1911 guy
Member
Where are you hunting? There is a list of willing mentors here on the site. It's a sticky at the top of the "Hunting" page.
First kill!
- Thread starter Trent
- Start date
- Status
interlock
Member
Congratulations on your kill. When you hit one and it runs then have a coffee or a smoke and a sandwich. Then walk back and get your dog from the car. Let the dog to the tracking.
It will generally get better than this. But sometimes it will be nasty. ...
It will generally get better than this. But sometimes it will be nasty. ...
josiewales
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2011
- Messages
- 694
Whoa! First time I've ever heard of a guy choking a deer! Next time, if you just wait for a half am hour or so, he'll lay down and bleed out. The only thing keeping that buck alive was adrenaline. Good job though, that was a great read!
I have a strong feeling Trent WILL NOT forget his knife NEXT time 
Lessons learned in such a manner are seldom forgotten....
Lessons learned in such a manner are seldom forgotten.... While not something I "enjoy" I've slit the throat on almost every deer I've ever shot. Necessary or not, it was how I was taught, and just consider it step one of filed dressing usually. Was there something "bad" about your friend's experience (deer got up, etc) or was it just new, therefore, unsavory to him? I just can't see the ordeal being overwhelming to a seasoned hunter....
Patocazador
Member
My kids are nothing like yours.
I raised a steer from a calf and the kids named him Sam. When he got big enough, I had him butchered. My kids ate deer all the time and usually only had beef when they ate hamburger so when they tasted their 1st steak, they said, "This is REAL good! What kind of meat is it?"
I said, "This is Sam."
They looked at me funny and grabbed another piece and said, "He tastes good. When are we gonna raise another one?"
I raised a steer from a calf and the kids named him Sam. When he got big enough, I had him butchered. My kids ate deer all the time and usually only had beef when they ate hamburger so when they tasted their 1st steak, they said, "This is REAL good! What kind of meat is it?"
I said, "This is Sam."
They looked at me funny and grabbed another piece and said, "He tastes good. When are we gonna raise another one?"
The bigger problem I am facing now, is my wife.
After the kids went to bed last night, she broke down crying.
"It didn't do anything to you."
"It just wanted to run around and be free."
"Cows are raised to be killed. Deer grow up to play in the woods and be free"
Etc.. etc.
I didn't think it would be anywhere CLOSE to this big of a deal.
I think, next time I harvest a deer, I'll do all the cleaning out in the woods, pack the meat back in gallon zip lock baggies, and send her off shopping when I do the final bits of meat prep and storage.
After the kids went to bed last night, she broke down crying.
"It didn't do anything to you."
"It just wanted to run around and be free."
"Cows are raised to be killed. Deer grow up to play in the woods and be free"
Etc.. etc.
I didn't think it would be anywhere CLOSE to this big of a deal.
I think, next time I harvest a deer, I'll do all the cleaning out in the woods, pack the meat back in gallon zip lock baggies, and send her off shopping when I do the final bits of meat prep and storage.
Sorry about the wife.
I'm glad you like hunting. Welcome!
That said, your first hunt went pretty badly. You didn't put that deer down with a good shot (understandable, stuff happens, but still bad). Then you kept jumping that deer for miles. Then you finally found the deer, but you didn't have the proper tools to quickly and humanely finish it off. So you had to resort to strangling it. That's bad. Really bad. If someone had filmed that on a cell phone, PETA and the rest of the nut jobs would be going crazy with showing it. And the game warden might not like that, either. I understand ya gotta do what ya gotta do, but you need to use another bolt, or a gun, or at least a knife to finish one off.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but this is why new hunters need mentors. Don't mean to offend you, I'm just offering a different perspective.
I'm glad you like hunting. Welcome!
That said, your first hunt went pretty badly. You didn't put that deer down with a good shot (understandable, stuff happens, but still bad). Then you kept jumping that deer for miles. Then you finally found the deer, but you didn't have the proper tools to quickly and humanely finish it off. So you had to resort to strangling it. That's bad. Really bad. If someone had filmed that on a cell phone, PETA and the rest of the nut jobs would be going crazy with showing it. And the game warden might not like that, either. I understand ya gotta do what ya gotta do, but you need to use another bolt, or a gun, or at least a knife to finish one off.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but this is why new hunters need mentors. Don't mean to offend you, I'm just offering a different perspective.
HankR
Member
"Cows are raised to be killed. Deer grow up to play in the woods and be free"
Good luck with that. My wife is OK w/ the whole process (but she doesn't do the butchering). My 8 yo daughter has never really liked the taste of any meat, and that was long before she understood what it was. She's good w/ jerky, salami, spicy stuff but doesn't care for hamburger, steak, pork-roast etc (even hot-dogs). She's good w/ cooking chicken or turkey, but doesn't like to see raw red meat. Loves to eat the potatoes and carrots from around a pot-roast (beef or venison), but not the meat.
She does understand that the deer had a better life, being free up until contributing the jerky whereas the steer was basically in jail ("grounded") for it's whole life. She thinks the deer thing is much more humane. Many people are more comfortable pretending that the meat was never alive, and the farther they are from the harvesting process the happier they are. Again, I hope you can get that worked out.
Good luck with that. My wife is OK w/ the whole process (but she doesn't do the butchering). My 8 yo daughter has never really liked the taste of any meat, and that was long before she understood what it was. She's good w/ jerky, salami, spicy stuff but doesn't care for hamburger, steak, pork-roast etc (even hot-dogs). She's good w/ cooking chicken or turkey, but doesn't like to see raw red meat. Loves to eat the potatoes and carrots from around a pot-roast (beef or venison), but not the meat.
She does understand that the deer had a better life, being free up until contributing the jerky whereas the steer was basically in jail ("grounded") for it's whole life. She thinks the deer thing is much more humane. Many people are more comfortable pretending that the meat was never alive, and the farther they are from the harvesting process the happier they are. Again, I hope you can get that worked out.
Whoa. Cant help much on that one. You could explain that deer have natural predators and that coyotes, wolves, and bears kill them all the time...but I don't know if it would help at this point.
I hope she can get good with it since it sounds like you really enjoy hunting.
MtnCreek
Member
That sounds like an exciting experience!
A lot of good advice. Only other thing that may be worth mentioning is to take a look at the broadhead to see if the blades are still intact before starting to gut or butcher.
I think you would be a fine candidate for spear hunting. Just be sure to take along a video camera.
Edit: gspn said 'Congrats on your first deer...I'm certain nobody has worked that hard for one since 1500 BC.' I got a little Copenhagen on my screen when I read that!
A lot of good advice. Only other thing that may be worth mentioning is to take a look at the broadhead to see if the blades are still intact before starting to gut or butcher.
I think you would be a fine candidate for spear hunting. Just be sure to take along a video camera.
Edit: gspn said 'Congrats on your first deer...I'm certain nobody has worked that hard for one since 1500 BC.' I got a little Copenhagen on my screen when I read that!
Yeah this hunt could have gone a lot better.
When I hit a deer and destroyed my pickup truck back in 2009, my wife didn't shed a tear for the deer that was killed. I gently reminded her of that last night. We also went through the kitchen and house and I cleaned up anything and everything that she pointed out as "gross" (even if it had nothing to do with the deer processing).
I explained that if the deer population isn't controlled, these "happy, free animals" starve to death in winter, encroach on humans and get run over, or worse. An unchecked deer population is REALLY bad.
I didn't hunt until now. But then again, I also didn't see 40+ deer every time I drive to or from work, either. The deer are so thick around here, every day for a week I'd see 5-7 deer on each of my game cameras - together, in a group photo. I'd wake up with 8 of them standing in my front yard. I'd be out letting the dogs do their thing, and they would stand 50 yards away watching. They wouldn't run, even when my wolfhound was watching them.
No offense taken, this echoes my feelings exactly.
Forgetting my knife was a really bad mistake. I couldn't take a handgun or bow with me because I had to enter adjoining land to track - needed to leave weapons behind. If that weren't the case I could have finished the deer the first time I spotted it. I had a clear broadside at one point not too long in to the tracking, about 40 yards out. Easy shot. But all I could do is cuss about not being able to finish the animal.
By the time I did end things, it was a relief to stop the suffering. I felt horrible about it, I truly did. I was shaking, and almost threw up. But I caused it; it was my responsibility to finish it. That's why I kept on until the end and didn't give up. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't see it through.
I learned a lot about myself yesterday.
(I also learned a lot about hunting and butchering; but compared to what I found inside myself...)
I'm in my mid 30's, and went in to the woods with a certain soft innocence. I came out of those woods hardened. I put all those thoughts and feelings aside and focused on getting the job done, despite it being rather distasteful. I felt nothing at all - no emotions whatsoever - while butchering. I'd turned them all off.
