How did your hunt go? Tell us your stories!

[MinnetonkaMan]

Dressed weight on a hanging scale was 230 lbs. 140 scored, 10 pt. Other buck shot was a little basket 9. One corn field up until yesterday and when the combine hit the last row it exploded with 15 doe and two bucks. A few rooster around also once the corn went down. Also killed some woodies and a nice drake mallard this morning taking a break because so many ducks that we have never seen this late in the season. Back after it Friday to fill the doe tag and get some pheasants and ducks. Sorry about the and's.Pics in the deer picture area. All in all a great weekend for bucks and ducks!!!!

[shortfatguy]

I took video of 2 of the bucks and 1 doe and the fox with my phone. Not the best quality but they were close enough that you can tell what they are!

[MinnesotaMike]

Hunting 3A state land.

We get to the parking area and there was already 4 cars there, we talk to one of the groups and make a plan to hunt a different area of the same land. The parcle is large enough to accomodate nay hunters so it's no big deal.

I hike up the hill about 75 yards and have a nice vanatge point of the hill up and down. It's about 8:30 and I see a deer coming from my right and down hill. So it is between me and the road below. As it is walking toward me I can see that it is an eight point, small tines. I know there is the point restriction so I am not too fired up about taking a shot at him. As he is making his way towards me I see a ROAD hunter slow down and stop behind the deer, in the line of fire.

By this time the deer sees me but can not wind me. It is curious and begins to walk directly towards me. This dumb deer comes to within 15 yards of me as I am doing my best statue immitation. It finally gets a little spooked and trots away, turns at 50 yards to take one more look at me the simply walks away. It never stomped or snorted, kind of funny. The road hunter sat for awhile then left.

That's not the last of the road hunter, he proceeded to drive back and forth at least 6 times within 1 hour. He did actually stop again further down the hill ( private land ) but never got out of his truck.

As we were at the truck packign up, he passed us again, [PoorWordUsage]!

OH well,

Mike

[chippy]

Woke up around 7:00, but I didn't get out to the stand until around 7:45ish. So there was already light out.

I got all settled in, and around 8:15 I saw a red fox. He was walking straight towards, me but probably caught a wiff of me or saw me. He darted quickly back the way he came from. Around 8:35 I saw a flash of something white directly in front of me. Probably around 85 yards away. The wind was blowing my scent directly towards him, but the deer probably didn't catch it or didn't care. He was directly in front of me and finally gave me a broad side shot. Placed the switch from Safety to Fire and let it rip. No shot! THE BULLET WAS A DUD! I then pulled that one out and loaded the 2nd bullet it. This time I had lost sight of him, but he showed up again. He paused to feed on some grass. His body was covered up, and by now my adrenaline was really kicking in. Placed the cross hair on him, and let it rip again. OMG! Another DUD! It did not fire, and by now my contacts in my eyes were getting super watery due to the cold weather. I ejected that bullet out and then wiped the tears from my eyes, and guess what? My contact fell out! I was so disappointed. It was windy, so my contact started to dry out. I took off my gloves and stuck my contact in my mouth. It was the only to get it moist again. I then placed it back into my eye, and it was stinging like crazy! Finally was able to locate the deer again after all that bad stuff. The deer was slowly moving, all the while I had my cross hairs on him. He bent down to feed on some grass and I let it rip. This time it went OFF! Success! I was just so happy that the bullet actually fired! About 5 minutes after shooting the deer. I went down to examine kill spot. It was lethal! I could tell just by looking at the blood that the deer would not go far. I decided to wait and call in my dad. We both followed the blood trail, my dad ahead and me behind. We're walking and walking for about 30 yards and tada! There he was, my first deer on the property. A 4 pointer! It was a good sigh of relief. My dad and I have been hunting at this property ever since he bought it, and this is my first kill here in 7 years! My dad has given me alot of flack for not shooting bagging one. Thank goodness my drought has finally come to an end. Hoorah!

A double lung shot.

I will post up pictures in a bit.

[harvey lee]

Let's see, it was the worst opener I have seen in 23 years of hunting in North Dakota. We did get 2 nice bucks but the deer were not moving unless they were being pushed. We do not push or drive deer as I don't like the unsafeness of deer drives.

