MarkyJ's Hunting & Fishing Journal

[markyj987]

Well everyone, this is really my first year, so I thought it'd be a good idea to join my friends here at realtree.com and start my own journal.

The deer season here starts on Sat 11/23, but with work and everything, I won't be able to hunt until 11/29. I have 2.5 days of gun season, and I will hunt as hard as I can.

It's been an exciting couple months as I've gone from being curious about deer hunting to being extremely excited. It's very hard to sit still with the season right around the corner.

I want to start out by thanking sluggunner for teaching me so much about hunting over the last year or so, and for allowing me to hunt with him at his land. Sluggunner, you've been a great teacher and an even better friend.

I'll start out by making a long story short. I started working with sluggunner in April of 2001 and immediately learned he's an avid hunter. I always enjoyed shooting targets and whatnot (even though it had been years) and he and I would talk about it. He gave me a great deal of help in picking out my .22 and we would go up to the land to target shoot.

Eventually, in December of January of this year, we ventured out on a VERY cold day where we were harrassed by two vocal squirrels, and I shot one of them.

Throughout the spring and summer we went up there a few time--to put in some fencing, put in a food plot, and to set up his MONSTER tower blind.

He invited me to hunt his land with him this fall as well, and I actually had to think about it for a little while. (I know you hunters are wondering if I'm nuts for having to think about it.)

Anyway, I asked him about guns and what he recommended and I looked at a few of them, Since it's a shotgun only area, he pointed me in the direction of the Rem 870 Express. The second I picked it up, I just knew that was my gun, and I bought it on Sept 21.



I'll continue with more later and hopefully be up to current stuff by the end of my next journal entry.

Hunt Safe, Hunt Right, Hunt Hard!
Mark

[size="1"][ 01-07-2003, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: markyj987 ][/size]

[markyj987]

Replying to myself...kinda like singing in the shower!

Anyway, I can't leave out Mrs. sluggunner, aka Salmonator. She's been an awesome friend to me as well, and as a great team, they've given me a great deal of encouragement, and I can't thank them enough.

I see that I skipped something as well. I mentioned that I got the 870 in September, but before that, in late August, sluggunner showed me this site.

The people I've talked to on here are great and it's been a lot of fun. From AJ's gun expertise to Parrothead getting up on his soap box, buckee, iminrut, RTF, wyohunter, lil hunter, too, Norm, dartonman, sureshot, ...I could go on and on, so please don't feel left out if I didn't mention you! lol I must say thanks to Scott and Team Realtree for providing this awesome venue to us and all the moderators for keeping it fun yet free.

It's been fun, but everyone here has taught me a great deal and I truly appreciate it. Perhaps I can even help some of you out in the future should I become some sort of expert, but don't hold your breath people!

Anyway, back to the summary. To get ready, I shopped and shopped and shopped and bought and exchanged. It's the first time in my life I liked shopping for clothes..haha. I got myself set with the basics: some advantage timber insulated coverals, thermals, hat, gloves, etc.

A couple weeks ago, sluggunner and I hunted for squirrels and came back with leaves. The squirrels weren't very active when we went, but it was a great fall day, and I got some leaves from the land to put in the airtight tub with my sportwashed clothes.

The days are going by so slowly now. I watch some Monster Bucks before work every day...and hang out on the site until almost 11 PM every night lately. I can't sit still lately, and can't wait to get out to that tower blind.

Anyway, this is basically up to the present, so I'll stop for now.

[markyj987]

When I stepped outside after work last night, I was met by a cold, windy November night. My second thought was that I should've worn a winter jacket. My first thought was it's so close--my first deer hunt., that is.

It's coming up so soon, but seem so far away. The adrenaline is going through me 24 hours a day. At work, I flip through a hunting magazine and hang out in the forums when I can. At home, I watch hunting videos. Nobody ever told me how addictive this was going to be--and I haven't even shot a deer yet! I guess it's one of the better addictions you have.

It's great to be able to incoherently ramble and blow off some of this excited--anxious-nervous steam.

With help from the good Lord, Advantage Timber camo, and Remington, hopefully I'll be able to put some pics up in the near future.

(So far my journal sounds like a grammy awards acceptance speech..lol)

[markyj987]

Well, today was my first day deerhunting! With the hour drive and us leaving at 4:30 AM, I got up at 2:00 AM today. I really don't know if I even slept because I was so excited.

Sluggunner and I got to the land at about 5:30 and into the tower blind at right about 6. Right around shooting light, we saw a ton of turkeys leave their roosts about 50 yards away--pretty close to where my natural ground blind will be next spring. We got into the tower blind unnoticed by them.

