|
Post by missionary on May 4, 2020 18:27:15 GMT -7
These do not have to be strickly "hunting" . But lets keep it to issues with wildlife that are certainly unusual while out in the habitat.
So I will start with one. Have you ever looked up and saw a big buck flying over your head ? Couple years back my wife & I were kayaking on the North Fork River in East Illinois. We have done this several times together but I have paddled it many times. This is the same river bottom I have hunted for years.
But this day was a nice early August week day, not to hot and just a light breeze to keep the bugs back in the bushes. We usually get into the water about 6am. The water is cool that early so it is very normal to see deer, beaver, racoons, otters, turkeys still in their roost and sometimes eagles. We do not work hard paddling but just enough to keep gliding along just a little faster than the current. Maybe a stop here and there for a snack.
So after about three hours of just lazily moving along we reached a long straight stretch. Soon laying on the west bank in a sunny grassy spot about 50 yards down stream was a large whitetail buck with some handsome antlers. I got y wife's attention and pointed out where the nice looking buck was laying. On several occasions we have quietly snuck up on corn crunchers or other critters. So she knew the routine. Whoever spotted the beasty got to lead the approach so I was the lead. We stopped all paddling and only guided the kayaks towards the nicely antlered animal. When I was about 25 feet away I was all set up to drift right to the buck. Normally a deer will sense the approach and move along. But this buck was sound asleep. He was laying on his belly facing up the bank some what parallel to the river.
Slowly drifting closer, at about 20 feet away I decided to reach out one handed with my paddle and politely give Mister Buck a little nudge on the upper leg. At 15 feet he was not moving, just breathing as regular and relaxed as could be. At 10 feet I started reaching out with the kayak paddle to apply it as nicely as I could. By now my wife was close on my down stream side not much farther from the buck than me but closer to his other end. I was like an Native American Warrior getting ready to "Count Cu" on a member of another tribe.
At 5 feet I was ready. But not for what happened. Just as my paddle was there to touch him, Mister Buck opened his eye and got a good look. In a flash his now extremely wide open eye focused on the situation. In that split second he was on his feet. His likely path of escape was up the bank about 5 feet and into the brush. But no this feller must have had a prior engagement to finish on the other side of the river. In another split second I was attempting to paddle backwards as fast as any olympic Kayaker every thought about. But Mister Buck was far faster. In one quick motion he leaped from his slightly higher river bank elevation. Up and over me and the kayak. He landed with all the grace of a 200 pound sack of spuds. The wave of water was not at all sought after but came with the results of playing with unsuspecting bean eaters. Sure wish I had a camara to have a visual aid of a flying whitetail belly.
|
|
|
Post by todddoyka on May 7, 2020 7:35:16 GMT -7
back when i was 12 y.o., i was hunting on a 3 day doe (rifle) season. it was about 3:30ish pm on the 1st day(monday) when my dad said "stay here, i come and get you at dark. good luck." and he moves off about 75 yards to the place he stands. i sat down after i moved the snow off. just me and my 20ga savage pump gun. yep, i was alert and on the job looking for deer. (ahem, no, your not.) yep, i was 12 y.o. full of vinegar.(ahem, you are young and dumb.) anyways, i did what young people do, fall asleep. it was about 4:30ish when something woke me up. i looked around and found nothing. a few minutes later i heard a deer moving thru the brush behind me. i looked and found nothing again. moments later, i heard it again. i looked and found nothing. about 4 or 5 minutes later i heard it coming. i looked and found a huge black bear sitting there about 5 yards from me. " oh s!@#!!!" i whispered, now what do i do?(besides making my underwear brown and smelly) i know, i'll scare it away!!! so i clear my throat and whisper "go away". the bear stayed there, sitting. well, that doesn't work. i know, i'll call dad!!!! "dad.......dad........dad......." i whisper hoarsely. the bear stayed there, sitting and cocking his head. crap!!! what do i now? i can slowly get up and walk to dad. yea, thats what i'll do!!! walk to dad!!!!! genius!!!!! so i got up and so did the bear. my heart stopped and i thought he's about to eat me!!! i ran and so did he. i could hear the cracking of the brush, so i ran harder!!!! meanwhile my dad had enough and he was on his way to get me. he heard the brush cracking and moments later he seen me running. i got to him and i said "b......be.......b.......be.........b......be.............bear!!!!!!!!!!" he looked at me and said sarcastically "right, why are you running?" i said "b...be........b......be.........bear!!!!" "alright, come with me and show me where you seen the bear." so we go to my spot and i said "he was standing right there." we go over and my dad said "well, i'll be". he put his hand in the bear's paw print and said "thats a big bear. its 3 or so inches more than my hand." " no s!@#!!!!!!!" i tell him.
|
|
|
Post by missionary on May 8, 2020 6:25:21 GMT -7
Well that sure was an awakening ! I was up a tree stand down in the river bottoms in an area well used by corn crunchers. This one morning several mommas can by with fawns The last was a doe with 2 fawns I always rub down y gear with windfall apples Last 50 yards I do my boot soles a couple times. So one of the fawns stood there liking the apple juice off y climbing pegs. Ther doe walked away but the fawn kept licking away and I was ready to go home. But it persisted. The doe snorted several ties come on junior.. So finally I dropped a field arrow down on its head. Off he went ! I laughed out load and the doe with her two young'uns walked away.
