Island Hunt

[Rancocas]

Yesterday, Nov. 1st was the opening of muzzleloading deer season for me. In the pre-dawn blackness I canoed across the dark, placid river and landed on a large island, 100 acres or more. I had hunted this island last year and missed my chance at a 6 pt. buck then because he saw me first. This year I was in my blind before daylight.
As I settled in, I heard an outboard motor passing along the other side of the island. Suddenly the motor cut off, so I figured someone else would soon be on the island.
The first gray light of a misty morning was just opening up my vista through the woods, when suddenly I heard the rumble of galloping hooves. Two deer came running in my direction. Even though they passed within 20 yards of me, there wasn't enough light yet to see any antlers. A doe would be legal game, but I still couldn't see my rifle sights either.
As the morning brightened, I heard men begin to shout. They hooed and hollered and banged sticks against tree trunks as they walked in a line through the woods. They passed on both sides of me. One of them saw me and waved just before he passed on into the underbrush.
It wasn't long before the shooting started at the far end of the island. I heard six shots. Later, I talked with one of the drivers. He said that three deer had been taken. They were a spike, a button buck, and a doe.
That put an end to my hunting on the island. Disgusted, I canoed across to another, smaller island. There, I found three sets of fresh deer tracks in the mud coming out of the river and going into the island brush. Apparently some deer escaped the drive.
A good deer trail meanders down the center of this island, and I followed it. I came upon a couple of scrapes, the first I have seen this year, but I didn't see any live deer.
Returning to my canoe I did a little fishing on my way back to my truck. I caught a couple of small crappie which I let go.
Now, its back into the mountains for me!

 

[KyFlintlock]

It sounds like a great day out. IT sucks about the drivers and all, but at least you were out there after them!

Wess

 

[bigbore442001]

Too bad about the island hunt. Isn't it ironic that you go to a spot thinking that you will hunt in seclusion and sure enough someone else messes it all up.

Keep at it. :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

Islands are fun to hunt, aren't they?

Here's an insight- Those other guys have probably been doing it for years, and if successful this year they'll do the same thing next year.

I hunted similar situations on islands in west coast rivers long ago and learned to take advantage of other hunters. In your case, I'd be on the second island opening day next year waiting for the deer to swim across. You'll avoid the hunters while profiting from their drive.

Here in Alaska island hunting is real common in coastal regions. It's downright amazing how effectively deer can use their home turf against you. Noisy drives almost never work well, while coordinated quiet stalks can produce well.