Point and Shoot: Deer Hunting

After going along on earlier seasons with buddies, taking photos and shooting the game with my camera it is finally my turn. I was looking forward to filling my 4th season buck tag. I was hunting unit 191, in a State Wildlife Area that is also a wintering area for deer and elk.
Usually I pride myself in the wonderful photography that these posts are about, with the script only being secondary. However on this trip I only carried my Pentax DSLR on the scouting day prior to the season. During hunting I used my little Canon point and shoot. This was to save weight and space in my pack, if I was so fortunate to harvest I would need that space to carry boned out meat. The few photos shot with the DSLR will be marked with an * .
To start things off I elected to go set up camp on Monday the 14th and avoid a high wind storm the weekend preceding. Arriving Monday afternoon I erected our old Hillary canvas tent and unloaded my truck. With enough to remain comfortable for a week, I settled in leisurely changed and went on a short hike to stretch my legs after the 2.5 hour drive from my home in Lakewood. I scouted an area near camp, not seeing any animals and just exposing my self to some strong winds.

Camp at sunset.  Photo: Cory Arola*

Remaining blustery through the night I slept in on Tuesday as the season would start on Wednesday the 16th. Rising from bed I gathered my gear and drove a couple miles to the trailhead I would be hunting out of. The area we hunt requires an immediate climb for about 30 min to reach an area I have historically seen deer. Along this road I jumped 4 deer, watching them sneak over a ridge top at 40 yards I assumed the would circle to catch my wind and try and see me in the open. I myself circled as well to hide myself and see them. To my surprise it was a nice 4x4 and three does. I switched to my telephoto lens and shot this while I had them in the open.

Photo: Cory Arola*

After watching them search for me, they wandered off. I continued to scout the area and gain elevation to glass a larger area. Two hours later glassing where I jumped the deer I saw the buck feeding, shortly a single doe rose. The rut was on, that buck was harassing her non-stop! I watched them for near 45 min. The area I would put myself opening day was decided.

A celebratory drink waiting for the harvest to happen. Photo: Cory Arola*

Photo: Cory Arola

I rose early at 4:30, still being windy I was not thrilled with how animals might react. I figured wind would decrease activity and I would see less deer. I was right. The spent the day glassing open spaces and still hunting north facing timber. I saw one doe all day long. Wednesday night became very still, I was surprised because this was very uncommon for the area. I awoke to a very still clear morning, as I climbed from the trailhead again the weather changed. Clouds came in and it began to flurry snow on me. I remained cold all day even after the snow stopped about noon. I covered much ground looking for deer, the only being seen were a forkhorn and three does about 3.5 miles from the trailhead.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

That night my dad came up to camp.

Photo: Cory Arola

We enjoyed delicious elk chili that I made from the year before's harvest. The entire hunt was fueled by last years elk, only opening a store bought can saturday night. On Friday my father and I rose early, once again, we climbed to the area I had seen the 4x4 on Tuesday. Here my dad elected to sit and watch as I would climb higher to check another ridge top. In the process of climbing I glassed the field my dad would we watching. A deer! I immediately lost it in my binoculars. As we continued to watch and found the deer once again, by seeing a glint of sun on the antlers. We snuck lower to the field for a better view I saw him dart across in my peripheral to the trees.
At this point we chose to regroup. My dad would sit higher and watch a field near the top of one of the ridges and I would sneak lower into the field and try and see into the forrest where he had disappeared.
I slowly made my way down the path avoiding stepping in the crunchy old snow as much as possible. As I rounded a tree I rose my binoculars and look through the trees and find the deer. After about 15 seconds I saw the buck staring at me, 220 yards away. I dropped my pack pulled out my shooting sticks, and stepped out from behind the trees. Kneeling I set my rifle on the shooting sticks. Turning up my scope to 9x, settled the crosshairs on the chest of the deer. At least what I thought was the chest of the deer, facing east at sunrise I had so much sunflare in my scope I could not aim. While looking through the binos I was in the shade the the tree, after kneeling I was in full frontal assault of the sun rays. I tried to aim, in that time the buck turned and bounded off....
In my last ditch effort I packed up and circled around the buck to still hunt through hillside and hopefully catch him looking backwards for me. I saw three does in the process, but no buck.

