View Full Version : 2020 Hunting Success Thread
Anyone putting animals down this year?
As usual, I see plenty of bucks in my usual muzzle loader area, until I actually have a buck tag.
This year wasn't great, but I did get a little buck down. I actually passed on this buck a few days before hoping to find something bigger. I did find bigger bucks, but botched the opportunity because they showed up while I was sleeping. Taking a shot with a muzzle loader within five seconds of being asleep isn't a recipe for success. Anyway, two days later, I actually found this little guy again, and since it was my last night hunting, didn't hesitate in taking him.
The first couple of animals I ever took were extremely lucky circumstances and gave me a level of confidence about hunting that I didn't really deserve; and a few years of tag soup have really been bringing me down to where I belong. It's been painful. So even though I got myself a small buck this year, it wasn't ideal. I took a shot at about 30-35 yards and completely missed. I started tracking him, only to find him only about 20 yards away. I got him with the second shot. He was quartering toward me and it ended up being a gut shot. The gut shot turned out to be not that bad, but my lack of my usual preparation for this season left me a little less than prepared and I kind of fumbled (in my opinion) the field dressing job. There are a few cuts of meat that I'll be wary of because of my struggles in the field. To top it all off, his brother hung around within 20 yards the entire hour and a half it took me to quarter him up. It was like being haunted by a ghost the whole time in the dimming light. Not in a scary way, in a sad way. I did get exactly what I wanted though. To take a big game animal in the woods, all by myself, use my fancy pack, and get it packed out alone. At least this year was a bit of a learning experience. In the end, I'm glad he was as small as he was.
Here are the underwhelming photos. Two days before, he was velvet. He had scraped that all away since I'd seen him last.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3edw-8uwyndLpVdUrOuggNi5b5pjRcMTYSTo6-LTJGn-xZwJy7San56Ggie_obHolZiNSI2ySr-pWIJxD84JiVtgDJdZM2m5hd-MYjnsB3AudK5nXMM6zVEpDe8kHv24C17ta4kCT3iGyE1Nzv4zL 81iQ=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
Got to use my fancy Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28 I bought myself last year. Got everything in one trip and I was only maybe half a mile from the truck. I'm glad he was small for my first real pack out.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3diniBugOWswSDpsNZlPpAAq44B2PP1RCxaAzWtZ1_DExLh8er ykfA5WGAIFYu6qvESc5GRTXdvB_k4QyHCsFa9LkVLjVT2ohpSU 4WFAOJ_-WFjgnJjar58mE22hWAKzPyYHAAFNThO_pK8IDjuXX3iXg=w553-h625-no?authuser=0
Got him home and have started working on processing him. I was going to start a kind of how-to thread for breaking down an animal, but since this is only my second time doing the processing, I figured I'd leave that people with more experience.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fLcQ1WWfPkFJwIbKLi58BCkviBsc0-xTjcxzK52-nyC5m8Sxy-YKX-I3wQb6e1rSWt1_FsXgHZfnoO1imjXD3GlKAgzk9tc0Wpyq1qPz Se41WKWKMYeigAnzZlFcasov2FK1AoFQQyIaIizwpf7v5KjA=w 1056-h625-no?authuser=0
There is an excellent MeatEater podcast with a meat scientist (https://animalscience.unl.edu/faculty-staff/chris-calkins) that talks about everything from which plastic wrap to use (Saran wrap), to bone-in vs bone out, to aging meat, animal stress, etc, if people are interested here: https://www.themeateater.com/listen/meateater/ep-227-red-cutter
Post up your successful (or not) hunting stuff in here. I've got a few more hunts this year coming up. I'm not counting on landing more animals, but if I do I'll be sure to post them up in here.
