Just a Prudence Island special...

[rabjr]

Just got back from our annual P.I hunt.

The numbers are down, only saw one deer the whole first day on stand. In my 27 years of hunting the Island thats just unheard of. That and I've never seen a worse acorn crop than this year over there.

This being the 3rd and final year of my Lewis and Clark tribute, I decided to use the 1792 Conract rifle. I moan and groan about it being to long, to heavy and just plain awkward to use but the darn thing can shoot. I had this Doe come in at 5:00 pm the second night and she gave me a good almost broadside shot, just a very slight quarter to me at 70 yards. So I decided to take her. 90 gr FF with a .530 ball on a .018 bear greased patch.

She became the 18th deer I've taken with muzzle loader since 1991 on the Island and the 5th by Flintlock. Six hunters took deer and mine was the second heaviest at 90 lbs hog dressed. Just what we call a Prudence Island special...

 

[bigbore442001]

Congradulations Swamp Rat:

Nothing wrong with those island deer. I have always wanted to bowhunt Prudence but never got around to it. I hear that the shooting is very close range due to the brushy landscape. I figure it would be like the woodlands seen on Beavertail.

We need to hear some details such as how do you hunt such brushy ground? How is the deer tick situation?

 

[jethro224]

Nice doe! Looks delicious!

Congrats. :thumbsup:

 

[spitfire]

Good job :applause: and nice eating doe!

 

[rabjr]

I've seen a BIG change since 1980 when I started hunting the South end. We are loosing more and more hunting spots every year because of under growth. With the lack of acorns, most of the usual spots showed little to no fresh sign. The best trail we found was just behind one of the bunkers and hidden by 4 to 5 foot high grass and other stuff. We didn't find anthing else that was better so the guys put me in the back of a pickup truck. Drove to the spot and backed it in on the side of the bunker. From this height, I was able to watch the trail. No way I could do that from the ground. We definately have a height disadvantage...now. That wasn't much of a concern 25 years ago but it sure is now.

Wasn't bad for ticks, the guys didn't complain about them anyway. I never saw one till the deer was down, she did have a few around her ears but I've seen much worse over there for ticks.

 

[Rebel]

Congrats on the deer. Glad you had a good trip and made it back safe and sound. Now we can start yakin' again. :grin:

 

[PitchyPine]

Good going, grats :hatsoff:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Congratulations on a fine deer, Swamp Rat. I don't know the regulations concerning the island, but it sounds like a group of you who want to hunt it in the Fall, next year, should be there in the winter or early spring to burn off some of that brush, or cut it down with weed wackers. I don't know how to solve the acorn crop problem, but a nursery for trees, and even a state botanist can probably tell you what to feed the trees to improve that crop. Mineral blocks can be put out in the Spring to give the deer plenty of minerals to grow strong bones, and aid in digesting vegetation, and they should be long gone before the season begins so you can't be charged with hunting over bait. If the island can support a few apple trees, why not plant a few with the expectation that in a few years, you will also have an apple crop to help feed the wildlife?

 

[rabjr]

Wish that could be done Paul.

This old navy base, (they pulled out in 73') was given over to the State. Today The South Prudence park is a National Estuarine Research Reserve. Home for Biologists to do all kinds of studys. Unfortunately this translates into a no maintaince policy. Most of the 900ish acreas it is now is allowed to do its own thing naturally. Back in the 90's there was two burns in selected areas but unfortunately it don't look like that will happen again in the near future.

The State has used a disabled firearms hunt since 69' and bow hunters since 77' to help control the herd which at one point numbered 70 per square mile.

 

[RC]

ATTA BOY SWAMPY! :applause: Nice deer,,,,,(there's a road kill joke w/ the truck but... :nono: )congratulations! flintlock deer! now yer all practiced up fer handsome hey? ashame bout the growth on the island, guess it's a state thing,,,but glad they're smart enough to let ya hunt it..it's a good hunt when ya get one, it's a great hunt when yer partners help ya out...must be a good bunch of guys! :thumbsup: congrates again...and i think there's a recipe in the food section here that might interest ya. :blah: RC :hatsoff:

 

[rabjr]

Heres a pic of my stand once we got got setup. After they got me into the back of the truck, I had em tie a 2x4 across above the tail gate which gave me a good gun rest.

 

[RC]

that's a great rest....and a better "back up" plan.. :rotf: and havin a 2x4 fer a second "shot" ain't bad neither! :blah: RC

 

[Rebel]

I see Mr. Edit key is back. :rotf:

 

[RC]

:shocked2:

 

[KyFlintlock]

That was a perfect shot! That bear grease must be the deal!1

Congrats on your doe!
wess