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Man vs. Deer or Deer vs. Man

Here is an interesting story with a lesson for a It was the morning of Christmas Eve with a slight chill in the air. I was loading my truck for the day’s hunt ahead and noticed that there was full moon out. As you all know, when you have a full moon, deer usually travel and do all of there feeding under the moon light. I didn't let the fact of having a full moon the night before stop me from preparing for the day’s hunt. On the way out to the property, I was lucky enough to see several deer standing on the sides of the road. This led me to believe that they might still be moving throughout the early morning hours. Finally, I pulled up to the old house place on our property where I met my friend to go over our morning hunting strategies. After we geared up and sprayed off, we headed to our respective stands hoping for that "chance of a lifetime." As I walked slowly towards my stand, I caught a glimpse of a small doe standing about 90 to 100 yards ahead of me. I realized she was in the path that I had cleared to get to my stand. I stood motionless for several minutes. I knew she had no idea that I was there, so I proceeded to make my way around her down wind. I would take 3 to 4 steps at a time, and then listen so as not to scare her or spook any other animals that might be in the woods with me. I repeated this process until I finally got to my stand. After sitting in my treestand for about 30 minutes or so, I began a grunting sequence, and then started with some light rattling, just "tickling" the antlers together. I repeated this several times, each time grunting a little louder as well as being more aggressive with the antlers. I could hear what sounded like a very large deer tearing up brush and breaking branches on the other side of the swamp. The swamp I was hunting was formed from run-off of the Little River, which runs along the property line of our land. I sat there for a while listening to the buck on the other side of the swamp showing his aggression, but not knowing why he wouldn't come to the calls. Before I knew it, it was already time to meet back up with my friend at the old house place. I got everything packed up and headed to the house place to catch up with him. We both talked about what we had seen earlier that morning. We both decided to pack up our bows and hunt from the ground with guns when we headed back out. We took time to sit down, eat a nice lunch and rest for a bit before we headed back out for the afternoon hunt. It wasn’t easy to rest knowing that I had left an aggressive buck on the other side of the swamp. I set off into the woods with my trusty LH Remington 1100 to find a good spot to set up a ground blind near my stand where I had hunted earlier that morning. I finally found the perfect spot; it was huge blown over oak tree on the top of a ridge overlooking the swamp. I cleared a spot to sit and broke several branches out of the way to give myself more shooting lanes. Now I was ready. I sat there for a good while with no action in sight, not even a squirrel. Eventually I fell asleep with a full belly and the sun beating down on me. (You know we've all done it at least once) Suddenly, SNAP! I was awakened by the sound of brush breaking. It took me a minute to get my bearings back when I realized there was a buck making his way through the swamp. I could hear a dog barking off in the distance; it didn’t seem to be barking at the deer in the swamp though. I could sense the deer was getting that “Uneasy Feeling” as he started to come towards me. Bound by bound he came closer and closer to me as my heart began top pump uncontrollably. "Buck Fever" had set in. Once he made it to my side of the swamp, he slowed down to a walk, every now and then looking back at the direction from where the dog had barked earlier. I could tell that he felt he was on safe ground. He was no further than 60 to 65 yards from me as I watched him make his way through the brush. I could see every muscle in his body as it bulged when he took a step, his rack glowing from the sun that bounced off of it and the steam as it came from his nose. I slowly raised my gun to take aim, but I was unable to hold it still enough to take the shot. So, I waited. He now was only about 45 yards away from me as I took aim again. I could hear my father’s voice in the back of my head saying, “Calm down Son and take a deep breath. Just squeeze the trigger, and don’t pull it." Before I knew it POW, I had shot. He dropped down to his knees for a moment, and then suddenly he jumped back up as if I had never hit him. I squeezed off another shot. He dropped again, and then I knew it was all over. I sat back for a minute shaking a little from the excitement of taking such a beautiful animal, but on the other hand disappointed knowing that my father wouldn’t be there to share this moment with me. I finally got up and made my way over to him. I was no further than 4 or 5 feet away from him when out of nowhere he seemed to have come back to life. As he jumped up and came towards me I grabbed his rack to try and protect myself as he drove me to the ground. I lunged over, grabbed my weapon and made the final deciding blow. There he lay, like a proud gladiator that had fought to his death. I didn't realize that he had stuck me in the side of my leg with his antlers until it was all over. I tried numerous times to reach my friend on the walkie-talkie with no response, so I decided to drag him out by myself. After dragging him and all of my gear for over 300+ yards, I gave up. I ended up leaving him and my gear there to go get my friend so we could retrieve him with our ATV. Looking back, I can see how that day has changed me. I will not go into the woods now without my deer drag harness and a knife of some sorts for protection. I’m prepared now because I’ve found out the hard way that you never know what might happen when out there. I also learned that day that my father was a big influence in my life by teaching me about the outdoors and sharing his love of hunting and fishing with me. I made a promise to myself that day that no matter what it took, I would share my love of the outdoors with everyone I come in contact with. Remember, "Always protect our natural resources, do yourself a favor and pass it on."

