|
Post by coyote6974 on Jul 11, 2013 20:54:50 GMT -5
Hello Jon, Here's my story. I shot my first deer with a .44 magnum handgun the first year handguns were allowed. It happened to be an 8 point buck I shot at 15 yards. It went down, wallered around, then layed still. When I got up to climb down, it jumped up and ran off. I looked for it for a week and never found it. I learned that the 180 grain hollow point I'd shot it in the shoulder with wasn't really the best choice for deer hunting and likely contributed to the loss of that buck. I didn't deer hunt again for several years after that, but the next time I shot a deer with that .44 magnum, I was using a bullet designed for controlled expansion and penetration. I thought this one was a big doe, but when I climbed down and got to it, it turned out to be a buck that had lost both antlers. Still using that .44 magnum, I took the first antlered buck, I managed to recover, the next year. It was a seven point buck that I shot through both lungs at 35 yards. He wasn't worthy of mounting, but I was still proud of him. I took up bow hunting within a year or so of that, and took my first archery buck which was a 128 inch 8 pointer at 15 yards. It was the first I had mounted, since it was my first bow kill. I've now set a rule where I won't shoot any buck that is smaller than what I have mounted. I see no reason to shoot smaller bucks than I already have mounted when there are plenty of does out there. I've since taken a 137 inch ten pointer, and a 138 inch eleven pointer, both with my bow. Since I set my rule, there have been years where I don't take a buck. I will take a doe each year as soon as I can get a good shot on one. I then concentrate on buck hunting for the rest of the season. I used to buy an archery tag and a bonus antlerless tag, but now buy a bundle license so I can take two antlerless and one antlered deer with any weapon, so I can gun hunt if I haven't already taken my buck, and will take a second doe if I know of someone who would like the meat. My family and I can only eat one deer per year. I use a deer processor to do my butchering. He wraps the meat in paper and will cape a buck if I want to have it mounted. My taxidermist will pick up the caped buck from my processor. I have to dispose of the processor's trimmings and do so in a discreet manner on property owned by my family.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2013 21:05:35 GMT -5
Coyote, You have to dispose of the trimmings from the processor? I've never heard of that. Is it a real small operation or something?
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 11, 2013 21:25:45 GMT -5
1) My first kill was 30 years ago on a young forkhorn that offered a clean broadside shot. I was hunting for meat so I took it and have no regrets. 2) Deciding on what to shoot should be a personal standard set by you alone. Anything I take is a "trophy" to me. I'm not a wealthy man with a big budget TV show that allows me to travel to hunting lodges with guides who have done most of the work in advance and told what of deer are/aren't on the property. I get a few days a year to hunt and usually go for the meat. For that reason, I'd almost rather shoot a younger deer than an older/tougher deer. 3) I don't home butcher so I can't answer the question about disposing of the carcass. I've bought a couple of videos on butchering and intend to try it this year, but the Wife can't get past the idea of me cutting my own deer in the garage. Maybe I'll try it when she's not around and sneak the meat into the freezer. 4) I know there are butchers in my area that will take meat already cut to make ground or sausage, but I think it's cheaper in the long run to buy your own grinder if that's what you intend to do with it. I have a lot of my venison ground as my Wife finds is easier to put into different recipes...and I LOVE venison chili. These are just the thoughts of a no-name hunter who will never have his own TV show, write articles for outdoor magazines, be a household name but I thought I'd share my thoughts anyway for what they're worth. Guys, I really appreciate you sharing your first kill with me. I just now saw them. I usually get a notice. Man, I enjoyed the stories! On my trail cam, I've seen a little 6 point buck with his antlers almost straight up. I guess this would be a basket buck. I don't have a clue how old he is, but can't be very old. He cute. I moved my camera today and put up another one. There has to be a daddy in the area somewhere. The cameras are so cool; this seems like a must have to me. I'm still thinking that bigger deer are on the second patch of woods in New Pal. I haven't scouted it yet, and probably won't get to this weekend. Elmo is probably right, the first one that I have a good shot at will probably be my first. I see those guys on TV get so excited that they can barely breath. I just can't imagine it right now. I'll probably shoot my blind. Gillgrabber, I'll take all your advice, because I'm confident that I'm more poor, and more of a no-name than your are. You do things that I just dream about. Thanks a lot!
