the official why i didnt get a deer thread
- Thread starter fogducker
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Well here in Saskatchewan is a bust so far, plus 10 celsius, dead calm, no snow and heavy winter kill the last couple years in my area are my excuses, the deer are showing up on my trail cam but only during the dark and they are not moving during the day.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
We got two, but I agree, the deer numbers are down. As already mentioned, heavy snows, and wolf and coyote predation are the likely reasons, with the early dear season throwing in a third.
I personally saw two wolves this year. But didn't get a shot at either one.
In the past 40 years, I've seen only one other wolf when deer hunting.
I'm not happy with the number of fawn tracks I saw either.
I personally saw two wolves this year. But didn't get a shot at either one.
In the past 40 years, I've seen only one other wolf when deer hunting.
I'm not happy with the number of fawn tracks I saw either.
Threemorewishes
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa Ontario Canada
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
Where abouts are you....roughly speaking.
Well - Things werent so good for us in 57 in Central Ontario. With roughly ten guys between three cooperative camps (100 person days) only one animal was harvested! We tried everything, hunting with dogs, without dogs, still hunting, parachute drops, bayonet charges - you name it. In the end, the one animal that was harvested was taken by the neighbour while sipping coffee on his porch - 225 y with an iron sighted 30-30!
It was clear that the population was way down - very little sign, etc. In the end, we saw more moose and wolves than deer. I was reading a ministry publication (Hunt Camp News?) that mentioned the tough winter two years ago was very hard on the population. From memory, 1800 animals were harvested in 57 two years ago, 1100 last year - and I'll bet its even lower this year.
None the less, a good time was had by all. The highlight for me was watching a full grown moose shake off two hounds. The moose came down off a ridge and crossed a ravine by swimming through a beaver pond. Although the moose was still in eyesight, the hounds were unable to track the animal.
It was clear that the population was way down - very little sign, etc. In the end, we saw more moose and wolves than deer. I was reading a ministry publication (Hunt Camp News?) that mentioned the tough winter two years ago was very hard on the population. From memory, 1800 animals were harvested in 57 two years ago, 1100 last year - and I'll bet its even lower this year.
None the less, a good time was had by all. The highlight for me was watching a full grown moose shake off two hounds. The moose came down off a ridge and crossed a ravine by swimming through a beaver pond. Although the moose was still in eyesight, the hounds were unable to track the animal.
Here in NB we have to attach a tag to the deer after it's been shot. It then has to go to a registration station to have the deer "registered" and any info taken. Hassle yes, but that the deal here in NB.
Today is the last day of a 4 week rifle season with 2 weeks before that for bow. This morning I talked to a fellow that works in a fairly large gun store here in the province. I asked him about the # of deer that has been registered where he works. He said .... "21 so far this season", then he said they used to register that many on the first day.
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Today is the last day of a 4 week rifle season with 2 weeks before that for bow. This morning I talked to a fellow that works in a fairly large gun store here in the province. I asked him about the # of deer that has been registered where he works. He said .... "21 so far this season", then he said they used to register that many on the first day.
.
Well I didn't get one.
It seems all the dear have moved into residential areas (Millidgeville, Rothesay, Quispamsis etcl). They are all over my neighborhood eating all those delicious plants in front of people's homes. I saw two beautiful deer on my neighbor's yard this week.
When I go hunting I never see one. oh well, there is always next year.
I believe Natural Resources of NB stated that the numbers are down this year, most likely due to harsh winters. (that's my excuse anyway)
It seems all the dear have moved into residential areas (Millidgeville, Rothesay, Quispamsis etcl). They are all over my neighborhood eating all those delicious plants in front of people's homes. I saw two beautiful deer on my neighbor's yard this week.
When I go hunting I never see one. oh well, there is always next year.
I believe Natural Resources of NB stated that the numbers are down this year, most likely due to harsh winters. (that's my excuse anyway)
I have only gotten 1 deer so far this year (nice little 6 point buck). By this time last year, I had three...lol! Been concentrating on black bear and have only been out for whitetail three times. Still have bow tags for 86A and 73 and will try to fill them in December.
Was also out in Alberta hunting with my cousin and passed on a yearling buck and 4 does holding out for a big buck, but no dice. Saw tons of animals, just nothing where we had permission. Had that little buck dead to rights but didn't pull the trigger.
To answer your questions, there are as many deer out there as I've seen in the previous few years. It's certainly been a good season for being outdoors so far.
Was also out in Alberta hunting with my cousin and passed on a yearling buck and 4 does holding out for a big buck, but no dice. Saw tons of animals, just nothing where we had permission. Had that little buck dead to rights but didn't pull the trigger.
To answer your questions, there are as many deer out there as I've seen in the previous few years. It's certainly been a good season for being outdoors so far.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I came back from Rifle season on Manitoulin Island on Thursday. I got a buck on Monday morning and one of my hunting partners got a fawn at last light and then we only seen and heard wolves. Quite a bit of partridge though.
Wednesday was probably around 15 degrees around 1 PM....I wasnt' very encouraged to go back to my stand.......nothing moved. Heard wolves on 2 evenings and one buddy had two run by his stand but he couldnt' get a shot off in time. The landowner said he hadnt' seen weather like that since 1961 for Rifle week on the island.