That's a nice forkie to get meat in the freezer. I went up to my property in Park County the week of Labor Day and found a dead cow right on my border to Pike Nat'l Forest, which apparently drove away the pronghorn I usually see. But, it drew in the bears from the forest so I got a nice coal black colored one that was a bit small at 217 lbs, but bigger than the other two I saw all week. The snow didn't help much either I'm guessing. Plus, I needed to go yell at a rancher again after seeing not only that cow, but cow patties of varying ages on my property in areas I had cleaned up back in June.
Yeah I get kind of tired of hunting among cows every year, especially when it's the same cows that are coming off of no public access state trust land that is leased for them right next door. Not a big deal, just kind of annoying. Congrats on the bear, I will haven't seen one in the wild yet. My hunting party saw one the same day I took that buck.
Little Dutch
09-21-2020, 11:54
I usually draw cow elk tags, and I've been known to take the smallest one in the herd. The small ones are a lot easier for me to manage and taste better. I don't go out until the middle of November, so nothing to report. Congrats on filling your tag.
So far the 2020 Hiking season is going well.
I saw 2 the Sunday before Labor Day and was unable to get a shot, but haven't seen or heard an elk since. Have not seen a single deer.
congrats Irving. We all started as beginners at some point in our lives. It's those learning moments that will make you remember the hunt. You only get better with practice. It's all a learning process.
I only have one big game tag this season. Cow elk second rifle. So I still have some time to wait.
whitewalrus
09-22-2020, 09:26
Congrats on getting the deer. I was just out with a friend for muzzleloader season and the woods were more packed than I have ever seen them. Most were hunting, but still a decent amount of campers. I assume those hunting units with OTC tags will see more out that normal years.
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No luck during first rifle. Didn't even seen an elk, just moose and deer. It snowed for about three hours though and the next day we were able to get onto fresh tracks and confirm we were looking in the right spot. I did get a chance to hunt small game for the first time though and that is really fun.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d_MaEIb7yIhS5MAdnx0gfVitjGnrt9J9zSNtJ8h24YyYt1B2u 0xJl7Mp92Fg5_OpAlsQ4HB1fYCW4GvbWr7H0xBkHuugTekR462 W8EcV4blJF6fMZM7-x8D4Zx1ODPRhyJd8iOpwYjvRXy-dwKCvGAgw=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Dusky Grouse
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d7bGZkRTKHC2gtp2ydHaRlk6h1O2Djog7H8-lUFFSGoWlHEClUFm4GXePtumy__PbtdKhQ7mNKhh9Xd-Ymc2rolyTvm_pTpe6XRTK9Y4lL--D2cFpaNuxKmWwl6r7hk8Ce_HqUWaxRls5QkkAeidJUtg=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Tasted great!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ejWB_mlgLLs6mDKSxfPfGXi0YsONH19yL3QQHDITJU_j3_iUI GbLLYFEeu2UfEt8IPDFiLvCN9sHcGrnubTZo0b-rDfPuhhdCd9VXLuf7fAfzuUTt4OUt8RxIBNIqwUdm2Fg3cpS_8 8RhsgH8G-v9otQ=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Nice! I got skunked during archery elk but still have a mule deer tag for south east colorado, should be able to get down there in November. I might try to get out and go for some grouse this weekend.
My add on bear tag is apparently still good through all the other rifles seasons since I didn't fill it. I don't know much about hunting bears though, but might get out for a weekend.