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 11, 2013 21:32:30 GMT -5
Hello Jon, Here's my story. I shot my first deer with a .44 magnum handgun the first year handguns were allowed. It happened to be an 8 point buck I shot at 15 yards. It went down, wallered around, then layed still. When I got up to climb down, it jumped up and ran off. I looked for it for a week and never found it. I learned that the 180 grain hollow point I'd shot it in the shoulder with wasn't really the best choice for deer hunting and likely contributed to the loss of that buck. I didn't deer hunt again for several years after that, but the next time I shot a deer with that .44 magnum, I was using a bullet designed for controlled expansion and penetration. I thought this one was a big doe, but when I climbed down and got to it, it turned out to be a buck that had lost both antlers. Still using that .44 magnum, I took the first antlered buck, I managed to recover, the next year. It was a seven point buck that I shot through both lungs at 35 yards. He wasn't worthy of mounting, but I was still proud of him. I took up bow hunting within a year or so of that, and took my first archery buck which was a 128 inch 8 pointer at 15 yards. It was the first I had mounted, since it was my first bow kill. I've now set a rule where I won't shoot any buck that is smaller than what I have mounted. I see no reason to shoot smaller bucks than I already have mounted when there are plenty of does out there. I've since taken a 137 inch ten pointer, and a 138 inch eleven pointer, both with my bow. Since I set my rule, there have been years where I don't take a buck. I will take a doe each year as soon as I can get a good shot on one. I then concentrate on buck hunting for the rest of the season. I used to buy an archery tag and a bonus antlerless tag, but now buy a bundle license so I can take two antlerless and one antlered deer with any weapon, so I can gun hunt if I haven't already taken my buck, and will take a second doe if I know of someone who would like the meat. My family and I can only eat one deer per year. I use a deer processor to do my butchering. He wraps the meat in paper and will cape a buck if I want to have it mounted. My taxidermist will pick up the caped buck from my processor. I have to dispose of the processor's trimmings and do so in a discreet manner on property owned by my family. This is a great story! I can't imagine how hard it will be to sit in my stand for 30 minutes after my shot. It will go in slow motion. This really sounds like a good strategy that I'd like to adopt. Thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by omegahunter on Jul 12, 2013 7:07:01 GMT -5
I hope for the sake of my bank account that I do not shoot one bigger than the one I put on the wall last season! I am like others and shoot whatever I will be happy with. I also partially butcher my own deer. I cut and grind my own burger meat and package the tenderloins (backstraps) and baby loins (small loins under the spine). I then take the two hind quarters to the processor so he can cut and package the round steaks and grind any extra into burger. He will grind, package, and freeze meat that you bring in for around $0.50/lb. I can't recall right now what he charged last year for the 2 hind quarters.
|
|
|
Post by oldhoyt on Jul 12, 2013 7:56:35 GMT -5
Here's some advice that I took from a previous post:
My advise to you is to start simple as far as equipment and gadgets go. You'll NEED a gun and along with that you need to know your max effective range (practice shooting a lot). Then you NEED a knife and just a couple other essentials depending on where and how you want to hunt.
Then just focus on learning deer behavior. Reading is fine, but can't compare to time in the woods. Stand hunting gets you in the woods, but you can learn more (faster) by walking your woods and reading sign. Where do they bed, where do they go in bad weather (really bad, not just a normal rain or wind), where do they feed and when, where are the scrapes that are active every year, where do the first rubs show up every year. You may or may not be able to do this during the season depending on your situation - size of woods, other hunters, etc., but a great deal can be learned right after the season, and maybe during the break between firearms and muzzleloader. If there's snow cover, make every effort to get out and see where they travel.
