This is my first season deer hunting in earnest. I sat in a friend's ladder stand 2x last year, but didn't know much about deer (still don't! ) and didn't have any luck. I committed to hunting hard this year and bought a Aero Hunter Kestrel, Novix Mini sticks, and a Mission platform. After about my third hunt I picked up a Shikar Mini one stick and shortly thereafter an EDP, as I realized that the sticks and platform were a ton to carry when hunting public land. (I blame this site entirely for any upgrades I made! )
I hunted early season crossbow several times without having a shot at a deer. (Funny story, I got busted while climbing my sticks by a spike that came within 10 yards of me...Talk about frustrating timing!)
I shot a small doe on foot on Sunday the 28th, which is the last day of the statewide gun deer season in WI. I am lucky enough to live and hunt in an area that's considered part of the metro subunit, which has an extended gun deer season through yesterday. Life was busy and I didn't get out hunting other than one quick trip before work when I ground hunted and didn't see anything. I made plans to sit on the last day of the metro season come hell or high water.
I got set up around 11:30. I had a frustrating climb between the layers I had on and the fact that I had a ton of layers in my backpack, so it was heavier than I was used to and affected me more when climbing.
I set up in a clearing near a creek with a heavily trafficked trail nearby and good sightlines. It had snowed overnight and the woods were gorgeous. Temps were in the mid 20°s. I recently picked up a heated vest, boot covers, and a camo winter jacket that were lifesavers along with some serious mittens and hand warmers. I called periodically throughout the day, mixing up grunts and estrus bleats with no luck.
At around 3:55 I saw a deer probably about 130-140 yards out through the trees. It was a young doe or nub buck and I'd previously decided I would only harvest a buck. The young deer was west of my spot, heading south-southeast. I then noticed a buck a ways behind the young deer, but he was heading away from me, going to the south west. I gave one grunt and he started angling in towards the south-southeast.
I tracked him through the trees until he stepped into an opening and fired. My first shot dropped him; I was aiming for a lung shot and took him a little high in the spine. I put a second shot into him while he was down/kicking and that was all she wrote!
My first buck and first deer from a saddle, all on public land that is pretty heavily pressured. He's no giant, but I'm thrilled.
The shot ended up being 111 yards, which is farther than I intended. I'm a good rifle shot prone or rested, but shooting a rifle from the saddle is something else entirely when it comes to stability.
I recovered one of my bullets while field dressing; the 110 Grain Barnes TAC-TX performed great out of my 10" 300 blackout:
I can't wait to start scouting for next year! I still could crossbow hunt, but the lakes are starting to freeze and the ice is calling me; there are crappies to catch! Many thanks to everyone who has posted their success stories and failures on here; they've been insightful and I can't wait to try again next year.
I hunted early season crossbow several times without having a shot at a deer. (Funny story, I got busted while climbing my sticks by a spike that came within 10 yards of me...Talk about frustrating timing!)
I shot a small doe on foot on Sunday the 28th, which is the last day of the statewide gun deer season in WI. I am lucky enough to live and hunt in an area that's considered part of the metro subunit, which has an extended gun deer season through yesterday. Life was busy and I didn't get out hunting other than one quick trip before work when I ground hunted and didn't see anything. I made plans to sit on the last day of the metro season come hell or high water.
I got set up around 11:30. I had a frustrating climb between the layers I had on and the fact that I had a ton of layers in my backpack, so it was heavier than I was used to and affected me more when climbing.
I set up in a clearing near a creek with a heavily trafficked trail nearby and good sightlines. It had snowed overnight and the woods were gorgeous. Temps were in the mid 20°s. I recently picked up a heated vest, boot covers, and a camo winter jacket that were lifesavers along with some serious mittens and hand warmers. I called periodically throughout the day, mixing up grunts and estrus bleats with no luck.
At around 3:55 I saw a deer probably about 130-140 yards out through the trees. It was a young doe or nub buck and I'd previously decided I would only harvest a buck. The young deer was west of my spot, heading south-southeast. I then noticed a buck a ways behind the young deer, but he was heading away from me, going to the south west. I gave one grunt and he started angling in towards the south-southeast.
I tracked him through the trees until he stepped into an opening and fired. My first shot dropped him; I was aiming for a lung shot and took him a little high in the spine. I put a second shot into him while he was down/kicking and that was all she wrote!
My first buck and first deer from a saddle, all on public land that is pretty heavily pressured. He's no giant, but I'm thrilled.
The shot ended up being 111 yards, which is farther than I intended. I'm a good rifle shot prone or rested, but shooting a rifle from the saddle is something else entirely when it comes to stability.
I recovered one of my bullets while field dressing; the 110 Grain Barnes TAC-TX performed great out of my 10" 300 blackout:
I can't wait to start scouting for next year! I still could crossbow hunt, but the lakes are starting to freeze and the ice is calling me; there are crappies to catch! Many thanks to everyone who has posted their success stories and failures on here; they've been insightful and I can't wait to try again next year.
