Wildlife 2019/2020 Deer Season

[Wildlife]

Thursday, December 26, 2019 - 'Honey Hole' - The Follow Up:

I didn't see nor hear any deer during legal time, which isn't too surprising because the area consist of big woods with several other AG fields in the surrounding area.

At quitting time, I put my little hunting pack on the seat of my stand and stuffed it with my binos, rangefinder, grunt call, hooks & straps, and then pulled out my minor light and put it on my head.

Then I took the small pack and grabbed my bow, hooked them up to my hang line and then lowered them to the ground.

When I turned back around to unhook from my safety belt and unravel it from the tree, I noticed a deer standing there just within the field, within my best window at 20 yards, to the North, looking towards my direction, but not up into my tree. I believe the deer heard my bow & packed hit the ground because that was the area it was looking towards.

I couldn't tell what kind of deer it was at first because it was 'TOO' dark. It was the only deer in the field at that time and I could tell it was of decent size.

So, I froze in place and watched.

Then the deer put its head to the ground and that's when I could tell it was a buck. I could see the outer portion of his rack up against the ground, but I couldn't tell what kind of frame he had.

I could tell that his rack was at least out past his ears and of decent mass, but for the life of me, I just just couldn't make out how many points he had or how tall they were.

I didn't think to shine my minor light on him at the time because I was 'TOO' excited to see that it was a buck, plus he caught me off guard. I never did hear comin.

Then he started to slowly walk further out into the field towards the end of the wooded finger that goes out further into the field, just to the West.

Along the way, he'd occasionally put his noise to the ground and stop briefly to sniff, which he did that the first time right at my second best window, at 30-40 yards.

(A buck stepped out into the field approximately @5:55 p.m.)

He never did look back in my direction again, however, I continued to watch him go to the end of that finger within the field and he either stepped into the wooded section of it, or he walked around the end of the finger and finally out of sight, approximately 120 yards away heading W-NW.

I then continued to breakdown the rest of my stand & sticks while climbing down. When I reached the ground, I quietly packed everything up, threw them on my back, grabbed my bow and sat down of huge tree log to wait.

I decided to wait near my tree for good bit because that buck walked in the direction that I go to get to my truck.

I made sure I gave him plenty of time to get to wherever he intended on going so I wouldn't spook him from the area when I decided to make my hike.

Nearly a half an hour later, I started my way towards the truck, staying clear out into the middle of the field and far away from the wooded area where I thought he went.

I didn't hear nor see any deer while hiking out.

I got to truck over an hour later than normal, which is fine by me if I didn't spook that buck out of the area.

He was the only deer I seen today.

I won't be hunting tomorrow because I have 'TOO' many things to take care of, plus I'll be taking my boys out to dinner for the last time this year. They'll be heading back to regular lives' come Sunday. The eldest is traveling to New York City and the youngest is headed back to Ohio University in Athens.

Saturday will be my next hunt at the same property.

 

[Redhunter1012]

Good recap Denny. Sounds like a great spot when the cold weather hits us again

 

[Wildlife]

To give everyone a better of an idea of where I've been hunting the past few days, which is a small portion of the entire property, you can clearly see the wooded finger that goes out into the the cut soybean field along with the cup area that I specifically hunted yesterday afternoon.

North is at the top of the map.

It's the only small AG field owned by the property owner, but there are several others far to the East & West.

The patch of large mature pines are just to the East of that cut soybean field, which is where I set up yesterday, right in between them and the cut soybean field near the bottom of the cup.

The huge holler is to the North with a creek clear at the bottom of it.

There isn't any flat land anywhere within the wooded area. Several steep & deep ravines that the deer naturally use for cover while traveling typically. One ravine ends/starts within the wooded finger providing easy access for the deer.

My view from the tree-stand yesterday looking towards the mature pines, which is where I believe that buck resides.

Like I said, it's a beautiful piece of property, but it's not the easiest to drag a deer out of. This I know from experience.

Saturday will be my next hunt there, which will be my third one since I started hunting it again.

 

[giles]

Nice pine thicket! That’ll hold deer when the weather gets sideways.

 

[finelyshedded]

Great recap Denny! That property is unbelievable! Good luck hunting that buck.

