Deer Hunting

“Deer hunting season opens in a few short weeks, and a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go. I've never been and look forward to the experience. Yes, I realize there's a good chance we probably won't bag one (even though they're everywhere around here), but I'm sure I'll learn a lot regardless.

Any tips from you seasoned vets out there?”

“It's a personal thing with me and likely a minority opinion, but I never hunt unless I need the meat. I can't understand the logic of shooting something just to hang its' head on the wall. That being said, if I need the meat, seasons don't mean that much to me either. There is also this side of me that just likes to shoot the King's deer (when needed).”

“Make sure you have the stomache for it before you go. While you might not bag anything...you might.

I agree with Snake. Here's an idea...mount a camera with large lens on gun stock. Take of photo of any buck lucky enough to get in your frame. You can add the cross hairs later. Looks great in the den and doesn't leave blood stains on your hood.”

“Still or with dogs, Artex?”

“Will large porcine beasts be involved?”

“Deer hunting tips.

Remember 3 primary safety rules
1. Treat all guns as loaded
2. Keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times. What direction is "safe" requires some thought of how far the bullet or arrow can travel.
3. Be sure of your target, and what is beyond the target. A shotgun slug can travel 1200 yards a rifle bullet for miles. This is the best argument for tree stands, the bullet goes into the ground where you can see it.

4) stay absolutely still, deer see the slightest movement, do not turn your head if you hear sounds, move your eyes without head movement.

5) look/hunt into the wind, downwind they will smell you long before you see them.


Are you still hunting ? finding a spot and waiting until the deer come to you?, or attempting to sneak up on them?, or having someone drive the deer?

Are you using a gun or a bow ?
If using a bow, wait until the deer relaxes before firing, the reflexes of an alert deer are faster than an arrow and you will miss.

Best target area, 1/2 way up the body in a line behind the front leg on a side on or slightly quartering away animal.

Practice at a range before you go to find your effective shooting range. That is the distance at which you can * * always * * hit an 8.5x11 in sheet of paper. This is the approximate size of the deers lungs, and is the target area described above.

When in the field, measure the distance to a couple of objects where you intend to shoot.
A lot easier to estimate distance from a known object "about 2 yards closer than that tree which is 53 yards away".

Whether you see a deer or not does not matter, there will be birds, squirrels, chipmonks, maybe you will even see a raccoon or skunk. Have a great time.”

“Will you be hunting from a stand or at ground level? If you're hunting from a stand, make sure your gun is unloaded before you bring it up with you. Not trying to patronize you, but some people overlook that part - and it can be a deadly mistake. Whether you're hunting on the ground or in a stand, the best tips I have are to mask scent and sound and keep sudden movements to a minimum.

If you'll be helping your friend clean a deer, take rubber gloves and be prepared for a very strong, pungent smell.”

“Manuka's last line is best. I have more days of not even firing a shot than I do of anything else. That's not because I'm a poor hunter, but because shooting isn't my primary motivation.”

“Thanks all.

To answer some questions: No dogs, and we'll be in tree stands with rifles. Also, while I've never been deer hunting, I have been boar hunting several dozen times.

Thanks for the tips/suggestions. I look forward to the trip!
last edited: 10/13/04 6:19:08 PM”

“Dress warmly. Tree sitting is COLD.”

“Me likes cold.”

“True dat GGGGS. I always wear loose well insulated boots and put some of those foot heaters in them. I also keep one of those in my hands so I can feel the trigger. In a stand you can take a book. That passes some slooowww moments.”

“First and foremost, be safe. Secondly, enjoy the time in the woods.

Beyond that, be patient, hunt into the wind, and shoot well.

Enjoy,

Ordin”

“Manuka covered most of the bases very well. I would advise wearing REALLY lightweight clothes for the walk in, bundle up once you get in place. Wash all your clothes in plain baking soda before weraing them,this'll help nutralize the smells.

Avoid bait

remember B.R.A.S.S.

Breath
Relaxe
Aim
Squeeze
Shoot”

“GreasyGrimy, deer hunting with dogs is illegal, actually if your pet dog gets caught chasing a deer, he's put down.

what do you mean "avoid bait" birch? Baiting deer is also illegal in Maine.”

