Hunting Thread

[chickenweirdo1]

Connecticut has rifle season, So do many other states.

 

[Blooie]

I was an avid hunter.....when other little girls were playing with Barbie dolls I was out with my dad deer hunting or pheasant hunting. For a long time I just got to be his 2 legged bird dog, but when I got older I got to walk beside him and shoot.

I loved deer hunting, even if we didn't get anything. Just being out with dad was amazing, and then after I got married Ken and I would go. It wasn't always easy - Navy families don't get much of a chance, nor did we usually get stationed in an area where we could hunt. But whenever we could we'd take our leave and go back to South Dakota for opening day with my family.

When we moved out here, it wasn't unusual for me to put dinner in the crock pot, grab my .50 caliber black powder rifle and go up into the Big Horns by myself. Ken was doing a lot of odd jobs at the time and couldn't always go with me. I had a a favorite spot and I really enjoyed it. And I usually filled my tag, too.

A few years ago my disabilities were winning the battle, but I didn't want to give up hunting. So I went to Game and Fish with my medical statements and got a permit to shoot from my vehicle. Anyone who tells you that deer hunting from a vehicle is cheating isn't following the law, believe me. I have to be parked, way off the road, (and road includes two track dirt lanes), and I can't shoot across any road or two track road. I wouldn't do that anyway. But deer don't just walk up to the vehicle, tap you on the shoulder and say, "I'm going to wait right over there by that tree while you jack a round in. You may fire when ready." Nope, it's some of the toughest hunting I've done. I managed to fill my tag every year (we just hunt for the meat) but all the things that made hunting so special and challenging for me were gone. So two or three seasons ago I gave it up. I retained my permit, though, just in case, but I really doubt if I'll ever go again. In fact, I gave my .300 Savage Lever action to my great-nephew for his first hunt this year. I hope it brings him as many hours of enjoyment as it brought me.

Once someone asked Ken, "Doesn't that bother you that she's out hunting?" He just laughed and told him that I could find em, I could shoot em, I could tag em, I could gut em, I could drag em, I could load em, I could hang em, I could skin em, I could butcher em, I could cook em and I could do the dishes afterward...why should that bother him?

 

[Ole and Lena]

Been a very interesting year for me. Acquired an investment property (at least that's how I sold the idea to the wife). 40 acres of Northern MN forested bog. Nice mix of heavy spruce/jack pine pole sized with some birchy/grassy open spots. A couple of high spots with some mature Jack, Red and White pine. Lots of edge, lots of deer and grouse habitat. Probably some commercial timber harvest selectively on the big pine in the near future and a couple small clearcuts in 20 years or so. Enough with the forestry.

Spent most of the fall building instead of hunting. Did manage to bag a couple of grouse and woodcock on breaks, but we now have a functional 12x16 hunting cabin at the edge of our hunting property. Off grid except for generator and heated with a small wood stove. Fortunately the wife loves to hunt deer and has fallen in love with the place. Spent the last 3 weekends doing some final touches, building some stands and shooting lanes and doing some finishing touches on the cabin. We have 2 new stands in great locations and 3 existing ones from the previous owner that are OK. Hopefully I can get the picture to upload. This is the biggest buck I've gotten on camera, but I've only seen him once. We seem to have this guy and 2 smaller ones vying for the attentions of the abundant does that are using the heavy cover and grassy areas as home base to pillage the neighbors farm field at night. This buck showed up a minute after a pretty respectable 7 or 8 in full blown chase mode. You can't imagine how much I am looking forward to opening morning this Saturday. Even if the big guy doesn't show up, we both have antlerless tags so we should be able to put some meat in the freezer based on the game camera. I will be using a vintage M1917 sporter in 30-06, the wife shoots a .308 Savage bolt gun.

 

[gwensue]

I have a buff splash d'uccle female. I don't know what to breed her with to get lemon Millie's or d'uccles

 

[cavemanrich]

I will be using a vintage M1917 sporter in 30-06, the wife shoots a .308 Savage bolt gun.

Is your m1917 a modified Argentine Mouser? Just curious

 

[I Love Layers]

I'm so glad people are actually posting!!

A little bit about me.
I'm a 14 year old, 15 on November 18, girl who lives in North Dakota on an 849 acre ranch with 81 head of cattle, 40+ chickens, numerous rabbits, 2 horses who I use for scouting sometimes, numerous cats and a large dog.

I mainly deer hunt along with any kind of raccoon, skunk beaver etc.

