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1.) Jon - 12/12/2016
We have a week long doe season here in Delaware, you can shoot does with any weapon but no bucks allowed. We generally use this week to try and knock down the buck/doe ratio and get some good eats in the freezer.
I'm all tagged out for bucks so doe hunting is all I can do!
usually doe hunting is more like doe killing since you can sit on a field edge almost anywhere and wait until 15 minutes before last light and pick out a big doe and let her have it. I chose to sit in the woods and catch one feeding with hopes that I would have enough light to verify the size and make sure it wasn't a shed buck or button buck. We have many guys who still have difficulty making this distinction even though we post pictures of a BB's head and body shape vs a mature doe....some people.
Anyway, Saturday I'm sitting in a stand in the woods facing an open field but in the woods a bit, I could shoot the field edge but wasn't expecting any deer movement in the field. I was glassing the woods and noticed a lone doe slowly feeding through the woods. She was about 200yds away when I spotted her but seemed to be feeding my way. I was able to see her clearly with my binos and she was all alone (usually this time of year, a lone deer has a high percentage chance to be a BB). No other deer anywhere around. I watched her feed for over 15 minutes and she was headed towards the field. Once she got within 15yds of the field opening, I put a single 20ga round through her boiler room. She did a high kick and took off like her ass was on fire, running directly at me! She was doing mach 4 and right when she got to my stand, she plowed head first into the ground, shook a few times and DRT.
When I'm buck hunting, I seldom get a chance to watch them for any period of time. Once I see a buck, I determine immediately if it's a shooter or not and then I stop looking at them and get ready to shoot. This hunt was much more enjoyable and relaxed, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
20Ga H&R Slugger w 2 3/4" Federal Trophy Copper slug
Here's the deer about 3 seconds after I shot
Here's the doe once I got down
Here's her heart
I'm all tagged out for bucks so doe hunting is all I can do!
usually doe hunting is more like doe killing since you can sit on a field edge almost anywhere and wait until 15 minutes before last light and pick out a big doe and let her have it. I chose to sit in the woods and catch one feeding with hopes that I would have enough light to verify the size and make sure it wasn't a shed buck or button buck. We have many guys who still have difficulty making this distinction even though we post pictures of a BB's head and body shape vs a mature doe....some people.
Anyway, Saturday I'm sitting in a stand in the woods facing an open field but in the woods a bit, I could shoot the field edge but wasn't expecting any deer movement in the field. I was glassing the woods and noticed a lone doe slowly feeding through the woods. She was about 200yds away when I spotted her but seemed to be feeding my way. I was able to see her clearly with my binos and she was all alone (usually this time of year, a lone deer has a high percentage chance to be a BB). No other deer anywhere around. I watched her feed for over 15 minutes and she was headed towards the field. Once she got within 15yds of the field opening, I put a single 20ga round through her boiler room. She did a high kick and took off like her ass was on fire, running directly at me! She was doing mach 4 and right when she got to my stand, she plowed head first into the ground, shook a few times and DRT.
When I'm buck hunting, I seldom get a chance to watch them for any period of time. Once I see a buck, I determine immediately if it's a shooter or not and then I stop looking at them and get ready to shoot. This hunt was much more enjoyable and relaxed, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
20Ga H&R Slugger w 2 3/4" Federal Trophy Copper slug
Here's the deer about 3 seconds after I shot
Here's the doe once I got down
Here's her heart
2.) bluecat - 12/12/2016
Looks like she died of a broken heart.
Congrats Jon!
Congrats Jon!
3.) DParker - 12/13/2016
[QUOTE=Jon;46001]Here's her heart
[/QUOTE]
I think you can still salvage that. How much bacon do you have in the fridge?
[/QUOTE]I think you can still salvage that. How much bacon do you have in the fridge?