I always tell beginners to take the first few legal deer (except perhaps fawns) they can. Get a couple "under your belt" before setting high standards.
As you gain more knowledge about deer, you will be able to decide what additional equipment (calls, lure scents, cover scents, rattling horns, etc.) you WANT to use. IMO, too many beginners focus on the gadgets and attribute their success or failure to what they take with them to the woods. A good hunter can take deer in Indiana with just a gun (or bow) and a some time in the woods.
Lastly, be prepared to trail your deer. Bring what you need (lights, some ribbon, drag rope/cart, etc.) to find your deer and get it out of the woods. Trailing is an art that you learn by doing. Well shot deer should leave relatively short trails, but even they can leave the scene without looking like they are hit. Absence of blood (it is always there, but not always easy to see) is no reason to assume a miss. When you think you've missed, keep looking and then look some more. A good number of deer are lost by giving up too soon. And remember, hunting is supposed to be fun. Too many guys get hung up on taking a deer, and don't really enjoy the hunting experience itself. Many of my most enjoyable days in the woods ended without a shot fired. Enjoy yourself out there.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 12, 2013 9:00:12 GMT -5
Here's some advice that I took from a previous post: My advise to you is to start simple as far as equipment and gadgets go. You'll NEED a gun and along with that you need to know your max effective range (practice shooting a lot). Then you NEED a knife and just a couple other essentials depending on where and how you want to hunt. Then just focus on learning deer behavior. Reading is fine, but can't compare to time in the woods. Stand hunting gets you in the woods, but you can learn more (faster) by walking your woods and reading sign. Where do they bed, where do they go in bad weather (really bad, not just a normal rain or wind), where do they feed and when, where are the scrapes that are active every year, where do the first rubs show up every year. You may or may not be able to do this during the season depending on your situation - size of woods, other hunters, etc., but a great deal can be learned right after the season, and maybe during the break between firearms and muzzleloader. If there's snow cover, make every effort to get out and see where they travel. I always tell beginners to take the first few legal deer (except perhaps fawns) they can. Get a couple "under your belt" before setting high standards. As you gain more knowledge about deer, you will be able to decide what additional equipment (calls, lure scents, cover scents, rattling horns, etc.) you WANT to use. IMO, too many beginners focus on the gadgets and attribute their success or failure to what they take with them to the woods. A good hunter can take deer in Indiana with just a gun (or bow) and a some time in the woods. Lastly, be prepared to trail your deer. Bring what you need (lights, some ribbon, drag rope/cart, etc.) to find your deer and get it out of the woods. Trailing is an art that you learn by doing. Well shot deer should leave relatively short trails, but even they can leave the scene without looking like they are hit. Absence of blood (it is always there, but not always easy to see) is no reason to assume a miss. When you think you've missed, keep looking and then look some more. A good number of deer are lost by giving up too soon. And remember, hunting is supposed to be fun. Too many guys get hung up on taking a deer, and don't really enjoy the hunting experience itself. Many of my most enjoyable days in the woods ended without a shot fired. Enjoy yourself out there. This sounds like good advice. Tell me about your first kill, please. I'd love to hear it. I do have plenty of equipment. One would think that I've been hunting for 10 years. Yes, I have fun sitting in the woods, and can sit there all day; I'm a good sitter. :-) If I learn something, I'm having fun. I don't think that I'm observant enough in the woods. Being observant at work is what I do, but possibly I just don't know what to look for in the woods. From my trail-cam photos, I look to see which direction they're coming from, what time, weather conditions, lunar cycles and what days I see nothing. I'm gathering as much data as I can. I don't have enough data to analyze in a statistical program with any confidence, so I'm just observing. Thanks oldhoyt!
|
|
|
Post by Russ Koon on Jul 12, 2013 9:20:39 GMT -5
I agree that it's much better to process your own meat, including the grinding. There is a considerable satisfaction to the process, as well as a savings in cost, and the assurance that the meat you have in your freezer is actually that which you killed.