“Not in Mississippi and a whole lot of other states, twiggy.
I don't hunt but my dad and brother love it.
They think I'm nuts for backpacking instead of hunting.
Get out of Maine ever now and then!”

“oh yeah I meant to say "illegal in Maine"
(hey ain't that just understood - what other place would I know anything about? hehe)

I agree with ya - sitting for hours is DAMN cold, especially if you're in a tree stand.”

“Twigeater, I am glad to hear that baiting and dogs are illegal in maine. In Mi we allow bait for deer and bear and dogs for bear. I think calling killing an animal over a pile of food I put there hunting is a stretch.”

“oh yeah manuka, driving deer is also illegal - in Maine, that is.”

“Maine allows bear baiting, but there is a referendum on the ballot that may stop that. I'm voting against stopping it, because I feel Maine's bear population is healthy and well managed.
We have little or no bear problem while backpacking (at all, really) as the Maine black bear is shy.
last edited: 10/13/04 8:33:20 PM”

“So, if I bag one, I'll be busy making jerky like a mofo. And stew. And ground venison burgers. drool

Recipes, anyone (in case I get lucky)?
last edited: 10/13/04 8:40:28 PM”

““oh yeah manuka, driving deer is also illegal - in Maine, that is.”
twigeater
9:27:27 PM
10/13/04
ignore this user

Good to know if I ever go hunting in Maine.


BTW regular deer season for the northern zone in NY opens a week from Saturday. I can't wait. All of you hunters, be safe and have fun.
last edited: 10/13/04 8:51:07 PM”

“Artex, this recipe is the bomb for a shoulder roast.

1 whole front shoulder,bone in.
1/2 C. molasses (the darker the better)
1/2 C. ketchup
1/2 C. mustard
1 C. good red wine.

Mix all liquids in sauce pan, bring to boil continue to mix for 2 minutes.

Put roast in a roasting pan, pour sauce over roast,cover and bake at 350 for 4 hours. Do NOT open during cooking, let meat rest 10 min before serving. Remove bone by gently lifing and the meat will fall clean away.”

“Avoid any recipe that includes cream of mushroom soup.”

“I alos have two really good recipes for tenderloins.
One is a venison tenderloin in a cream medera sauce

The other is tenderloin in a port wine mushroom sauce.

BTW dont forget the inside tenderloins when you are gutting the deer. Best piece of meat bar none. VERY small but oh so tasty for breakfast.”

“Cool, thanks birch. I'm not getting my hopes up too high, but that'll come in handy seeing as everyone and their grandmothers hunt around here.. and I've already had a few people offer me some bounty should they get lucky.”

“If you get one, we're all invited over for venison steaks right?”

“Sure!”

“

Take a camera leave the gun at home :p





”

“Thank you so much Wind Walker for posting your amazing pictures of the beautiful and very much ALIVE deer.

I agree take your camera instead.
I sure hope that who ever looks at these pictures will realize how beautiful these wild animals are, and look again at going deer hunting. Im sorry but reading these post have made me sick to my stomach!

Thanks again for posting the pictures”

“Seems like gremlin posted some good recipes on another thread...”

“Let's stir the pot abit.

Apparently there are non-hunters that responded above...good that they haven't ragged on the pro-hunters.

Their choice to buy their beef, pork or chicken in the grocery store. Some people like wild game....and deer is in abundance. Since mankind have practically eliminated the wolves, bears and cougars....deer in some areas have experienced a population explosion. If people don't hunt them...nature will take it's course...i.e. not enough to eat, the spread of disease etc. Lot's of deer die during the winter months....which I think is a more inhumane way to die.”

“Wind Walker, nice pics.

My hubby was brought up to shoot deer. I can't believe I never asked if he bagged one. I guess I didn't want to hear the answer.

We went to Fire Island, off of Long Island in NY, and the deer came right up to him. They are pretty tame there. He really didn't think he could go hunting after that. They were so docile, and just walked around munching peacefully in the field, I think he thought it was not a real challenge to shoot something that was so harmless and innocent.