4.) Triton Rich - 12/13/2016
[B]That does sound like a nice relaxing hunt! Nice shootin' Congrats![/B]
5.) Swamp Fox - 12/13/2016
:tu:
6.) Bob Peck - 12/14/2016
[QUOTE=Jon;46001]We have a week long doe season here in Delaware, you can shoot does with any weapon but no bucks allowed. We generally use this week to try and knock down the buck/doe ratio and get some good eats in the freezer.[/QUOTE]
Virginia micromanages the doe population. You have to determine if you're hunting east or west of the Blue Ridge then figure out what weapon is in season and refer to which specific day(s) you're allowed to shoot does. The only thing constant is that during archery season (early and late) you can shoot does at any time during either early or late season. Having said that, if you're hunting with a bow during a designated gun or muzzleloader season you can't take a doe except on very specific days. In fact, depending on the year there may be only ONE day in my county when you can take a doe. Confused? Try living here. It's so dang confusing I keep a paper cheat sheet in my wallet and a digital version on my phone.
[QUOTE=Jon;46001]When I'm buck hunting, I seldom get a chance to watch them for any period of time. Once I see a buck, I determine immediately if it's a shooter or not and then I stop looking at them and get ready to shoot. This hunt was much more enjoyable and relaxed, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.[/QUOTE]
I feel this way but with a different spin. I don't hunt too much ag land and mountain hunting reveals just as many highly intelligent females as it does males. At least this is my experience. When I put the bow down and switch to pistol, rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader I am much more relaxed. I don't take near the scent precautions I take when bow hunting. Not to appear to be bragging (I'm not. Honest.) I take a very selective bow shot with nothing approaching 100% certainty as there are so many variables (seen and unseen) that could affect the shot. With a firearm I'm still just as shot selective but the success is usually 98% and I know I won't be spending hours tracking. Does stuff happen with a bow or gun? Of course. I'm just saying it's more relaxing for me behind a gun (except for the boom part) because of the higher ratio of success and with DMAP permits I'm not doe or buck hunting. I'm deer hunting.
Virginia micromanages the doe population. You have to determine if you're hunting east or west of the Blue Ridge then figure out what weapon is in season and refer to which specific day(s) you're allowed to shoot does. The only thing constant is that during archery season (early and late) you can shoot does at any time during either early or late season. Having said that, if you're hunting with a bow during a designated gun or muzzleloader season you can't take a doe except on very specific days. In fact, depending on the year there may be only ONE day in my county when you can take a doe. Confused? Try living here. It's so dang confusing I keep a paper cheat sheet in my wallet and a digital version on my phone.
[QUOTE=Jon;46001]When I'm buck hunting, I seldom get a chance to watch them for any period of time. Once I see a buck, I determine immediately if it's a shooter or not and then I stop looking at them and get ready to shoot. This hunt was much more enjoyable and relaxed, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.[/QUOTE]
I feel this way but with a different spin. I don't hunt too much ag land and mountain hunting reveals just as many highly intelligent females as it does males. At least this is my experience. When I put the bow down and switch to pistol, rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader I am much more relaxed. I don't take near the scent precautions I take when bow hunting. Not to appear to be bragging (I'm not. Honest.) I take a very selective bow shot with nothing approaching 100% certainty as there are so many variables (seen and unseen) that could affect the shot. With a firearm I'm still just as shot selective but the success is usually 98% and I know I won't be spending hours tracking. Does stuff happen with a bow or gun? Of course. I'm just saying it's more relaxing for me behind a gun (except for the boom part) because of the higher ratio of success and with DMAP permits I'm not doe or buck hunting. I'm deer hunting.
7.) DParker - 12/14/2016
[QUOTE=Bob Peck;46041]Virginia micromanages the doe population. You have to determine if you're hunting east or west of the Blue Ridge then figure out what weapon is in season and refer to which specific day(s) you're allowed to shoot does. The only thing constant is that during archery season (early and late) you can shoot does at any time during either early or late season. Having said that, if you're hunting with a bow during a designated gun or muzzleloader season you can't take a doe except on very specific days. In fact, depending on the year there may be only ONE day in my county when you can take a doe. Confused? Try living here. It's so dang confusing I keep a paper cheat sheet in my wallet and a digital version on my phone.[/QUOTE]
I hear ya'. In TX you also have to add in the variable of public vs. private land, making it a game of 4D chess instead of just 3D. Here's a couple of local boys trying to figure it out.