Photo: Cory Arola*

Savage 99 .308 WIN  Photo: Cory Arola

That night after getting to camp my father wasn't feeling so well, and at 4:30 when the alarm went off he told me it would be better for him to stay in camp Saturday. I rose, dressing, eating breakfast, shoveling and clearing off my truck as it had snowed a couple inches that night and left for the trailhead. With fresh snow my plan was to cut a fresh track and follow it to deer.
I finally saw a track after gaining the highest ridge in the area, at about 7:15. I followed the tracks down a ravine into the field and into the hillside I had seen the buck the day before. I slowly made my way through the hillside about midway up, looking for deer ahead of me. The new snow made areas silent, however pocked of the old snow was still crunchy. I could hear and make out deer moving ahead of me. I concluded to myself I would never sneak up on these deer, the snow was too loud. I dropped to the valley floor circled ahead of where I thought the deer were, and found a stump to sit on. Here I added a layer of clothing, drank water and had a snack of a bagel and peanut butter. Resting from 8:30 until about 8:50 I turned and looked at the ridge above me, only a about 150 yards away straight up. I figured I will gain that and look into the forrest below and could possibly see deer moving.
As I crested the ridge I found myself at the edge of a field that my dad and I had visited the day before. I remember making the comment to him that it was such a nice area but I never see animals here. I slowly strode into the open, swiveling my head thinking this one time it might be different.
stepped out from behind a short fat juniper, a buck quartering heavily towards me staring was in the field. I raised my rifle, looking through the scope my crosshairs bounced wildly. Out of breath from the straight uphill climb I could not hold the rifle steady. I took a knee, knowing this was a more steady position. I aimed, my crosshairs still moved around. I told myself this is it, you have to do it now. Taking a deep breath I settle on the chest and squeezed. I regained my sight picture through the scope and saw the buck collapse where he stood. I stood and yelled.

Photo: Cory Arola

The excitement was overwhelming, five years of trying to harvest a buck, I had finally succeeded.
My child hood dream of finding a buck in the snow while walking through the forrest had culminated! As I yelled three does I had never seen broke from behind him running off.

3x3 Mule Deer 11-19-11 Photo: Cory Arola

I proceeded with a max text that I had finally done it! I called my mother, not able to understand her through the excitement she was sharing with me, I had to interrupt her. My cell phone was dying, I need her to try to contact my dad and let her know I had harvested and would be boning out a deer to pack back to the truck.
Two and a half hours later I started the trek back to my truck with a little over half the deer in my pack and approximately 80 lbs. on my back. Luckily I was only 1.28 miles from the truck. I arrived at the trailhead to meet my dad, unloaded my pack and start the return trip to collect the rest of my meat and the head and hide.
My dad carried the head and cape down and I the rest of the meat. Our trip had been successful, I turned in 58 lbs of meat to the game processing plant and await my wonderful meals to come.

Photo: Cory Arola

Four bags of meat and one rack of ribs, 58 lbs to the butcher.  Photo; Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Analogous with using a point and shoot camera to document my hunt, I ended up harvesting a buck not off my shooting sticks but by pointing and shooting offhand. Practicing field positions is vital when preparing for big game season. For those that wonder, I hit the deer frontally in the chest, grazing the right lung, the 180 gr, .308 WIN Remington Corelokt bullet bounced of the inside of the right shoulder angled back through the body, going through the liver and ending its trip in the intestine.

I look forward to a year of deer meat and finishing the rest of my elk from the season prior. I have just purchased a bow and and excited about preparing for an archery elk hunt in August of 2012.

Of course the Lucky Bunny!  Photo: Cory Arola

Elk Hunt Round 2 and High Country Mulies

Saturday morning started like any other day for me in my Lakewood home, except that it began about 2.5 hours earlier than normal. The plan was to meet Brett and Jaime in Georgetown at 5:30. I woke at 4:00 shower, dressed and ate and was on my way by a quarter of 5.
Arriving in Georgetown it was much colder than I had expected, and planned for. We left and made a short rainy drive to the top of a nearby pass, dropping a vehicle at a lower trailhead in the process. As we ascended the pass Jaime's Tundra read 33 degrees. It was snowing heavily and the wind was intense. Hopping out of the truck we quickly added layers and geared up. Brett with his bow and either sex elk tag, Jaime with a muzzleloader buck tag and myself with my camera and the ability to shoot all I please.
We began our hike off the grid by climbing a local 13ner in order to gain a vantage into a remote basin, wear Brett and I had an encounter with elk earlier that season. We climbed with heavy snowfall and blistering wind. At times it was hard to remain standing on the ridgeline. At one point Brett and I joked that this wasn't hunting anymore, we were training for the Ridge at Loveland Ski Area. Jaime made the comment that what we were doing was "life training."