It was an awesome day out. Cold, with a chilly wind that would later be my undoing, it was how Wisconsin's gun season should be. Surprisingly, given this as the second day of opening weekend, we didn't hear many shots in the distance. Only we could assume that the deer weren't active, or people really are staying home because of CWD.

I didn't remember my watch as I left it soaking in scent killing soap, so I don't remember the times exactly. Sluggunner noticed 1 or 2 does/fawns running along a ridge out of range. Normally, when they're at that point, they go one of two ways--right into our line of view (and shot) or into the next field. Today, they chose the next field. Good for them, bad for us.

Thw squirrels were the most active critters today, and every time I heard a crucnch, it was them, and not a deer. The morning was quiet for deer, but sluggunner did spot 3 more does or fawns in the distance.

Part of being a new hunter is learning how to be prepared. I thought I was prepared for every eventuality, but my boots just didn't make the grade today. My feet were very cold--tried to put some hand warmers in the boots, and it worked for a while, but my feet were still very cold.

Around 11:00 AM or so, we decided to get out and stretch our legs--came back to the blind about 45 minutes later or so. More squirrels making the leaves crunch. Little varmints! They got my hopes up about 60 times today, but that's just part of hunting. I'd be lying if I said the thought didn't cross my mind to shut them up with a few Winchester Partition Golds. Of course, I'm joking but I'm sure anyone who reads this knows what I'm talking about.

We stayed in the blind for a few more hours until I couldn't take ths cold anymore. Shopping list: New boots!

I'm sure I'm wrong on some of the times, but they're my best estimate. Even though I didn't get a deer, it was a successful hunt, and will be better prepared when I go back on Friday.

Below is the summary format I stole from RTF, which he stole from buckee...I hope it's not copyrighted..lol

God Bless,
Mark

TIME HUNTED-approx. 6:30 AM until approx 3:00 PM
DATE - Nov. 24, 2002
HUNTER(S) - Me and Sluggunner
STAND/LOCATION - sluggunner's Deerhaven Woods, near Kewaskum, WI. In tower blind overlooking wooded ravine and swampland.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
BOBCAT- 0
COTTONTAILS- 0
SNOWSHOE HARE-0
GROUSE - 0
PHEASANTS - 0
TURKEYS- 15-20
DOES - 3? (out of clear visual range)
FAWNS - 2? (out of clear visual range)
BUCKS - 0
BEAR(S) - 0
WATERFOWL- 0
SQUIRRELS - 10-12
MISC. 2-3 blue jays
SHOT - 0
Temp. - High 20's to mid 30's
Overall Weather - Mostly Cloudy
Wind Direction - From the North, 10-15 mph

[size="1"][ 11-24-2002, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: markyj987 ][/size]

[markyj987]

Well, I had to work this morning, [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] but still managed to get an afternoon hunt in with sluggunner.

It was a beautiful day, in the mid 40's...great weather for humans, not so great for deer activity.

I got done working at noon, came home, got ready...and we managed to get into the stand right at 2:00...pretty good timing with an hour drive in between. There was very little animal activity today, with a couple unidentified birds, and one blue jay. I've never seen this many blue jays within such a short period of time. Maybe they like the cover scent..lol.

I "got smart" after last Sunday's hunt and stopped and bought some new boots on the way home tonight. I'll need them tomorrow with highs only in the 20's.

Hopefully by this time tomorrow, I'll be posting pics of my first deer for you all. Even if I end up deerless this year, i'm hooked. This has been a great experience, and my only regret is that I hadn't taken to the woods sooner.

The (condensed) stats:
TIME HUNTED-2:00 PM-4:30 PM
DATE - Nov. 29, 2002
HUNTER(S) - Me and Sluggunner
STAND/LOCATION - sluggunner's Deerhaven Woods, near Kewaskum, WI. In tower blind overlooking wooded ravine and swampland.
MISC. 1 blue jay
SHOT - 0
Temp. - Mid 40's
Overall Weather - Partly Cloudy
Wind Direction - variable, 10-15 mph

[buckee]

That's a nice looking shotgun you got yourself markyj987 .
I keep dropping in here to see if you've gotten anything yet.
Just wanted to wish you all the best and good hunting to you.

[markyj987]

Thanks buckee, I really apprecaite that.

Looks like the wind is going to be a problem Saturday and Sunday, with it possibly blowing at 40 mph today. Looks like the best time will be early as the winds won't kick in until mid-late morning. We'll see how it goes.