I hear ya'. In TX you also have to add in the variable of public vs. private land, making it a game of 4D chess instead of just 3D. Here's a couple of local boys trying to figure it out.
8.) Swamp Fox - 12/14/2016
[QUOTE=Bob Peck;46041]Virginia micromanages the doe population. You have to determine if you're hunting east or west of the Blue Ridge then figure out what weapon is in season and refer to which specific day(s) you're allowed to shoot does. The only thing constant is that during archery season (early and late) you can shoot does at any time during either early or late season. Having said that, if you're hunting with a bow during a designated gun or muzzleloader season you can't take a doe except on very specific days. In fact, depending on the year there may be only ONE day in my county when you can take a doe. Confused? Try living here. It's so dang confusing I keep a paper cheat sheet in my wallet and a digital version on my phone. [/QUOTE]
If I had to put money on it, I'd say this is the wave of the future. Combine this with the increasing inability of anyone to write a rule clearly (whether in the legislature or in the rule book translation) plus the trend away from hard-copy regulations booklets that you can refer to when in doubt, and buckle your seat belt. Good luck finding a regulation on a website or mobile device when you need to. Fifteen years ago I used to make fun of people who claimed they were confused by wildlife regulations. Not anymore.
Is Virginia claiming significant coyote depredation (localized or otherwise) as some other places are?
Until that bit of very debatable theorizing started making the rounds in official circles, I would have said we were headed toward simplified regs up to and including "Any weapon any time." I still don't rule that out, but I think it's hit a speed bump.
I do think in some areas I care about, archery season as we knew it is a thing of the past, or at least it's circling the drain.
If I had to put money on it, I'd say this is the wave of the future. Combine this with the increasing inability of anyone to write a rule clearly (whether in the legislature or in the rule book translation) plus the trend away from hard-copy regulations booklets that you can refer to when in doubt, and buckle your seat belt. Good luck finding a regulation on a website or mobile device when you need to. Fifteen years ago I used to make fun of people who claimed they were confused by wildlife regulations. Not anymore.
Is Virginia claiming significant coyote depredation (localized or otherwise) as some other places are?
Until that bit of very debatable theorizing started making the rounds in official circles, I would have said we were headed toward simplified regs up to and including "Any weapon any time." I still don't rule that out, but I think it's hit a speed bump.
I do think in some areas I care about, archery season as we knew it is a thing of the past, or at least it's circling the drain.
9.) Bob Peck - 12/14/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46044]Is Virginia claiming significant coyote depredation (localized or otherwise) as some other places are? [/QUOTE]
No. Rather than limit the various firearms seasons wherein the hillbillies get a shootin anything they have decided in their infinite wisdom to limit the precise days to shoot does to roughly ensure a herd balance. VA field data kill reports are reasonably accurate so at least there's some applied logic but man is it confusing.
Our deer biologists are hyper-vigilant about CWD so all natural attractants like doe pee and glandular products were outlawed this year and a few years back baiting was also prohibited.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46044]I do think in some areas I care about, archery season as we knew it is a thing of the past, or at least it's circling the drain.[/QUOTE]
So far not in VA. We have an entire month of bow in all areas of the state all to ourselves before guns start a blazin.
No. Rather than limit the various firearms seasons wherein the hillbillies get a shootin anything they have decided in their infinite wisdom to limit the precise days to shoot does to roughly ensure a herd balance. VA field data kill reports are reasonably accurate so at least there's some applied logic but man is it confusing.
Our deer biologists are hyper-vigilant about CWD so all natural attractants like doe pee and glandular products were outlawed this year and a few years back baiting was also prohibited.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46044]I do think in some areas I care about, archery season as we knew it is a thing of the past, or at least it's circling the drain.[/QUOTE]
So far not in VA. We have an entire month of bow in all areas of the state all to ourselves before guns start a blazin.
10.) Jon - 12/14/2016
Gotta remember my state is probably as big as one county where you guys live and the entire state is overpopulated with deer. Rules are state wide where as rules in say, Pa might be county wide due to different populations of deer in different counties.
Yes, we have pockets of high populations in areas but the whole state is so small that trying to micro-manage the deer population any other way would be foolish. The game wardens barely care when the rednecks poach unless they are shooting near houses!
