2022-2023 Hunting Thread

[686 3461]

I screwed up last season and guided an inexperienced hunter into shooting two does, the second of which happened to be a button buck. I just didn’t check closely enough. Honestly it was only at ~100 yards so I probably just took a glance through the binos before giving him the green light. My eyes just aren’t good enough to take much for granted anymore.

Luckily he wasn’t bothered by it.

[Spaulding Smails 1610]

About 15 years ago, I was hunting at my lease in South Texas.  We didn't have any game cameras, but my uncle had seen a big mainframe 10 with matching kickers on his G2s right before the rut.  He was out filling feeders and came across him mid-day.  I hadn't shot a "trophy" buck on that place in a few years, so the following weekend I went and sat in a stand nearby.  Got in the stand on Saturday morning and it was super foggy.  I knew I had deer in the sendero, and when the fog finally started to burned off around 9:00, I saw the buck my uncle had seen at about 80 yards.  I dropped him in his tracks, let him lay for a bit, and got out of the stand.  It was a 10 with matching kickers... but he was only about 18" wide and not super heavy.  It wasn't the same deer.  I shot a 3-1/2 y/o with TONS of potential.  Needless to say, I take my time to be 100% sure on my shot now.  We've all screwed up at some point. 

[deadshank 24654]

At deer camp, got morning work done, Texas up 21 on OUsucks, nobody here to pester me, barbacoa for lunch, dove shoot lined up for afternoon.  
 

Superior living. 

[Kennythetiger 9618]

3 hours ago, deadshank said:

At deer camp, got morning work done, Texas up 21 on OUsucks, nobody here to pester me, barbacoa for lunch, dove shoot lined up for afternoon.  
 

Superior living. 

Tiny Elvis thinks so too. 

[deadshank 24654]

23 minutes ago, Kennythetiger said:

Tiny Elvis thinks so too. 

Literally a George Jones “The King is Gone and So Are You” Elvis full of Jim Beam. 

[RMac5 1557]

Love my chipps,  ou does suck!

[DalTxHornFan 3130]

3 hours ago, deadshank said:

At deer camp, got morning work done, Texas up 21 on OUsucks, nobody here to pester me, barbacoa for lunch, dove shoot lined up for afternoon.  
 

Superior living. 

Living the dream on this gold letter day!  Hook 'em!

[deadshank 24654]

4.4 miles

bullet travel time 24.5 seconds

dang

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/7-774-yards-new-world-record-rifle-shot-set-in-wyoming

 

(Of course, you badasses could pull it off with your concealed Ruger LCP .380s)

 

[CHIEF 5223]

4 hours ago, deadshank said:

4.4 miles

bullet travel time 24.5 seconds

dang

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/7-774-yards-new-world-record-rifle-shot-set-in-wyoming

 

(Of course, you badasses could pull it off with your concealed Ruger LCP .380s)

 

I can hit a beer can at over 100 with a Daisy Red Rider multiple times. It's all about being able to calculate the drop. Won many cases of beer. That guy is good at math.

CHIEF

Edited October 11, 2022 by CHIEF

[cknight 184]

Only took 77 shots to do it

[Reagan1k 3042]

When you have to factor in the curvature of the earth and its rotation - that's a long way.

I'd still be sitting there.  Impressive!

[BabaYaga 15623]

11 hours ago, CHIEF said:

I can hit a beer can at over 100 with a Daisy Red Rider multiple times. It's all about being able to calculate the drop. Won many cases of beer. That guy is good at math.

CHIEF

lol, same.  Distance from the front porch of the cabin to the steel plates on the far side of the stock tank is 129 yards.  I have metal plates our there about the size of a soccer ball.  I can bullseye most every time with my Ruger .22lr pistol.  I have a marker in the trees that is the exact elevation to aim for that so far, nobody else has noticed.  Won mucho booze this way.  

[deadshank 24654]

23 minutes ago, BabaYaga said:

lol, same.  Distance from the front porch of the cabin to the steel plates on the far side of the stock tank is 129 yards.  I have metal plates our there about the size of a soccer ball.  I can bullseye most every time with my Ruger .22lr pistol.  I have a marker in the trees that is the exact elevation to aim for that so far, nobody else has noticed.  Won mucho booze this way.  

If you’re not cheating you’re not trying. 

[Kennythetiger 9618]

Bunch of counterfeit Quigleys up in here. 

[Kennythetiger 9618]

18 hours ago, CHIEF said:

I can hit a beer can at over 100 with a Daisy Red Rider multiple times. It's all about being able to calculate the drop. Won many cases of beer. That guy is good at math.

CHIEF

I still have my childhood Red Ryder. Its velocity now is low enough that I can follow the BB, like shooting tracer rounds. Enjoyable as hell to plink. 🙂

[Jerry Callo 8958]

I still have my childhood Red Ryder. Its velocity now is low enough that I can follow the BB, like shooting tracer rounds. Enjoyable as hell to plink.

Same.  I use it to chase squirrels out of the owl box.  Get's their attention, but doesn't leave a dead squirrel. 