Photo: Cory Arola



Photo: Cory Arola

 We eventually gained the position we had in mind and began glassing. Immediately two deer were located then lost. We saw elk galore! Three separate groups, one consisting of 4 bulls. It was brutally cold as we glassed, it reached a point that even though we were not ready to stalk anything we needed to hike to warm up and see shelter from the wind. Later when I was home I looked at a windchill table, we were sitting in 0-10 degree exposed at about 12,800.


Photo: Cory Arola



Photo: Cory Arola

As we descended we saw a buck and doe in the distance Jaime and watched an area hoping to see them again. Brett called back and forth with a bull for a shortwhile.

Brett had a short day since he had evening plans in Fort Collins, so he headed out about 12:30. In the process of him leaving and us traveling, we bumped the buck and does. Jaime and I attempted to sneak in a cirlce an hopefully catch them looking back for us. We never found them again. On Brett's way out he had elk within 40 yards of him but never presenting a shooting opportunity. Jaime and I ended out hunt mid afternoon because we were tired of being rained and snowed on while sitting in the wind. Overall we put in about 6.5 miles that day, ending at my truck lower down and taking it back up to Jaime's on the pass.

While driving down the pass we saw three deer in a slide path, hopping out of our trucks thinking we could only be so lucky. It was three does.... It did however add more excitement back in our day.

I went back down to my home in Lakewood that night to get some chores done because I wanted to hunt Sunday with Jaime again. Same plan, meet in Georgetown at 5:30 and go to the trailhead. We chose to hunt a different area where Jaime had see a couple "magazine bucks", bucks that make it on magazine covers.

Starting up the trail in the dark we climbed until we hit the base of a slide path, climbing the slide path was strenous. We eventually gained the ridge giving us a great view into the basin. We hunkered down in some trees to break the fridgid wind. As the sun rose the warm rays were welcomed.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

At least 4 groups of deer were picked out through our binoculars. Six bucks in total, one great specimen. We kept tabs on all of them especially the big guy. Eventually they bedded down. The stalk was on, we decided to climb up and around behind him and descend onto him and his two does. Part of our route was crossing and exposed scree field. After getting above him we snuck through the tree picking out other deer as we steathly crept forward.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

The wind was perfect. We had made it right to where they were bedded, it would be an easy shot for Jaime with his .50 cal muzzleloader.

However that group was no where to be found. In the process of sneaking in on the big guy, we bumped the other groups of deer with the smaller bucks in them. No more back up plan. I think our demise was crossing the screefield. Although we were 6oo yards away, the bedded buck had a clear view of us travelling. I feel he waited until we were out of site then got up and relocated. It was exciting none the less, a great day in the field and exciting season for Jaime even though there was no harvest made. There was certainly a lot of "life training" this season with many miles put in for a wilderness hunt.



NOTE: Just got a voicemail from Brett, he arrowed a bull Wednesday Sept. 21, 2011. Just dropping it off at the game processor last night. I have no details yet and can't wait to hear his story.

Persistence

Photo: Kathy Arola

It's about the pounding you get in your chest.

The thump-thump-thump of your heart....

That is the feeling that make every outing so exciting. That once again I might get to have that emotion course through my body. Persistence is how I came to find it once again this fall. Generally persistence is thought of as unrelentless pursuit. However in my hunt persistence was persistent waiting and watching, as well as some pursuit.

As I left camp Saturday morning I was thrilled to find tracks on the sandy bend in the main field. Continuing to walk I found more sign, this was a key area to watch. I climbed up to a ridge point that divided the main valley in two. From my perch I could see a fair amount of realestate. The plan was see birds moving and then get out to them as fast as I could. I sat on that point on a rock from approximately 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Location 1, refer to below photo)

Photo: Cory Arola

The reason I sat until 5 was because that is when turkeys entered the field. I knew with only one and a half days to hunt, the second I went back to camp would be when the birds would walk out.