There will probably be suggestions to buy a quality grinder that will last a lifetime, and that may be suitable IF you're certain you'll stay in the hunting sport and enjoy lots of success in bringing home game over the years.
I ground all the venison from my first several deer on a grinding attachment to an older KitchenAid mixer and it did just fine, but was slow, and I eventually bought a bargain priced one on sale for $50 at Dick's Sporting Goods several years ago. It's speed is less then the high-dollar pro grinders, but for the average hunter who will be grinding a deer or two year if really lucky, a two-pounds-a-minute grinding rate will only make few minutes difference in the whole process. Considerably faster than the attachment, and cheaper to replace if it should die while grinding venison. The wife would probably want a replacement for the for the whole mixer and those things cost an arm and a leg!
If you don't have a grinder attachment already, the single-purpose grinder is a worthwhile purchase on it's own merits even if you never bring home a deer, just for kitchen use in making ham/chicken salad, etc.
The biggest factor in getting really good burger from your venison is in handling the carcass before processing, and trimming the meat before grinding.
I also bought a dedicated cheap slicer, but found that to be less durable and less useful, and didn't bother to replace the second one when it died. I found that over the years, we gradually ate fewer and fewer steaks, and more roasts and burger. And when I do want to do a few steaks I just thaw a roast and slice it into steaks after thawing, just using a sharp knife and a small cutting board.
Home processing is a very satisfying part of the whole process of putting you own meat on the table. Much can be invested in very good gear to do it with, but it can be accomplished with the same results with a little more time and effort, using very minimal dedicated equipment.
I put a "skyhook" in my garage (just a large eye-bolt properly supported across four rafters), to pull a car engine originally, but it became my favorite way to hang a deer for processing. I can keep the garage at a cooler temperature than the house, which helps in allowing me a more leisurely pace in getting the job done. My cutting table is very generous in size, being a flush interior door across two sawhorses. The sawhorses fold up and the door stands against the wall in an out-of-the-way corner between uses. Plenty of room to lay an entire deer quarter on it to cut and trim the meat, with room for the large bowl for "burger bits" waiting to be ground, and a plastic bucket nearby underneath for inedible scraps/trimmings. Really nice to have it inside with good lighting and no worries about neighborhood dogs, or bad weather disrupting or delaying the effort. If a permanent skyhook is not an option where you live, a temporary one can be assembled with a few 2x4's and some nuts and bolts that can be disassembled and stored away in a few minutes time. Skinning and processing CAN be accomplished without one, but it's a lot handier with it.
Saws are completely unnecessary. I do usually saw off the lower portions of the legs just for convenience in handling, but even that step is optional, and I have never needed one for any of the other processing. it's really best to avoid sawing through bone and meat.
It can be done in a number of other ways, including hanging them from a tree limb or the kids' swing set. One guy I know hung his in an upstairs closet when he was in a rented older house between wives, and processed it on the kitchen table, with a little more difficulty in handling and cleanup, but fine results.
Several others I know who process their own and have for years have come to the same conclusions regarding slicing and even grinding....that some or all of it can be delayed until the meat is thawed. If you're sure you will want so many steaks and so many pounds of burger, it's fine to do it at the initial processing, but there's flexibility in cutting more roasts and then if you run low on burger or steaks, slice or grind what you need from a thawed roast later.
|
|
|
Post by squirrelhunter on Jul 12, 2013 12:13:21 GMT -5
Hello squirrelhunter, Hey, I have some questions for you. I have never shot a squirrel, but have eaten them. They taste good to me. :-) I'd really like to hunt squirrel this year, and don't know the best way to go about it. I have a nice .22. Will you give me some pointers?
I have squirrel in my yard, but seem to only see them on nice days. Are they like me and want to stay dry?