When I hit a deer and destroyed my pickup truck back in 2009, my wife didn't shed a tear for the deer that was killed. I gently reminded her of that last night. We also went through the kitchen and house and I cleaned up anything and everything that she pointed out as "gross" (even if it had nothing to do with the deer processing).
I explained that if the deer population isn't controlled, these "happy, free animals" starve to death in winter, encroach on humans and get run over, or worse. An unchecked deer population is REALLY bad.
I didn't hunt until now. But then again, I also didn't see 40+ deer every time I drive to or from work, either. The deer are so thick around here, every day for a week I'd see 5-7 deer on each of my game cameras - together, in a group photo. I'd wake up with 8 of them standing in my front yard. I'd be out letting the dogs do their thing, and they would stand 50 yards away watching. They wouldn't run, even when my wolfhound was watching them.
No offense taken, this echoes my feelings exactly.
Forgetting my knife was a really bad mistake. I couldn't take a handgun or bow with me because I had to enter adjoining land to track - needed to leave weapons behind. If that weren't the case I could have finished the deer the first time I spotted it. I had a clear broadside at one point not too long in to the tracking, about 40 yards out. Easy shot. But all I could do is cuss about not being able to finish the animal.
By the time I did end things, it was a relief to stop the suffering. I felt horrible about it, I truly did. I was shaking, and almost threw up. But I caused it; it was my responsibility to finish it. That's why I kept on until the end and didn't give up. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't see it through.
I learned a lot about myself yesterday.
(I also learned a lot about hunting and butchering; but compared to what I found inside myself...)
I'm in my mid 30's, and went in to the woods with a certain soft innocence. I came out of those woods hardened. I put all those thoughts and feelings aside and focused on getting the job done, despite it being rather distasteful. I felt nothing at all - no emotions whatsoever - while butchering. I'd turned them all off.
Check your local regs too...in some places you are not allowed to have any type of firearm with you during bow season.
I'd hate for you to be trying to fix one problem and end up in another.
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,087
....actually according to the game warden that comes and talks at our Hunter Safety course, killing a deer by any method other that what your permit/kill tag is for, is illegal. This pertains to not only the initial shot but finishing the animal off also. In other words, you can't legally finish a deer off during bow season with a firearm.....nor can you legally choke them or beat them to death with a stick. Even cutting their throat with a knife could be considered illegal. Always surprises many of the dads of students who have been hunting for years and always chose to cut the throat as opposed to shooting the deer again.
Yeah I'll do some homework on that. The Illinois regulations on hunting are pretty damn complex. I'm not at all sure how concealed carry (which we will soon have) will factor in to hunting, or what the laws say about dispatching an animal in a humane way.
If my only option is "knife to the heart", I'm going to start writing some letters to my reps, to try to get 22 pistols added to the hunter's kit.
(There's no sense in complaining about something if you also aren't prepared to stand up and fight for it.)
I'm also adding granola bars to the list of things to take in to the woods (knife being #1 on that list, rope a close second).
In all the excitement yesterday I *completely* forgot to eat anything, all day, except the deer steaks last night. I had coffee for breakfast, no food though. Hiked through lunch. Butchered through dinner.
Just lifting the coffee pot to pour coffee today caused my arm to shake. I was completely baffled as to why until I stopped and felt the pang in my stomach. Oooooooohh.. duh!
My body was completely sugar deprived. Munching on granola bars or trail mix would keep the sugars up. 12 hours of heavy physical activity without resting, or food, was too much. I should know better.
It seems like all my common sense went right out the dang window yesterday.
It seems the small things can make a huge difference.
Still appreciate any tips on gear, etc. I'll be making a checklist for next time, so I'm better prepared.
In all the excitement yesterday I *completely* forgot to eat anything, all day, except the deer steaks last night. I had coffee for breakfast, no food though. Hiked through lunch. Butchered through dinner.
Just lifting the coffee pot to pour coffee today caused my arm to shake. I was completely baffled as to why until I stopped and felt the pang in my stomach. Oooooooohh.. duh!
My body was completely sugar deprived. Munching on granola bars or trail mix would keep the sugars up. 12 hours of heavy physical activity without resting, or food, was too much. I should know better.
It seems like all my common sense went right out the dang window yesterday.
It seems the small things can make a huge difference.
Still appreciate any tips on gear, etc. I'll be making a checklist for next time, so I'm better prepared.
Tell us what is in your current loadout...what do you take to the woods with you now?