buffalobo
10-15-2020, 19:35
No luck during first rifle. Didn't even seen an elk, just moose and deer. It snowed for about three hours though and the next day we were able to get onto fresh tracks and confirm we were looking in the right spot. I did get a chance to hunt small game for the first time though and that is really fun.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d_MaEIb7yIhS5MAdnx0gfVitjGnrt9J9zSNtJ8h24YyYt1B2u 0xJl7Mp92Fg5_OpAlsQ4HB1fYCW4GvbWr7H0xBkHuugTekR462 W8EcV4blJF6fMZM7-x8D4Zx1ODPRhyJd8iOpwYjvRXy-dwKCvGAgw=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Dusky Grouse
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d7bGZkRTKHC2gtp2ydHaRlk6h1O2Djog7H8-lUFFSGoWlHEClUFm4GXePtumy__PbtdKhQ7mNKhh9Xd-Ymc2rolyTvm_pTpe6XRTK9Y4lL--D2cFpaNuxKmWwl6r7hk8Ce_HqUWaxRls5QkkAeidJUtg=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Tasted great!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ejWB_mlgLLs6mDKSxfPfGXi0YsONH19yL3QQHDITJU_j3_iUI GbLLYFEeu2UfEt8IPDFiLvCN9sHcGrnubTZo0b-rDfPuhhdCd9VXLuf7fAfzuUTt4OUt8RxIBNIqwUdm2Fg3cpS_8 8RhsgH8G-v9otQ=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0Sometimes the best part of big game season is small game season.
Grouse is good eating.
No luck during first rifle. Didn't even seen an elk, just moose and deer. It snowed for about three hours though and the next day we were able to get onto fresh tracks and confirm we were looking in the right spot. I did get a chance to hunt small game for the first time though and that is really fun.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d_MaEIb7yIhS5MAdnx0gfVitjGnrt9J9zSNtJ8h24YyYt1B2u 0xJl7Mp92Fg5_OpAlsQ4HB1fYCW4GvbWr7H0xBkHuugTekR462 W8EcV4blJF6fMZM7-x8D4Zx1ODPRhyJd8iOpwYjvRXy-dwKCvGAgw=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Dusky Grouse
Tasted great!
Irving, your picture is a cold reminder that hunting is the searching and pursuit part that is not always successful in terms of procuring the quarry. Of course, success comes in many forms and just getting out there is the first and most important. Methinks you might have been jinxed by titling it the "hunting success thread".
I'm prepping for 2nd season rifle where I missed on elk the past two years. My hunting grounds burned in a major forest fire in 2018 and the elk have since used the area differently. Much of it was rendered a moonscape. It will be interesting to see how much the habitat and animals have come back. Hunting for elk #31 & #32. Hope and muster.
83426
I was up in Jackson County for first rifle. The smoke was bad, the hunting was bad, and the snow was cold. Saw more moose then elk. I did get my crosshairs on an elk but couldn't get the shot off before she disappeared back into the dark woods.
I've got a week off before heading out for 2nd rifle deer and Wyoming deer.
whitewalrus
10-17-2020, 16:38
No luck during first rifle. Didn't even seen an elk, just moose and deer. It snowed for about three hours though and the next day we were able to get onto fresh tracks and confirm we were looking in the right spot. I did get a chance to hunt small game for the first time though and that is really fun.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d_MaEIb7yIhS5MAdnx0gfVitjGnrt9J9zSNtJ8h24YyYt1B2u 0xJl7Mp92Fg5_OpAlsQ4HB1fYCW4GvbWr7H0xBkHuugTekR462 W8EcV4blJF6fMZM7-x8D4Zx1ODPRhyJd8iOpwYjvRXy-dwKCvGAgw=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Dusky Grouse
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d7bGZkRTKHC2gtp2ydHaRlk6h1O2Djog7H8-lUFFSGoWlHEClUFm4GXePtumy__PbtdKhQ7mNKhh9Xd-Ymc2rolyTvm_pTpe6XRTK9Y4lL--D2cFpaNuxKmWwl6r7hk8Ce_HqUWaxRls5QkkAeidJUtg=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Tasted great!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ejWB_mlgLLs6mDKSxfPfGXi0YsONH19yL3QQHDITJU_j3_iUI GbLLYFEeu2UfEt8IPDFiLvCN9sHcGrnubTZo0b-rDfPuhhdCd9VXLuf7fAfzuUTt4OUt8RxIBNIqwUdm2Fg3cpS_8 8RhsgH8G-v9otQ=w1366-h616-no?authuser=0
Lucky, when it snowed on my hunting trip, it was coming down horizontal due to so much wind. Grouse is very good eating!