 

[Wildlife]

Friday, December 27, 2019 - 'Muzzy Ready':

Got the old 50 caliper 'Knight' muzzleloader out and took it for a spin since I converted it to the 209 'Federal' caps ignition system, 100 grains of the 209 'Blackhorn' powder with the 290 grain 'Barnes TMZ Copper Polymer Tip Boat Tail Sabots'.

I shot it ten times at two paper targets, #1 target from 100 yards using the 'Weaver' 3x9-40 duplex riflescope, and target #2 from 35 yards using the new open sights.

I shot five rounds at each target then I thoroughly cleaned the rifle in between the two sets of targets.

I admit, I'm not the greatest shot with this hunting implement, but it was given to me by my father-in-law and I'd like to harvest my first muzzy deer with it this up & coming muzzy season.

I hit target #1 three times, complete miss on the first, just missed on the second shot. Then made a minor windage scope adjustment and hit the target with the following three.

I hit target #2 four times, just missing my first shot to the left. The others are grouped well enough for me.

The 'Knight' is good to go!
_________________________________________

Just finished up having a nice dinner with my two sons in Columbus and now we're headed back home so I can go clean the muzzleloader.

My boys will be traveling back to their homes over the weekend.

It was a wonderful Christmas having the entire family together again under one roof.

It doesn't get much better than that for me these days.

Feeling very blessed!

 

[Wildlife]

Saturday, December 28, 2019- 'The Cup':

I'm settled in at the same property, same spot I hunted Thursday evening when the only deer I saw was a decent buck just after legal time within the 'cup' of the cut soybean field.

Cloudy & grey out with a current temperature of 48 degrees and a mild East wind coming from the thick pines straight out in front of me, which is where the deer have came from the last two times I've hunted this place.

I'm now cooling off and waiting for 'Prime-Time'

 

[Wildlife]

Saturday, December 28, 2019- 'The Cup' - The Follow Up:

Moments after making my last post, I caught a glimpse of the ass end of a deer to the NE within the woods, about where I first hunted the property on 'Christmas Day', heading further NE towards the creek. I couldn't tell what kind of deer it was, but it was all by itself.

The next deer sighting was at 4:55 p.m. when I seen four deer make their way out of the pines to the South/my right, at approximately 50 yards. I watched them slowly make their way out into the cut soybean field. That group of four slowly made their way straight out into the field approximately 100 yards SW of me and grazed for about a half an hour.

The next group of deer, I assume, came from the same area as the first four, however I didn't see them until they got within bow range of me, right along the field wood edge, heading towards me very slowly. Two of those four got within 25 yards of me and eventually winded me a little bit, however they couldn't find me and they didn't get crazy. No blow or flag, they just moved closer to the other four.

(Six minute Tactacam video clip of the the deer that closest to me.)

At approximately 5:30 p.m., all eight of them slowly headed back to where they originally came from, back into the pines and gone.

I didn't see nor hear anymore deer after them.

I packed up right at quitting time because it just started to sprinkle rain.

I climbed down safely, packed up the 'Lone Wolf' & hunting pack, put them over my shoulders, grabbed the bow and headed straight to the truck.

No antlers seen today, however the first deer could've been a buck.

So, today, which was another fun hunt at the 'Honey Hole' within'The Cup' mainly, I seen a total of 9 deer during legal time and 6 of them got to be within bow range.
_______________________________________________________

I'm not sure when I'll get back out to that property again.

The weather is supposed to get real soggy & wet over the next couple of days. Then the temps are supposed to fall after that weather front works its way on through.

But, you can bet your bottom dollar though, I'll get out there as soon as the weather conditions call for it, trying to knock down a good buck.

GO BUCKS!

 

[Wildlife]

Monday, December 30, 2019 - 'The Howling':

Thinking about getting out later on tonight for my second coyote hunt if isn't raining or 'TOO' foggy out.

I just finished up putting on my latest 'Ambush Wicked Light System' that I recently purchased during a great sale through 'All Predator Calls' (https://allpredatorcalls.com/cart.php), and installed it on my '1972'-336 30-30 Marlin Lever Rifle, which it came with a pressure switch to turn on/off the light and I mounted it right underneath the forearm of the rifle.

It works GREAT!

It's an easier gun to carrying through the thicker brush & creek bottom, and it's dialed in for out to 200 yards.

It's one of my first rifles that I ever owned, which my father gave it to me when I was just a kid.