In 4 days of hunting, I did not see one deer and that is unbeliveable for the area we are in. 2 weeks b-4 that I saw over 30 deer in one evening and now they are gone or not moving.

The trespassers did very well. So did I as I caught 5 of them and called the CO.

Going back up Wednesday for 5 days and then the rut should be gaining in speed. Deer will die.

[motley man]

What kind of ammo where you using ? Make sure your bolt is clean as you may have a dirty firing pin assembly. Had to take mine apart one year as years of powder and dirt had gotten inside bolt assembly.

[chippy]

What kind of ammo where you using ? Make sure your bolt is clean as you may have a dirty firing pin assembly. Had to take mine apart one year as years of powder and dirt had gotten inside bolt assembly.

I was using Winchester Super X .30-06 ammo. Everything is clean. After I got down the stand, and found the bullets. I could see that the hammer hit the "sweet spot." Comparing the one that went off and the two that didn't, they all look the same. Clean hammer to bullet contact.

[mustangt69]

saturday morning, started grunting and bleating about 7 am, had a doe in heat scent drag hanging by my stand. about 7:30 had a deer come in from the southwest. It stopped behind a fallen tree about 40 yards and stayed there for a while. I hit the bleat call(mistake) and he popped out of the tree broadside staring directly at me about 35 yards away.(shotgun zone). Fired off a shot and he took off running. fired two more and watched him run into a snarl of fallen trees. waited an hour and found blood and eventually found him about 150 yards from the stand. (lung shot). Sunday morning i told one of my dads friends to sit about 100 yards from me because i was hunting the property line of about 90 acres that no one hunts. started grunting really early, keeping the bleats to a minimum. seen him aiming at something for a few minutes and then heard a shot. 9 am my dad calls and says he is coming to pick me up to get our buddy and his 8pt that i called in(was coming straight towards me). 9:25 i watched my dad walk within 50 yards towards me downt he trail. i turn around and pick up

my gun and glance into the woods and there he was. 10+ point buck rack all glistening inthe morning sun staring right at me broadside about 80 yards. did a double take(yes he's real) took a shot and watched him buck and run to the brush. waited an hour and tracked him 1/4 mile and lost blood. ugh. at least i wont be spending $400+ on a shoulder mount. biggest deer ive seen since a double 4" droptine 10 with thick thick rack.(Found his shed by my stand) bummed thats my story.

[mustangt69]

kinda dejavu, the big buck actually ran the same trail when i shot him, his blood trail was over the blood trail of the one i shot saturday. ran within 4 feel of the gut pile.

[ducksnbucks]

I had a great hunt Saturday afternoon. At 345 I decided to grunt and after completing my 1st series I heard what sounded like a deer get up. So I waited about 3-4 minutes and grunted again, which made him not happy there was "another buck" in his territory so he came over trying to find out who it was. I grunted one more time which made him come a bit closer. He was about 50 yards away through some popple and I had about a 6" gap to shoot through, and hit my mark. He was a brute weighing 240 pounds dressed and I measured his neck it was 34" round. Great hunt.

[TylerS]

Not a bad North Dakota opener, but certainly not the best.

As expected, the firing squads and deer drivers were in full force. How anyone bags a deer that way without it turning into hamburger boggles my mind.

Anyway, my uncle called the CO Friday to report early shots. A big buck walked past him at 11:30 (half hour before legal shooting time) followed by a few does. Shortly thereafter the barrage began. CO was very thankful that he had called, though I don't think he ever got anyone (kind of hard to prosecute an early shot violation unless he's right there to witness it).

I also saw my first deer, a doe, at 11:30. As the clock ticked closer to noon, the deer popped up more frequently. Then all heck broke loose. Firing everywhere. Ricochets snapping branches above my head. People hollering "BUCK" or "DOE" like they're kicking up roosters, then firing 15 rounds. I thank the Lord I'm hunkered down behind a nice hill to keep me out of harms way.