[CHIEF 5223]

2 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

I still have my childhood Red Ryder. Its velocity now is low enough that I can follow the BB, like shooting tracer rounds. Enjoyable as hell to plink. 🙂

I wear mine out. I've been through 4-5. I have my new one, which has probably 15 rounds through it, so I can't see the BB yet. But when it does slow down so I can see it, it will be my ringer. I have two more, brand new, in their boxes in my closet.

CHIEF

[686 3461]

Did my last bit of target practice Saturday while the OU game was starting. not great / not terrible results. (Swirling wind, i held too much windage, need to not overcompensate)

I couldn’t let it screw up my hunting prep if Texas was screwing up in Dallas; figured I’d watch later on delay or dvr. Dad came down to the barn at halftime and said you’re going to want to come see this, so I wrapped up practice and enjoyed the game. Still enjoying it on third rewatching.

Back to hunting: took time Sunday and Monday to get 95% packed. Leaving Thursday, can’t wait. Imitation elk quarter isn’t going; getting in a one more Ruck around the neighborhood tonight before I swap the cargo net off the frame for the bag.

[deadshank 24654]

56 minutes ago, 686 said:

Did my last bit of target practice Saturday while the OU game was starting. not great / not terrible results. (Swirling wind, i held too much windage, need to not overcompensate)

I couldn’t let it screw up my hunting prep if Texas was screwing up in Dallas; figured I’d watch later on delay or dvr. Dad came down to the barn at halftime and said you’re going to want to come see this, so I wrapped up practice and enjoyed the game. Still enjoying it on third rewatching.

Back to hunting: took time Sunday and Monday to get 95% packed. Leaving Thursday, can’t wait. Imitation elk quarter isn’t going; getting in a one more Ruck around the neighborhood tonight before I swap the cargo net off the frame for the bag.

Have a great trip.  Remind us again where you’re off to. 

[686 3461]

Have a great trip.  Remind us again where you’re off to. 

Thanks! Southwest Colorado. Scouting and small game hunting Friday, elk hunting starts Saturday. The calf muscle I tore in March is still bothering me, so going to be taking it slow and easy.

[Reagan1k 3042]

Dead man Walking - This old SOB on the left has risen up the shoot on sight chart.  2 x 4 with a gut.  His partner on the right has some growing up to do.

 

[deadshank 24654]

1 hour ago, Reagan1k said:

Dead man Walking - This old SOB on the left has risen up the shoot on sight chart.  2 x 4 with a gut.  His partner on the right has some growing up to do.

 

Beefy boy needs bullet. 

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4999]

He'll probably be dead next year whether or not you shoot him. I'd save my tag.

[Reagan1k 3042]

11 minutes ago, deadshank said:

Beefy boy needs bullet. 

Drought resistant appetite I guess.

Lots more groceries for someone else when he becomes sausage. 

[fattyflattie 4640]

4 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

He'll probably be dead next year whether or not you shoot him. I'd save my tag.

Be a good deer for a guests kid. 

[Reagan1k 3042]

1 hour ago, fattyflattie said:

Be a good deer for a guests kid. 

Yep.  He’s in too good of shape for this to be his last- naturally anyway.

Between guests and kids/grandkids plus every hunter being happy to shoot culls, he’ll be eaten. 

 

[686 3461]

Made it to CO, saw lots of mulies and turkeys today, but no elk yet. Hopefully tomorrow. A little too warm, but very scenic.

[686 3461]

Cooked elk steaks from my last year’s bull over the open fire tonight which was nice. Also bought a bear tag today. We saw a decent black bear last year here and the neighbor said they saw a big one a few months ago. Bear bacon, bear grease, hams, a rug and a skull would be fun.

In the frontier days, bears were market hunted for eating while deer were primarily market hunted for hides.

[markstanco 12785]

I’m going to pat myself on the back for a minute, just got the numbers texted to me about 30 minutes ago.

Year 15 of starting and being the VP of the local Delta Waterfowl chapter. We typically hit around 45k gross and 18k net each year. This years wasn’t a record for gross or net, but we hit 52k and 22k respectively on Thursday. Recognized a few times in the top ten in the magazine for net.

The president and treasurer and myself are turning it over to the young bucks who are really doing the legwork on tables and gathering guns. The chapter is in good hands.

Don’t forget: ducks unlimited hates Jesus, old people, and puppies. Support your local Delta Waterfowl chapter.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4999]

21 hours ago, 686 said:

Cooked elk steaks from my last year’s bull over the open fire tonight which was nice. Also bought a bear tag today. We saw a decent black bear last year here and the neighbor said they saw a big one a few months ago. Bear bacon, bear grease, hams, a rug and a skull would be fun.

In the frontier days, bears were market hunted for eating while deer were primarily market hunted for hides.

Bear grease apparently makes great patch lube for muzzleloaders and all kinds of other stuff. There's even records of pioneers felting the fur, along with raccoon fur to make hats out of.

[686 3461]

Got into the elk this evening. My hunting partner put down a spike for his first bull ever, so that was great. I saw 4 spikes and a herd of cows/calves, but no big bulls. We saw a trophy mulie buck as well. Beautiful evening.

