(For those who asked, I hunt with a Savage 30-30.)
58 Replies to “Whitetails 2, Kate 0”
“It’s why I don’t need no stinking personal trainer”
haha…
I hear ya on that one kate!1 lol.
I say the same thing on the way to and from my car every morning! LOL.
Beautiful footage
I love this country!
The snow was way too deep, and unlike other years it seemed hunters were everywhere – so they were spooked. I saw lots… running hard in the other direction. Got only one shot off in two weekends out!
Looks like its ground beef from the butcher shop this year, huh Kate.
If you’re really serious about the “personal thing”, then know his territory, but hunt with the rifle first, then the camera. Where/when does he drink? Where do his does and yearlings yard up?
Personally, I’d just go for the tender meat: those spike bucks are much more tasty than any gamy old high-point trophy.
“No venison for you!!!………. One Year!!!!
The deer Nazi.
Watching the video, I kept waiting for one to come running by. It was like playing “Buckhunter” without the buck.
Hills – and a few more trees – would have helped.
Today we finished pheasant season here in AB. I haven’t told the dogs yet.They don’t deserve that kind of news after the kind of season they just put in. Have a puppy that just ‘lit it up’. Tomorrow we move on to the White Tail.
I do “know” his territory. We’ve taken 3 does, a spring fawn and a yearling buck out of there in the past 3 years.
Tough luck, Kate. If hunting is over till next year, time for a couple of shots at some easier targets, like W.K.
> I do “know” his territory. We’ve taken 3 does, a spring fawn and a yearling buck out of there in the past 3 years.
Well then: which of you really knows that country best? My respects are given to both the buck left to breed again this next year, and you to understand more about him.
It’s an endless game. Both of you win, this year.
Those are some pretty long shots there. Looks like sniper rifle territory to me.
By the way, we are lounging by the pool in Phoenix this week. The locals are all mad because its so “cold” here you have to wear a hoodie in the morning. Over your shorts and t-shirt.
My personal trainer says hi. ~:D
This kind of reminds me of stopping at the fish store in Saskatoon to pick up some fish fillets after a fishing trip.
I know that the population density is signifigantly less than here in Bantario but care must be taken….
An associate once told me of a day with no joy in Northern Ontario, hunting Bambi, when he encountered a fellow….who said he had only had “[B] a coupla sound shots…[/B]
Them long shots always give me the heebie–jeebies.
Dad always said there is a lot more room to miss than hit.
There will be another day…..
This why hunting reminds me too much of Army schemes: Cold and wet in the bush with a rifle waiting for something to happen (and something seldom does happen)
Well I’ll expose my ignorance here. Driving south from Saskatoon to Dundern a couple of years back (while visiting) I think I counted 25 dead deer in the ditches in 20 miles. Why so hard to find this year? (If I’m not mistaken one did some work on your van back then Kate?)
I took a couple friends out for their last attempt of their first season, I must have heard 20 or more shots after legal light. From about 1:30pm till the last shot heard tonight I am sure 50 shots registered.
I tagged out again this season, but I also walked about 20 miles since the middle of October. I efd up my opportunity at this years big buck, but I saw a mulie that must have been the off spring of an elk. I chased 2 bull moose in 1 day with my bow. I caught 2 trespassers with my trail camera and I have experienced the Albertan parkland once again more than any urban enviro could ever.
There is is always next year, and if hunting was supposed to be any easier it would be called killing.
Easy to find. Hard to hit.
BTW, I picked up the Columbia Gallatin wool camo this year. Best stuff I have ever worn. Warm, silent and old school. Good for walking and posting, and it is cheap.
John 0, elk 2. Just SW of Calgary last weekend. Two very early mornings with nothing to show for the effort. Are they getting smarter or do we need a personal trainer?
John @ 1:34pm
No you need elk. SW Alberta elk herds are becoming more sparse every year. On the flip side central east Alberta herds are getting larger. The growing influx of hunters in SW Alberta are helping to push elk back to the 18th century.