Also, I was a little concerned about disturbing my deer opportunities. I don't want to go in the woods shooting squirrel if it will ruin my opportunity for deer. Is this a possibility? I wouldn't shoot squirrels while deer hunting.Squirrels are still active in rain as long as it's a light rain.They're mainly active early morning or late evening.In the winter anytime but the middle of the day seems best to me.Just be real quiet,walk slow looking for movement and listening for cutting or sit by a nut tree that's been cut on recently and aim for the head.If you know there's more than 1 in the area,after you shoot 1 wait to pick it up until you've shot all you're going to shoot or you'll spook the rest.If 1 goes in it's hole sit and wait 15-20 minutes or so and it might come back out. If you have any more questions just ask.
|
|
|
Post by squirrelhunter on Jul 12, 2013 12:25:33 GMT -5
Hello Jon, Here's my story. I shot my first deer with a .44 magnum handgun the first year handguns were allowed. It happened to be an 8 point buck I shot at 15 yards. It went down, wallered around, then layed still. When I got up to climb down, it jumped up and ran off. I looked for it for a week and never found it. I learned that the 180 grain hollow point I'd shot it in the shoulder with wasn't really the best choice for deer hunting and likely contributed to the loss of that buck. I had the same type thing happen to me on my 8 pointer with 300g XTPs,seems like in a handgun they don't have enough velocity for proper performance on big bucks anyway.On does I never had a problem with them.Now I use 200 and 240g in a rifle.
|
|
|
Post by onhopr12 on Jul 21, 2013 0:55:32 GMT -5
Gillgrabber, elmo, dbd870, squirrelhunter, kirch86, and metamorahunter have given good advice for the first time novice. I'd shoot the first one that you got a GOOD shot at that is legal. There are hunters that go for years without even getting a doe. Get a few notches on the ole belt first instead of cut shirt tails and then decide for yourself, taking in consideration the area that you hunt, as to the higher bragging quality of the animal that you wish to pursue. Also see if you can find literature on tracking wounded game and give whatever type of trophy you shoot the respect of your dinner table.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 21, 2013 10:59:48 GMT -5
Gillgrabber, elmo, dbd870, squirrelhunter, kirch86, and metamorahunter have given good advice for the first time novice. I'd shoot the first one that you got a GOOD shot at that is legal. There are hunters that go for years without even getting a doe. Get a few notches on the ole belt first instead of cut shirt tails and then decide for yourself, taking in consideration the area that you hunt, as to the higher bragging quality of the animal that you wish to pursue. Also see if you can find literature on tracking wounded game and give whatever type of trophy you shoot the respect of your dinner table. onhopr12, I sure hope you stay around a while. I can learn a lot from a guy like you. Trail cameras have really helped me know what is in my area. Without these, I would have probably shot the first deer, and still may if it's a nice doe. I don't really need to the meat, and may donate most of it. I'll try to fill my tag of does, and wait on any shooter quality buck. It would be exciting to see a young buck stay around and watch him grow. I'm hoping to kill some duck and geese to fill my freezer, but I'll try deer meat. To be in the woods to watch and learn will be as much fun to me as harvesting one, unless I kill a shooter, that will awesome!
|
|
|
Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Jul 22, 2013 10:13:47 GMT -5
My first kill was a sparrow in the back yard with my Red Ryder bb gun at about 2 yards. I was jacked up.
I grew up coon hunting and the occasional squirrel hunt, but was the first in my family to take up deer hunting. So while the framework was already in place as far as hunter's ed, basic marksmanship and firearm safety, etc., I pretty much taught myself how to deer hunt on my own through trial and error. It also helped that my parents have about 30 acres that I had free range of.
The first year I deer hunted, I was 14 years old. I only went out a couple of times, sat in a lawnchair, and never saw a deer.
