re: 01/05 IST/IBT: perfect conditions

3 shots around me in the last 20 min

Just got home from Mississippi at 1 a.m. Was gone for 10 days...need some family time and to recharge for a day or two. Bucks are chasing hard around Melville (St. Landry Parish), so I’ll be out there starting tomorrow.

Killed this guy at 8:45 yesterday morning in Madison County, MS. Doe and fawn came barreling out of the wood line around 8:15. Ran to middle of corn field then hauled arse back into the wood line they ran out from. Thought it was about to be on, but nothing soon came until….

At 8:30 I noticed a dark spot in the corner of the field (on turn row) about 390 yards away. I pulled up the binos and saw this buck at the corner of the field tending a scrape. He then started rearing up on his back legs to reach a branch what seemed like 8 feet off the ground. He was tearing into the branch trying to make a licking branch....cool as Antarctica to witness.

He slowly started working the wood line. I kept a constant range on him in case urgent action was needed. When he got to 340, I saw what I believe to be the original doe and yearling, back in the sparse woods behind him. We must have noticed them at the same time because he turned and began walking over to them. This put him slightly quartered away from me and I knew the time was now. Had the doe bolted, the buck was gone as well.

I squeezed off the first round to hear the dreaded click of a bunk round. I quickly chambered another round, settled in on his shoulder, exhaled, and let the .308 do its thing. I didn't notice any tell-tale sign of a good hit besides him running into the wood line with his tail down. Deer in this field normally just stand around looking when a shot rings out. He ran about 30 yards into the wood line and I could see him standing there, facing away from me, shaking or convulsing, then he just disappeared from sight.

I felt like he was hit but gave him 30 minutes anyway to be sure before even thinking about going see what had happened. I drove around the farm to the east downwind of the strong west wind. Creeping along slowly and glassing into the area, I turned the last corner of the wood line (90 yards away or so) hoping to see him there dead or bedded down from injury.

Boom. I saw him just like you see him in the pictures. Quite a unique kill for me and even a more unique death pose.

I did experience some ground shrinkage and maybe would have passed him if he was closer and could have gotten a much better look at his body (half blocked by corn stalks) but anyhow I’m very pleased.

3-1/2 years old







This buck was killed yesterday morning in Melville....chase does

When it’s brown it’s down.

Keep them coming

Congrats!

Taxidermy-Allen Morgan about a mile behind Brookhaven Honda. Very good work and reasonable. We dropped off my sons deer yesterday.

As far as processors, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Vines. They do good work and have been there forever.

I use Richey’s in Greensboro.

What I have learned is not to get specialized items. It makes it costly.

I only get breakfast sausage, one stick of summer sausage, ground meat, back straps whole and jerky.

Now processors where you guys are could be better priced.

I'm about to smoke some fricking crows with my 30-06

Well if you are that concerned I would process yourself. The taxidermist I recommended told me yesterday that he samples deer for CWD for the MDWFP. I don’t know of any confirmed cases in this part of the state. Maybe I missed something.
I used Vines for years prior to learning to processing our own several years ago. It’s a lot of work but enjoyable and rewarding.
There are never guarantees but I wouldn’t hesitate using Vines or Coons in Walthall county. Both have very good reputations.

I just shot a doe. Yard dogs had her slippin

Keep ‘em coming