first time deer hunt ...success!!

saskgunowner101

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
132   0   0
Location
middle of Sask
Well guys, thought I'd just give a recap of my first deer hunt. Not much to it really, but I feel good about it. Yesterday was the season opener, and off to a bad start. Had stayed up late the night before, so ended up sleeping in, got out the door around 7:45.

I live in the country, so I didn't have to go far, but I had wanted to be out and in position about an hour before sunrise. I still didn't know if I would set up and wait for the deer, or do the walk and stalk, hoping to see them before I pushed them out of the bush.

So I get outside, and the wind is totally wrong for which way I wanted to hunt. I had to go about a half mile west before I could go south( to get to where I thought would be okay). I took the hunt with the wind as gospel, seeing I was feet and a heart beat for transport.

Walked and waited for the better part of 2 hours, nothing. I figured I'd take a round about walk to get home, as it was 10 or a little past. Walking the edge of fields ,next to little sections of brush, walking into the wind, I flushed one almost immediately.

No chance for a shot, rifle was slung, and deer was on fire getting out of there. More of the same, in fact 3 more times on the walk home(but shooting at zigzagging deer is not my thing) I really wasn't expecting that much action though. So I shut it down until the afternoon, went back out around 3.

The wind had changed, so I had to take a different route. Took about an hour to get where I was going. I set up beside some tall grass/weeds at the edge of a bush, facing the wind. Had a little snack, sat and waited.

Legal shooting until 6:07, so about 5:15 I tried using a deer call. Gave a couple grunts and waited. Nothing. I had bought one of those fawn in a can, you know, the kind you tip over, and it bawls. Gave it a couple, and waited.

Its about 5:40, and I'm thinking I'm about to be skunked. So I give the fawn bawl a couple tips, wait 5 minutes, give it 2 more. It's now 5:50, I figure I'll have a smoke and start heading back.

All the sudden, here comes a buck, a spike buck:redface: running over a hill looking like he's looking for something, almost like an excited dog. He gets within 100 meters, so I line up on him, and give him the best whistle I can. He stopped dead, I get the cross hairs on him, and let her go.

I'm shaking mildly, and figure the shot was good. I walk to the hill where he was, and hes 100 meters away, having a dirt nap. Sat and reflected on the hunt, and then called in a quad with trailer to get him back to the farm.

I know there's alot better stories, but for me, this was a personal success. Not that theres a shortage of deer around, but still, it was a very positive experience. For a moment, I kinda felt bad for the poor fella running over all excited to catch a 150 grain from a 308, but thats the name of the game.

It was a good clean shot, broadside, and he went down quick. Did I mention gutting deer sucks arse? I look forward to many good meals thanks to this fella, and the memories of a good hunt.
 
Last edited:
Good Job! I have fallen victim to the fleeing deer with rifle slung over shoulder deal before as well. It was a hard habit to break but finally got used to carrying my rifle at the ready. Nice to see you had success, and you'll be enjoying fresh steaks.
 
Congrats on your first deer.
I'm taking a friend for his first hunt next year, after he get's his paperwork in order. I want to take him for deer and grouse. Really looking forward to it.
 
almost forgot

Honourable mention goes to the better half of 4 years, for putting up with me being so excited before and after the hunt, and extra hands/muscle helping with the deer. And of course, dad for running the quad and trailer for pick up. I'd still be dragging the deer home!
 
Congratulations on your successful hunt. Pics would be a nice addition to the thread. Yes gutting stinks, literally. The old saying goes; the best way to gut and skin a deer, is to get someone else to do it.
 
Congrats on the deer, there's nothing else like it.

The above post is true, gutting IS much better if you can get someone else to do it!
 
Hey, Congrats are due!

I've had enough deer bounce out of cover, run a ways, and stop to try to figure out what spooked them, that I have always tried to make ready ASAP when a deer starts moving.

With practice, you can go from slung to ready pretty darn quick!

Good on ya!

Cheers
Trev
 
I for one applaud your patience and wisdom in knowing you limitations. Lots of other hunters would just let fly at running deer and hope for the best. Good on ya and welcome to the club!

Just for the record, No, I'm not saying that you should not shoot at running deer. Just saying it's good to know your limitations and stick to them!
 
Congratulations on your successful hunt. Pics would be a nice addition to the thread. Yes gutting stinks, literally. The old saying goes; the best way to gut and skin a deer, is to get someone else to do it.





Massive spike buck photos as requested.:D Don't mind the time stamp on the pic, the girlfriend might not be as smart as I think she is.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom