WT Inspiration

[Daybreak]

I've been hunting for over two decades and until last year I never put much focus into hunting whitetail deer.

The does usually presented themselves as a white flashing flag or a nearby snort followed by snapping twigs. Buck sightings, particularly aged ones, were unheard of and remained a mystery to me other than the masterpieces proudly displayed on the walls of friends and the taxidermist shop. Although I had seen their rub lines, the occasional scrape and on rare occasions a well weathered and rodent chewed shed I did not have an urge to hunt them. I knew they were all around me but it never twigged that I should delve into their world. They seemed untouchable.

Those feelings changed this summer. While scouting for new areas to hunt due to unwanted pressure in my old grounds I came upon a find that changed everything I felt about whitetail deer. Many kilometres off the road and deep in the thickets I discovered a shed that left a story untold. In a small hollow, tight against the shady side of a large windfall and entwined in brush I spotted the tell tale white antler tips of a shed. Making my way in that direction it started to grow. There were more tips than I had ever discovered on a shed and my pace increased.

As I arrived I was taken back by the find: a complete skull with both antlers attached. It's positioning suggested that it had been carefully stowed out of sight for safe keeping or perhaps...a wounded bucks final effort to elude his nemesis.

[Sofa King]

aaaaaaannnndddd?
let's see.

[Omenator]

Now that's a real cliffhanger...

[Buckmeister]

Lets get on with it shall we? :grin:

[Shikari300WSM]

MORE! Don't leave us hanging!

[Daybreak]

Taking the last few steps, threading my legs and feet through the debris, my day felt complete already.

When one spends days on end in the bush, fastidiously searching for clues to the puzzle, any find is a good one and this one held promise. "Not going home empty handed today" I thought to myself as I reached down to grasp the clue.

Now, to be fair to the reader, I must take him back... back to the fall of 2013 when I had my first close encounter with a big whitetail buck and how that played out:

Nov. 17, 2013. With mule deer technique and slim hopes of sighting a whitetail buck I had still hunted from pre-dawn until noon. Moving slowly down trails, into draws and onto ridges. Frequent pauses and careful study of my surroundings. By 11:00 am I had come full circle and retired to the front seat of my truck to rest and take on food and fluids. As I sat looking out my windshield into a clearing with a little rise a mule doe suddenly appeared and steadily beetled her way across my field of view. I watched as she disappeared into the other end of the open and into the trees.
"Well that was interesting" I thought and returned to my sandwich. "Wait a minute...I should get out and check that out, interesting to see if she was bedded nearby ". I threw my jacket on and with my rifle in hand I went up the rise and into the clearing. Yup... tracks... fresh too. I turned and decided to track her back to see if she had been resting nearby. I back crossed the clearing and into the trees I went making some WT rookie mistakes, My head was down and I had mule deer doe in my head. As I came around a cluster of trees I sensed something and looked up. There was a buck coming straight at me with his nose to the snow. About the same time I saw him his head came up and he saw me. We both froze with eyes absolutely locked at 15 yards. He gave me about 2 seconds to enjoy his company and whoosh... gone back the way he came. He was about 3 years old with 3 or 4 points per side. "Crap!" I thought. All this effort and I blew it. I really should have known better but it had been a long morning and I had made the mental mistake of calling it a morning in my head. Lesson reinforced though, whitetails are to be expected when they are least expected and never let your guard down. I returned to the truck and began to formulate a plan for the next day.

[Xenomorph]

Oh man, nice ...more!

[Shikari300WSM]

I swear I might know where this is going. But please. Don't stop

[Daybreak]

Feeling somewhat dejected and disappointed with my missed opportunity I made the drive home to dry, inspect and prep my gear for the next morning.

Re-living the close encounter over and over in my head I was forced to analyze my methods. Years of hunting and so few WT buck chances? Obviously still hunting wasn't working for me although timing the rut correctly surely played a role in my lack of success.

These deer are wary and it seemed my movement through the forest wasn't going to fool them. So what options did I have? Motionless. I would have to get into their domain and remain motionless. Where to place myself? With no tree stands or ground blinds, no camera intelligence or bait stations to guide me I would have to rely on my intuition to choose a spot.

With my new approach in mind I retreated to the man cave to dig out my snow camo: white , soft , noiseless pants and jacket with swathes of black and brown to mimic the bare stalks of shrubs and trees shrouded with snow in the cold dark days of winter. Everything laid out and ready for the morning I retired to bed and soon fell fast asleep with the anticipation of a new day in my mind.

[Salty]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/images/smilies/new/popCorn.gif

[Daybreak]

Nov 18, 2013... Good Day? Big? Little?