Two does suddenly come blazing through at 12:30. One stops long enough for me to get a shot off, but I pulled the shot and hit the tree she was poking out of. Shortly afterward a decent buck comes through, but he looks young so I let him pass. At about 1 p.m. a small doe, maybe fawn, creeps through ninja-style. I also give her a pass. Then a walker comes behind me on the ridge. He waves an takes another 10 steps before a doe busts out behind him and runs 10 yards in front of me. Since she's hitting the sound barrier, I decide it best not to chance a shot. I don't see another deer until 5 p.m. when a small basket rack 8-point walks through rather calmly. I watch him go, wondering if I should take him just for the freezer. But by the time I decide he's already gone. Oh well, he needs to grow up anyway.

Find out later that the uncle who called the CO wound up seeing about 25 deer during the short 5-ought hours of opener. He kills a small 6 point, but that's it for our party of five.

Saturday brings more warm weather, and the deer respond by sitting tight. Unless they're pushed, of course, which happens quite frequently in my neck of the woods. I haven't seen a thing by 9:50, and those three cups of coffee I had this morning are preparing to burst my bladder. I creep up the hill and see my other uncle dragging a deer. He had bagged a nice 8 point with a good body and rack outside its ears. As I'm talking to him and offering to help with the drag, I catch movement through the trees. A doe is sneaking along and is nearly in front of where I was sitting! I try getting close for a clear shot, but she catches me and is off like a flash.

After relieving myself (finally) I am determined to sit on my butt for the rest of the day. No taking a wizz. No going to get lunch. Just sitting and being patient. For the next six hours, I wait. Hunger pangs finally pass after I find a small Butterfingers bar in my backpack from the year before. It's seen better days, but sugar and chocolate don't go bad, right? The shooting spree around me goes quiet around noon and doesn't start up again until about 4:45.

At 4:30, I hear movement to my south. I'm thinking "please, Lord, anything but a squirrel." Be careful what you wish for. Two kids come walking down the trail like they're wear concrete boots. A marching band wearing uniforms made out of those biodegradable Sunchip bags would wouldn't be as loud as these two. I cough to let them know I'm there and one gets all excited.

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?!" he says, as he shoulders his gun.

I think maybe I should hit the deck, when the other kid says "yeah, there's a guy sitting right there."

Instead of walking around me, they saunter 15 feet in front without saying a word or looking at me. Maybe I look intimidating? I'm thinking the lack of food, water and sleep is giving me crazy eyes. When they disappear, I think that pretty much ended my day, but decide to stick it out. I'm paranoid about leaving spots unless I've been there as long as possible, because Murphy's Law seems to be the only law out in these hills.

Sure enough, 20 minutes pass when I catch movement from the north. A doe stops just as she clears some brush and pauses to look behind her. This gives me enough time to shoulder my gun. Just then she takes off on a trot. I'm trying hard to keep both eyes open so I can see when she is clear of trees and limbs. Right before the first opening, I bleat to stop her. Nothing. I gauge the next safe zone and bleat again. She still is trotting. So with my chance for a shot running low, I do the thing I hate the most: take a moving shot. It's not something I'm fond of, as my confidence in the act is slim. But I've taken a few deer on the run, including my first ever buck that's on the wall, so I know it's a doable shot. That, and she's not zinging past a break-neck speed.

With a deep breath, I steady the crosshairs just in front of her shoulder and watch the trees blurr past. I see the opening I was waiting for and squeeze the trigger.

BANG!

Nothing happens. No lurch, no evidence at all that she's been hit or not. In a panic, I work the bolt and jam another round into the receiver. She travels about 10 steps from the time I shot and suddenly stops. I scope her again, but don't have a shot. She's behind a tree. Then, like someone grabbed a rug from underneath, she topples over in a heap with nary a twitch.

I was dumbfounded. I wait a second to see what happens. She's still and not moving. So I travel the 75 yards through the woods to where I first shot her. A spot of blood here, another there. She was on a well-worn trail right on the edge of the lake that many deer use to slip through the cover. Then I see her ahead of me. The shot was perfect, high shoulder. Upon gutting her I cannot find anything but bits of her heart. She was dead from the shot and didn't even know it.