The snow was definitely accompanied by wind.
whitewalrus
10-18-2020, 10:32
The snow was definitely accompanied by wind.
What unit were you in? I was in 15.
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We were right in the middle of 34.
SSChameleon
10-18-2020, 10:54
I only saw one buck during muzzle loader.
8344283443
grouse, one of the best things about archery season. Good eatin' right there.
Congrats on the big forky SS.
Hoping we get some snow for 2nd season.
As of right now, there will be zero chance of success for our 2nd rifle Deer hunt. Evac order in place for both the private and public lands we're hunting west of Hwy 34 in GMU 18.
Unless there are closures where we're staying, we're still planning on going up, just in case they open anything up.
I only saw one buck during muzzle loader.
8344283443
Yes, nice buck with high and wide antlers. Congratulations!
kidicarus13
10-19-2020, 21:35
As of right now, there will be zero chance of success for our 2nd rifle Deer hunt. Evac order in place for both the private and public lands we're hunting west of Hwy 34 in GMU 18.
Unless there are closures where we're staying, we're still planning on going up, just in case they open anything up.Hey just think if you get one... smoked venison. Some people pay extra for that.
Ive hunted all my life. But havent hunted the last 8 seasons.
First year hunting pronghorn and I got my buck thanks to some friends.
My ugly mug is blurred for work purposes. Snowflakes everywhere.
Congratulations Mercula. Nice buck. Pronghorn steaks are excellent delicate meat. Don't over cook it.
Wish I had drawn a pronghorn tag this year. It's always a fun one or two day hunt.
Thank you sir. We made some killer breakfast sausage , summer sausage and snack sticks. I kept one roast and got my back straps processed and vacuum bagged. I still hope to get out bird hunting this year as I have no other tags.
As a hard working man you should recognize that part of your job is to make time to go hunting every year. It's your time to refocus on the natural factors that make us men.
My add on bear tag is apparently still good through all the other rifles seasons since I didn't fill it. I don't know much about hunting bears though, but might get out for a weekend.
Good point, I added a bear tag to my archery elk (tag soup this year). Need to confirm if it is still good for third rifle, though my prevailing thought is they?ll be mostly hibernating by then.
To contribute to the thread, I did connect filling my doe antelope tag. Also recovered the bullet, first harvest with a monolithic and I am impressed. 365 yards from my 270win, Hornady 130gr GMX Superformance.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/7bd29b07ab58c20f75a679c3327256eb.file
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/6b1a46b8ef3559fc9a9a81ab25569bcc.file
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Ive hunted all my life. But havent hunted the last 8 seasons.
First year hunting pronghorn and I got my buck thanks to some friends.
My ugly mug is blurred for work purposes. Snowflakes everywhere.
Nice buck there, you'll have some good meat in the freezer. Mine was about that size as well, and I also made mostly sausage. Cut mine with some beef fat to keep it from drying too much when cooked.
I get not posting pics of animals because of coworkers. My direct supervisor is indifferent, but the management in my office is really anti gun and hunting. I didn't even get a pic of the pronghorn since I was alone, and the only pic of my bear I kept doesn't have my face in it.
.455_Hunter
10-20-2020, 07:15
As of right now, there will be zero chance of success for our 2nd rifle Deer hunt. Evac order in place for both the private and public lands we're hunting west of Hwy 34 in GMU 18.
Did you talk to DOW and see if they can offer you anything else?
encorehunter
10-20-2020, 07:42
Good point, I added a bear tag to my archery elk (tag soup this year). Need to confirm if it is still good for third rifle, though my prevailing thought is they?ll be mostly hibernating by then.