[deadshank 24654]

11 hours ago, 686 said:

Got into the elk this evening. My hunting partner put down a spike for his first bull ever, so that was great. I saw 4 spikes and a herd of cows/calves, but no big bulls. We saw a trophy mulie buck as well. Beautiful evening.

Absolutely Allsome. 

[cknight 184]

Stud Mulie!!

[BabaYaga 15623]

On 10/14/2022 at 10:26 PM, 686 said:

In the frontier days, bears were market hunted for eating while deer were primarily market hunted for hides.

Yep.  Rinella edumacated me on that watching Meat Eater.  Also said mountain lion meat is better than pork?  I've had bear steaks with some kind if berry reduction sauce.  Damn good.  

[Noogman 161]

Heading out to the lease this evening to catch some of this cold weather tomorrow morning. Was able to get in 3 hunts for the archery opener, but didn't see much. The rainfall the area received just before the start of the season has it looking like spring out there. Nothing is coming to the feeders.

I have a spot about 15' up in an oak tree that gives me a good view in every direction. Saw a nice, dark-horned 7 or 8 pointer from that spot a few weeks ago about 120 yards out...wouldn't mind getting a closer look at him. Wouldn't mind putting a doe in the freezer either.

[fattyflattie 4640]

Saw a nice big 8 on a low fence fence line on 71 while heading to DKR Saturday AM.  Very nice 8.    I’m officially pumped up for the season.  

[686 3461]

Saw a cow and her calf today but no bulls. Didn’t hear a single rifle shot today, so something had the elk hunkered down. Hitting it again early in the morning, two days left to the season.

[686 3461]

Yep.  Rinella edumacated me on that watching Meat Eater.  Also said mountain lion meat is better than pork?  I've had bear steaks with some kind if berry reduction sauce.  Damn good.  

I’ve heard him talk about it and I think it was in a book I read about Boone. Also there is a roadside historical monument by a settler’s cabin site close to Junction that talks about how they ate bears in lieu of pork there as well.

[BabaYaga 15623]

7 hours ago, 686 said:

Saw a cow and her calf today but no bulls. Didn’t hear a single rifle shot today, so something had the elk hunkered down. Hitting it again early in the morning, two days left to the season.

JFC, that's a postcard.

[BabaYaga 15623]

7 hours ago, 686 said:

I’ve heard him talk about it and I think it was in a book I read about Boone. Also there is a roadside historical monument by a settler’s cabin site close to Junction that talks about how they ate bears in lieu of pork there as well.

The bear is also so much more practical for early travelers.  The heavier hide.  The fat/tallow.  The richer meat.  All of it.  Venison is so lean.  You might have heard of the "rabbit" starvation, or more properly - protein starvation.  When the meat is so lean, your stomach is full, but the lack of fat is problematic is you are not eating the organs, etc.  

As long as you don't undercook the meat - most predator meat is outstanding (trichinosis)

[Anastasis 23716]

Think that it may just be the way he is hunched over in this pic, but this mofo already looks like a sausage to me. 

 

 

 

[deadshank 24654]

37 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Think that it may just be the way he is hunched over in this pic, but this mofo already looks like a sausage to me. 

 

 

 

Is your shredder broke?

[Anastasis 23716]

Just now, deadshank said:

Is your shredder broke?

Some asshole stole the starter off the old tractor. 

[deadshank 24654]

26 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Some asshole stole the starter off the old tractor. 

And I thought you just liked big bushes.

[hookemATL 12240]

4 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

JFC, that's a postcard.

 

[Ragde 260]

Went to my new lease in Arkansas for muzzle loader opener this weekend. Had a gentleman on the lease who had a gas leak in his camper. Long story short check you equipment and get a fire extinguisher. This could have gone really bad. 1 person with minor burns and a 1 with some a bit more serious. 

[williemackgarza 1826]

Went to my new lease in Arkansas for muzzle loader opener this weekend. Had a gentleman on the lease who had a gas leak in his camper. Long story short check you equipment and get a fire extinguisher. This could have gone really bad. 1 person with minor burns and a 1 with some a bit more serious. 

Holee shitt.
Hope they turn out ok.
Keep us posted.
That coulda been so bad

[fattyflattie 4640]

12 hours ago, deadshank said:

Is your shredder broke?

I left my area kind of tall this year.  I typically hunt over a decent sized little paddock, and wanted to see if leaving it tall makes them a bit more comfortable. I did cut a few lanes to assist.  But we’ll see, I guess. 

[686 3461]

Well, bad luck today again. On my way into the spot I wanted to hunt today I spooked a good size herd that was bedded maybe 30 yards off the trail. It was too dark to see them but it was a good number of elk, lots of noise as they got up and got out. There wasn’t a way to pursue them through the thick timber and private land was only a mile or so the direction they headed, so I waited at my spot, a nice meadow up the hill from where they were bedded, but no luck. Another beautiful day 8000’ above my typical rat race. Taking a nap in the mountains after a backpack lunch out of cell service is best nap possible.

[686 3461]

Went to my new lease in Arkansas for muzzle loader opener this weekend. Had a gentleman on the lease who had a gas leak in his camper. Long story short…

That’s terrible but wow could have been so much worse. Glad everybody made it out alive.