 

 

Roy LeFevre
 Three Rivers Outdoors, Inc.

 

 

 

Becoming A Volunteer is a Rewarding Experience

Getting involved with programs that gives people the opportunity to do things that they normally don't usually get to do because of a disability or because of their age can be a very rewarding experience. I have the opportunity because I live in the same County as the NWTF to be able to assist with the JAKES Program, and the Wheelin' Sportsmen Events.  I  for the most part for the JAKES event have been given the responsibility in leading the archery event where the youth learn the basics while shooting Mathews Genesis compound bows; donated by Mathews. During the Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Ultimate Team UP ; I volunteer as a guide for one of the hunters who are disabled and may not have the opportunity to deer hunt if it were not for the volunteer landowners, guides, and the NWTF  Outreach Programs.  I have been volunteering in the outreach programs for three years and again find it very rewarding.  If interested the NWTF has chapters all over the country that sponsor the same outreach programs; you can become a volunteer in your state. You will be glad you did. To find out more you can visit www.nwtf.org

T. Mercier 

More than 150 hunters with disabilities, landowners and volunteers enjoyed deer hunting, food and fellowship at the Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Ultimate Team Up in Edgefield, S.C., Oct. 18 to Oct. 20.

The End To A Purrfect Day

As the dew lay amidst the ground from the rain and with a slight fog in the air,  opening day of turkey season  was a purr-fect day.  Xtreme Outdoorsmen Field Team Greg Kelly and I  began our hunt knowing the area in which the birds were roosting.  Using an  owl locater call and hearing the sounding gobbles of  turkeys near by,  we rested against a tree and began our joint efforts in using several different turkey calls.  We were able to hear lots of gobblers near and far away in all directions.  We had set out three decoys, two hens and a Jake,  in hopes they  would catch the sharp eyes of  the turkey as he was being called.  About 8:00 a.m. the birds had stopped talking and we had yet seen the first gobbler. Knowing the birds were still in the area we remained still and would let out a few calls every so often.  As it reached  8:30,  the sound of a close gobble boosted our spirits.   In locating his position we could see him in full strut looking for the hens he had heard.  Once he caught site of the  decoys,  he went straight to the Jake in full strut 15 yards in front of us.  As we waited  for the bird to lift his head out of the strut, he sounded with a drum and pecked at the Jake decoy.   We knew then we had to act fast.   I whispered to Greg to take the shot,  and it paid off.

T. Mercier

NO Hunting! WHAT?

