Deer Hunting Notes for File 2020

Early antlerless - MEA.  Yearling at new farm.  Had to work pretty hard to net 20 lbs; almost zero meat waste.  Exceedingly tender.

Word was that these were some of the best steaks ever consumed in our house (from yearling).

 

November rolled out pretty well.  Some bucks harvested by our party; lot of bloody clothing, dragging down gullies and building gut piles.

Who knew a guy could shoot two one-antlered bucks in the span of seven years.  

Tracked a friend's deer; found this on the blood trail.

Buddy shot this big one.

In the orchard at new farm; spent a lot of time watching deer at this trail intersection.

The six pointer (three pointer) yielded just over 40 lbs.

Tend to cut the roast pieces into steaks after defrosting.  Rub with Lawry's, salt, pepper, olive oil; set in fridge for a few days; then grill.  4-5 minutes first side; 3 minutes on the flip.

Kids were gone over MEA so they didn't do the youth season.  They got out a little late, but they both saw deer and both "almost" got shots.  In at least one case a good decision was made to not shoot at a deer that was out of range (I was watching her too).

Have dragged quite a few deer down this gully over time; this one was the monster shot by friend.

We tracked one into the evening.  Lot of blood.  Then the blood trail died at a point at which the deer bedded down for a while.  Started walking likely trails - no blood - found the deer approx 50 yards away, dying, watching me.

Squeezed a lot of these out of my arms and hands.  Broke-off bramble thorns.

Never passed on legal deer much, before this year.  After getting two in freezer, I figured I could watch for a while, hoping to see one of a few certain deer.  Never did get those shots.  Passed on a number of does, yearlings and spikes.  In one instance I had nine deer below me, within 30 yards for 20 minutes.  Not an antler among them.  Saw thirteen total that night.

Getting good vibe for next year - I think it'll be the season for both my sons to get deer.  Will continue to work and study this new farm; was fun watching them frequent this pond.