To contribute to the thread, I did connect filling my doe antelope tag. Also recovered the bullet, first harvest with a monolithic and I am impressed. 365 yards from my 270win, Hornady 130gr GMX Superformance.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/7bd29b07ab58c20f75a679c3327256eb.file
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/6b1a46b8ef3559fc9a9a81ab25569bcc.file
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It is interesting you found that in an antelope. With a .270 I would have thought it would go through. My .25-06 goes right through them, I won't mention what the .338 does.
As a hard working man you should recognize that part of your job is to make time to go hunting every year. It's your time to refocus on the natural factors that make us men.
Well said. And Im trying. Life just finds a way to change things at times. But I have missed it dearly and this is the kick in the ass I needed to remind me how much I love spending time outdoors.
I'm glad to see people being successful this year.
For me the desire to be free to go hunting led me to choose a life of self employment. There were tradeoffs but the gains were freedom and lifestyle. And happiness.
I make significantly less money each year when I take a month + off of work to go hunting. ETA: Especially considering that is usually during hurricane season. I probably wouldn't even notice if I was taking Jan and Feb off. So I'm right there with you Hummer.
Did you talk to DOW and see if they can offer you anything else?
After checking some more, it looks like currently our private land hunt isn't affected.
I've already lost all my accumulated deer points on a SNAFU 2 years ago so not too worried about it. I suppose if it comes down to it, I could talk to them.
ETA: Looks like I received an email from CPW regarding the fire closures and tags.
It is interesting you found that in an antelope. With a .270 I would have thought it would go through. My .25-06 goes right through them, I won't mention what the .338 does.
Frontal shot, through the heart and left lung junction, I found it embedded in her left rear femur while processing that quarter. It travelled all the way front to back. I was surprised to find it for sure.
And I took one with my 300 WSM once, went back to my 270!
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I had already decided to breakdown camp and go home before I got snowed in when this buck decided to make it easy on me. 75 feet from the pickup.
83526
.455_Hunter
10-25-2020, 14:55
Given the fire scenario, my son and I bailed on OTC 2nd season, and will try OTC 3rd. I didn't put in for the draw in the spring due to uncertainty of the status of COVID by this time, etc. Normally, we probably would have possessed tags near the Williams Fork or East Troublesome Fires. Of course, who knows what will be happening by Nov 8th....
SSChameleon
10-25-2020, 15:40
Nice, Fj! The two things that qualify a trophy deer, the size of the rack and distance from the road.
.455_Hunter
10-25-2020, 15:59
I had already decided to breakdown camp and go home before I got snowed in when this buck decided to make it easy on me. 75 feet from the pickup.
83526
Nice!
I understand success on the margins of a season.
With my last elk, it was only a minute or two past legal shooting time on opening day when we randomly stumbled into each other.
encorehunter
11-07-2020, 20:14
83624
The Mrs.'s got her first buck tonight. The first time we stalked him, we got to 227 yards. The second time he was bedded and we were able to stalk to 35 yards. This was an amazing feat considering we had a 7, 5 and 3 year old helping us with the stalk. I think him and his does were curious what the heck was going on with all the noises coming from us.
The .300 blackout with 110gr Lehigh defense controlled chaos did a number on him. The first shot he didnt even flinch, 2nd he humped his back, 3rd he started walking. The fourth made him fall over. Three shots were a nice group in the kill zone, one was in the front leg, all passed through. I tried to save the heart, but it came out in several pieces and it was mush.
This evening as I headed back down the mountain I spotted my only deer of the day about 170 yards below. Although I had hoped for a wall hanger I decided on easy over trophy. The prize was a healthy 3x3 buck, so I happily join the tender young deer hunters here.
Good golly I love the suppressed 7mm-08!
At 4:40 pm I knew dark was fast approaching so I rushed to field dress and begin the drag down the steep rocky slope. An hour and a half later we were in the truck and headed home. It's clean and cooling on the patio table where it will freeze overnight. I'll skin it tomorrow morning and hang it a few days before butchering mostly for steaks.