[RTF]

Marky, I did not realize you where new to this huntin stuff. I like your journal. If you can, look for stuff writen by Greg Miller and Dr Ken Nordberg. They are deer hunters from your neck of the woods and have written many books on Deer and Deer hunting in WI and MN. Good luck to you [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[markyj987]

Thanks for the advice...I'll definitely look those guys up.

Today was a terrible day weather-wise for deer movement and hunters alike. It was very cold--mid 20's, with a lot of wind blowing hard from every which way with strong gusts.

We did get a little bit of snow, so visibility was great. Got into the tower blind at about 6:15 or so. Again, we saw a bunch of turkeys right at sunrise. Man, that's going to be a GREAT place for turkey hunting in the spring. I just hope the state draws me for a tag.

Anyway, I realized that I really need to get better at spotting movement in the woods. Even with the snow, I missed 3 of the 4 does that sluggunner saw in the distance. The one I did see looked to be a nice-sized, mature doe. They were way out of range and again chose a path differnt from the one that goes right in the shooting lanes.

Other than the turkeys and few does, animal movement was at a minimum, with only a few squirrels milling about. Once the wind got bad, even the squirrels vanished.

We only stayed until about 10:00 or so because the weather was so inconducive to deer movement. This way we can get rested up for a marathon session tomorrow

It's the last day of gun season here, so I'm really hoping for a deer to cross my path, and stop, standing broadside for about 2 minutes so I can get really ready and make a good shot. Okay, maybe 2 minutes is a little too much to ask..lol/

Deer or no deer, I will consider this year a successful hunt, because of the experience I've gained.

I hope to have some deer pics for you all tomorrow, but if not, I have 11.75 months to get ready for next year's gun season!

[RTF]

I hope to have some deer pics for you all tomorrow, but if not, I have 11.75 months to get ready for next year's gun season!

<font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Go out and get a bow !!!!
You will learn a lot more about deer and deer hunting while bow hunting. Marky you are robbing yourself of some of the best deer hunting expierences if you do not take up bow hunting. You will have no problem in getting help here at RT.Com on bow hunting. And also dont stop from going into the woods after deer season.

Just wait until you get out this spring turkey season. You will find old rubs and even some scrapes and this will get you all pumped up for your next deer season and may even put you in those spots, next season. Good luck buddy ! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[markyj987]

RTF...I definitely want to try bowhunting. I will be getting a bow this winter or spring. I am now addicted to hunting for life, buddy!

I was fortunate enough to take a button buck this morning, the last day of gun season here in Wisconsin.

I've been praying for a deer since before my first day, and God listened. I think it helped that Dave (sluggunner) had his daughter Lauren say a prayer for me last night--and his wife Paige (Salmonator) went to church and prayed for it this morning. No human can truly understand how the Lord thinks--we cannot even pretend to comprehend the complex nature of God---but this deer was a gift from Him.

It was a beautiful morning. Snow on the ground, light winds out of the southwest, cloudy skies, and temperature in the mid-20's. It was a prime day for deer activity as sluggunner and I settled into the tower blind at 6:25. It was just a beautiful morning. Colder than yesterday, but very little wind.

sluggunner's tower blind


Across the ravine, on a high ridge, the turkeys were roosting and flew down at about 7:00. That was a good sign that they weren't so close today. I'm not sure whether or not they spook the deer or not, but it couldn't hurt with them being far away today. (I hope I didn't just jinx turkey season).

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want a deer. However, even if I didn't get one, it was just an awesome day out in the woods. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful it was. One of these days, I'll put up some pics of Dave and Paige's Deerhaven Woods.

At about 9:20, I was starting to get a little hungry. Sluggunner and I were going to munch on some peanuts I brought along. We figured it'd be okay to snatch a few out of the bag because there was no sight of deer at all.

I settled in my seat and put the peanuts in my lap and was about to enjoy the cuisine--Suddenly, four deer come bounding down a trail over the ridge, out of nowhere. They were coming in fast. I tried to set the peanuts on the floor of the blind very quietly, but the way I was situated, I couldn't reach them...my heart was racing, and I nearly dropped them--which would've scared the deer off for sure.

I managed to hand them to sluggunner, and picked up my 870. 30 minutes earlier, we stood up to stretch out, but I didn't readjust my seat--stupid me. I couldn't get my scope on one of them sitting down. They heard us moving, and were watching the blind. I didn't see it because I was so nervous, but sluggunner said none of them flagged their tails, which was fortunate.