I stared into her black onyx eyes, glazed over from death and patted her side.

"Thanks for coming by me," I say. "You're a beautiful deer."

So no big buck stories for this opener, but it was an opener nonetheless. Besides, it sure beats work!

[NELS-BELLS]

I hunted with my kids at my wifes parents land near Fort Ripley. It was my daughters 4th season and she has never even pulled the trigger on a deer so I really wanted her to get a shot this year. It was my son's first year.

We talked my wife into sitting with my daughter in the nice inclosed stand and my son and I would sit in a ladder stand about 300 yards away.

About 9:30 AM, after not seen anything, my son and I decide to walk to my daughters stand to warm up and have a snack, because we were both cold. When we get there we find out that we scared 2 bucks off that my daughter was hoping to get a shot at. Needless to say, she wasn't happy with us, so we go back to our stand, feeling really bad.

About 30 minutes later we hear a really close shot from her direction, followed by lots of excited screams. We hurry over to her stand and she tells us that the smaller of the 2 bucks came by her stand and she was able to get a shot off. She thinks she hit it. We all walk to the spot and start looking for blood. But we don't find any. We go about 60 yards into some thick stuff where she last saw him and still no blood. I try to comfort her and tell her that everyone misses now and then. Then all of a sudden she screams "there he is". She carefully walked up to him and he was already dead. I am so relieved! She would have never let me hear the end of it had she not got a deer.

The next morning my son and I hunted in the same stand my daughter had hunted the previous day. At about sunset a big doe walks across the shooting lane. I whistle to stop her and it gives him enough time to grab the gun and get a shot off. She drops in her tracks. I gave him a big hug and a high five. What a great feeling of relief. I know he was excited but I think I was just as excited. I am so proud of both kids. As a hunter/parent, I go to great lengths to try and give my kids quality hunting experiences so that they will become hunters like myself. After seen the big smiles on their faces, I don't think I have to worry about that anymore.

If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will try and get it on here.

Nels

[hockeybc69]

not a complete wrap up of the weekend, but a little excerpt.

My 14 year old son saw what he called a huge buck. 5 pts on right side, left side had all the tines broken up/off. He didnt shoot.

I asked why. He said, "well on the TV shows they always pass on the deer with broken antlers so I wasnt sure if I should shoot." WHOOOOPPSSS.

[Tripleplay]

Third year on a small lease (40 acres) north of Park Rapids. Daughter finally tagged something with horns (6 pt)and she was so excited she couldn't even text her mom or brother for a few minutes. She sits with me so I made sure that buck wasn't leaving without her tag on it but I really shouldn't have worried as she hasn't missed in a number of years (17 yrs old)--right through the heart at 40 yards.

Son (17 yrs old as well)at this point is not happy since he usually gets the first deer. Around 11AM he has two does bounce across his 10 yeard trail opening with no shot fired---again not in the best of moods especially with himself for not being ready for the second deer. Naps a bit and of course 5 minutes before noon he looks up and a deer has it's head down but immediately starts to walk across his opening at about 100 yds. He snaps up and pile drives the deer only to have it go up and down one more time and then run off the trail. Turns out it is only 25 yards away in the woods and instead of the doe he thought he shot he has a spike with eye brow tines---can't really call him a forkhorn so we have decided to call him a 4pt'r. He is 17 yrs old and has sat in this stand a total of 4 days in the last three years and he has 4 deer to his credit including a good 8 pt'r and last year passed up a spike on opening evening in hopes that I would get to shoot a deer instead of letting the two of them do all of the shooting. We called it a day by noon on Sunday with a few more deer seen in the morning including one big buck that was chasing but no shots taken. Very satisfied with 2 decent sized bucks for 3 tags and the unfortunate thing is that this land will likely be sold next summer and I'll be on the prowl again for someplace else to hunt. College costs for these two and their sister will prevent me from purchasing the land I expect.

I can tell you that I haven't officially shot a deer in the last 4 years and they may have been the most rewarding years of deer hunting I have ever had as my two hunters have really blossomed both with accurate shooting (all one shot kills), great decisions on when to and when not to shoot and real growth as young hunters.