In snow that deep, you need to switch to cross country skiing. You need to be able to be where the deer don’t expect you and didn’t hear you coming.
You must have an alternate spot where few people go. Even the shotgun muzzleloading area.
The new inline muzzleloaders are good well past 100 yards. And the area near Pike Lake or the river used to be polluted with deer.
Use those multi-hour boot warmers and stay put and post 40 yards off a trail. It would be less exhausting.
Hey, you’re self-employed. You should be hunting on a Monday or during the middle of the week when there is less competition. Have a talk with your boss. 🙂
Kate;
When you are a hunter, Mother Nature is your trainer.
You know when you are fit enough because you get to survive.
“Hey, you’re self-employed. You should be hunting on a Monday or during the middle of the week when there is less competition. Have a talk with your boss. :)”
Correct.
This is Southern Saskatchewan? Did you import those trees?
I don’t know much about hunting, but that sure is some nice scenery. Better luck next time!
Hey Kate…so today (or yesterday) you got skunked. Happens to the best of us…Lord knows it’s happened to me numerous times.
But the one time I had a magnificent buck clearly in my sights in the Kananaskis area, I just could not do it. He was so beautiful. Frankly all I had to do was to squeeze the trigger…couldn’t do it. Don’t know why.
He probably got bagged by another hunter, since he was less than descriminate as to where he showed himself. But for whatever reason, I felt good about giving that magnificent animal a pass.
I can never go hunting…. not that I ever did but listen to the rest.
I feed the deer at the lake. It’s cold and some oats from the farm is good for them. And my 8 and 10 year olds like to watch them feeding in the yard at the cabin.
Anyway…. one day I am bent over, hood up on that POS Polaris that will not run…. hear a noise…. look up.
Son of a gun there is a deer not 30 feet from me. He is looking at me.
Yeah I know. Gotcha!
I put out extra oats and carrots and peas that day.
He so tagged me.
Jeff:
I think you and I have a lot in common.. After my aforementioned experince in refraining from shooting the buck, I gave it up.
I have no problem whatever with hunters, and hunters who are after deer. They are engaging in a perfectly legitimate activity, and I will never criticize them for that, and frankly, at least in some areas, by culling th herd they are probably helping to solidify the deer gene pool.
But it is just not my thing anymore. I am content to stay at home with my beloved golden retriever and throw out some feed for the deer who emerge from the forest near my house.
I will leave the hunting to others.
Bruce @ December 1, 2010 3:48 AM :
“I will leave the hunting to others.”
DITTO!
Kate said “Easy to find. Hard to hit.”
Ya got that right! But I figure it still beats working, success or not.
I however am well set up. A whitey and a muley (doe) in the freezer.
By the way Kate, what did you eventually get for a rifle?
Don’t feel bad. I hunted HARD for three years before I got my first one. It’s a learning curve.
I use a Savage .3030 with open sights.
Does anyone know what is done with road kill? In the US if an animal is injured the troopers will often phone someone that needs the meat and they will go get it. Does the same thing happen in Canada or is it a local thing?
Now I don’t feel so bad. This was my first fall bow-hunting for deer. Got skunked of course.
My personal range limit is 30 yards, and even good archers max out at around 70-80, so you have to get really close. Which means the deer have all the advantages.
Next year ……
Speedy, in Toronto area they rush the thing to the vet and try to save its life.
You should have seen the outrage when special police units were called in to -capture- deer at Pearson airport. They didn’t dare shoot them, given the freakout the papers had in case one of the nice deer might get hurt by the mean policemen. Better it should get nailed by the landing gear of a 747 with 400 people aboard than a cop should shoot it, right?
Many stupid bunny huggers.