The following year, I was a freshman in high school, and had bought a ladder stand over the summer with birthday money and placed it in a pinch point in the field. I was in the stand bright and early opening morning, and a big-bodied deer ran past my stand just before shooting light. I couldn't see it well enough to tell if it wasa buck or doe. I didn't see any more deer all that day, and had church the following morning. After church, I made my way out to the stand for the afternoon sit. I wasn't dressed for the cold at all, and was shivering and nearly got up to go back to the house several times. I stayed though, and about 30 minutes before dark I turned around to look behind me, and a buck was stepping out of the woods and starting to cross the field about 80 yards away. I stood up and turned around in the stand, steadied my H&R 12 gauge against the tree, and fired. I was pretty sure I hit him, because he bucked like they do on TV, and he bolted across the field and into the woods. I was no longer cold, but was shaking harder than ever. I tried to wait, but couldn't, and climbed down to look for him. I was too excited to go look for blood where he was standing and went straight to where he entered the woods, then began powerwalking through the woods looking for him. Light was fading fast, and I was beginning to think I may have missed when I found him about 30 yards from where he had entered the woods. I had walked right past him several times. After a quick examination I ran back to the house to tell my dad to bring the truck.
Before season came in, I asked my dad if I could get a buck mounted if I killed one. He told me he would pay to get one mounted if it was had 12 points or more, obviously thinking there was no way I would kill one that big. Well, the buck I killed originally had 15 points, but 2 were broken off, rendering him a 13 pointer. So, I got him on my wall these days. He doesn't score real big, I measured him at about 160 gross and 151 net non-typical. His body was huge; I didn't have a scale in those days, but I played football and could power-clean about 200 lbs... It took all my dad and I had to get him in the truck. We got 160 lbs of meat back from the processor.
That first buck was totally luck. I would have pulled the trigger on the first spotted fawn I saw, but that deer remains by biggest buck after 12 seasons of hard hunting. I enjoyed small game hunting and shooting before, and still do, but that deer got me absolutely hooked on deer hunting.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 22, 2013 10:19:12 GMT -5
My first kill was a sparrow in the back yard with my Red Ryder bb gun at about 2 yards. I was jacked up. I grew up coon hunting and the occasional squirrel hunt, but was the first in my family to take up deer hunting. So while the framework was already in place as far as hunter's ed, basic marksmanship and firearm safety, etc., I pretty much taught myself how to deer hunt on my own through trial and error. It also helped that my parents have about 30 acres that I had free range of. The first year I deer hunted, I was 14 years old. I only went out a couple of times, sat in a lawnchair, and never saw a deer. The following year, I was a freshman in high school, and had bought a ladder stand over the summer with birthday money and placed it in a pinch point in the field. I was in the stand bright and early opening morning, and a big-bodied deer ran past my stand just before shooting light. I couldn't see it well enough to tell if it wasa buck or doe. I didn't see any more deer all that day, and had church the following morning. After church, I made my way out to the stand for the afternoon sit. I wasn't dressed for the cold at all, and was shivering and nearly got up to go back to the house several times. I stayed though, and about 30 minutes before dark I turned around to look behind me, and a buck was stepping out of the woods and starting to cross the field about 80 yards away. I stood up and turned around in the stand, steadied my H&R 12 gauge against the tree, and fired. I was pretty sure I hit him, because he bucked like they do on TV, and he bolted across the field and into the woods. I was no longer cold, but was shaking harder than ever. I tried to wait, but couldn't, and climbed down to look for him. I was too excited to go look for blood where he was standing and went straight to where he entered the woods, then began powerwalking through the woods looking for him. Light was fading fast, and I was beginning to think I may have missed when I found him about 30 yards from where he had entered the woods. I had walked right past him several times. After a quick examination I ran back to the house to tell my dad to bring the truck. Before season came in, I asked my dad if I could get a buck mounted if I killed one. He told me he would pay to get one mounted if it was had 12 points or more, obviously thinking there was no way I would kill one that big. Well, the buck I killed originally had 15 points, but 2 were broken off, rendering him a 13 pointer. So, I got him on my wall these days. He doesn't score real big, I measured him at about 160 gross and 151 net non-typical. His body was huge; I didn't have a scale in those days, but I played football and could power-clean about 200 lbs... It took all my dad and I had to get him in the truck. We got 160 lbs of meat back from the processor. That first buck was totally luck. I would have pulled the trigger on the first spotted fawn I saw, but that deer remains by biggest buck after 12 seasons of hard hunting. I enjoyed small game hunting and shooting before, and still do, but that deer got me absolutely hooked on deer hunting. I really enjoyed reading your story. Thanks!