I shoot my Savage youth 243 for now, but I'm hoping to upgrade to a 270 next year.
Last year I got my first deer, a 2x2 mulie buck on the last day of the season, I was chasing a 5x5 mulie the other days of the season, and getting some near chances to get him. One time he was 100 yards from us, but he was going in and out of brush checking out some does also there, I was extremely foggy and I didn't want to risk losing him or hitting something else, another time I had a 600 yard shot at him bit decided not to take it just cause I didn't want to risk having an injured deer running around.

This year I was supposed to have any buck or doe but the Game and Fish messed up my license so I only have any doe

I've seen some big mulies though..



Here's a beaver my dad shot on Friday, maybe Thursday.
I cut its tail off and I'm still waiting for it to dry out.

It was a total of 3 feet long, it's tail was 1 foot, rest of the body 2 feet, 1 foot wide, and it's back feet had to be 5 inches across, also weighed 60 pounds or more

 

[Blooie]

I have a buff splash d'uccle female. I don't know what to breed her with to get lemon Millie's or d'uccles

Welcome to BYC. I know at first it might seem a little complicated to find your way around, but that's what all of us are here for - helping each other. I can't help you with your genetics question, but if you'll click on this link, it will take you a spot where the people are more likely to able to help you. Once you get there, simply click on the tab that says, "Start a New Thread" and ask there. Good luck,and again, welcome!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/14/general-breed-discussions-faq

 

[Ole and Lena]

Is your m1917 a modified Argentine Mouser? Just curious

It's a US service rifle. During WWI, we were already producing the P1914 for the British, basically a modified Mauser design. When the US entered the war, we were desperately short of Springfield rifles (the standard arm at the time), so rather than re-tool plants, the P1914 was modified for the US 30-06 cartridge and became the M1917. More of those were fielded by the doughboys than Springfields. Very strong action and they tend to be quite accurate if you find one with a good bore. Many were sold as surplus and modified into sporting rifles between the wars.

Mine was probably built by Joseph Niedner, a famous gunsmith and hunter from the 20s through 50s. He favored this design, and the stock and smithing work are done in his style. It's a little rough on the outside, but it's a tack driver. Payed a whopping $125 for it at a pawn shop 3 years ago.

 

[Ole and Lena]

I'm so glad people are actually posting!!

A little bit about me.
I'm a 14 year old, 15 on November 18, girl who lives in North Dakota on an 849 acre ranch with 81 head of cattle, 40+ chickens, numerous rabbits, 2 horses who I use for scouting sometimes, numerous cats and a large dog.

I mainly deer hunt along with any kind of raccoon, skunk beaver etc.

I shoot my Savage youth 243 for now, but I'm hoping to upgrade to a 270 next year.
Last year I got my first deer, a 2x2 mulie buck on the last day of the season, I was chasing a 5x5 mulie the other days of the season, and getting some near chances to get him. One time he was 100 yards from us, but he was going in and out of brush checking out some does also there, I was extremely foggy and I didn't want to risk losing him or hitting something else, another time I had a 600 yard shot at him bit decided not to take it just cause I didn't want to risk having an injured deer running around.

This year I was supposed to have any buck or doe but the Game and Fish messed up my license so I only have any doe

I've seen some big mulies though..



Here's a beaver my dad shot on Friday, maybe Thursday.
I cut its tail off and I'm still waiting for it to dry out.

It was a total of 3 feet long, it's tail was 1 foot, rest of the body 2 feet, 1 foot wide, and it's back feet had to be 5 inches across, also weighed 60 pounds or more" Congrats on your first deer last year! I also applaud you for not shooting. 600 yards is a long ways even for a military sniper or seasoned match shooter under field conditions. Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than losing a wounded deer. Hope you have good luck this season. Nothing wrong with does, you can't eat the antlers.
The .270 is a fine cartridge and should serve you well in a Savage rifle. They definitely outshoot their price tag. For your current rifle, consider restocking it so you have a coyote/antelope gun that fits you better than the youth stock. I did this on my wife's Savage M11. We bought her a youth thinking this was the right size, but she found it too short. Over the winter I added a stock from Richards Microfit. They will custom cut the length, and I had them split the difference between a full size and youth stock. Perfect fit now. Will require finishing and some light fitting, but if you can use a hobby knife and sandpaper, it's not too hard to get a nice looking stock even if your work isn't perfect the first time. In addition, you'll have a "custom" rifle for which you invested a lot of time and effort to make it uniquely yours, which adds a whole new level of enjoyment to your hunt.

 

[I Love Layers]

@Ole and Lena
The savage youth is my 243, we have rounds for it for deer and varmint. I don't think I would change anything on either of the guns
The 270 is actually my dads