jan.wi97
10-20-2019, 12:54 PM
They say you’ll never forget your first
and I hope that is the case!
Here is a little write up of my first deer that I spent the
better part of 2019 preparing for.
I purchased a bear tag in April and spent every available
hour in the back country. Often just going for a drive after work
and hiking on pretty much every weekend.
Scouting, making little maps, writing notes even measuring
distances and setting up little blinds.
I got in trouble more than once for reading through the Forum
during work hours but I was gathering as much info
as possible (and working for my dad has its perks as well).
To give a bit of context, I am a German immigrant. Have
lived in Canada for close the fourteen years now and am
also the first one in my family that got bitten by the hunting bug.
So this is all brand new to me.
After getting in touch with a couple of the guys here, who
have been nothing short of amazing, I started to develop a bit of a game plan
which admittedly was full of amateur mistakes.
I mainly scouted MU 8-11 and found two spots where I regularly
saw Ungulates in. Sighted 6 Moose in one of the spots over the summer
and was certain I hit the jackpot.
As fresh elk droppings and deer scat where everywhere.
So September rolls around and I’m up every morning
before dawn to do the hour drive in and then hike the rest
to get into position and it was without success but I took
away a new appreciation for Nature and how truly awesome it is!
On one of my other threads I detailed the unfortunate experience I
also made but I guess it is all part of the playing field.
After speaking with Dave (Ourea) he told me something which
I never heard before; Deer can be found close to the road
and some bucks he took where 100 yards off the road (correct me
if I misquoted you Dave).
So instead of driving far into the FSR’s I decided to find a couple does,
even just signs on the side of the road and look closer.
That is how I found a bedding area very close to my spot “B”
and was able to quietly observe does coming and going
but they were out of season and admittedly, my ego
really wanted a solid buck to show with.
Last week it all came together... I was out again and after hiking in a bit I
decided to look around a pond I came across and since my phone
died I got lost.
The Sun was setting and using that I was able to get roughly
back on the road (a nice 5km detour all in all).
Bushed and a bit upset at myself for not sticking to the plan
I was heading back to the truck.
Literally a couple hundred meters from the truck I hear a sharp
crack, bring the rifle up and see a large doe perfectly silhouetted.
I started shaking and the adrenaline rush was just brutal!
One shot and she went down on the spot.... I cannot
put into words how that felt. Immense respect for the animal, a bit of the
feeling that I can’t really describe when you take a life,
the moment and just such a feeling of accomplishment!
It was an absolute roller coaster of emotions...
I sat for a minute or two beside that doe just taking
it in and then got to work.
Spent the next morning watching YouTube videos on how to
butcher a deer properly and also did that.
I had the peak moment of that experience after grilling
a bit of the back-strap and neck loin and that just brought
it all together.
Before I wrap up my long and convoluted story I want
to say, we are immensely privileged to be able to pursue
this lifestyle!
I am really grateful to all members here who took the time
to talk to me especially Ourea and Chris Pryn.
The sense of community here is great and I appreciate you all!
Here is to the rest of the season, to the many more
to come! Waidmansheil to all of you!
- Jan
and I hope that is the case!
Here is a little write up of my first deer that I spent the
better part of 2019 preparing for.
I purchased a bear tag in April and spent every available
hour in the back country. Often just going for a drive after work
and hiking on pretty much every weekend.
Scouting, making little maps, writing notes even measuring
distances and setting up little blinds.
I got in trouble more than once for reading through the Forum
during work hours but I was gathering as much info
as possible (and working for my dad has its perks as well).
To give a bit of context, I am a German immigrant. Have
lived in Canada for close the fourteen years now and am
also the first one in my family that got bitten by the hunting bug.
So this is all brand new to me.
After getting in touch with a couple of the guys here, who
have been nothing short of amazing, I started to develop a bit of a game plan
which admittedly was full of amateur mistakes.
I mainly scouted MU 8-11 and found two spots where I regularly
saw Ungulates in. Sighted 6 Moose in one of the spots over the summer
and was certain I hit the jackpot.
As fresh elk droppings and deer scat where everywhere.
So September rolls around and I’m up every morning
before dawn to do the hour drive in and then hike the rest
to get into position and it was without success but I took
away a new appreciation for Nature and how truly awesome it is!
On one of my other threads I detailed the unfortunate experience I
also made but I guess it is all part of the playing field.
After speaking with Dave (Ourea) he told me something which
I never heard before; Deer can be found close to the road
and some bucks he took where 100 yards off the road (correct me
if I misquoted you Dave).
So instead of driving far into the FSR’s I decided to find a couple does,
even just signs on the side of the road and look closer.
That is how I found a bedding area very close to my spot “B”
and was able to quietly observe does coming and going
but they were out of season and admittedly, my ego
really wanted a solid buck to show with.
Last week it all came together... I was out again and after hiking in a bit I
decided to look around a pond I came across and since my phone
died I got lost.
The Sun was setting and using that I was able to get roughly
back on the road (a nice 5km detour all in all).
Bushed and a bit upset at myself for not sticking to the plan
I was heading back to the truck.
Literally a couple hundred meters from the truck I hear a sharp
crack, bring the rifle up and see a large doe perfectly silhouetted.
I started shaking and the adrenaline rush was just brutal!
One shot and she went down on the spot.... I cannot
put into words how that felt. Immense respect for the animal, a bit of the
feeling that I can’t really describe when you take a life,
the moment and just such a feeling of accomplishment!
It was an absolute roller coaster of emotions...
I sat for a minute or two beside that doe just taking
it in and then got to work.
Spent the next morning watching YouTube videos on how to
butcher a deer properly and also did that.
I had the peak moment of that experience after grilling
a bit of the back-strap and neck loin and that just brought
it all together.
Before I wrap up my long and convoluted story I want
to say, we are immensely privileged to be able to pursue
this lifestyle!
I am really grateful to all members here who took the time
to talk to me especially Ourea and Chris Pryn.
The sense of community here is great and I appreciate you all!
Here is to the rest of the season, to the many more
to come! Waidmansheil to all of you!
- Jan