The previous days activity and excitement made for a solid nights sleep. I was up before the alarm, approximately 4:30 am, and immediately peered out my window into the darkness. Turning to the street lights conical beam I could see the haze of rain and mist. Perfect. This should mean fresh snow and muffled conditions in the hills above.

As my oatmeal simmered on the stove I donned the many layers I would need for what might be a long sit in the snow. A big steaming bowl of oatmeal with raisons, cranberries and brown sugar, a last check for gear on went the boots. Out the door, approximately 5:15 am... 105 minutes to light. Down the highway and up the hill with fingers crossed for snow. Sure enough, about 6 km up the rain turned to sleet and then full on snow. Perfect. No one had emerged from their sleep yet and I was breaking road in 6 inches of fresh, untracked snow. You know the feeling...

[bckoothunter]

You've gone too far to quit now!

[Daybreak]

Apologies for the delay...

As I continued my drive up into the hills I focused my attention on the unbroken snow ahead, always looking for tracks that would break the blanket. There was no evidence of movement in the night and my pace quickened. I knew that at any moment I could have the dreaded "lights in the rear view" of someone determined to get past me. Eventually I arrived at my turn off and was relieved to see that no one had come through from the other end. " I may not have it to myself but at least I'm first" I thought as I shifted into 4 WD and began the slow crawl in.

Still in the dark and idling along, my eyes darted left and right watching for tracks. On one hand I hoped to see tracks and on the other no tracks meant the deer had been hunkered down in the night and would be moving as the daylight approached. On and up I went, twice having to get out and shake several alders of the snow that had bowed them to their knees and blocked my way. Finaly I rounded the last few corners and throttled the truck well off the road and up a small rise. This would keep the road clear, other hunters happy and aid my egress if the snow continued.

[Daybreak]

With all my gear pre-organized I donned my headlamp , loaded the 300 WM ( 3 in the mag, 1 in the pipe and safety on) and left the truck behind within 2 minutes. I had about 20 minutes before faint light would emerge and I knew where I wanted to be.

The snow was perfect for walking... just dry and deep enough to muffle any discernible noise of my bipedal gait. I had made up my mind to get in place quickly so I wasted no time despite seeing tracks in the narrow beam of my lamp. I was seeing tracks in all directions but as previously mentioned I had decided it's hard to out move a WT so I passed them by with little attention. Up through the trees and into my clearing, recognizing my way by the slope of the land and familiar trees which stood the same as before. Over the rise and the snow was waning. The eastern sky had a pre-dawn glow and I had arrived. Not a sound to be heard...silent. Clipped to my day pack was a 3 ' roll of carpet underlay. I hollowed a spot against a big old fir tree, folded the underlay and settled in to my place with my pack right beside me. Into the pocket s I went and retrieved my buck and doe calls and reached up to find the on/off button for the headlamp with my gloved fingers. The darkness enveloped me and I adjusted my toque to better enable my ears which were now on full alert as my only functioning sense. The silence was a relief and I now hoped and wondered if I had chosen the right place to be...

[Lukeez88]

keep er going!!!

[Daybreak]

Old Habits Die Hard

The light was now rising and the snow had stopped. I had positioned myself such that as the day warmed I would have down slope views to my left and right and rising air to help conceal me. To the left was a clearing with a gentle slope down to a border of small brush and trees at about 70 metres. On the right the slope was steeper and interspaced with large trees. The horizon here dropped out of sight at 100 metres. I had hopes that a buck might head in or out of the brush to the left or appear suddenly at the dropping horizon on my right.


I'm not sure why but a doubt crept into my mind within an hour of light. Perhaps this was the old habit of a need to keep moving and see what's around the next corner. I was starting to really trust my intuition every time out and a location taken in the dark felt uneasy to me. I stowed my lamp , pocketed my calls and quietly arose from my now well contoured hollow in the snow. The skies had cleared and the sun was high enough to begin to brighten the morning. With no intention of going far I avoided the down slopes in front of me and retreated in the direction I hade approached. Up and over, down and up across and through I went covering about 300 metres in 30 minutes. This brought me to a small plateau of which I was familiar. I spied a fallen log amongst some trees and with some abandon I again folded my pad and sat down on the log. No particular care for concealment but an intent to sit still.


Within 10 minutes I could hear a vehicle in the distance, just a barely audible hum across the flat. I looked down at the buck grunt in my hand and contemplated using it. At that moment all hell broke loose in the clearing...

[Daybreak]

Crash crash! Snap snap! Everything is now moving! Deer were coming at me from the left and coming fast. Up and over went my head and 5 or 6 deer with flags in full display erupted from the brush. They were moving quickly and closed the 70 metre gap between us in seconds. I'm searching for antlers in the on coming stampede when 2 more deer, unmistakeably bucks, emerge from the source and join in the run. Whether they saw me or not I don't know but the first group split like a seasoned log and passed by me to the left and right within 20 yards.