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on May 15, 2020 10:36:59 GMT -7
A very interesting encounter that took place many years ago for me was when I was blocking a very narrow and steep trail being used by half a dozen bachelor elk bulls. It was after the rut had ended when the bulls leave the cows and bunch up together. We were well into winter and the bulls had started shedding antlers. I had headed out from my cabin on foot very early before daylight to be in place on a steep narrow ridge when the sun came up. This was a place I had missed a coyote from a few days earlier and I wanted to correct that little issue. This razor back ridge had a very prominent cow/game trail in the center and either side of the trail was a very sharp down hill drop off. The trail had a little dog leg bend to it and right at the bend was a large sage bush I used for concealment. As I sat there in the sage bush preparing to start my coyote calling sequence I noticed several bull elk on the trail down hill from me headed uphill toward me. The trail was so narrow that the bulls were walking single file. The lead bull a large mature six point had already shed one side and so was aggressively trying to throw the other since carrying one antler is an out of balance situation that they don't like. As he slowly walked up the trail he would thrust that remaining large pointy six point antler into every sage bush he went by and jerk smartly to one side trying to pull it off. It was quite amusing to watch but as they drew closer the thought occurred to me that I was well hidden right inside just such a sage bush handily positioned right beside the trail. I anxiously awaited the outcome nervously clutching the B-78 6mm that was my favorite coyote rifle at the time. As the bulls got very close and at the moment I knew I had to do something but not wanting to blow my stand and missing the opportunity to get that missed coyote the lead bull now very nearly in antler range made eye contact with me. When he did he freaked out and immediately began to back pedal fast. This instant direction reversal of the lead bull caused quite an issue with the other bulls that were now being pushed off the trail for to them no apparent reason something they seemed to not like. The lead bull would have nothing to do with moving forward on that trail again and he apparently convinced the others it would be wise to follow his lead off the trail and angle uphill toward the ravine between the two ridges. On that day I did not get a shot at that coyote. I know for sure for a time I had lost my focus on that endeavor and turned my attention on a more pressing ( literally) issue. I did leave there with the distinct feeling I was being laughed at !
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Jun 28, 2020 10:39:51 GMT -7
This is my bear story. Summer of 1970 Jim F. and I decided we would go for a long 2 wheeler ride from SW Michigan to California and back. Jim had a new 500 Triumph and I had a 300 Honda Scrambler. So when June 1st hit we started out with no real tie table but figured two months of enjoying a summer on 2 wheelers. We were both 19 and figured the Army and the draft was going to catch up with us real soon so ight as well see the west. Took us about 6 days to meander ourselves into east California.
That first night we spent in a small State Part just into California from Nevada up in the mountains about due east of San Francisco. Nice little park with only two other campers. Each campsite had a nice firepit and one well placed sign that read "Do not feed the racoons". So we built our fire and skillet cooked our an of pork and beans with onions with a half loaf of bread. Finished we left the skillet down near the fire and sat on the picnic table talking. Soon at dark along ae three large racoons who quickly proceeded to lick out our skillet. Well we thought that was comical so started tossing bread chunks and eating a few ourselves. Pretty quick our bread was gone and those three rascles got indignant. They started the typical snarl teeth show then commenced to rifle through our packs until we finished it all with a few well thrown rocks. A little later on the area trash cans got attacked and we decided it was tie to turn in. Next morning we got out quick.
So on we road enjoying the mountain roads. Getting near dark we found where a gravel road forked off to the right and we followed it figuring to find a spot for the night. Soon came across a nice grassy flat so we parked the two bikes and unrolled our sleeping bags. Broke out a couple cans of sardines in mustard with crackers, a can of Hawaiian Punch followed by cookies. No fire but I got out my box of strike anywhere matches and soon I was asleep. Some time later I was woke up by the noise of something trying to dig into the pack on my motorcycle about five feet away. Well it ticked me off that once again racoons were trying to raid y little food supply. So I crawled out of my bag grabbing my box of matches on the way. A couple of quick steps I was beside my bike trying to see but it was dark enough I could only make out what looked like a racoon on on top of my pack. Now I was really ticked ! So I decided to put the fear into that pesky little buck toothed rodent. Gathering myself up into my full almost five foot ten stature. I took a deep breath and let loose with my best ever angry bear impersonation. Well there was a respectful pause in the dark night while that no good critter took stock of the situation. But then the forewarned thief slowly unfolded into a very large taller than me mass. Then came his answer! The ROAR was so loud I could not hear it ! It penetrated into all my bones. I was so scared, terrified and beyond life I could not move. I expected to be monster meat and chomped apart before any breath could be taken. I have no real idea how long I stood there waiting to end all existence. Soon though I realized I was still alive. I could breath again. My heart was still thumping. Slowly I struck a match expecting to see a huge brown furry toothed goliath. But all there was to see was black night and the sound of big heavy feet walking away.