Someone else started a thread in the hunting forum on "EDC" (every day carry). You might want to check that out as it will keep you from having to reinvent the wheel so to speak.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=735731
Normally, I carry my wallet, lighter, a pack of smokes, cell phone, and (now) a 5" ozark trail knife on my hip.
When I hunt with the crossbow I brought along a belt pouch with my cocking string, wax for my string & rails, and an arrow puller. A quiver that holds three arrows mounts on the crossbow itself.
I have one empty pouch in that belt pouch piece. It also has a cup holder pouch that I'm supposed to put a bottle of water in, but I can't find the bottle anywhere.
One of the things I thought about packing was some basic medical supplies. if I lost my footing, got cut climbing a barbed wire fence, etc..
I got a little nervous when I was tracking. I stared at the ground for too long, as I walked, got tunnel vision on the blood trail, and *100%* lost my bearings. I looked around and had no idea where I was, or what direction home was in. I pulled up maps on my phone, that showed me where I was via GPS, but the compass on it wasn't calibrated, so I had no idea what direction I was supposed to go in. I ended up using the moss on the tree boy scout trick, since the sun wasn't out (overcast).
When I run rifle matches I always have a first aid kit with me (a GOOD one, complete with blood clot powder, sterile bandages, etc; it's more of a trauma pack than a first aid kit). I've recently picked up a suture kit and started learning how to suture. (but I'm a long way off from being able to do so effeciently; it's more of a "just in case" thing, living so far out in the country, my dogs like to roughhouse from time to time, and you see how big they are above...)
I don't want to load myself down with a 60 pounds of gear, but I also want to have the basics covered. 10' of rope would have come in SO handy when I was pulling that deer out. (Also would have helped if I had a knife, to string it up and field dress it; but I wouldn't do that on someone else's land, so I had to drag it back to mine anyway).
Gear lists will vary based on type of hunt and type of land. I mainly deer hunt on private land that I know like the back of my hand. You can drop me off anywhere on that 1,000 acres in the middle of the night and I'll get back to the barn easily.
It sounds like you might be hunting public land or land that is new to you...so knowing where you are is going to be important. A phone GPS only works when you have a battery and a signal. A dedicated GPS is expensive but can keep you out of trouble. A basic compass is cheap and reliable. You'll have to figure out what the best method for you.
When I hunted public land I always had (in addition to my rifle and ammo):
orange vest (when needed...gun season)
knife (with small sharpener)
small flashlight (nowadays I really like a headlamp as I lets me do stuff hands free)
Enough rope to pull me weapon up the tree to my stand (doubles as a drag rope)
range finder
surveyors tape (used to mark blood trails)
compass
I don't carry much because I'm never far from home. If I was out west or on a multi-day trip I'd carry a lot more but for a simple deer hunt on land that i know...it just doesn't take much gear to get the job done.
I have a small first aid kit in the truck but I never take it into the field.
Even if I don't need the flashlight to find anything, I use it on the way out of the woods. I enjoy walking back in the dark...but even on private land a poacher or a sloppy guest hunter could mistake me for a deer in the dark. Most people understand that deer don't use flashlights so I figure it improves my odds of not being accidentally shot.
The compass will always point north...no batteries and no cell signal needed. So for example, if you know that you are hunting to the north of a major road and you get lost you can at least navigate south, hit the road and walk back to your truck. More than once I SWORE the compass was wrong...I mean I KNEW it was wrong. In the end I reluctantly relied on the compass and turns out...it was right. I was so turned around I was actually arguing with the compass...it's usually right and it's a simple lightweight piece of gear that can save you a cold night in the woods.
Keep it light, just bring the basics...but know ahead of time where you are. Study the map and know some major landmarks. A compass, a flashlight, a piece of rope and a knife are basic but powerful tools that I don't go without (a lighter or matches couldn't hurt).
It sounds like you might be hunting public land or land that is new to you...so knowing where you are is going to be important. A phone GPS only works when you have a battery and a signal. A dedicated GPS is expensive but can keep you out of trouble. A basic compass is cheap and reliable. You'll have to figure out what the best method for you.
When I hunted public land I always had (in addition to my rifle and ammo):
orange vest (when needed...gun season)
knife (with small sharpener)
small flashlight (nowadays I really like a headlamp as I lets me do stuff hands free)
Enough rope to pull me weapon up the tree to my stand (doubles as a drag rope)
range finder
surveyors tape (used to mark blood trails)
compass
I don't carry much because I'm never far from home. If I was out west or on a multi-day trip I'd carry a lot more but for a simple deer hunt on land that i know...it just doesn't take much gear to get the job done.