On the other hand…
I like hunters, but I hate trespassers. Sadly the morons who “hunt” near my house can’t read the NO HUNTING!!! signs posted all over the freakin’ place. Or understand the concept of them not being welcome to shoot off firearms in my backyard, which is your basic nicely mowed grass lawn right next to my house. And, you know, mine. Or comprehend that the woods out back are a CONSERVATION AREA because they can’t read the numerous signs. Or conceptualize the notion of checking down range behind the target in case my house might be in the way of that slug when they miss the deer/duck/goose/rabbit/random movement in the brush…Etc.
This is what makes gun and hunting regulations in Ontario such a farce. These guys all have licenses out wazoo, mandatory training courses ad nauseam, it doesn’t make a lick of difference to their behavior and never has. My mother tells the same stories from sixty freakin’ years ago living on the farm down the road from my place.
Deer season in Cayuga is a time to keep kids, dogs and cattle inside. Thank you, Hamilton.
Maybe those deer read this blog… somehow they knew you were coming.
Kate: a 30-30 with open sights? That’s what I call a true sportsperson.
On my one and only deer hunt (a little over 40 years ago) I was carrying my Dad’s Winchester model 94 30-30 carbine which was given to him by his Dad. I have heard them described as “a good bush gun, but trajectory like a rainbow” LOL – it gives a deer a sporting chance.
The friend I was hunting with had a 7mm Magnum. He got his deer but shot it as it had turned to run. The bullet hit the left femur and exited the right shoulder. I was closest and got to it first. It was still alive. Not pretty.
Ironically, I bought a Ruger M77 in 7mm Remington magnum with a Weaver V9W scope about a year later, but all I ever shot with it was paper targets. From a long ways away. The rifle is long gone, but I still have the scope on a Remington 742 in .308 Winchester (aka 7.62mm NATO – great caliber ’cause military surplus ammo is cheap), and I still enjoy target shooting.
I’m not anti-hunting, and wish you better luck next year.
Bruce: Thanks. Jeff, Liz: Ditto.
Kate, lots of whitetail going unhunted here in the Peace Country, get tags here and I will put you up for a hunt on our land…..Elk too!
What’s hard to take is the idea that HE was probably watching YOU!!
Thats whitetails for you.
whoa! you missed that huge buck in the tree line!!!! 😉
i tried shooting some video this year too, damn near caused me to miss what ended up being my personal best buck. i’ve decided the video comes afterward unless i get a scope mounted cam.
Kate wrote: “I use a Savage .3030 with open sights.”
If I recall, that is the same gun you were using a couple of years ago. I have a Marlin .30-30, also open sights. Great brush popper, and great as a saddle gun. But for whiteys on the prairies, you should get something with longer legs. I use a 7mm mag myself.
Maybe some of us SDAers ought to start a “Kate’s Rifle Fund” 🙂
Just got back from New York where I saw lots of does and no bucks.
My friend and I couldn’t get an anterless tag this year, being as we’re out of state non residents.
My resident buddy that hosted us got a 2 1/2 year old small 8 pointer before I even climbed into my stand.
We’re baking the heart in the oven right now.
That’s some awesome deer habitat you have have permission to hunt there. Saskatchewan is an outdoorsman’s dream.
I’m jealous.
Is there a muzzle loader, shotgun or bow season after rifle season?
How cold was it? How far do normally have to shoot? Tomorrow’s forecast here 30 deg.F , wind at 5 mph. I’ll be cold in the deer stand( if I don’t chicken out). I think I would need better clothes to survive sitting in a stand in Sask.
I forgot to mention I am zero shots and zero sightings on two trips this season.
Kate, I may have to come over there and open up the season for awhile longer for you.. say the word!
PI
We went out on two weekends and temps ranged from -6 to about -20C. Had some strong winds a couple of the days and blowing snow, though it was dead calm the day I shot the video.
Oh Man, that is some beautifull snow.
It will snow in N. Louisi-Yana, but it usually only last a day or two.
Got two weeks off for Christmas will try my luck then.
Well Danggit Kate, I reckon we don’t get to see that deer shoulder stuffed with sausage and wrapped in bacon this year.