Wednesday was probably around 15 degrees around 1 PM....I wasnt' very encouraged to go back to my stand.......nothing moved. Heard wolves on 2 evenings and one buddy had two run by his stand but he couldnt' get a shot off in time. The landowner said he hadnt' seen weather like that since 1961 for Rifle week on the island.
So then you don't want to hear that 2 of us, since archery(we're allowed 5 deer in MB , from archery thru to gen rifle) we have been out 10 times and only have one tag left to fill, since I got another deer yesterday evening ?
I don't buy into the too warm and windy stuff anymore . This year i've pretty much hunted in nothing warmer than a quilted shirt jacket. Last night the weather was +8 and a south wind gusting to 45K per hour , and I got a nice sized meat buck (6 points total) The last few days have been warm, and they've been moving in one area and nothing in another. where I live , nobody has even remotely seen a deer, where I hunt they are out like flies and stupider atm than i've ever seen them...... 5 of our deer have been bucks and last night's and last week monday's have been the biggest ( an 11 pointer last monday and 6 last night) So far i have 2 does in the freezer, one cut in half taking up my entire fridge, and one about to actually get hung up (too tired last night to winch him up ) one tag to go
Which will be filled on monday Well, I was hoping I wasn't going to have to post here, but...
Too warm? Yup. Lack of snow hurting us? Yup.
Me walking into buddies stand as he's got a doe (and the tag for it) coming at him from the other direction. Yup.
Edit: Oh, and 'yotes everywhere too! Kinda creepy at times.
Too warm? Yup. Lack of snow hurting us? Yup.
Me walking into buddies stand as he's got a doe (and the tag for it) coming at him from the other direction. Yup.
Edit: Oh, and 'yotes everywhere too! Kinda creepy at times.
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Got drawn in a WMU that got leased out for cattle grazing. Not much feed left for the deer so they've all screwed off deep into the bush I think.
Bought a supplemental doe tag to go somewhere else and saw nothing but big fat bucks. One day between the two of us, we saw a total of 8 bucks, all 3 points and larger, and neither of us had a buck tag.
Went back to the draw WMU this last weekend, but it was so dry and so crunchy no matter how slow I went, or how carefully I stepped, I'm sure I sounded like a herd of elephants.
Did get a shot at a running buck with my truck. Decided to stop and try to shoot him instead, next year I won't make the same mistake.
Bought a supplemental doe tag to go somewhere else and saw nothing but big fat bucks. One day between the two of us, we saw a total of 8 bucks, all 3 points and larger, and neither of us had a buck tag.
Went back to the draw WMU this last weekend, but it was so dry and so crunchy no matter how slow I went, or how carefully I stepped, I'm sure I sounded like a herd of elephants.
Did get a shot at a running buck with my truck. Decided to stop and try to shoot him instead, next year I won't make the same mistake.
*This is my first year hunting deer.*
Spent the morning sitting on the hill overlooking a string of apple trees that my buddy harvested 2 whitetails from 2 weeks ago.
Got discouraged around 11AM and decided to go back to the car for a snack.
Turned the bend to overlook a field 400 yards long. At the extreme corner there stand two big does, staring right at me. The field has a knob in the middle of it, so obviously I cant shoot from 400 yards standing, and prone would have me in the middle of the field.
So I walk to 300 yards, the top of the little knob. Lay down to prone position and take aim.
I have never felt adrenaline like this before...
Shaking like a leaf and trying to get my breathing under control I take sort of 5 seconds while the does contemplate darting for the woods.
I take aim when I can settle down enough and hold onto center mass.
(I am a pretty good shot, and hold my own at the range out to 800m)
*BANG* I fire.
Never even thinking that I am still 300 yards away....
Ballistics tells me I was somewhere around 10" low.
The thought of elevation never even crossed my mind.
And that is why I don't have a 180LB doe in my garage....
Lesson learned, adrenaline is a powerful thing, next time I am bagging her.
Spent the morning sitting on the hill overlooking a string of apple trees that my buddy harvested 2 whitetails from 2 weeks ago.
Got discouraged around 11AM and decided to go back to the car for a snack.
Turned the bend to overlook a field 400 yards long. At the extreme corner there stand two big does, staring right at me. The field has a knob in the middle of it, so obviously I cant shoot from 400 yards standing, and prone would have me in the middle of the field.
So I walk to 300 yards, the top of the little knob. Lay down to prone position and take aim.
I have never felt adrenaline like this before...
Shaking like a leaf and trying to get my breathing under control I take sort of 5 seconds while the does contemplate darting for the woods.
I take aim when I can settle down enough and hold onto center mass.
(I am a pretty good shot, and hold my own at the range out to 800m)
*BANG* I fire.
Never even thinking that I am still 300 yards away....
Ballistics tells me I was somewhere around 10" low.
The thought of elevation never even crossed my mind.
And that is why I don't have a 180LB doe in my garage....
Lesson learned, adrenaline is a powerful thing, next time I am bagging her.
lotsa deer getting shot around here...
dad's camp didn't get anything though, they won't state a reason, so I'm guessing it's the usual "old-guy-doesn't-hike-so-good-anymore-and-likes-to-sleep-in-itis" that so often seems to plague their camps.
dad's camp didn't get anything though, they won't state a reason, so I'm guessing it's the usual "old-guy-doesn't-hike-so-good-anymore-and-likes-to-sleep-in-itis" that so often seems to plague their camps.