I have a small first aid kit in the truck but I never take it into the field.
Even if I don't need the flashlight to find anything, I use it on the way out of the woods. I enjoy walking back in the dark...but even on private land a poacher or a sloppy guest hunter could mistake me for a deer in the dark. Most people understand that deer don't use flashlights so I figure it improves my odds of not being accidentally shot.
The compass will always point north...no batteries and no cell signal needed. So for example, if you know that you are hunting to the north of a major road and you get lost you can at least navigate south, hit the road and walk back to your truck. More than once I SWORE the compass was wrong...I mean I KNEW it was wrong. In the end I reluctantly relied on the compass and turns out...it was right. I was so turned around I was actually arguing with the compass...it's usually right and it's a simple lightweight piece of gear that can save you a cold night in the woods.
Keep it light, just bring the basics...but know ahead of time where you are. Study the map and know some major landmarks. A compass, a flashlight, a piece of rope and a knife are basic but powerful tools that I don't go without (a lighter or matches couldn't hurt).
wgaynor
Member
That has to be the best darn story I've heard yet! You have tears flowing down my face and my wife and dogs looking at my like I'm a mad man!!!
Epic Tale dude.
Epic Tale dude.
Your being turned around & reluctantly deciding to follow the compass in spite of knowing it is wrong brings back fond memories.
Trent thanks for posting your story.
Your deer in the pic looks -it's head anyhow- like it went 20 rounds in the ring.
Wish there was a pic of your own face after you finally wrassled it into submission, having tracked it all day long through hill and dale. lol
Your deer in the pic looks -it's head anyhow- like it went 20 rounds in the ring.
Wish there was a pic of your own face after you finally wrassled it into submission, having tracked it all day long through hill and dale. lol
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,087
Whenever I hunt deer, whether it be with a bow or rifle I always have a small pack with everything I might need. This includes things like a small folding saw, EXTRA KNIFE, flashlight, drag rope, rubber gloves, antibacterial wet wipes and depending on the hunt whatever else may be required or desired. One of the things that is always in my pack when I hunt is T.P. No only does it work better than leaves or ferns for it's intended purpose, but it is also how I mark a bloodtrail when trailing a wounded deer. Like bread crumbs, it will keep you from getting lost if you track into unfamiliar territory, but marking the blood trail regularly and especially the last blood helps trail a wounded deer. To help determine direction of a wounded deer when blood is lost, you just have to look at the trail of T.P. hanging on the brush and the general direction of where the animal has been and is heading is obvious. Makes for a better circle when blood is lost and if the animal backtracks or doubles back(happens often) you can easily walk 10-15 yards to the side of the marked trail to see if the animal has jumped off to one side or the other. Many time small spots of blood dry up and disappear within a short amount of time. T.P. hangin' above it makes it easier to find again if needed. First good rain makes the T.P. disappear. Using the T.P. to find your way back works, but a wounded deer generally doesn't take the easiest and straightest path thru the woods. This is why having a compass in the pack is a must. If I'm hunting a good distance from my vehicle and will be there all day, I take the the pack with me. If I'm hunting close to my vehicle for a short amount of time, I may leave the pack in the vehicle and go and get it if I need it. This many times gives a wounded deer time to die or lay down and stiffen up. At that time I will often dispose of any other equipment with me I don't need such as heavy clothes or the climbing tree stand(when hunting public land). I also many times change warm heavy boots intended for standing to lightweight hiking boots easier to walk in.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Inside the carcass, either side of the spine and toward the rear, are two pieces of meat: The "inner tenders". Those are the tenderloins, the most tender meat on any animal. DON'T forget those!
A friend of mine was a hunting guide on a ranch which catered to city dudes. After a kill and before the client headed home with his buck, the guide would carefully remove the inner tenders. The explanation was that these were "poison sacs" and if a dog got to the carcass, it could die from the poison.
In actuality, the poison sacs were put in the ranchhouse freezer for tasty-yummy eating later on. So, whenever I cut and wrapped the inner tenders, I labelled them "Poison Sacs".
A friend of mine was a hunting guide on a ranch which catered to city dudes. After a kill and before the client headed home with his buck, the guide would carefully remove the inner tenders. The explanation was that these were "poison sacs" and if a dog got to the carcass, it could die from the poison.
In actuality, the poison sacs were put in the ranchhouse freezer for tasty-yummy eating later on. So, whenever I cut and wrapped the inner tenders, I labelled them "Poison Sacs".
- Status