,
“It’s why I don’t need no stinking personal trainer”
haha…
I hear ya on that one kate!1 lol.
I say the same thing on the way to and from my car every morning! LOL.
Beautiful footage
I love this country!
The snow was way too deep, and unlike other years it seemed hunters were everywhere – so they were spooked. I saw lots… running hard in the other direction. Got only one shot off in two weekends out!
Looks like its ground beef from the butcher shop this year, huh Kate.
If you’re really serious about the “personal thing”, then know his territory, but hunt with the rifle first, then the camera. Where/when does he drink? Where do his does and yearlings yard up?
Personally, I’d just go for the tender meat: those spike bucks are much more tasty than any gamy old high-point trophy.
“No venison for you!!!………. One Year!!!!
The deer Nazi.
Watching the video, I kept waiting for one to come running by. It was like playing “Buckhunter” without the buck.
Hills – and a few more trees – would have helped.
Today we finished pheasant season here in AB. I haven’t told the dogs yet.They don’t deserve that kind of news after the kind of season they just put in. Have a puppy that just ‘lit it up’. Tomorrow we move on to the White Tail.
I do “know” his territory. We’ve taken 3 does, a spring fawn and a yearling buck out of there in the past 3 years.
Tough luck, Kate. If hunting is over till next year, time for a couple of shots at some easier targets, like W.K.
> I do “know” his territory. We’ve taken 3 does, a spring fawn and a yearling buck out of there in the past 3 years.
Well then: which of you really knows that country best? My respects are given to both the buck left to breed again this next year, and you to understand more about him.
It’s an endless game. Both of you win, this year.
Those are some pretty long shots there. Looks like sniper rifle territory to me.
By the way, we are lounging by the pool in Phoenix this week. The locals are all mad because its so “cold” here you have to wear a hoodie in the morning. Over your shorts and t-shirt.
My personal trainer says hi. ~:D
This kind of reminds me of stopping at the fish store in Saskatoon to pick up some fish fillets after a fishing trip.
I know that the population density is signifigantly less than here in Bantario but care must be taken….
An associate once told me of a day with no joy in Northern Ontario, hunting Bambi, when he encountered a fellow….who said he had only had “[B] a coupla sound shots…[/B]
Them long shots always give me the heebie–jeebies.
Dad always said there is a lot more room to miss than hit.
There will be another day…..
This why hunting reminds me too much of Army schemes: Cold and wet in the bush with a rifle waiting for something to happen (and something seldom does happen)
Well I’ll expose my ignorance here. Driving south from Saskatoon to Dundern a couple of years back (while visiting) I think I counted 25 dead deer in the ditches in 20 miles. Why so hard to find this year? (If I’m not mistaken one did some work on your van back then Kate?)
I took a couple friends out for their last attempt of their first season, I must have heard 20 or more shots after legal light. From about 1:30pm till the last shot heard tonight I am sure 50 shots registered.
I tagged out again this season, but I also walked about 20 miles since the middle of October. I efd up my opportunity at this years big buck, but I saw a mulie that must have been the off spring of an elk. I chased 2 bull moose in 1 day with my bow. I caught 2 trespassers with my trail camera and I have experienced the Albertan parkland once again more than any urban enviro could ever.
There is is always next year, and if hunting was supposed to be any easier it would be called killing.
Easy to find. Hard to hit.
BTW, I picked up the Columbia Gallatin wool camo this year. Best stuff I have ever worn. Warm, silent and old school. Good for walking and posting, and it is cheap.
John 0, elk 2. Just SW of Calgary last weekend. Two very early mornings with nothing to show for the effort. Are they getting smarter or do we need a personal trainer?
John @ 1:34pm
No you need elk. SW Alberta elk herds are becoming more sparse every year. On the flip side central east Alberta herds are getting larger. The growing influx of hunters in SW Alberta are helping to push elk back to the 18th century.