After seeing them down in the field feeding I grabbed my gear backed out of sight and ran up the ridge to circle and enter the valley out of sight. When in the valley floor I ditched my bag, advancing only with my rifle shooting sticks and binoculars. Sneaking slowing around the bend the birds were nowhere to be seen. I collected my gear and set up a new post at the sandy bend (Location 2). I sat still as a statue and watched intently waiting for them to re-enter. My expectation was that they would come down a natural funnel to my right. Not seeing them leave the field I was making a big assumption.

After sitting for about 15 minutes I saw a muzzleloader hunter cross the field. My first thought was gameover, but past experience with birds, I knew that sometimes, someone would cross the field, or the game warden would plow and the birds would come right back out. I sat tight.

Not ten minutes later they were back in the open feeding, I crawled toward them covering about 30 yards. However the flock was making its was to the opposite side of the field much too quickly and were vastly out of range for my .22 mag. I watched them, guessing they would feed into a draw up behind a guzzler. As soon as they were out of sight, I ran back to my bag grabbed everything and ran across the field. Sneaking within 30 yards of the draw, I kneeled, placed my rifle on my shooting stick (Location 3). I sat like that, mentally I had decided to wait until either the birds reappered or the sun set. I stared forward, the grass beign so tall this year it would be hard to pick birds out as they moved. Religiously I checked backwards every few min, knowing they may enter from a differernt location up the valley. Thirty minutes after laying my rifle into the shooting sticks I saw movement. The flock was back out into field. I picked a bird that was facing me at 45 yards aimed at the base of the neck and.... lifted my head off the stock as I pulled the trigger. Miss.

I remained composed, knowing this would likely be my only oppurtunity. I smoothly worked the bolt, welded my cheek to the walnut, picked a bird running, leading the base of the neck, swinging like it was a cottontail, and squeezed. I saw a puff of feathers through the scope and the bird momentum carry it forward but down.

I walked forwad after sliding another round into the chamber just in case. I saw the bird laying, motionless. I peaked around the corner up the draw and saw the rest of flock making their way away from me. Walking back to the bird I picked it up, thankful to having enjoyed such a great hunt and harvesting great table fare. I inspected the bird, a young hen, I had made a perfect spine shot damaging no meat. I set up the camera on my mini tripod to snap a quick self portrait. Turkey number 5 on 9/10/11!

Photo: Cory Arola

After returning back to camp I field dressed the bird and relaxed enjoying the beautiful evening. I reflected on how the hunt had went. Persistence paid off, not only was I persistence in waiting from first light to last light for birds to appear, but when they did I pursued them unrelentlessly and aggresively without forcing a situation where I would spook them.

My father and mother were coming to the SWA Sunday morning so my dad could hunt and my mom could observe. My mom and I were fortunate enough to set up and watch a flock of 5 birds for about 35-40 min. My dad put the sneak on them but was busted as he was trying to set up for the shot.

Photo: Cory Arola

No turkey in the bag for him but a great experience for my mom's first time out and a great hunt for both him and I having so much action going on.

Family portrait. Photo: Cory Arola

Mom goofing around while I am getting the camera ready. Photo: Cory Arola

This is video my of the birds my mom and I observed Sunday September 11, 2011

Currently I am getting ready to join Brett and his buddy for some archery and muzzleloader action this Saturday.

Fall Turkey Hunt

Friday September 2nd I drove away from work at about 4 p.m., stopped to fuel my truck up for the 3.5 hour drive to the Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area (SWA). The drive was bitter sweet, while being stuck in rush hour traffic in Colorado Spring was no fun, as I got to the south of Pueblo I got to enjoy the wonderful view of a gorgeous sunset to the west accompanied by a lightning storm and double rainbow to the east.
Sorry there are no photos, driving and shooting is dangerous. After I arrived at the SWA I got up with a few hunting buddies I haven't seen from the spring season and set up camp.

Photo: Cory Arola

I spent all day Saturday and Sunday sitting and watching open areas or hiking around looking for sign.