We can bowhunt throughout the whole season (Sept 1 - last day in Jan) but have to wear orange during any gun season and can't shoot bucks during the December antlerless season (but can shoot bucks during the October antlerless gun season).....that's about as convoluted as the regs get!
Yes, we have pockets of high populations in areas but the whole state is so small that trying to micro-manage the deer population any other way would be foolish. The game wardens barely care when the rednecks poach unless they are shooting near houses!
We can bowhunt throughout the whole season (Sept 1 - last day in Jan) but have to wear orange during any gun season and can't shoot bucks during the December antlerless season (but can shoot bucks during the October antlerless gun season).....that's about as convoluted as the regs get!
11.) Swamp Fox - 12/14/2016
The excellent thing about Virginia is they like to charge you based on what weapon you want to use, so messing with any particular season could affect the revenue stream to the VAGIF's detriment.
This makes it less likely they'll manage deer by hunting method and more likely by intricate sub-rules.
It's like the frog in the pot of water.
You look around and figure you're still in the same pot you were in just a minute ago, so what could go wrong?
This makes it less likely they'll manage deer by hunting method and more likely by intricate sub-rules.
It's like the frog in the pot of water.
You look around and figure you're still in the same pot you were in just a minute ago, so what could go wrong?
12.) Swamp Fox - 12/14/2016
[QUOTE=Jon;46050]Gotta remember my state is probably as big as one county where you guys live and the entire state is overpopulated with deer. Rules are state wide where as rules in say, Pa might be county wide due to different populations of deer in different counties.
Yes, we have pockets of high populations in areas but the whole state is so small that trying to micro-manage the deer population any other way would be foolish. The game wardens barely care when the rednecks poach unless they are shooting near houses!
We can bowhunt throughout the whole season (Sept 1 - last day in Jan) but have to wear orange during any gun season and can't shoot bucks during the December antlerless season (but can shoot bucks during the October antlerless gun season).....that's about as convoluted as the regs get![/QUOTE]
The point about jurisdiction size is really important. I have no problems managing deer in different zones differently in the three states I know best (NC, SC and Va.) because I know how different the deer and the habitat are in different zones. There's a hunter-friendly way to do it, and a hunter-aggravating way to do it, though.
Virginia does take things to a higher level. LOL.
Yes, we have pockets of high populations in areas but the whole state is so small that trying to micro-manage the deer population any other way would be foolish. The game wardens barely care when the rednecks poach unless they are shooting near houses!
We can bowhunt throughout the whole season (Sept 1 - last day in Jan) but have to wear orange during any gun season and can't shoot bucks during the December antlerless season (but can shoot bucks during the October antlerless gun season).....that's about as convoluted as the regs get![/QUOTE]
The point about jurisdiction size is really important. I have no problems managing deer in different zones differently in the three states I know best (NC, SC and Va.) because I know how different the deer and the habitat are in different zones. There's a hunter-friendly way to do it, and a hunter-aggravating way to do it, though.
Virginia does take things to a higher level. LOL.
13.) crookedeye - 12/15/2016
I agree...
14.) bluecat - 12/15/2016
15.) Swamp Fox - 12/15/2016
LOL...:applause:
16.) Bob Peck - 12/21/2016
[QUOTE=Jon;46050]Gotta remember my state is probably as big as one county where you guys live and the entire state is overpopulated with deer. [/QUOTE]
I'm moving to Delaware. On second thought maybe I'll just invade.
DE sounds like Northern Virginia where there's a liberal season-long ability to shoot does but few hunters to take up the challenge of dealing with the hassle of getting permission from elitist landowners who retreat to their "country enclaves" after a work week in DC.
I'm moving to Delaware. On second thought maybe I'll just invade.
DE sounds like Northern Virginia where there's a liberal season-long ability to shoot does but few hunters to take up the challenge of dealing with the hassle of getting permission from elitist landowners who retreat to their "country enclaves" after a work week in DC.
17.) Jon - 12/22/2016
Bob, you are always welcome to come invade. I'll put you on deer, almost guarantee!