In snow that deep, you need to switch to cross country skiing. You need to be able to be where the deer don’t expect you and didn’t hear you coming.
You must have an alternate spot where few people go. Even the shotgun muzzleloading area.
The new inline muzzleloaders are good well past 100 yards. And the area near Pike Lake or the river used to be polluted with deer.
Use those multi-hour boot warmers and stay put and post 40 yards off a trail. It would be less exhausting.
Hey, you’re self-employed. You should be hunting on a Monday or during the middle of the week when there is less competition. Have a talk with your boss. 🙂
Kate;
When you are a hunter, Mother Nature is your trainer.
You know when you are fit enough because you get to survive.
“Hey, you’re self-employed. You should be hunting on a Monday or during the middle of the week when there is less competition. Have a talk with your boss. :)”
Correct.
This is Southern Saskatchewan? Did you import those trees?
I don’t know much about hunting, but that sure is some nice scenery. Better luck next time!
Hey Kate…so today (or yesterday) you got skunked. Happens to the best of us…Lord knows it’s happened to me numerous times.
But the one time I had a magnificent buck clearly in my sights in the Kananaskis area, I just could not do it. He was so beautiful. Frankly all I had to do was to squeeze the trigger…couldn’t do it. Don’t know why.
He probably got bagged by another hunter, since he was less than descriminate as to where he showed himself. But for whatever reason, I felt good about giving that magnificent animal a pass.
I can never go hunting…. not that I ever did but listen to the rest.
I feed the deer at the lake. It’s cold and some oats from the farm is good for them. And my 8 and 10 year olds like to watch them feeding in the yard at the cabin.
Anyway…. one day I am bent over, hood up on that POS Polaris that will not run…. hear a noise…. look up.
Son of a gun there is a deer not 30 feet from me. He is looking at me.
Yeah I know. Gotcha!
I put out extra oats and carrots and peas that day.
He so tagged me.
Jeff:
I think you and I have a lot in common.. After my aforementioned experince in refraining from shooting the buck, I gave it up.
I have no problem whatever with hunters, and hunters who are after deer. They are engaging in a perfectly legitimate activity, and I will never criticize them for that, and frankly, at least in some areas, by culling th herd they are probably helping to solidify the deer gene pool.
But it is just not my thing anymore. I am content to stay at home with my beloved golden retriever and throw out some feed for the deer who emerge from the forest near my house.
I will leave the hunting to others.
Bruce @ December 1, 2010 3:48 AM :
“I will leave the hunting to others.”
DITTO!
Kate said “Easy to find. Hard to hit.”
Ya got that right! But I figure it still beats working, success or not.
I however am well set up. A whitey and a muley (doe) in the freezer.
By the way Kate, what did you eventually get for a rifle?
Don’t feel bad. I hunted HARD for three years before I got my first one. It’s a learning curve.
I use a Savage .3030 with open sights.
Does anyone know what is done with road kill? In the US if an animal is injured the troopers will often phone someone that needs the meat and they will go get it. Does the same thing happen in Canada or is it a local thing?
Now I don’t feel so bad. This was my first fall bow-hunting for deer. Got skunked of course.
My personal range limit is 30 yards, and even good archers max out at around 70-80, so you have to get really close. Which means the deer have all the advantages.
Next year ……
Speedy, in Toronto area they rush the thing to the vet and try to save its life.
You should have seen the outrage when special police units were called in to -capture- deer at Pearson airport. They didn’t dare shoot them, given the freakout the papers had in case one of the nice deer might get hurt by the mean policemen. Better it should get nailed by the landing gear of a 747 with 400 people aboard than a cop should shoot it, right?
Many stupid bunny huggers.
