Trusted Deer rifles

The deer rifle has changed over time, from 30-30s lever actions to 30-06 bolt actions. Then mix in semi autos and pumps you can cover every ones favorite choice. You also have your choice of calibers from large magnums, short magnums, to standard set by the military. This is not an argument about what is the best one to hunt with. I have hunted with many different actions and calibers. I have my favorite just like anyone else. I have killed more deer with the 30-06 and like having this caliber with me. I know many hunters who prefer the 270 while others swear by the 308. And how can I leave out the 300 and 7mm magnums. I personally don't have any experience with the short magnums but have met hunters who do and would not go to anything else. It is fun to get people talking about the different actions and calibers and then sit back to watch what comes up. Every so often as new calibers show up and new fads start there will be others who won't let the old ways go away. There will always be someone who will stay with the older stuff like 30-06,308, 6.5x55, 7.62x54R, 8mm Mauser, and 303 British. All can make a trusted deer rifle in the right hands.

Thinking Small

As my deer season has past I start planning for next season. My plans for next year has differant green fields with winter seeds. I'm going to try a Austrian winter peas,winter rye,and winter wheat mix for fields during hunting season. For spring and fall I am planning to plant turnips, butternut squash, pumkins, and maybe corn. Along with these I am planning for more tree stands.
That way of thinking is what most of us do after every deer season comes to an end. But I have added a new way of thinking for next year, after a friend told me about a big buck that keeps crossing a road. I pulled that area up on a map with ariel photos and found a small field next to a creek maybe with only about 5 acres at the most. I am able to walk property next to that field and saw some huge tracks and 2 rubs back toward that field. I started thinking small because I want to hunt that small piece of property. Now I just need to get permission from the owner.

Empty Meat Pole

Well deer season is over here in Alabama. I finished my season with no deer harvested. But all is not lost, because this year we had more snow , and I used the opportunity to find out how the deer traveled.This knowledge has been locked away in the vault of my mind for future reference. I have hunted the property long enough to know how most of the deer moved.But was always eluded by some of the largest bucks. I love to scout during snow because it tells from what direction the deer move. Finding trails, sign, and bedding areas are great and for one who knows what to look for can tell from what direction deer move. But snow really completes the picture.
Some would say I need to study more, since I didn't kill anything this year. But I didn't get as much time as in the past to spend in the woods. Also I spent the first half of my season trying to help my ten year son get his first deer. (still be working on that next year) I was also more selective this year, I let any deer I thought was to young walk. And after some of the large scrapes and rubs I found, I didn't want just any buck. I set my mind for one that rubbed a tree that was about 28 inches around. Also in that same area we found a dropped antler with 6 points on one side. He is the one I want. I was also looking for a split brow tine 7 point that has eluded me the past two seasons. Well they will be bigger next year.

Going Simple

Here in Alabama we have a long deer season. Beginning with bow season in mid. Oct. and gun season coming in Nov. through Jan.31. We begin by carrying all the gear that helps us chase the elusive whitetail. Some where about mid. season I start going simple and lighter. I even find myself going to the woods with just my rifle and grunt tube. I'm not alone in this, as I have heard other hunters talk about doing the same thing. Where at the beginning I carried a back pack full of gear. Most hunters try to live by the boy scout rule always go prepared. But as the weight of our gear makes itself known some of us start going simple.

Camera Shy

I've been using trail cameras for about 4 years and have captured many great shots. I have pictures of some magnificent bucks. I have quite a few of does and young bucks also. Although I've placed my cameras in some great locations, I have yet to catch the buck I'm really after in any of my shots. 2 years ago we found a shed antler that carried 6 points on one side. This year I've found a rub on a tree that is 28 to 30 inches in diameter. I catch some big body pictures with the head gear hidden or turned the wrong way. It is like the bucks can sense the reason for the camera or they are just camera shy. I wonder why some bucks look as if they are posing for the camera and others are always hiding. I guess it is the same reason that some bucks are like ghost that people never see, while others are seen regularly. I guess if we had all the reasons answered for us we would be bored with chasing these beautiful animals.

Changing Thermal Winds

I hung a deer stand well before season so the deer would get used to it being there. This stand always had the wind blowing from left to right when I sat in it before season. This would have kept my scent blowing back in the direction from where I came and toward a house. I was looking forward to hunting from this stand, for every year I have found some great sign around this area. As winter and hunting season came I prepared to hunt from this stand. The first time I hunted from this stand, I noticed that the winds had changed. I didn't think this was a problem because the wind blew into my face, until I got busted by deer coming from behind me. This happened every time I tried to hunt from this stand if it was cold. If it was warm it went back to the way it was from left to right. I decided that as the temperature dropped the thermal winds changed. As you hang your stands watch out for these changing thermal winds they may cost you some good hunts. As for me I learn from my mistakes, I will be able to hunt this area by moving the stand about 50 yards where the wind funnels down between 2 small hills. The wind stays the same between these hills warm or cold. Also moving gave me another view of a logging road where I have found rubs and scrapes. But moving also keeps me from seeing a pond on the property also surrounded by rubs and scrapes. I guess you just can't have everything.

Beliefs

There is an old statement saying "you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything". I believe that goes for hunting products also. I am not bashing any product. I just get amazed that hunting shows push products that they don't believe in. I understand sponsorship and you push what ever pays the bills. But you should use what you push. I have seen some shows be sponsored by a type of rifle and when you see them hunting they are using a different type.
I have a 4x4 that came with hunting stickers of products on the windows. When I added more I decided only to put what products that I use. This way if any of my friends saw my truck and the stickers they wouldn't go buy a product they thought I trusted unless it was. I only use or swear by a product if I have tested it and know it works. I wish more host of hunting shows would decide this.