Opening day (Monday) was cold and overcast, not real cold, mid-30's, but there was a lot of dampness in the air. I was hoping the deer would be moving to eat but did not see anything until about 8:30am when a buck with a nice rack walked up behind some brush, I could not get a clear shot and wasn't about to try to shoot through the honeysuckle he was behind, he had a nice big rack but I could not count the points as everything was so gray and his racked blended in. He might have scented me as he turned and trotted off. I sat in my stand until about 10:30am, gave up and came in to the house to get warm and eat lunch. That afternoon I was back in the stand by 2:30pm, but no deer were around. It was warmer and, and the other animals were very active. The gray squirrels were running around chasing each other, the little mink went on his way down the creek and right at dark an owl, I think he is a Bard, went from tree to tree down the creek hunting - even if I don't make meat this seeing the life around my creek makes it sitting there so worthwhile - I feel so connected to the land.
Tuesday morning I had to attend to some annoying work issues, Tuesday afternoon I was back in the stand but no deer were to be seen, the wildlife around the creek was entertaining as usual. Wednesday morning was cold and damp again, lot of deer sign along the creek but none to be seen.
Yesterday afternoon I made myself go back out, the temp. was dropping, a light rain was falling, and I didn't feel like getting wet and cold but the cedar tree my stand is in offered some cover from the rain and the wind was blowing straight into my face, so my scent was going behind me. By 4:30pm the wind had calmed a bit, but was still favorable, the rain kept up, and I thought I better stick it out until dark.
At 5:05 a small yearling doe came walking out of some brush, right behind her was the one I shot, and a still larger one was standing back in the brush. I had been hunched over covering the lock on my rifle to keep it dry and getting the rifle to my shoulder was dicey, I moved slowly when the deer moved and finally got into firing position. This doe was standing facing me at a slight quartering angle, I wanted a broadside lung shot but took the frontal shot, she dropped and kicked a few time but was gone before I had my rifle reloaded.
I was using my new to me Navy Arms Hawken Hunter .58, a .570 RB patched with .015 ticking, mink oil lube, overpowder wad, and 120 grs. of GOEX FFg - this load is most certainly overkill for deer, but the rifle likes heavy loads and it actually groups better with heavier load but 120grs gives 2-3" groups at 50yards and that's good enough for my hunting.
I got soaking wet dragging her across the creek, if was about knee deep and there was nothing for it but getting wet, part of the experience. I'm so grateful for this deer, and for the opportunity to hunt. Took me till 10 pm to take care of the deer, clean the rifle, knife, etc, but it is worth it.
Best of luck to all out Buckeyes hunting this week, and everyone else still hunting.
Tuesday morning I had to attend to some annoying work issues, Tuesday afternoon I was back in the stand but no deer were to be seen, the wildlife around the creek was entertaining as usual. Wednesday morning was cold and damp again, lot of deer sign along the creek but none to be seen.
Yesterday afternoon I made myself go back out, the temp. was dropping, a light rain was falling, and I didn't feel like getting wet and cold but the cedar tree my stand is in offered some cover from the rain and the wind was blowing straight into my face, so my scent was going behind me. By 4:30pm the wind had calmed a bit, but was still favorable, the rain kept up, and I thought I better stick it out until dark.
At 5:05 a small yearling doe came walking out of some brush, right behind her was the one I shot, and a still larger one was standing back in the brush. I had been hunched over covering the lock on my rifle to keep it dry and getting the rifle to my shoulder was dicey, I moved slowly when the deer moved and finally got into firing position. This doe was standing facing me at a slight quartering angle, I wanted a broadside lung shot but took the frontal shot, she dropped and kicked a few time but was gone before I had my rifle reloaded.
I was using my new to me Navy Arms Hawken Hunter .58, a .570 RB patched with .015 ticking, mink oil lube, overpowder wad, and 120 grs. of GOEX FFg - this load is most certainly overkill for deer, but the rifle likes heavy loads and it actually groups better with heavier load but 120grs gives 2-3" groups at 50yards and that's good enough for my hunting.
I got soaking wet dragging her across the creek, if was about knee deep and there was nothing for it but getting wet, part of the experience. I'm so grateful for this deer, and for the opportunity to hunt. Took me till 10 pm to take care of the deer, clean the rifle, knife, etc, but it is worth it.
Best of luck to all out Buckeyes hunting this week, and everyone else still hunting.