On the other hand…
I like hunters, but I hate trespassers. Sadly the morons who “hunt” near my house can’t read the NO HUNTING!!! signs posted all over the freakin’ place. Or understand the concept of them not being welcome to shoot off firearms in my backyard, which is your basic nicely mowed grass lawn right next to my house. And, you know, mine. Or comprehend that the woods out back are a CONSERVATION AREA because they can’t read the numerous signs. Or conceptualize the notion of checking down range behind the target in case my house might be in the way of that slug when they miss the deer/duck/goose/rabbit/random movement in the brush…Etc.
This is what makes gun and hunting regulations in Ontario such a farce. These guys all have licenses out wazoo, mandatory training courses ad nauseam, it doesn’t make a lick of difference to their behavior and never has. My mother tells the same stories from sixty freakin’ years ago living on the farm down the road from my place.
Deer season in Cayuga is a time to keep kids, dogs and cattle inside. Thank you, Hamilton.
Maybe those deer read this blog… somehow they knew you were coming.
Kate: a 30-30 with open sights? That’s what I call a true sportsperson.
On my one and only deer hunt (a little over 40 years ago) I was carrying my Dad’s Winchester model 94 30-30 carbine which was given to him by his Dad. I have heard them described as “a good bush gun, but trajectory like a rainbow” LOL – it gives a deer a sporting chance.
The friend I was hunting with had a 7mm Magnum. He got his deer but shot it as it had turned to run. The bullet hit the left femur and exited the right shoulder. I was closest and got to it first. It was still alive. Not pretty.
Ironically, I bought a Ruger M77 in 7mm Remington magnum with a Weaver V9W scope about a year later, but all I ever shot with it was paper targets. From a long ways away. The rifle is long gone, but I still have the scope on a Remington 742 in .308 Winchester (aka 7.62mm NATO – great caliber ’cause military surplus ammo is cheap), and I still enjoy target shooting.
I’m not anti-hunting, and wish you better luck next year.
Bruce: Thanks. Jeff, Liz: Ditto.
Kate, lots of whitetail going unhunted here in the Peace Country, get tags here and I will put you up for a hunt on our land…..Elk too!
What’s hard to take is the idea that HE was probably watching YOU!!
Thats whitetails for you.
whoa! you missed that huge buck in the tree line!!!! 😉
i tried shooting some video this year too, damn near caused me to miss what ended up being my personal best buck. i’ve decided the video comes afterward unless i get a scope mounted cam.
Kate wrote: “I use a Savage .3030 with open sights.”
If I recall, that is the same gun you were using a couple of years ago. I have a Marlin .30-30, also open sights. Great brush popper, and great as a saddle gun. But for whiteys on the prairies, you should get something with longer legs. I use a 7mm mag myself.
Maybe some of us SDAers ought to start a “Kate’s Rifle Fund” 🙂
Just got back from New York where I saw lots of does and no bucks.
My friend and I couldn’t get an anterless tag this year, being as we’re out of state non residents.
My resident buddy that hosted us got a 2 1/2 year old small 8 pointer before I even climbed into my stand.
We’re baking the heart in the oven right now.
That’s some awesome deer habitat you have have permission to hunt there. Saskatchewan is an outdoorsman’s dream.
I’m jealous.
Is there a muzzle loader, shotgun or bow season after rifle season?
How cold was it? How far do normally have to shoot? Tomorrow’s forecast here 30 deg.F , wind at 5 mph. I’ll be cold in the deer stand( if I don’t chicken out). I think I would need better clothes to survive sitting in a stand in Sask.
I forgot to mention I am zero shots and zero sightings on two trips this season.
Kate, I may have to come over there and open up the season for awhile longer for you.. say the word!
PI
We went out on two weekends and temps ranged from -6 to about -20C. Had some strong winds a couple of the days and blowing snow, though it was dead calm the day I shot the video.
Oh Man, that is some beautifull snow.
It will snow in N. Louisi-Yana, but it usually only last a day or two.
Got two weeks off for Christmas will try my luck then.
Well Danggit Kate, I reckon we don’t get to see that deer shoulder stuffed with sausage and wrapped in bacon this year.
,