2016 draw results

[rondog]

Rondog to landowner,"Can I hunt here?"
Landowner, "Sure thing Ron, you seem like a nice guy."
Landowner thinking to himself, "I need to turn the cow herd loose here next week."

That's just it - the landowner leased this land to the state for use as a SWA. And then turns out a shitload of cows into the best area a week before opening day? Jeeeze.....

[Irving]

There are cows where we hunt as well, and while I've seen cow patties surprisingly high up (over 9,000 ft), fortunately they are never that high during the season.

[sniper7]

Cattle don't really bother the elk from my experience. While annoying, especially if you are tenting it and cow pies and cattle all over the place in the middle of the night kinda sucks, but the elk aren't really bothered by them.

it is frustrating the DOW leases out areas for hunting and pays money from our license fees for these spots only to have cattle and logging and other operations going during hunting season. But at the same time at least it is public access that would otherwise be private hunting only and only leased by an individual or permission only.

[ACE2GOOD]

We have the same issue out East. SWA and there are cows all over our generally secluded area cause no other hunters want to walk it. Went there over the weekend and the cows were following us around like we were the farmers and no whitetail to speak of. And then of course since the cows are there the farmer has to drive around to feed them for the morning and drives the truck around. Usually the cows are moved for hunting season but this year all of our spots are covered with cows.

[Irving]

If anyone is interested, I made a video of this year's hunt. Editing hunting videos is difficult because it's mostly footage of absolutely nothing. I brought a GoPro just in case I was lucky enough to catch anything on film, but didn't have any video making plans, so I worked with what I had to put a video together.

[rondog]

Finally got me a deer! First time in my life I've ever actually "hunted" deer, I shot one in 2014 but that was on a depradation tag and was more like pest control. This was real hunting, going it all alone, and felt good to accomplish!

Rifle is a Rossi 92 in .45 Colt, 24". Really had to jack up the rear sight for this shot.



Hit a bit lower than I planned, but I'll take a heart shot.





Deer was right here, I was behind the dead cottonwood in the center of the pic, sitting on the creekbank. I don't have a rangefinder, and my distance estimation skills suck, but I'm guessing 250-300 yards. Looks a LOT farther in person. It was waaaay too far for me to attempt, but this was the only deer I'd seen in 6 trips and I just had to try. Besides, she was staring right at me, there was no chance to stalk in closer. I was hidden behind the tree, but she had already heard me. Just a lucky shot, a pure "hail Mary" play, but I'll take it.

<edit> Just pinpointed it on Google Earth and it confirmed, 250 yards. Maybe I should buy a Powerball ticket.....

[Irving]

Wow! That's an incredible shot! How did she react when she was hit?

[Hummer]

Congratulations, Rondog! Good on you for hanging in there, you earned the success. Beautiful rifle, you did good to make that shot with irons. Sometimes those Hail Marys bring together personal drive and good marksmanship to a perfect end. Now get busy and turn big pieces of meat into packaged meals for the freezer. You'll savor every bite as you remember the days afield.

[rondog]

Wow! That's an incredible shot! How did she react when she was hit?

Arched her back and jumped straight up, I think kicked the rear feet too. Left the scene limping badly so I thought it was a bad hit, but turned out the bullet went through the right front leg on exit. She only got about 50 feet.

[whitewalrus]

Nice job Rondog! Not an easy shot with irons and a 45LC, but can't get much better than a heart shot.