[WhiskeyWoods]

Hunt went how I thought for our zone this year...Hunted Sat through Tues at noon and the best action I had was one blow at me in the early am in stand on monday....no deer seen..Camp of 7 guys with only 1 doe and 4 deer seen total...

[leech~~]

First weekend in new spot in zone #1 after hunting in zone #2 for 30 years. 8 guys 1-9 point. No Doe tags! could be a lean year but two weekends to go!

[Tator2k]

Started off well. As I pulled into the field to cross to get to my stand, I almost hit a doe, and had three other deer watch, as I drove past them across the field.

About 7 am, still very dark out I had another doe watch out about 50 ft from my stand and start to graze. It was so dark, as she moved around the field, she blended into the background. By 7:30 when it was light enough she was gone.

Didn't see anything the rest of the morning, except for the pic of other critters seen, that I posted earlier.

On the way in for lunch, I drove past on of our other fields which had a fawn grazing at the very rear. I drove my truck home and headed back out across the field to see if I could get close enough. I ended taking a long shot. (Range Finder said 286 yds) Shot was a 3/4 broadside entered in front of right shoulder and out left shoulder area, completely severing left leg at the shoulder except for partial skin attachment.

Afternoon, was quiet. A lot hunters came out around noon on adjoining properties. Basically impossible to hunt facing east as I could easily see 4 separate hunters behind me. Just before 3:00, my buck came flying out of the woods about 200yds to my west. Once he hit the clearing he stopped and started walking towards me. I was worried he was going to walk into a partially obstructed area where I would not be able to take a shot. The first shot hit just low and to the right of center of the chest. He stood there a few seconds before reacting. I thought I missed. He then jumped a little and run across the clearing and stopped, standing on top of the actual buried pipeline. He was looking in my general area and grunting heavily. I lined up another similar head on chest shot. The 2nd one entered above the first but at different angle exiting the left shoulder area. He stood up on his hind legs before falling of the pipeline mount and landing in ankle deep water.

Yes, I can tell a very vivid story.

Here's a map of our location.

Red Dots = Deer in order harvested

Yellow X = Our Stand Locations

Blue X = Other Hunter Locations

[Heartman]

Bought a climber - always wanted one - and was able to get setup on a couple runways up the north shore by Two Harbors. Had a nice adult doe come through Sat 4pm and was able to put her down with a single shot from my 30-30 Marlin. Felt like I'd won the lottery - thanked a few dead uncles and grandpas, and relished my frozen moment in time. I had my trophy!

[leech~~]

Started off well. As I pulled into the field to cross to get to my stand, I almost hit a doe, and had three other deer watch, as I drove past them across the field.

About 7 am, still very dark out I had another doe watch out about 50 ft from my stand and start to graze. It was so dark, as she moved around the field, she blended into the background. By 7:30 when it was light enough she was gone.

Didn't see anything the rest of the morning, except for the pic of other critters seen, that I posted earlier.

On the way in for lunch, I drove past on of our other fields which had a fawn grazing at the very rear. I drove my truck home and headed back out across the field to see if I could get close enough. I ended taking a long shot. (Range Finder said 286 yds) Shot was a 3/4 broadside entered in front of right shoulder and out left shoulder area, completely severing left leg at the shoulder except for partial skin attachment.

Afternoon, was quiet. A lot hunters came out around noon on adjoining properties. Basically impossible to hunt facing east as I could easily see 4 separate hunters behind me. Just before 3:00, my buck came flying out of the woods about 200yds to my west. Once he hit the clearing he stopped and started walking towards me. I was worried he was going to walk into a partially obstructed area where I would not be able to take a shot. The first shot hit just low and to the right of center of the chest. He stood there a few seconds before reacting. I thought I missed. He then jumped a little and run across the clearing and stopped, standing on top of the actual buried pipeline. He was looking in my general area and grunting heavily. I lined up another similar head on chest shot. The 2nd one entered above the first but at different angle exiting the left shoulder area. He stood up on his hind legs before falling of the pipeline mount and landing in ankle deep water.

Yes, I can tell a very vivid story.