I absolutely love this rifle and I'm looking forward to trying to take down a coyote with it!

It's currently loaded with 7 rounds of 170 grain 'Remington Core-Lokts', which I know will decimate any coyote if given the opportunity. I'm a dead eye with this rifle in it's current set up.

Now I own two 'Wicked Light Systems', one for the Savage WIN .308 & one for the Marlin.

It'll all depend on where I decide to hunt, which will determine which one I'll use.

Shorter range in & around the creek area, the Marlin will be up to bat.

Long range open fields, the Savage will get it's opportunity.

And of course, I still have my 12g Beretta Semi-Auto loaded with #4 Buckshot as my fall back position if I can't seem to get'er done with the Marlin.

Maybe someday in the future, if I ever become lucky enough to get rich, I'll get me one of those thermal systems to put it on top of the .308.

Until then, the 'Wicked Light Systems' is what I use today in the dark.

 

[Wildlife]

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 'HAPPY NEW YEAR!':

Starting my new year with hopefully a little bit of 'Lady Luck'.

Stiff SW breeze & temps in the low 40's. The wind is supposed calm down during prime-time.

Still working on harvesting a decent buck and I'm hoping that one decides to visit the cut soybean field right behind me before quitting time this time.

I'll find out soon enough...

'HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO CREW!'

 

[Wildlife]

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 'HAPPY NEW YEAR!' - The Follow Up:

Didn't see my first deer until 5:30 p.m., which were three antlerless deer that came from the end of the wooded finger that goes straight out into the field, to the West/right behind me, approximately 100-120 yards away.

They headed to the far South corner of the field and out of sight.

That was all the deer I seen while hunting, however on the way home, at the property I no longer can hunt because it sold, two large antlerless deer ran from that property and straight across the road, right in front of me at 6:49 p.m.

I had to jump on the binders real hard to avoid hitting the second one at 55 mph. I barely missed her.

Tomorrow, I'll back out at the same property for another evening hunt. I'll get an earlier start.

I'll be looking for a different spot on the property due to the type of South wind we're supposed to have. I may head clear to the bottom of the holler, near the creek bottom, but that'll depend on what I find along the way there. That's roughly 300-400 feet straight down a massive steep hill or better from the top. I dragged a very small deer from out of there once and it wasn't easy I'll tell you that...

If I get me a buck down in there, I may be texting someone for help.

 

[giles]

Or call and get a conformation number and pack that thing out in pieces.

 

[Wildlife]

Or call and get a conformation number and pack that thing out in pieces.

We'll see what happens come tomorrow night, however your right, that may be my only option if he happens to be a real tank.

That hill is hard enough just to down it, let alone, make your way back up it with gear on your back.

In fact, I doubt I'll even have cell service down in there and it'll get dark early 'TOO'. Nothing but shade after the noon hour.

If I get me one, it'll be a long night no question about it.

I've seen some big bucks down there in the past.

 

[giles]

I love that option, adds to the hunt. I haven’t had to do it yet, but I know I will some day and will likely never drag another deer.

 

[Wildlife]

Saturday & Sunday January 4-5, 2020 - Muzzy Opening Weekend:

Saturday evening muzzy hunt only:

I hunted yesterday evening right after the rain quit from about 3:30 near the house at my 'Northwestern Stand' and I got skunked.

However, I did have a different kind of wildlife encounter, which was rather cool. Two Red Foxes that got within 20 yards of me during prime-time for about a minute.

I believe the first one was a female and the second one was a male on the chase, right on her heels.

I captured a very brief Tactacam video of the second one tracking the first.

_________________________________________________________

Sunday's muzzy hunt:

Having the weather being much nicer, I decided to head out at noon with my 'Lone Wolf' stand & my gifted 30 year old 'Knight' muzzleloader that I converted earlier this year over to the 209 ignition system, 100g of 'Blackhorn' powder & 'Barnes TMZ 290g Copper Polymer Tip Boat Tail Sabots', and I also gave it a custom paint job 'TOO'.

I hiked due South from my home about a mile in a half with the South wind in my face, straight to the top of the largest hill in the area, right where the big woods are located.

Along the way, I passed a couple of hunters that were hunting the creek valley, much closer to my home.

I never did see nor hear any deer along the way.