I know the story about hunting, because they will starve during the winter, but in PA where hubby is from, they really don't make a dent in the population. You may as well find another way like steralizing them with feed that's treated with some chemical. Hunters say the deer know when it's hunting season and disappear.

I don't know anyone who really likes deermeat. I think it's just a cheap way for them to eat. They seem to disguise the meat with other flavors, because it doesn't seem to taste so good. Why kill them and eat them? You want cheap meat, by your meat when it's on sale.

The problem I have with hunting is hunters shooting and just nicking the animal that will go off and die or suffer.”

“Deer meat taste great...btw, other wild meat taste great too....plus wild meat have more protein and are usually chemical-free.

And alot of hunters hunt not because the meat is cheap....actually, it's probably more expensive to hunt...licenses, gas for transportation, hunting gear, some hunters have to pay the land owner etc....see, it's not that cheap.

Also, a few years ago, in a magazine...I forget which year and what magazine....it stated that today's youths are impatient and want instant gratification.....these feelings happen to the youths, when hunting became non-essential. Hunting teaches the hunters to be patient.”

“IMO, I see absolutely nothing wrong with hunting so long as you eat what you kill. Those who criticize hunting overall and still eat meat are complete hypocrites. I won't even listen to them. Why is it better to give your money to an industry that raises animals in cramped, unnatural conditions and injects them with hormones? I'd much rather eat meat where the animal was taken from it's natural environment and had a chance at life.

Conversely, if you ARE a vegetarian, and want to argue against hunting.. well, I can see your point. Otherwise, go eat your veal (know how that's made?) and SHADDUP!”

“I was going to post something, but it looks like stanlee and artex already basically posted what I was going to.

BTW I prefer the taste of venison to beef.”

“Venison's good, it's good for you and I really feel for those poor, uprooted, carrots.”

“My ex-boyfriend told me last night he'd take me hunting with him. I have no eye-hand coordination so I don't plan on shooting anything. He said he's not worried about me talking. He's worried I can't sit still. Oh, and he told me "No foo-foo soap." Seems deer don't like Bath & Body Works. Otherwise, he said he'd spray me with "deer piss." No foo-foo soap it is! But this way, I can purchase a license and he'll bag one for me. I'll help him drag it out and gut it. I'll take it to be processed. Yes, we like venison in my house.

Enjoy Artex! We'll have to share stories later in the season. :)”

“I'd go one step further than the "meat eater" argument, and say that even vegetarians have no arguments. If you live in a dwelling that took away several critters homes/habitat, you have a responsibility to those animals to help them live a healthy life.
Think if humans were pushed into increasingly smaller areas - disease and hunger would be the norm.
I say take your camera AND your gun.”

“You're absolutely right, B.B., and I'd be all for shooting people under those deplorable conditions. Just kidding, really...maybe.”

“"....seasons don't mean that much to me either. There is also this side of me that just likes to shoot the King's deer (when needed).”
Snake Eyes
5:38:43 PM

OK, Jack!”

“LOL...that's illegal in Maine as well sunshine - tagging a deer someone else shot - in the old days women and kids were questioned pretty good when they tagged deer, but no more.
The fines and penalties in Maine are very strict, aren't they in other states? You can lose your vehicle for some infractions.”

“"Think if humans were pushed into increasingly smaller areas - disease and hunger would be the norm.
I say take your camera AND your gun.”
bunny boiler
7:30:37 AM

Come visit Baltimore, bunny badass.”

“Who's Jack?”

“LOL...why, MarkO - is Baltimore infested with people? =D

I guess I wasn't thinking when I wrote that, was I...hehe
There are no "big" cities near me (I count Augusta and Waterville as big but you might not)...I'm claustraphobic on two acres...”

“Good luck Artex!”

“Snake Eyes, taking of the king's deer would be considered jackin'.

bunny boiler, I could show you parts of Baltimore that would turn you white!

Janet and I thought it was funny that you felt "crowded" in you "neighborhood".”

“I bet you could MarkO - my son lives in Lewiston and that is one scary place!”

“PS - when are you and Hurricane Janet coming back to my crowded neighborhood?
=D”