24 replies to this topic

[MonkeyChunks]

D-16 zone opener is the 27th, I hope i bag a buck,anyone else planning on hunting that zone?

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I have a two hunting buddies and an acquaintance that are hunting that area too. Two of them have buck tags and the other has an antlerless D13 tag. I'll just be tagging along with one of them for the experience, but won't be hunting for deer (I didn't get a tag this year but I'll probably try and get in the drawing next season). Many of the deer in D-16 are in hard to access locations, or in locations that are private land/wilderness areas. All but one of the dozen or more deer I've seen between April and October have been does. Only saw one little buck with spikes and he was gone over a ridge before I could tell if he was legal or not. With 3000 tags sold out in D-16 it is going to be tough.

I wish you the best in your quest to fill your tag.

[DirtyDave]

I'll just be tagging along with one of them for the experience, but won't be hunting for deer

Get a pig tag and bring your '06

[Marlin55]

D-16 zone opener is the 27th, I hope i bag a buck,anyone else planning on hunting that zone?

I will be out there this year, and can't hardly wait. Got my spots narrowed down but looks like i will be going solo this year since none of my buddies can make it. Any how, good luck to you all!

[MonkeyChunks]

Yeah, i have been hunting the area and only see does but iam hoping with the shoulder to shoulder crowd out there somethign will pass my crosshairs thats legal. i Have apig tag but the only pigs i have seen there are pig bones scattered all over the place.
I will be rolling solo myself and i hope for the best. But i hear D16 is a madhouse opening weekend.
Hey its all part of the fun of hunting public land right??

[Rooster707]

Madhouse in an understatement. I dont hunt deer this far south but ive made it out on the opener a few times by mistake and couldnt believe it. People all over the place. My buddy drew the anterless tag so i told him id go with him AFTER the opener to help him out when he scores. He hasnt killed anything bigger than a duck, should be fun for him. Got a few does picked out for him already. Good luck everybody and be safe.

[GLP]

I'll be out there too looking for a buck. Anyone know if the rut is on yet?

[MonkeyChunks]

Was going to hunt an area alone but after thinking about it and hearing stories of teh number of shots fired and near misses i dcided to team up with another guy for safety reasons.

[Marlin55]

I am going to hunt the last five days of the season on the weekdays. Between now and then I will be out every week end seeing were the deer are moving too, at least that is the plan. The way i see it, the buck for me will be there if it is meant to be.

[MonkeyChunks]

Finally got it done, he wont make the record books but man when you have to drag a deer out of the woods by yourself and you make it out alive its an accomplishment. It was a long day that ended with fireman carrying a deer, having to field dress it by myself and then having my car break down.This deer will always be my favorite. Heres to never giving up. Get out there guys.

[Recon]

Nice. Whenever I put that much effort into getting something from field to table, I always seem to feel a much stronger connection to the great provider at mealtime... I hope you find the effort was as worth it as I always do.

[GLP]

Congratulations!

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Finally got it done, he wont make the record books but man when you have to drag a deer out of the woods by yourself and you make it out alive its an accomplishment. It was a long day that ended with fireman carrying a deer, having to field dress it by myself and then having my car break down.This deer will always be my favorite. Heres to never giving up. Get out there guys.

Well Done!

[ShooterJohn]

He'll eat good though! It isn't always about the biggest or prettiest.

[modoc squeek shooter]

Congrads Monkey! Like John says it isn't always about the biggest, each animal is a trophy. It is about the hunt. Ed

[MonkeyChunks]

Full Story. As best i can remember it.

Had a great day on the opener with my buddy, led him to a spot and he shot his first deer at 7 am. It was funny cause it saw the deer coming in and texted him that it was heading his way, He freaked and let it walk right past him, chased after it and jumped him, bang flop single shot with his lever action 3030 AND IT WAS DONE. I showed him what to do next and took off to find one for myslef. Came back an hour later and he was just finishing off guttign the deer, I say hey what took so long, he says. I had to throw up,lol
So that was opening day. We had some miscommunication the next day when it was my turn and basically i lost my deer, because he watched it walk away while it was retriving my gear. I decided to take it upon myself to hunt alone and bag a deer. Dropped the kids off to school and headed out. Got to the spot and found a few other hunters there but nothing major. Walked a few choice areas and found nothign until about 11 am then everywhere i went there was does, And then i bumped a spike buck, decided to follow them for a while and couldnt find anything better. Around 12 i started to hear distant shots ring out and then i started to worry that i was in the wrong area. Spent most of my time posted up on hillsides watching the other valley checking the wind, During one of these sits i look off to my left and spot a bobcat rubbing around in the field, It walked away before i could take a few pics. After that i figured the day was done it was already 2 pm and all i saw was does and spike. Headed own the trail doing the shuffle of the defeated man, (You know the one, where you walk really slowly but in teh general direction of home) I get half way back to car and look up the hill to my left and here he is 150 yds looking at me. I walk on like i see nothing, get by a tree, grab my shooting sticks and set up. I look up hill and hes still there staring at me, i take aimand let it fly. He hauls off and i think damn uphill shots suck.I head up hill to the spot he was standing and theres blood, Not much but i follow the trail. 50 feet down the trail hes piled up on some rocks, I check the damage and heart shot all the way. The hardest part was the mile long walk back to the car up hill. I had to fire man carry the deer up hill, stoping every 50 steps. It took me 2 hours and i ran out of water and my heart was pounding outa my chest. I would like to thank the guys from LA that came down the trail and found me sitting on the side of the road dazed and thirsty. Thanks for helping me get the deer up the hill the last 300 feet and into the car. You guys saved my butt.

[PigHostile1]

BBQ at your house....I got the brews

[Thumper Dunker]

Way to go.Good job. I get tierd dragging a jack rabbit back to the truck.

[Rooster707]

Sounds like a blast! That area looks oddly familiar too....

[rustygun]

Good job on getting that guy. Made me huf and puf reading about it.

[KernRiverArcher]

Thanks for the great read man! You should look into bringing some pillow cases and bone out the deer on the spot. A lot less weight that way. Congrats!

[DirtyDave]

Filled my G13 tag down there saturday. (my dog is cooler than yours)

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Nice deer (and dog).

[Rooster707]

Good looking doe dave.

[MonkeyChunks]

Thats a freezer full of meat right there. Congrats.