I finally reached the top of the hill about an hour in a half later, found a good tree in the same area that I hunted on the last day of 'Bonus Gun Weekend', right near a good buck run with a few fresh tree rubs.

I got settled in a little after 2:00 p.m. ready for my muzzy hunt.

I didn't see my first deer until a little after 5:00 p.m., which were three antlerless deer.

One to the North and two coming from the South.

All three of them were heading right towards me when all of a sudden, the one to the North I believe winded me and turned back around to where it originally came from. Never blew, but the tail was high in the air.

That alerted the other two that were coming from the South towards me.

The one closest was a buttom buck and the other I do believe was a good size doe.

Both deer stopped dead in their tracks for a moment. Then button turned back around and started heading SW slowly, further away from me.

I turned on my Tactacam camera, drew on the button and waited for him to turn broadside.

Once he turned, I fired away and watched him give the fatal kick. He immediately took off, back to where he originally came from.

I watched him for about 30-40 yards from the point of impact, then I heard the crash.

The other deer just stood in place and watched the button take off. After he crashed, she went to investigate.

Then I grabbed my rangefinder, ranged the point of impact, made mental note, which was 68 yards, looked down at my compass, which at the point of impact, he was at that time, exactly due South from my tree.

Then I started to pack things up, lowered my muzzleloader and hunting pack to the ground, strapped my lineman belt around the tree and belted in, broke down the 'Lone Wolf' & 5 LW sticks as I made my way downward to the ground.

After I reached the ground, I packed everything up, reloaded my muzzleloader, threw my stand & pack over my back and took off for the area where I shot the button using my rangefinder & compass.

When I reached that area with ease, I found plenty of blood to track.

I slowly followed the blood trail without any difficulty and found him dead just on the other side of a huge Oak tree, approximately 50-60 yards from the point of impact.

It was a good shot through the right shoulder, which clipped the top of the heart and out through the other side.

After I found him, I grabbed my reflective marking tape, reflective tacks and took off down the massive hill heading for the road.

Along the way, I'd either tack or tape a tree so I could easily find my way back to him to dress him out.

After I reached the road, I called the wife to come pick up my 'Lone Wolf' stand, muzzleloader, hunting pack, some of my clothes that I peeled off. I had her bring me my field dressing pack.

Once I received the field dressing pack from her, I took off back up the massive hill dragging an empty toboggan sled right behind me.

I had no difficulty find him after climbing the monster hill again.

I dressed him out, tossed him on the toboggan and headed back down the hill to the road, which is probably a good half mile or better from where I dressed him out.

I reached the road at 9:45 p.m., called the wife again to come pick us both up with the pickup.

Minutes later, I hung the button, changed out of my huntin clothes and started the clean up phase; gun, huntin clothes and anything else that got dirty, bloody and/or sweaty.

I still haven't eating dinner yet. Talk about a long night,,, holy-cow!

That button was my very first muzzleloader deer harvest ever.

In the past years of Whitetail Deer Hunting, I usually tagged out well before muzzy season even started.

I can tell you that I'm absolutely thrilled to have this muzzy harvest under my belt now, especially do to the fact that I took him with a muzzleloader that was given to me by my father-in-law, which he used to be an avid muzzleloader hunter back in the day.

He's since retired from hunting many years ago, but he still gets all the venison that he wants and any other wild-game, right from me.

This deer is my fifth deer harvest of the season, however I have every intention of harvesting a good buck still. Hopefully before the season runs out on me.

 

["J"]

Saturday & Sunday January 4-5, 2020 - Muzzy Opening Weekend:

Saturday evening muzzy hunt only:
View attachment 93209
I hunted yesterday evening right after the rain quit from about 3:30 near the house at my 'Northwestern Stand' and I got skunked.

However, I did have a different kind of wildlife encounter, which was rather cool. Two Red Foxes that got within 20 yards of me during prime-time for about a minute.

I believe the first one was a female and the second one was a male on the chase, right on her heels.

I captured a very brief Tactacam video of the second one tracking the first.

_________________________________________________________

Sunday's muzzy hunt:
View attachment 93210
Having the weather being much nicer, I decided to head out at noon with my 'Lone Wolf' stand & my gifted 30 year old 'Knight' muzzleloader that I converted earlier this year over to the 209 ignition system, 100g of 'Blackhorn' powder & 'Barnes TMZ 290g Copper Polymer Tip Boat Tail Sabots', and I also gave it a custom paint job 'TOO'.