My eyes remained focused on the bucks as they followed the lead. I instinctively put the call to my lips and gave a LOUD bark..mmaauughh!

Magic. The buck to the right, the larger of the two, went 30 long strides to my right and seemed to stop dead in the thickest tangle of thread bare, snow covered stalks you could imagine. The other buck disappeared to my left and was gone with his does. I knew the bigger buck was there and within 50 metres but I could not see him. The movement had stopped too suddenly for him to have gone far. My eyes strained hard and deep into the tangle and returned with nothing. Be patient I thought as I ensured my rifle was secure in my lap and gently removed my glass from my chest. Focusing with the glass O again strained to see him. Nothing! Then I saw his nose. Just a small shiny black spot that was out of place in the tangle. Then his eyes appeared and a hint of antler mixed with branch. He was motionless and and staring right at me. I stared back and thoughts of the previous day came to mind. This was the same deer and we had met before.


Up went the rifle in an attempt to gauge a shot ... not doable. Too many branches and no vitals. Crap. Even If I waited him out he had full cover with which to escape. A shot was not likely to present itself. Now my thoughts returned to the other buck. How far had he gone?

[Daybreak]

I slowly rotated my torso to the left with my feet still planted. The glass hung from my neck and the rifle, firmly in both hands, was ready. Twisting to the left, difficult with all the layers, a new field of view emerged over my shoulder. There, at 35 metres, stood the second buck. Broadside and oblivious to me he stood staring for his now departed does.


With scope at 3, I slowly raised it to my eye and found his vitals. Steady despite the awkwardness, I released the safety and squeezed the trigger. The buck propelled himself vertically and was gone. All was quiet. Feeling I had made a good shot I returned my eyes to the first buck. He hadn't moved and continued to stare at me. We continued to watch each other for what seemed like minutes. I remember his look and suspect he knew exactly what was going on. As I arose to trail the other buck he turned his back to me and disappeared with no noise.

[Daybreak]

So as I trail the buck and get a picture for you all to enjoy, I would like to remind you that this buck was from seasons past and was the first inspiration I had in looking for whitetail deer. This particular deer was not big but for me it was a good accomplishment and the first of stepping stones in finding a mature one. Which brings us to my first post in this thread and the good set of antlers I found this summer while searching them out. It was that antler find that inspired me to find a worthy match on the hoof this season which I did. If I have learned anything in hunting whitetails it is patience.

[Brambles]

I usually don't read the long strung out drama posts but this one was very well written ........now I am curious.....and patient...

[Daybreak]

My first whitetail buck. Shot hit a little low probably due to awkward position. Hit his brisket and wasted little meat.He went about 50 yards. Not big but made me happy.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3109_zpsydvqa2tl.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3109_zpsydvqa2tl.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3105_zps8c4fee52.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3105_zps8c4fee52.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3115_zps8d0dcdc2.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3115_zps8d0dcdc2.jpg.html)

[hare_assassin]

Nice one, Daybreak. Any deer on the ground is a win, in my book.

[Daybreak]

Now this is what I found this summer. I think he was a lost deer because there is no damage to his skull at all. I have cleaned it up but when found it still had remnants of flesh particularly on his lower and upper palates. Couldn't have been there more than a year. Motivated me to find a living match which I did. when you're new to whitetail deer these finds mean a lot.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3783_zpsfwchwld0.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3783_zpsfwchwld0.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3782_zpsam6qjsj1.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3782_zpsam6qjsj1.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3781_zpstuasye4l.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3781_zpstuasye4l.jpg.html)

[Daybreak]

Thank you Brambles. I know it was dramatic and drawn out but being reasonably well written would offset that and bring some enjoyment for the readers. Thanks to you too hare_assasin. I like your logic.

[TrickleCharger]

Congrats on your first WT buck, hopefully a first of many! I enjoyed the story and was racing with my dying laptop battery to finish it!

[Daybreak]

And here is this years whitetail. So similar to my shed find. Clean neck shot, nothing wasted.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3792_zpsg2qmykir.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3792_zpsg2qmykir.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3793_zpsbwpdfvb6.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3793_zpsbwpdfvb6.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3794_zps13mrbx0a.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3794_zps13mrbx0a.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3795_zpsmhcmwxtf.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3795_zpsmhcmwxtf.jpg.html)

[islander7mm]

Very cool. Thanks for the tale, it's very inspiring.

[Drillbit]

Great job!

Something about White Tail hunting that keeps you always wanting more!