I finally got my crosshairs on one of them...from a squatting position, I aimed behind his back shoulder and fired. He was kind of at a 45 degree angle from me--so I had a semi-broadside shot.

I fired, and all four of them bounded up the hill. I thought I missed, but Dave said one looked like it was running in a strange way.

I know I had a good shot when I pulled the trigger, but I didn't know how good. We walked up over a little hill, and there he was! The Winchester Partition Gold slug found it's mark, taking out both lungs and the heart! What a rush! I think it's the best feeling I've ever experienced in my life. I was so worried I missed or just injured it, but I did take a good shot and connected.

My biggest fear was wounding a deer. I wanted to take one shot....one perfect shot...and it was perfect!

What a great day...I will never forget one moment of the hunt today!

Dave & Paige, thank you so much for everything. I could never thank you enough for the opportunity to hunt Deerhaven Woods, for all that Dave has taught me about hunting, and mostly for being great friends to me. Dave was on vacation last week. He got his deer last Saturday--and he spent all day last Sunday, Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and today there with me in the quest for my first deer. Paige, you made a sacrifice so he could help me get that first deer. I can't thank you enough. The prayers, and the Good Luck cake you made for me yesterday--it worked! I'll be over with some beverages to celebrate in a little while!

I have to thank the people here at realtree.com as well. From Bill Jordan to Scott to the moderators, and all the members here--you have all been a great source of information and encouragement.

I'm sure this is incoherent, but I wanted to get this all in today. Here is a pic of the deer's vantage point, and of the button buck I got today.

Thanks everyone and God Bless!





TIME HUNTED-6:25 AM until 9:25 AM
DATE - Dec. 1, 2002
HUNTER(S) - Me and Sluggunner
STAND/LOCATION - sluggunner's Deerhaven Woods, near Kewaskum, WI. In tower blind overlooking wooded ravine and swampland.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
COTTONTAILS- 0
GROUSE - 0
PHEASANTS - 0
TURKEYS- about 10
DOES - 0
FAWNS - 4 (all 4 of them were fawns)
BUCKS - 0
BEAR(S) - 0
WATERFOWL- 0
SQUIRRELS - 3
MISC. 1 blue jay
SHOT - 1
Temp. - Low-mid 20's
Overall Weather - Mostly Cloudy
Wind Direction - From the Southwest, Calm-10 mph

[size="1"][ 12-01-2002, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: markyj987 ][/size]

[Wisconsinboy]

congrats bud. there is nothing wrong with a deer like that. my cousin got a fawn the other day that had 1 inch spikes. that deer will for sure make good meat in the freezer.

[RTF]

As RTF says after a kill,...AAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

Now thats what I'm talking about ! Nothing like waiting til the last minute though. You say now you will get a bow and thats great. Soon after that a black powder will follow. You will have more deer hunting than you will know what to do with. Enjoy eatin that deer and congrats to you and a big thanks to Sluggunner for getting you involved in deer hunting. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[markyj987]

What a great season this was...I keep replaying it over in my head and I have such a feeling of pride and accomplishment. Some people may not be, but I'm proud of this deer. I hunted hard, and now is a time to sit back and just enjoy it.

I'm going to take him in for processing on Friday or Saturday. So this winter, while I watch hunting videos and eat venison chili, venison sloppy joes, veinison steaks, jerky, meat sticks...and when I get him mounted and can admire this beautiful animal, it will have come full circle.

He will make a great mount. He has awesome coloring--a very dark coat, with a lot of black hairs on him, and his muzzle has a white patch with what looks like a black goatee under his mouth. The pictures won't do the mount any justice, but when I get it done, I'll make sure I put some pics up in the taxidermy section.

To be honest, I'm very happy about the hunt this year, but am sad to see it come to an end.

In a few weeks, hopefully I'll be able to get out and enjoy some small game hunting and start getting ready for turkey season. I don't know if anything will be able to top getting my first deer, but I just want to hunt as much as I can.

The outdoors have been great to me this year. In January, I shot my first squirrel, and caught my first smallie and chinook salmon in September, and it was topped off with this deer.

Hopefully, next year will be full of more firsts. My first turkey, first respectable largemouth, maybe a duck, and come next fall hopefully another deer--a doe or mature buck.

No matter what, 2003 is looking to be another great year in the outdoors for me.

[markyj987]

Thanks, self_hunter...best of luck to you as well! Make sure that if you take one with your bow that we all get to see it.

Here's another pic of the deer and of the tower blind from which I shot him.