|
|
|
First Kill
Jul 22, 2013 20:45:13 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by josephwrealty on Jul 22, 2013 20:45:13 GMT -5
Here's some advice that I took from a previous post: (love the advice about field time and gadgets. I myself spend time in the field all year round since I hunt Mmultiple species and fish. ALOT comes from field time secondly the gadgets are over sold big time.) My advise to you is to start simple as far as equipment and gadgets go. You'll NEED a gun and along with that you need to know your max effective range (practice shooting a lot). Then you NEED a knife and just a couple other essentials depending on where and how you want to hunt. Then just focus on learning deer behavior. Reading is fine, but can't compare to time in the woods. Stand hunting gets you in the woods, but you can learn more (faster) by walking your woods and reading sign. Where do they bed, where do they go in bad weather (really bad, not just a normal rain or wind), where do they feed and when, where are the scrapes that are active every year, where do the first rubs show up every year. You may or may not be able to do this during the season depending on your situation - size of woods, other hunters, etc., but a great deal can be learned right after the season, and maybe during the break between firearms and muzzleloader. If there's snow cover, make every effort to get out and see where they travel. I always tell beginners to take the first few legal deer (except perhaps fawns) they can. Get a couple "under your belt" before setting high standards. As you gain more knowledge about deer, you will be able to decide what additional equipment (calls, lure scents, cover scents, rattling horns, etc.) you WANT to use. IMO, too many beginners focus on the gadgets and attribute their success or failure to what they take with them to the woods. A good hunter can take deer in Indiana with just a gun (or bow) and a some time in the woods. Lastly, be prepared to trail your deer. Bring what you need (lights, some ribbon, drag rope/cart, etc.) to find your deer and get it out of the woods. Trailing is an art that you learn by doing. Well shot deer should leave relatively short trails, but even they can leave the scene without looking like they are hit. Absence of blood (it is always there, but not always easy to see) is no reason to assume a miss. When you think you've missed, keep looking and then look some more. A good number of deer are lost by giving up too soon. And remember, hunting is supposed to be fun. Too many guys get hung up on taking a deer, and don't really enjoy the hunting experience itself. Many of my most enjoyable days in the woods ended without a shot fired. Enjoy yourself out there.
|
|
|
Post by 36fan on Jul 22, 2013 21:23:01 GMT -5
I hope for the sake of my bank account that I do not shoot one bigger than the one I put on the wall last season! I am like others and shoot whatever I will be happy with. I also partially butcher my own deer. I cut and grind my own burger meat and package the tenderloins (backstraps) and baby loins (small loins under the spine). I then take the two hind quarters to the processor so he can cut and package the round steaks and grind any extra into burger. He will grind, package, and freeze meat that you bring in for around $0.50/lb. I can't recall right now what he charged last year for the 2 hind quarters. Omega - you've got the names of the cuts confused. The loin - often referred to by deer hunters as "backstraps" - is the long piece of meat that is located along the outside of the spine. The tenderloin is the smaller piece of meat located on the inside of the body cavity along the inside of spine. Do you have your butcher cut your round steaks with the bone in? If not, why don't you just finish the job yourself? It sounds like you do already do the most time consuming part yourself.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 23, 2013 11:04:04 GMT -5
I hope for the sake of my bank account that I do not shoot one bigger than the one I put on the wall last season! I am like others and shoot whatever I will be happy with. I also partially butcher my own deer. I cut and grind my own burger meat and package the tenderloins (backstraps) and baby loins (small loins under the spine). I then take the two hind quarters to the processor so he can cut and package the round steaks and grind any extra into burger. He will grind, package, and freeze meat that you bring in for around $0.50/lb. I can't recall right now what he charged last year for the 2 hind quarters. Omega - you've got the names of the cuts confused. The loin - often referred to by deer hunters as "backstraps" - is the long piece of meat that is located along the outside of the spine. The tenderloin is the smaller piece of meat located on the inside of the body cavity along the inside of spine. Do you have your butcher cut your round steaks with the bone in? If not, why don't you just finish the job yourself? It sounds like you do already do the most time consuming part yourself. 36fan, do you process your deer?