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Jun 28, 2020 11:31:09 GMT -7
Great !!! I hope you had a change of undies with you!
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Jun 28, 2020 15:24:07 GMT -7
Happily I did not have to deal with that issue. Although for some nights onward if I heard a noise I completely ignored it. I did learn a great respect to the old saying "Fools rush in !
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Oct 15, 2020 6:02:20 GMT -7
Stalking a Buck Back in 1992 while we were living in West Indiana we had access to a large farm complex with a wide creek bed area that cut through mainly from the north to the south east of the property. The owner still is a long time friend of ours who kept good running corn cruncher facts on critter movement. Seems there was a nice buck that habitually rested in the morning in a thicket on the upper east side of the creek area just before the creek made a curve to the south and left his property. That flat used to be a pig pen but was then overgrown with 20 year old trees and brush. We had already hunted those creek bottoms numerous times so well knew the layout. But we were waiting for the constant west wind to change direction and give that flat a try. It had to be approached from the creek bottoms as there was a dirt road on the south side of the overgrown bedding area with open fields looking south. Finally one morning the wind was from due south so decided that was the morning. Decided to come in from the from the west side of the creek and cross somewhat to the north of the flat. Having crossed the creek bottoms very slowly arrived at the slope rising from the creek bottom somewhat north of the thicket. This movement took me an hour to traverse the roughly 1/2 mile covered. The plan was to angle my way up the 45 degree slope one step at a time. So began the final stalk.
My computer has a bad habit of loosing contact so went with two sections.
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Oct 15, 2020 11:43:59 GMT -7
Stalking a Buck part 2. This particular day I was carrying our Zouave Navy Arms caliber .58 made in the early 80's. Loaded with a well proven load of 85 grains 3F Goex under a patched caliber .57 RB cast of 40-1. Sun was well up behind cloud cover about 8am as I started up slowly one half step at a time. Took probably 15 minutes before my head was just high enough above the slope to get my first view of the flat. It was slightly foggy in the thicket and visibility was maybe 35-40 feet. Birds were hopping about chirping unaware of my visit. As I scanned the area I could see the small bedding patch we knew the buck used slightly south of me. On my side was a foot thick log laying near perpendicular to me with alot of thick brushy growth around the small bedding opening the log formed. Took another half step up the slope. Could now see most of the overgrown pig lot and no deer were visible. Again looking at the log opening area it was very difficult to see anything but the tangled twigs and branches circling the bedding spot. Another half step. Now I was shoulders above the flat with a better view but still could not see into the bed area. If a buck was laying down behind the log it would not be visible yet. Another half step but still could not make out any deer on the whole flat especially the bed area with the light fog and overcast.
Another half step. I was near on top of the flat high enough I could almost see over the log. With each half step I had been observing carefully for minutes trying to see every tree trunk and how all the lower limbs were grown trying to discern if any were antler. This time though I noticed for the first time what looked like a black spot on top of the log. But with the hazy overcast day and the darker shadowy thicket I had no idea what or if it really was a black spot or shadow. Another half step and I was on the flat. No deer visible standing or laying down. But looking carefully into the bed area and especially the log top I was able to see there was a black spot on top. But I could not make out what it was.
Here I decided to move to my left one side step at a time. Doing so would rapidly change the log angle and let me see if a deer was laying behind it and what that black spot was. But now I also had to be very aware of each of the close grown small diameter trees that were about 18 inches apart on the flat. So the first step I had to angle some to not bump into the first tree and miss a twig on the ground. Plus with every step I had to raise the rifle muzzle so to not wack a tree trunk. Scanning the area and the bed still could not see a deer but the black object was there. Nothing else could be made out though. I began to wonder if maybe a dog had died there with his head on the log. Another left side step avoiding another small tree while raising the muzzle. Now it looked like maybe there were two more black dots above the one on the log but hard to be sure. No ears visible and no antlers to be seen. But I was wondering about a sick or wild dog behind the log. Another slow side step raising the muzzle avoiding a tree and it almost looked like the dots were following my move. I had the thought to shoot it but I did not know what I was looking at. Another good look around but nothing anywhere. So decided to take one more side step to the left. This one would let me see behind the log and figure out what I was looking at. But this step was going to be complicated by a group of small trees close together. I had to either take two steps to get past them or try to get in front but again two steps.
Decided for the first idea. Raised the muzzle and took the first step. Instantly I knew what I was looking at. The buck was up and leaping over the log going to my left. I lowered the muzzle cocking the hammer and shouldering the 58 as I had done many times. Rifle shouldered I could see the bucks shoulder in my sights as I was moving my finger to the trigger when... WACK!! The barrel / hand guard slammed into the next tree to the left and away went Mr. Buck winning the day. But I got the best laugh out of it ! That still ranks at the top of my stalking experiences.
|
|