I hiked due South from my home about a mile in a half with the South wind in my face, straight to the top of the largest hill in the area, right where the big woods are located.

Along the way, I passed a couple of hunters that were hunting the creek valley, much closer to my home.

I never did see nor hear any deer along the way.

I finally reached the top of the hill about an hour in a half later, found a good tree in the same area that I hunted on the last day of 'Bonus Gun Weekend', right near a good buck run with a few fresh tree rubs.
View attachment 93213
I got settled in a little after 2:00 p.m. ready for my muzzy hunt.

I didn't see my first deer until a little after 5:00 p.m., which were three antlerless deer.

One to the North and two coming from the South.

All three of them were heading right towards me when all of a sudden, the one to the North I believe winded me and turned back around to where it originally came from. Never blew, but the tail was high in the air.

That alerted the other two that were coming from the South towards me.

The one closest was a buttom buck and the other I do believe was a good size doe.

Both deer stopped dead in their tracks for a moment. Then button turned back around and started heading SW slowly, further away from me.

I turned on my Tactacam camera, drew on the button and waited for him to turn broadside.

Once he turned, I fired away and watched him give the fatal kick. He immediately took off, back to where he originally came from.

I watched him for about 30-40 yards from the point of impact, then I heard the crash.

The other deer just stood in place and watched the button take off. After he crashed, she went to investigate.

Then I grabbed my rangefinder, ranged the point of impact, made mental note, which was 68 yards, looked down at my compass, which at the point of impact, he was at that time, exactly due South from my tree.

Then I started to pack things up, lowered my muzzleloader and hunting pack to the ground, strapped my lineman belt around the tree and belted in, broke down the 'Lone Wolf' & 5 LW sticks as I made my way downward to the ground.

After I reached the ground, I packed everything up, reloaded my muzzleloader, threw my stand & pack over my back and took off for the area where I shot the button using my rangefinder & compass.

When I reached that area with ease, I found plenty of blood to track.

I slowly followed the blood trail without any difficulty and found him dead just on the other side of a huge Oak tree, approximately 50-60 yards from the point of impact.
View attachment 93214
It was a good shot through the right shoulder, which clipped the top of the heart and out through the other side.

After I found him, I grabbed my reflective marking tape, reflective tacks and took off down the massive hill heading for the road.

Along the way, I'd either tack or tape a tree so I could easily find my way back to him to dress him out.

After I reached the road, I called the wife to come pick up my 'Lone Wolf' stand, muzzleloader, hunting pack, some of my clothes that I peeled off. I had her bring me my field dressing pack.

Once I received the field dressing pack from her, I took off back up the massive hill dragging an empty toboggan sled right behind me.

I had no difficulty find him after climbing the monster hill again.

I dressed him out, tossed him on the toboggan and headed back down the hill to the road, which is probably a good half mile or better from where I dressed him out.

I reached the road at 9:45 p.m., called the wife again to come pick us both up with the pickup.

Minutes later, I hung the button, changed out of my huntin clothes and started the clean up phase; gun, huntin clothes and anything else that got dirty, bloody and/or sweaty.

I still haven't eating dinner yet. Talk about a long night,,, holy-cow!

That button was my very first muzzleloader deer harvest ever.

In the past years of Whitetail Deer Hunting, I usually tagged out well before muzzy season even started.

I can tell you that I'm absolutely thrilled to have this muzzy harvest under my belt now, especially do to the fact that I took him with a muzzleloader that was given to me by my father-in-law, which he used to be an avid muzzleloader hunter back in the day.

He's since retired from hunting many years ago, but he still gets all the venison that he wants and any other wild-game, right from me.

This deer is my fifth deer harvest of the season, however I have every intention of harvesting a good buck still. Hopefully before the season runs out on me.

Congrats on your first muzzle loader BB, Denny...

 

[Isaacorps]

Congrats Denny!

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

Heck of a read, congrats!

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Congrats, Denny!

 

[Wildlife]

Thanks a lot fellas!

I'll be back at again tomorrow with the muzzleloader in hands once again looking for a worthy buck at the 'Honey Hole'.

I'm thinking about making it an all day sit if that's what it'll take to finish out my season.

So, stay tune and we'll see what tomorrow brings.