Photo: Cory Arola

Retro function on the camera   Photo: Cory Arola

Marlin .22 Mag Photo: Cory Arola

Monday morning was spent the same way but I needed to make the drive back to Denver so I only hunted half the day. In 2.5 days no one saw a single turkey, or even fresh sign. All I saw myself was a couple of does and a horny toad.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Lucky Bunny! Photo: Cory Arola

Actually two days prior to the season Jim saw birds cross the field, which were nowhere to be found once Sept 1 hit.
After packing up Monday midday, I began my drive home, leaving my camera on the passenger seat. Which turned out to be fortunate. I saw three groups of bird, a group of 20, 8 and 12. The group of 20 allowed me to park, get out of my truck, sneak towards them and take photos. That would have never happened while hunting.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

My plan is to head back down there this weekend and see if the nomadic Merriam's turkeys have now moved onto the SWA.

Wilderness Hunting

I am all packed and ready to head out tomorrow after work. Scouting has revealed many animals. It appears that they are in pre-rut right now. The elk are still separated by sex, with rut approaching find where cows are hanging out and there will be bulls around. Wilderness hunting like we have planned for this weekend takes some special skills.

Photo: Cory Arola

Athlete: To effectively hunt the wilderness, you must be able to carry all of your camping and hunting supplies up and down ridges as you chase elk. If you are lucky enough to harvest an animal you must be prepare to carry out a few hundred pounds of meat, in numerous trips.



Biologist: Hunting any animal in their own habitat, it is necessary to understand how they live and what they need. This allows the hunter to key in on areas where animals will frequent.



Marksman: This really needn’t be said, the hunter must be practiced with their method of take to humanely and ethically make a killing shot in every field situation. This is out of respect for hunting and the animal one chooses to harvest.



Butcher: After the animal is harvested, a wilderness hunter must reduce their game to manageable bags of meet to be packed out. Not only must they cut the meat but it must remain cool and clean so when it becomes table fare it is delicious.



Story Teller: This is likely the most vital skill a wilderness hunter should possess. Regardless of luck with game and weather, the recount of each outing to family and friends is some of the most fun you will enjoy season.

Elk Season

Archery elk starts Saturday August 27th. A buddy of mine has a tag for unit 39. I will be going along to document the hunt. The excitement level is very high. Brett has been scouting all summer long and has seen large amounts of animals. Plenty of deer and elk with some monster bucks and bulls. I have spent the day preparing. Our plan is to backpack into the area and be able to stay mobile with the elk as we find them. When you backpack hunt they way you pack is a little different than when you just go backpacking. Many of the luxuries are left behind for weight management. Another thing the hunter must consider is that if an animal is harvested, meat will need to be carried out. The pack I selected to use is a 65 liter internal frame pack, the Gregory Baltoro. I chose it because it has a relatively low profile, which will not hinder my movements, and it carries its load extremely well. When stalking an animal and packing out meat, those functions can't be beaten. Our sleeping system is still being decided, weather dependent. Right now I am planning on using a bivy, to save weight and space, however if we have precipitation in the forecast a tent will be vital to having comfortable nights. A 30 degree ultralight down bag should be a great balance between weight, packability and warmth this time of the year. I also am electing for  thin foam pad versus an inflatable because for being on the go it is much more durable.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

I have minimized everything else that I am going to carry, to the bare essentials for survival and hunting. Clothes are a moisture wicking base layer, 2x wool socks, durable pants, durable shirt, a fleece top, down vest, rain shell jacket and pants, wool cap, baseball cap, leather gloves and a neck gaiter. Waterproof, supportive leather boots are a must. I elected to leave behind the stove, fuel and cookware to save weight and space taking only Clif bars and a nut mixture. The rest of my gear consists of water filter, water bottle, headlamp, gps, compass,watch, tp, sunglasses, para cord, sunscreen, fixed and folding knives, multi-tool, saw, sharpener, blaze vest, bear protection (revolver a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454), binoculars, tarp, trash bags and camera gear. I always have my small emergency kit: lighter, matches, iodine tablets, whistle, space blanket, and trioxane (fire-starter).

My next update will be a couple of days talking about some tactics for hunting archery season elk.