|
|
|
Post by bigballer on Jul 23, 2013 12:14:44 GMT -5
I shot at a doe my first year and gave her a hair cut.(bow) my first kill was the next year with my bow and was a 6pt. I hunted for the fun of hunting and shot almost everything I could since I was lucky to see 5 deer during hunting season. Would only get 2-3 of those in range. Now days I let the little ones walk. Ate my tags last year for the first time in over 20 years. But that's the luck of things. Let the small ones walk early in the year and then didn't see but one shooter buck all year. Shot a doe but went onto property that no one is allowed to be on and get fined if you get caught on it. Now about the grinder.. Don't know how much you will be doing and or how long you will need it. I know when I went into buy one I was going to be using it a lot and for a long time. I have 4 brothers, a dad, two sisters and one nephew that hunt. So when I went to buy I waited for a good deal on a pretty nice grinder. We had a cheap one and they are really a pain in the butt because deer meat is so stringy and clogs the grinders up. So I bought mine from Gander on one of the Black Friday deals about 5 years ago. It was the $350 one and I want to say I got it for $250 or so.. I would just recomend you think about what you will be needing it for. One deer a year you can go smaller just know it might clog but not as much time in grinding one deer. If your going to kill 3-4 and might have family kill some too then you might want to go bigger. Also matters how much money you have to spend... LOL.. I make a little extra on the side each year and that's my spending money. BB
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 23, 2013 14:03:23 GMT -5
I shot at a doe my first year and gave her a hair cut.(bow) my first kill was the next year with my bow and was a 6pt. I hunted for the fun of hunting and shot almost everything I could since I was lucky to see 5 deer during hunting season. Would only get 2-3 of those in range. Now days I let the little ones walk. Ate my tags last year for the first time in over 20 years. But that's the luck of things. Let the small ones walk early in the year and then didn't see but one shooter buck all year. Shot a doe but went onto property that no one is allowed to be on and get fined if you get caught on it. Now about the grinder.. Don't know how much you will be doing and or how long you will need it. I know when I went into buy one I was going to be using it a lot and for a long time. I have 4 brothers, a dad, two sisters and one nephew that hunt. So when I went to buy I waited for a good deal on a pretty nice grinder. We had a cheap one and they are really a pain in the butt because deer meat is so stringy and clogs the grinders up. So I bought mine from Gander on one of the Black Friday deals about 5 years ago. It was the $350 one and I want to say I got it for $250 or so.. I would just recomend you think about what you will be needing it for. One deer a year you can go smaller just know it might clog but not as much time in grinding one deer. If your going to kill 3-4 and might have family kill some too then you might want to go bigger. Also matters how much money you have to spend... LOL.. I make a little extra on the side each year and that's my spending money. BB Thanks BB, this is what I wanted to hear.
|
|
|
Post by coyote6974 on Jul 23, 2013 17:32:20 GMT -5
Coyote, You have to dispose of the trimmings from the processor? I've never heard of that. Is it a real small operation or something? Yep.. Kind of a pain to have to mess with. My processor is a one man operation. He's a meat cutter by trade who just does some deer processing on the side. He puts the legs, rib cages, head, hide, and internal trimmings in a box then gives it back to you when you pick up your meat. I always put mine out where I can watch it for coyote bait.
|
|