83661
83662
Nice work everyone. I hear you aren't supposed to let it freeze before it goes through rigor. I think that's what I heard.
The carcass is in rigor now and it will be a few hours before freezing. It's 22 degrees now.
This is the first deer I've hunted in several years. The Roosevelt Forest closure actually ended Friday for areas north of Hwy 7 but I didn't see the revised map until this afternoon. The USFS Boulder Ranger District hid the order and hasn't removed the closure signs and gates throughout the district. Typical arrogance, disregard for forest users and inaction from that office. I went hunting in MY FOREST, OUR FOREST, and got my buck, pfffft!
My 2nd season elk hunt was difficult and disappointing. First day was a 14 mile round trip jaunt over the mountain into prime elk country. On Sunday I rested while it snowed 16 inches and temps dropped to minus 8 degrees. It was tough going from that point in. There were elk all through the spruce-fir burn area of 2018 but I never got close enough. I hunted until the last light of the last day of season. None of the 7 other veteran hunters who camped nearby got an elk either. Difficult hunt. I like to be on the move and sitting in one place for very long isn't my style. At 69, the deep snow and below zero temps aren't much fun anymore. My best reward was finding, calling and duetting with Northern Pygmy Owls on four days. Great birds, they came withing a few feet of me.
83663
Bummer on the elk hunt. I also love my suppressed rifle, by the way, thanks for the idea.
congrats on the deer steaks. Good eatin' right there.
I went from not going to hunt big game this season to getting to hunt buck antelope, (with a landowner voucher back in Oct.) and then cow elk 2 rifle with 3 of my brothers and one of their friends. I was successful on both but I didn't take a single pic. of the big cow elk that I got and too lazy to download antelope pics. from my phone.
newracer
11-11-2020, 09:53
Some close friends of mine.
The daughter shot this deer this morning.
https://i.imgur.com/zgIAQUC.jpg
The father shot this one Sunday.
https://i.imgur.com/W38k5RU.jpg
newracer
11-11-2020, 10:11
She shot an even bigger one last year in Montana.
spittoon
11-16-2020, 11:38
83753 Early rifle
Well Spitoon, after 24 years of applying I think you're lucky to have lived long enough to draw the tag and do the hunt. And you took a very fine bull too. Congratulations! (i'm envious).
I hope you mount that bad boy, if only so your progeny can say, "look what grandpa did"!
couple of great mule deer, and one unusual, and a great elk. Congrats to those that were successful.
Wondering if that funky half velvet buck had some issues with his plumbing?
Some close friends of mine.
The father shot this one Sunday.
https://i.imgur.com/W38k5RU.jpg
Wondering if that funky half velvet buck had some issues with his plumbing?
I've never seen a rack that deformed before.
I think it's called a cactus buck. I've been getting that a lot of purple have been encountering bucks with their velvet still intact way later than usual and other antler deformities.
https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Wildlife-Health/Hemorrhagic_Disease.pdf
https://www.deerassociation.com/bucks-dont-shed-velvet/
Great links. On my hunting podcast one of the guys shot a velvet buck and they described his nutsack exactly how the article does.
https://www.deerassociation.com/bucks-dont-shed-velvet/
Oh Lord. Sounds like a trans buck.
LOL.
rustycrusty
12-08-2020, 21:57
Pretty sold on Grendel for elk. I?m using this next year. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201209/15f8f787ac72c3c5e1e224d86ce88b91.jpg
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Still no antelope, but I got this pair of rabbits yesterday.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fJlLsU7xMI4V2hWt0H82VsbLN7ng70Mg7psWsDKYN9VCjpCJ0 BN2vRwzXKTZ7F4tQyqAXFI7Tmx3jl3vEA_I-C4uJWmKTV_KLXjKClUWAHGHxjviKdYxQrliCP2TS8lcobX-o11Cdx-4P_TTwGpGTFlg=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
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