before you see them. 

[Frank Drebin 5616]

22 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

Skunk-pigs are like racoons.  Once they find a food source, it's a PITA to get rid of them.  In numbers, they can also deter deer from coming in to the feeder.  I'd smoke as many of them as you can.  

They are dumb.  They will just stand there and let you shoot them.  Unlike hogs who will scatter.

[Frank Drebin 5616]

On 11/21/2022 at 9:33 AM, noharleyyet said:

45-70 325gr Flex Tip Hornady LeverEvolution took out half his heart and he still bolted 40 yards. The rut is on...

Large body sheathed in pre-rut fat.

 

 

 

I love that natural looking buck.  Nice rig you have too.  Pretty wood.

[MalibuSheriff 1088]

First time hunting back in Oklahoma in about a decade in one of my old spots. No bueno last night but beautiful evening hunting around the shores of Lake Tenkiller.

[Brisketexan 104556]

They're native.  For some reason, the State of Texas has deemed them a "game" animal and imposed a bag limit of 2 per year on them.  Bastards show up right after the feeder goes off and clean house.  Unfortunately, that feeder is in a narrow area not conducive to the erection of some hog panels.  I'm taking a chainsaw out there this weekend and am gonna clear an area so I can put some panels up around that feeder and keep those fuckers out and away from the corn.

Best tamales I’ve ever had were javelina tamales made by the Turcottes (S Tx family friends). I was a kid, had been fishing at their place in Riviera Beach for a coupla days, and they brought 2 dozen, hot and fresh. Goddamn they were amazing. So, that’s something javelina is good for.

[fattyflattie 4636]

33 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Best tamales I’ve ever had were javelina tamales made by the Turcottes (S Tx family friends). I was a kid, had been fishing at their place in Riviera Beach for a coupla days, and they brought 2 dozen, hot and fresh. Goddamn they were amazing. So, that’s something javelina is good for.

Where’s the punchline?   
 

I’ve read if you can skin them without the skin ever touching the meat, get the glands out immediately, etc, they can be eaten. I got a friend that eats kingfish too, though, so who knows.  I used to see a TON of them on our place but not in last few years. Was hoping it would be first kill for my oldest, as she was working her way up on calibers to get to “deer sized”.  But they got the memo and disappeared I guess.  

1 hour ago, MalibuSheriff said:

First time hunting back in Oklahoma in about a decade in one of my old spots. No bueno last night but beautiful evening hunting around the shores of Lake Tenkiller.

Like that Wby. 

[MalibuSheriff 1088]

Quote

Like that Wby. 

.257 has never let me down.

Laser beam.

[ImissWallyPryor 9045]

49 minutes ago, MalibuSheriff said:

Laser beam

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

I eat a lot of weird shit. Sushi, cabrito, calf fries, Allsup’s corn dogs, tripas, lengua to name a few. But under absolutely no circumstance will I eat wild pig. Nastiest gotdamned critters.

[cabowabo 4451]

13 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:

I eat a lot of weird shit. Sushi, cabrito, calf fries, Allsup’s corn dogs, tripas, lengua to name a few. But under absolutely no circumstance will I eat wild pig. Nastiest gotdamned critters.

Javelina ain’t a pig. It’s a collared peccary. 

[fattyflattie 4636]

3 hours ago, MalibuSheriff said:

.257 has never let me down.

Laser beam.

Me either, it’s my go to. That little 100 grain spirepoint even took down an unexpected Nilgai last year.  The “hits harder” part of Roy’s sell was pretty accurate.  

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

3 hours ago, Herbie Hancock said:

I eat a lot of weird shit. Sushi, cabrito, calf fries, Allsup’s corn dogs, tripas, lengua to name a few. But under absolutely no circumstance will I eat wild pig. Nastiest gotdamned critters.

You sound like someone who wears Tecovas.

[Herbie Hancock 7303]

5 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

You sound like someone who wears Tecovas.

You could have called my momma a whore and kicked my dog and I wouldn’t be as offended as I am now. 

[Frank Drebin 5616]

12 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

Me either, it’s my go to. That little 100 grain spirepoint even took down an unexpected Nilgai last year.  The “hits harder” part of Roy’s sell was pretty accurate.  

I shoot my 257 WBY almost exclusively now, and I have a lot of rifles.  Might be the least expensive gun I own too.  Weatherby Vanguard.  It shoots so fine.  I do have good glass on it.

[fattyflattie 4636]

54 minutes ago, Frank Drebin said:

I shoot my 257 WBY almost exclusively now, and I have a lot of rifles.  Might be the least expensive gun I own too.  Weatherby Vanguard.  It shoots so fine.  I do have good glass on it.

I have a .257 Vanguard that shoots better than my Mark V’s, so over the last several years, it usually gets the nod. It’s not my absolute most accurate rifle, but it’s easily my most accurate that isn’t a custom job. I have a custom 6.5-06 that will hold that title, probably forever. But the vanguard, for $1000 or whatever is a *damn fine rifle. 

*the action isn’t as glass as my Mark 5’s, pre-64’s, or old Sakos, but what is? 

[MalibuSheriff 1088]

4 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

I have a .257 Vanguard that shoots better than my Mark V’s, so over the last several years, it usually gets the nod. It’s not my absolute most accurate rifle, but it’s easily my most accurate that isn’t a custom job. I have a custom 6.5-06 that will hold that title, probably forever. But the vanguard, for $1000 or whatever is a *damn fine rifle. 

*the action isn’t as glass as my Mark 5’s, pre-64’s, or old Sakos, but what is? 

Mine is the old Sub-MOA Vanguard.

I walked in to Sportsman’s Warehouse up in Round Rock in 2008 or so, when they were closing.  Completely unplanned but best gun purchase I’ve ever made.

I’ve got a decent scope but I should upgrade to some really nice glass as it’s all I shoot now.  I’ve got multiple .308s, Sako .270, .243, and others but Vanguard .257 is my go-to.

[RMac5 1550]

I have read that the 257 was Roy’s favorite caliber. It is a death beam for sure.

[MalibuSheriff 1088]

4 hours ago, RMac5 said:

I have read that the 257 was Roy’s favorite caliber. It is a death beam for sure.

Here’s an excellent older article on the .257:

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/ammunition_st257weatherbymagnum_031706/100524

Quote

Through the years Roy used the speedy cartridge quite successfully on game as large as moose and elk, and even the mighty Cape buffalo fell with one shot during one of Roy's many trips to Africa. Declaring war on something as big and potentially nasty as a Cape buffalo with a 100-grain bullet was not something he recommended to others, and Roy did it just once to prove to himself that it could be done.

 

Quote

With the rifle zeroed three inches high at 100 yards, bullets landed an inch high at 300 yards and dead-on my point of aim at 400. Accuracy was minute of angle (MOA) all the way out to that distance. When hunting with that particular rifle and ammunition, I could have held dead-on the vital area of an antelope at any range from just off the toes of my boots all the way out to about 430 yards.