No hunting  season nor fishing allowed is what you would see posted in every state and country if certain organizations had their way. I don't have to mention any names for most people to no who I am referring to.  I wonder if they have ever thought of the consequences; if that were to happen. In South Carolina alone if you were to stop the privilege and tradition we have in America to hunt we would have a catastrophic mess on our hands.  According to SC Dept. of Natural Resources the 2006 Deer Harvest total was 221,320.  Now that's a lot of deer! Although the number of deer harvested this year in this state is down 9.3 % from last season due to a number of possible reasons; that is still a lot of deer. Now; what would happen if this year we lost our hunting privilege.  The number of deer would have increased making our roads even more dangerous. Now lets multiply these numbers by three for the 2007 and 2008 deer season, and you would have a deer population of 663,960 estimated based on 2006 totals since we of course have no way of knowing what these totals would actually be. Not to mention the number deer that we have lost on our state roads due to traffic accidents. Lets go a step further and multiply this same number for the next three years and the population just grew to 1,327,920. Remember this number is only based on South Carolina. Can you imagine what would happen throughout the United States? Farmers have enough problems now with the deer effecting our crops. If we can't harvest the deer for meat to put on our table and the deer are eating all of our farmers crops; where are we to get our vegetables? Let the vegetarians, and animal rights activist ponder over that one awhile.  Another thing to remember are the deceases that are carried by the deer that we are hearing about more and more; some that are known to have caused deaths in humans like (CWD) cronic wasting disease found in wild-game in several states. How many more diseases can we expect if we allowed an over population of our deer herds. Not to mention that we have only discussed the deer population and not the population increase in other wild-game that we would not be allowed to harvest; if  these organizations had their way.  We mentioned the deer fatalities due to traffic accidents, but lets not forget the human life that has been lost on our streets because a deer had run out in front of someone. I could not imagine the human lives that would be lost in this state alone if we allowed the deer population to grow in unbelievable numbers. It makes me wonder if the animal rights activist would keep their same opinions if they lost a loved one to a fatality due to the over population of deer. Another human fatality we face with wild-game are the attacks where humans have lost their lives due to a wild animal feeling threatened. One more thing to remember. Some of these organizations state that they oppose hunting in all its forms. Well I take this to mean the form of providing food for the hungry; because their are many hunters who through several programs provide food for those in need.

T.Mercier 

Experts Still Say Hunting is Best Way to Reduce Deer Herds-
National

Professional wildlife managers and biologists continue to tout the fact that despite decades of research and testing, non-lethal methods of controlling deer are not as effective as hunting.

At a meeting in Howard County, Maryland, research scientists, biologists and wildlife managers made it clear that hunting is the most effective way to control deer populations.

“Even if non-lethal techniques were perfected, they would never replace hunting deer,” said Paul Peditto, game project manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Hunting remains “the most cost–effective way of doing business.”

Officials realize there is no trouble-free replacement for bullets or arrows. Robert J. Warren, a wildlife biologist with the University of Georgia, commented about fertility research.

“We do not have any methods that can be used routinely,” he said. “We are reducing fertility, but most studies have not yet shown a reduction in deer herds themselves.”

Speakers also cited field tests in Maryland and New York, using various methods to prevent deer from conceiving, that all had drawbacks. Dr. Allen Rutberg with the Humane Society of the United States even said that inoculating deer the first time “is often not hard to do, but it gets harder and harder” as the deer grow more wary.

www.wlfa.org

I was  asked to help with the archery event at the NWTF Jakes event. It involved teaching the basics to four different age groups ranging from the ages of  4-14. It was a pleasure as always being involved in the development of young minds toward the future of our hunting tradition. It was a bigger pleasure watching the excitement of the young faces when the arrows hit the 3D targets. I would also mention to the children and to the parents that said thank you and to all who participated I would like to say getting your children involved in such an event is thanks enough. This picture was submitted by Heather Dickau. The picture is her son David whom I was able to have the opportunity to work with. David had lots of fun with all the activities but stated that he especially enjoyed the archery. That is what it is all about.

Date: 4/16/05
Location: Western York County (McConnells,SC) Creek Bottom Flood Plain
Time: High Noon
Calls: Cluck w/Alumi-Slate & Cutt/Cackle/Fatal Purr w/A-OK Cuttin-N-Hen II.
Weapon: Mossberg 835
Shell: Winchester XX #5
 
The Hunt:
Wind blowing 10-15 MPH most of the morning. Hens in the fields by 9am, but
no sign of Thomas???
Headed to bottoms to escape the wind (Advice from  Pro-staffer-Perry). Set-up
bobbin head Hen with a Jake in Breeding posture adjacent to her. Gave a few
clucks and yelps...sat back and enjoyed the midmorning splendor. After about
a 30 minute pause...resumed a short series of clucks. Heard a faint
Gobble...waited 5 minutes and repeated series calling again. Heard a
distinct Gobble and the hunt was on...a short series of clucks and the
double-Gobblin began. They strolled in to about 50 yards and started
searching for the Hot Hen...A couple of Fatal Purrs and pops with the
Cuttin-N-Hen II and they spotted the Jake Decoy and couldn't stand for that!

I rolled both of'em with the 1st shot. As I jacked torpedo #2 into the
chamber...Tommy #2 decided to try and get away. Mistake!
He got chased down by a swarm of #5 Bees!
What a morning!
Chris aka Tommy Tumbler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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