Here's a map of our location.

Red Dots = Deer in order harvested

Yellow X = Our Stand Locations

Blue X = Other Hunter Locations

Tator2k, great story. Two things: First tell your buddies-two yellow X's on the other side of CoRo 88 to go to the other side where all the deer are being shot. 2nd don't put Co Road numbers on a map if you don't want people to know where your hunting!

[Tator2k]

Ironically the one Co Rd number listed in my photo is wrong. But you're right I cropped the rest of the Hwy numbers and lake names out.

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Hey tatornuts, you sure type like a cop. I wonder why that is ?

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Oh and bring in pics of that beast to work, I wanna see them. Keven

[Ebiz]

Started off looking really promising... Thursday night, pack up the truck, get all groceries, supplies, gear loaded up in the Blazer, forecast looks nice - heading up north Friday after work.

Friday afternoon... Get the call from daycare at 3:00 from daycare that our 19 month old has a fever and probably an ear infection. Wife can't leave work so unpack Blazere, reinstall car seat, pick up son and head to doctor.

Friday evening... Get through with doctor and prescription, get back home at 6:00. Get wife up to speed, remove car seat and repack truck. Double check everything is ready to go, kiss wife goodbye and head out to garage.

7:00pm, listen to truck turn over and over but not start. Say lots of bad words and hit steering wheel repeatedly.

7:15, try to diagnose problem and finally have wife turn ignition over while repeately banging fuel tank with a rubber mallet thinking the fuel pump is stuck, proceed to run battery dead.

8:00, now have jumper cables hooked up to wife's car and praying.

8:15, hear fuel pump make noise and try again, truck starts up!

8:30, let truck run a bit to charge battery, kiss wife goodbye again and head up north

10:00, arrive at camp to find much to everyone's surprise find that the new guy also brought along some uninvited guests but whatever they seem pretty cool. Proceed to find beer cooler and bottle of brandy, figured hey we can't shoot until 7:30 anyways

Saturday 6:30am... Have buddy tell me repeatedly to go to his swivel seat stand as he's been seeing deer there consistently throughout bow season. Stubbornly tell him I'm going to ladder stand on the other end as I've shot deer there before.

9:00am, said buddy shoots buck from swivel stand while I see nothing

Sunday 5:30am... Have buddy again tell me to go to swivel stand but again stubbornly do not as my gut tells me if I do that he'll wind up going to my stand and shoot one

8:30am, said buddy shoots another buck from same stand, I see nothing

2:30pm, finally give in and go to the swivel stand and see nothing

All in all though it was a good weekend. The weather was nice and we wound up with 4 deer total for 5 guys and still have this weekend to redeem myself.

[reinhard1]

saturday morning my son in law,future son in law and i went out in our stands in the am. early i saw a small buck walking slowly through some new growth and a mix of small trees [area was logged two years ago]. i shot and later found after waiting a half hour, i wounded a small tree instead. twenty minits later a hear some crunching to my left next to some ceders and notice the same buck walking towards me. it was fifty yards from me when it looked straight at me, leaving me only a neck shot. i shot and missed. my fututre son in law shoots his first deer ever on his first hunt, an 8 pointer about an hour later. very excited for him and my son in law comes from his stand with my 4 wheeler to help taking the deer out to the truck. sunday and monday was warm and slow. tuesday was our last day and my future son in law gets his second buck, another 8 pointer and my son in law gets a nice doe. so yesterday i proccesed all 3 deer. sausage making is next. good luck.

[Musky Buck]

No luck, saw a 3pt, 5pt, and let a 2.5year old 8pointer continue on there journeys of life. Saw a few does and fawns but got hosed by a car. Had a hot doe coming and a trophy class buck meaning he had rack everywhere, my dad watched them as they wanted to cross the road which would put them about 200 yards from me and running at me, I can't see the road but knew of this monster, car came, honked at them, I heard that and they turned back and ran across the field from where they had come from. There would've been a good chance as the river bottom I'm in is only 30 acres of cover and after a hot doe theres a good chance it could've happened, maybe this weekend unless he's down already but I'll burn my tag, he's the 1 I'm after.