[Nimrod]

Nicely written indeed, good read.
Any field pics of that last WT.

[kennyj]

Awesome story! Great bucks!! Thanks for sharing your adventures in the field.
kenny

[bckoothunter]

Awesome write up man, thanks for taking the time. Great bucks, all 3 of them. This years is a beauty!

[spear]

maybe i better take the bow for a walk, thanks for taking the time to write something well

[Brambles]

Nice job, hopefully his offspring are running around for you to play with for years to come

[.264winmag]

Great read. Good job putting the puzzle together and beauty bucks. The winter kill looked to be an old deer! And this years a younger spitting image in his prime! Thanks for sharing. Something about them Whitetails...

[hntcrazy]

Awesome read.
Congrats on the buck.
I love whitey hunting . counting days till next year .
I sure wish i could write like you guys .
maybe sing up for a story writing course this winter.

Thanx again for posting .

[Salty]

Awesome hunt thanks for bring us along

[Daybreak]

Thanks to all that read and acknowledged my story. I'm trying to keep it interesting and avoid the less than hunting related topics. Some one asked for some field pics of this years whitetail buck. No long story but the shot was the most difficult I've ever taken and gave me excellent results. The country I'm hunting is tight and shots are in the trees and bush.

The buck was hit semi broadside in the lower neck and had a little steam before he laid down for good. Blood showed in small amount up 15 yards from ground zero and then at 50 yards he stopped and left a fair amount. Another 50 yards and he came out on a road and lay down. I was taken aback and startled when I emerged from the bush and he was lying on the side of the road. He was up in a flash and gone again although not exactly fleet footed.


I gave it another 15 minutes and went back in. Blood dropped off significantly and I had visions of being out there all day. Like the other year, the snow was fresh so tracking was not an issue. Followed him in for about 200 yards and there he was.

[Daybreak]

The start:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3853_zpszzpo4cpl.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3853_zpszzpo4cpl.png.html)

50 yards

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3852_zpslp4dasf2.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3852_zpslp4dasf2.png.html)

On the road, off his feet

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3857_zpshej2nepj.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3857_zpshej2nepj.png.html)

[Daybreak]

Down

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3859_zpsvceywixx.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3859_zpsvceywixx.png.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3860_zpsvvjajpdj.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3860_zpsvvjajpdj.png.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3862_zpsy9fqcknm.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3862_zpsy9fqcknm.png.html)

[BRrooster]

Great Story. Inspiration in the first degree. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Daybreak]

Found these on the way in after him. I believe he was retreating the same way he had come in...familiar trails for him.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3869_zpsp2pk8bfa.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3869_zpsp2pk8bfa.png.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3865_zpsmdqpww0x.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3865_zpsmdqpww0x.png.html)

The neck and one to sleep

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk300/logonphoto/IMG_3866_zpsfmariusd.png (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/logonphoto/media/IMG_3866_zpsfmariusd.png.html)

[markomoose]

Good sctuff Daybreak!I'm itching to get a whitetail deer soon.Buddy at work showed me a great local whitetail.I'll post it when he sends it?

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Finally had a chance to read the entire story. Glad I did, Daybreak!! VERY well written!!

The whitetail bug is addicting!!

SSS

[Daybreak]

Thank you. Means a lot coming from an "old" hunter like you.

[guest]

Great thread DB ..... Even better results and conclusion.

Congrats to you, thanks for taking us along ! Looks like a decent buck any other pics ?

CT

[Daybreak]

Most appreciated. I have my mule deer story simmering on the back burner.

[tuner]

Great story mr. Stephen King, great suspense, pretty nice buck to boot as well. Congratulations, well done on both fronts( the writing and the hunting).

[Sitkaspruce]

Awesome story!!! They are very addicting and exciting to hunt.

Congrats on the buck!!!

Thanks for bringing us along and posting!!!

Cheers

SS

[HarryToolips]

Awesomely written story, great first meat buck there Daybreak and a fantastic wt buck from this year, congrats!!!

[Daybreak]

Knowing that you enjoyed it makes it so worth doing. Thank you SS.

[hntcrazy]

Just re read again.........Awesome job DB........

Thanx again .
love those white rats.........

[coach]

One of the best threads of the year, Daybreak! Outstanding buck. Thanks for the inspirational share.

[Daybreak]

Thanks Mr. Toolips and Coach and all others. You two make great contributions to the site and encourage everyone to be positive.

[avadad]

So nice to read a well written story on HBC! Thanks for your efforts!

[Redo]

Nice buck and great story! Just settling down for a 4 hour sleep and heading out for a WT bow hunt. Something exciting and a little daunting about 10 hours in a ground blind.