Post by ridgecommander on Jan 5, 2014 13:47:28 GMT -5
With the forecasted temps for Friday and Saturday morning, I looked forward to me solo hunt Friday and getting together with the guys on Saturday. I like it cold and white in the late season.
Friday found me still hunting my way into a stand I had hung just for the late season. It is on a south facing slope covered in multiflora rose. Even though deer tracks in the fresh powder were not that abundant, I knew as I got close to the destination, sign would pick up and it did.
I climbed up into the stand for the cold long wait. Thermometer read 14 degrees. At about 4:00, a long string of deer were slowly making their way to me but when they got to within 60 yards, they splintered into two groups and peeled off separate sides of the ridge I was on. Excited to see deer, but looked forward to warming up by the wood stove.
Friday night the crew trickled into camp. We had four that showed for Saturdays hunt. When the alarm sounded at 5:00, the temperature outside was 6 degrees and inside it was only 42! Yikes! I stoked the stove and got dressed for the morning. The rest decided it was too cold and returned to their bunks for a few more hours before we began doing our pre planned slow pushes.
The morning was cold, crisp and beautiful. Ice frost encapsulated every branch and bush. I passed on a fawn that walked within 15 yards of me at 8:00.
When the time neared for our first morning push, I began still hunting my way to favorite tree on this farm. A old, giant red oak.
I had no sooner settled in and I caught movement and saw ears headed my way. It became apparent that this group of deer was bumped. They stood statue like and kept looked back for whatever bumped them along. Most likely one of the pushers walking in.
They were fifty yards, which is a bit farther than I like to shoot with the flintlock. Not the guns fault. I just don't practice as much as I should. With the TC Firestrom rested on my shooting sticks, I tucked in and found a nice opening to send the 245 grain Powerbelt on its way. The deer was quartering to slightly with its hind end behind a tree.
Concentrating on following through, I slowly applied pressure to the trigger when boom!! Through the cloud of blackpowder, I could see the deer whirl and run back the way they had come.
After a quick reload I found where the deer were standing and was happy to see red spray on the snow and a crimson trail to follow. Within 60 yards, my 2013/2014 flintlock deer lay piled up against a shagbark hickory. Entrance was on the near shoulder and the Powerbelt exited at mid ribs.
The Pennsylvania flintlock season is a special season for sure. Near the top if not at the top of my favorite hunting pursuits.
Here it is. Taken with;
TC Firestorm
100 grains 2F
245 grain Powerbelt Aerotip.
Friday found me still hunting my way into a stand I had hung just for the late season. It is on a south facing slope covered in multiflora rose. Even though deer tracks in the fresh powder were not that abundant, I knew as I got close to the destination, sign would pick up and it did.
I climbed up into the stand for the cold long wait. Thermometer read 14 degrees. At about 4:00, a long string of deer were slowly making their way to me but when they got to within 60 yards, they splintered into two groups and peeled off separate sides of the ridge I was on. Excited to see deer, but looked forward to warming up by the wood stove.
Friday night the crew trickled into camp. We had four that showed for Saturdays hunt. When the alarm sounded at 5:00, the temperature outside was 6 degrees and inside it was only 42! Yikes! I stoked the stove and got dressed for the morning. The rest decided it was too cold and returned to their bunks for a few more hours before we began doing our pre planned slow pushes.
The morning was cold, crisp and beautiful. Ice frost encapsulated every branch and bush. I passed on a fawn that walked within 15 yards of me at 8:00.
When the time neared for our first morning push, I began still hunting my way to favorite tree on this farm. A old, giant red oak.
I had no sooner settled in and I caught movement and saw ears headed my way. It became apparent that this group of deer was bumped. They stood statue like and kept looked back for whatever bumped them along. Most likely one of the pushers walking in.
They were fifty yards, which is a bit farther than I like to shoot with the flintlock. Not the guns fault. I just don't practice as much as I should. With the TC Firestrom rested on my shooting sticks, I tucked in and found a nice opening to send the 245 grain Powerbelt on its way. The deer was quartering to slightly with its hind end behind a tree.
Concentrating on following through, I slowly applied pressure to the trigger when boom!! Through the cloud of blackpowder, I could see the deer whirl and run back the way they had come.
After a quick reload I found where the deer were standing and was happy to see red spray on the snow and a crimson trail to follow. Within 60 yards, my 2013/2014 flintlock deer lay piled up against a shagbark hickory. Entrance was on the near shoulder and the Powerbelt exited at mid ribs.
The Pennsylvania flintlock season is a special season for sure. Near the top if not at the top of my favorite hunting pursuits.
Here it is. Taken with;
TC Firestorm
100 grains 2F
245 grain Powerbelt Aerotip.
