For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

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magicman54494
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For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 7:43 am

I decided to post my muzzleloader kill from Wisconsin 2017.

I had a tough hunt in northern Minn. last year. Deep crunchy snow made tracking almost impossible. Hunter numbers were way down which was great but daytime buck movement was almost zero. I'm not sure why the bucks werent moving, maybe the ice coated snow? Tracks showed good nighttime movement but there was a lack of quality tracks. I did pass a 6 pointer and that was the only buck I saw.

I held off hunting the Wisconsin rifle season and waited for snow. We finally got snow with 3 days of muzzleloader season left so I headed north. This is what it looked like after 5-6" of heavy snow.
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On day 3, The last day of season, I found a good track. He was headed into a thick riverbottom and it was nasty with all the snow and brush and tipped over snow covered trees. This is what it looked like:
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Image

He bedded down just 150 yds into the track. I believe I actually jumped him when I walked in to check out the track. I kept after him and a little over a 1/4 mile later I bumped him again. I eased forward to check out his running track and about 20 yds further I could see him standing about 50 yds ahead looking back to see what was following him. That was his last mistake. My 50 Cal. bellowed smoke and he piled up about 100 yds later. If the buck cannot smell or see you they will often run a short distance and stop to watch their backtrack to see what is following. I have learned to be on alert when I find a fresh bed. This is the second buck I have shot checking his backtrack.
Image



It was a very short hunt and I think the thick snow played a big role in causing that. I think he could not see or hear very far and I think he was interested in staying put instead of running. He is no monster by any means but a good solid 170# 3 yr old big woods buck.
Image


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muddy
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby muddy » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:04 am

Looks like a road kill to me magic, but congrats nonetheless! ;)
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magicman54494
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:12 am

muddy wrote:Looks like a road kill to me magic, but congrats nonetheless! ;)


Thanks, I guess? :roll:
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby headgear » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:33 am

Congrats magic, I need to pop my tracking cherry one of these years.
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby wolverinebuckman » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:36 am

Cool stuff! Just our of curiosity, with the conditions as they were, do you think you could have gotten yourself within bow range of this guy?
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby NYBackcountry » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:38 am

Nice buck Magic.

Quick question, when you're tracking like that and bump a deer up do you hang out for a few in hopes that he will slow and bed down? Or are you back on the track/in pursuit as soon as you bump him?
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magicman54494
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:01 am

headgear wrote:Congrats magic, I need to pop my tracking cherry one of these years.

It's addictive! Hook up with me sometime and I'll get you started.
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magicman54494
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:03 am

wolverinebuckman wrote:Cool stuff! Just our of curiosity, with the conditions as they were, do you think you could have gotten yourself within bow range of this guy?

Maybe but trying to get an arrow thru that thick stuff would be tough. I've always wanted to do it. Considered crossbow as well. Maybe someday.
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magicman54494
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:07 am

NYBackcountry wrote:Nice buck Magic.

Quick question, when you're tracking like that and bump a deer up do you hang out for a few in hopes that he will slow and bed down? Or are you back on the track/in pursuit as soon as you bump him?

I have had better luck giving him an hour to cool off then I go fast while he is running and slow down as he does. When he is walking I move so slow you would have a hard time noticing that I am moving. Its painful to move that slow and I usually freeze because i'm dressed to keep moving. It is real hard to get them once they know you are following but it can be done.
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby NYBackcountry » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:11 am

magicman54494 wrote:
NYBackcountry wrote:Nice buck Magic.

Quick question, when you're tracking like that and bump a deer up do you hang out for a few in hopes that he will slow and bed down? Or are you back on the track/in pursuit as soon as you bump him?

I have had better luck giving him an hour to cool off then I go fast while he is running and slow down as he does. When he is walking I move so slow you would have a hard time noticing that I am moving. Its painful to move that slow and I usually freeze because i'm dressed to keep moving. It is real hard to get them once they know you are following but it can be done.



Good stuff, I'm going to give it a try up in the Adirondacks this year. I've read a few of your posts on tracking and tips for this style, looking forward to it, should be a nice change of pace to mix up the season. Appreciate it.
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby Findian » Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:23 am

Nice buck magic, kinda looks like the buck I shot up in northern Minnesota. Out of curiosity what county up in Wisconsin were you tracking in? I was tracking thru that nasty ice storm snow and never got a good strong wind in my area to sneak up on one could hardly see 50 yards.
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby Bowfisher » Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:46 am

Hunting withdrawals? During this time of year? Never heard of such a thing :D
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby SouthpawSwitchback » Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:58 am

Thanks Magic... I was jonesing for a good tracking story :D
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby Edcyclopedia » Wed Jun 06, 2018 11:08 am

Spectacular!
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Re: For those who are going thru hunting withdrawls

Unread postby magicman54494 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 11:14 am

Findian wrote:Nice buck magic, kinda looks like the buck I shot up in northern Minnesota. Out of curiosity what county up in Wisconsin were you tracking in? I was tracking thru that nasty ice storm snow and never got a good strong wind in my area to sneak up on one could hardly see 50 yards.

A guy has to keep some secrets. :whistle:


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