Bill's 2016 Blacktail deer thread

[Bill]

As I've done many times, since the People's Socialist Republic of California has the earliest archery deer season in the USA (coastal A zone opens the 2nd Saturday of July every year), I post to entertain my friends in Texas.

8 weeks to July 9 opening day.

I'll start it a bit earlier this year.

I was out for pigs solo this morning- me and my CA-legal AR. There's been a 200'ish hog on the property, 2 weeks ago it was at 165 yards and I had my iron sights Model 94 and passed on the shot to try to get in front and closer with no luck.

Anyway, no pigs.

But, after seeing 4 small blacktail bucks, I turned around and 155 yards above me was the 4x4 in velvet. Looked like a mule deer in comparison. "The beast". When I moved, unlike the others who ignored me, this boy got out if there, over the ridge.

I don't hunt white tails, but black tails will do loop around you and reappear down wind to take another look, and to key an eye on where you are and go. Ten minutes later I spotted him briefly behind thick oaks below me. They're curious animals.

I'll set up a game cam in that area my next time up. Remember, no feeders here- baiting is illegal, even pigs.

He needs a dirt nap this year. The '16 season begins! I want to be out of here in '18, so 2 more deer seasons before Montana, God willing.

He was at those rocks.



For amusement, what a CApig tag looks like.




..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[gonehuntin68]

Good luck this year. How much are those pig tags now. Last I remember I think they were $23.50 so I'm sure they are more then that now. I remember when I first started pig hunting in Ca you could buy a book of 5 tags for $6.50.

[Bill]

I think you're right on price. When they add court fees to a ticket, the minimum fine for a game violation is around $875.00 if you're ticketed for taking a pig without one. Most CA warden would write you up for not tying your shoes correctly if they could.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[flywise]

Looking forward to your deer season thread

[Bill]

7 weeks from yesterday.
I'm out for pigs and scouting.
Called yote in to about 60 ysrfs, but it was early and I didn't want to scare off any pigs- which I did not see.

Here's the pair my daughter nicknamed Fred and Ernie at about 300 yards with my phone held to my binoculars. Some Blacktails never develop beyond a big fork horn.










..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Bill]

BTW, very rarely are they out if velvet early season, except the large older deer seem to dry up earlier. I remember asking Wildman if Texas deer are covered in fleas and ticks, he said he'd never shot a deer before a frost to kill the bugs.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Slick8]

Love it Bill, this is IMO the start of season...followed by live elk threads, dove and then the WT opener.

Better times ahead fellas.

[Texas Grown]

Looking forward to your hunting again Bill!

[Colton]

BTW, very rarely are they out if velvet early season, except the large older deer seem to dry up earlier. I remember asking Wildman if Texas deer are covered in fleas and ticks, he said he'd never shot a deer before a frost to kill the bugs.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

I once killed a nice buck in Hays Co that had hundreds and hundreds of ticks especially in the groin area. Freaked me out, I gave the meat away...

Looking forward to following this thread!

[Bill]

T minus less than 4 weeks and counting.

I had a real scare when I went to the range and could not draw my compound bow, and when I shot my recurve my left hand would not steady-down (or up?) to less than a 6" circle. I had an MRI done, nerve being pressed at C6/C7 in my neck going to the left shoulder. After PT, strengthening exercises and stretching I am able to shoot again, and Saturday have my compound dialed in to 30 yards, and was scaring myself with my 20 yard accuracy with my Red Wing Hunter.

Yup, I'm ready to bowhunt deer on July 9!

We usually hunt spot and stalk but for that Big Boy he's way too smart and wily. I think I'm going to have to set up my popup under an oak tree with branches going to the ground, bring an external battery for my phone to keep me amused and sit and wait them out.

[AtTheWall]

Go Bill Go!

[Tmag]

Good luck this year Bill, can't wait to see pics of all the deer congregating around your stand.

[Bill]

Bill's 2016 Blacktail deer thread

T minus 2 weeks snd counting. My Elite Judge is all ready and tuned, and I want to hunt trad for deer this year.

I went out to scout and put up my game cam, and chase pigs .

I'm confident out to 15-20 yards so I brought the Red Wing Hunter and arrows I fletched up, it has been 48 years since I hunted with this 41# RWH as a kid.The quiver is a Bear clip-on I bought at the same time as the bow on the recommendation of the sales guy.

Hunting solo I brought my XD45 for company. We can only have 10 round mags, but there's a bunch of hurt possible before it's empty.



I saw a big solo hog at 5:30am, moving 300 yards below me. Having tried the run down the mountain and try to get in front of him technique multiple times with no success, I decided to focus where I was and stay still.

About 45 minutes later, a spike appears 60 yards below me in the middle of an open hillside- with a bunch of scrub in front of him. He must have been bedded there. I'm above and the thermal is reversing from the night time downhill, to sunrise uphill towards me. A few minutes later, and his big brother pops up- nice 3x3. Much smaller than the beast 4x4, but nice.





After 30+ minutes of trying to take a picture through my Vortex binoculars, the 3x3 ignores me and takes a walk uphill. The broadside walking shot was 25-30 yards. He continued up behind me, followed by the spike who came into 20 yards snd then busted me and took off. My game cam is set up to the left of where the bedding area is.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3go0tPov4u4"]Blacktail 3x3 - YouTube[/ame]

With the Elite Judge dialed in, now it's time to practice with the RWH. I realize I would have had a difficult shot this am with trad gear, and had an ldp with my compound.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Texas Grown]

Your getting me pumped up Bill! And I got a longer wait.

[Bill]

Bucks in velvet with ticks and fleas- I'm ready.

CA poison oak- if you've never seen the stuff. I prefer it to liberals because first I can avoid it, second it doesn't cost me money or infringe my rights, and third I can reduce it's effect on me with TekNu.




..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.