Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Connecticut Deer Hunt 2018

Deer hunting has been a part of my life for over thirty years. In that thirty years I have enjoyed the company of my son as well as numerous friends. As the years pass life throws some roadblocks at you and they can be a problem to overcome. The last two years have been difficult for my son to get the time off from work and trying to plan a hunt alone is a problem now for my age does not allow for for long hikes back into the woods. The hike is not the issue, it's the drag if I'm successful. So this year I was fortunate to draw a state tag that would allow me to harvest a deer. The area I was given I did do some leg work prior to the opening for me which was yesterday. So at about 6am I was walking to my stand which is pictured in the first photo. A nice little rise looking into a semi-open forest floor. I had seen in my previous scouting several deer in this area and was hoping that this morning would bring a deer into my range. On CT. state land hunting deer is restricted to shotgun, not that you are handicapped by that, but in PA. where we hunt as well as private land in CT. a rifle with a scope is the firearm of choice. My firearm was a side by side 20ga. with just a bead for a sight. But I was familiar with the gun and knew what it and I were capable of.

While sitting on stand looking at the forest for signs of deer a thought ran through my mind. What if I make a successful shot, how am I going to get the deer out. With no answer I decided to move. Knowing the area I then chose to go to a more friendlier location.


As I walked to the new location I saw this...man to a deer hunter that's a good sign.


As I settled in at my new stand I felt better knowing that the drag would not be as bad. The area was sort of open and a decent shot could be had. So now it's about 9 and my eye catches movement off to my left. I see two gray shadows move into a thicket about 50 or so yards away. As I bring up the gun I saw one look in my direction. The safety came off I placed the bead at the shoulders of the first deer and I shot. Instantly I saw the tails go up and the deer ran towards a ridge. I kept an eye on them but lost sight of one. I waited a few minutes, got my pack on and walked to where the deer were when I shot. When I got there I looked for signs of a hit but all I could see is some really messed up ground. It was then that I had a good feeling, I hit the deer. Placing my hat on a tree so I could refer to the place the deer were, I started my search. The search took me through a swamp to a section that had several large blow downs, and there I found my deer.


I was excited, happy and so very thankful for this harvest. I know this may sound corny but I expressed my gratitude to this beautiful animal, and to how much we will enjoy what it has given us.







36 comments:

  1. It doesn't sound corny at all. Giving thanks is the most important part of the hunt.

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    1. Tom Davis
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      Tom I agree. I find that a wild feast is something to be revered, and I appreciate it.

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  2. Amazing experience Alan. Killing a deer (turkey etc) is not easy. While one experiences happiness, there are equal parts sorrow. It's a complex thing. Enjoy the food the deer will provide you and your family over the winter ahead.

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will your right on those emotions involved in a hunt. Venison is loved here.

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  3. Respect for the animal. Perfect. Regards, John

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    1. Anonymous
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      John I do, and that respect was passed on to my son as well.

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  4. Props, Alan. My wife killed a large deer on Saturday with the front end of our now-totaled Jeep. Didn't even get any venison out of the deal.

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    1. William Shuck
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      Bill I saw that jeep. I hope the wife is OK. Are you allowed to keep the deer?

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    2. Lynn is fine, Jeep is totaled. No meat keeping here.

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  5. Congrats! I haven't been able to hit the woods yet but hope to soon. What king of SxS shotgun is that? I have been dreaming of a classic American vintage shotgun like a Fox Sterlingworth, field grade Smith, or Parker Trojan.

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    1. Jedidiah Green
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      Jedidiah the gun is a Bernardelli Roma 4...a great piece. I had a Fox Sterlingworth years ago. When I sold it I got twice what I paid for it. Get out there and fill the tag.

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  6. Thanking the animal, I like that Alan. A well known native American tradition. Spiritually, the indigenous Americans are light years ahead of us.

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    1. John Dornik
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      John we can learn, and some of us do. They were in touch with the natural world. Some where that was lost.

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  7. Nicely done, Alan! That's a plump looking doe; make sure you post up pics of some of the venison dishes you're going to be enjoying this winter. That shotgun is gorgeous, too. Our deer season ended this past Saturday, and although it ended successfully the drag was brutal.

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    1. mike
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      Mike she was healthy for sure. I had the tenderloins for supper along with fried potatoes onions and mushrooms.
      Congrats on your success. My legs ache today but the rest of me recovered quite nicely.

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  8. Congrats on the successful hunt, Alan. Some mighty tasty venison in your future. Nicely done with the kill and the spiritual respect to the fine deer.

    Best, Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam I started processing the deer today, and enjoyed some for supper. The respect is given from the heart.

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    2. Believe me I know that. Back in my grouse hunting days, which I hope to do again, I felt a great appreciation for those that I brought home.

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    3. Sam, I would love to get back into bird hunting again. Especially if I could hunt over a fine dog...what say you.

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    4. Alan, I am all for it! Back in the day most every Saturday was dedicated to hunting grouse. My best days were rainy ones when they would hold pretty close allowing for a good shot.

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    5. Sam when we hunted with our brittanies we loved damp rainy days. That kind of weather made for super scenting for the dogs. I miss those days.

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  9. Well done Alan! That side by side looks like it's a pretty gun!

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    1. Mark Wittman
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      Mark it's a fine piece. Back in the 80's when I had my Britts and did a lot of bird hunting in several states, I had my Ithaca 37 also a 20ga. But I had the desire to own a SxS of Italian make and I chose the Bernardelli. I actually purchased it through a Colorado gun importer. And now in 2018 after hundreds of pheasants, grouse and woodcock along with a few turkey's I've managed to take a white-tail with that Bernardelli.

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  10. Respect and gratitude are important in hunting, fishing and life in general. A fine looking deer, Alan.
    I was going to ask what make of shotgun you have but you have already answered my question and, believe or not, I have that very same shotgun but in 12gauge. We share a love of fly fishing and ownership of a similar shotgun. Do you run slugs or buckshot through the Bernardelli?
    I've been seeing a lot of deer in our neighbourhood recently, reds and the larger sambar.
    Kindest Regards,
    Steve.

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    1. Steve Hynes
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      Steve first off I would like to know if there's a good following of Bernardelli shotguns in Australia?
      I have not fired buckshot through it because the law in CT requires slugs. My gun prefers Winchester. Steve get yourself the necessary license and have some venison.

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    2. The Bernardelli shotguns aren't a common shotgun here in OZ.You will see a lot of Remingtons, Winchesters, Brownings, various Spanish makes and sometimes a few high market side by side English guns. I suppose,just like in the US, firearms come from many sources.
      My Bernardelli was willed to my father in law from his uncle, along with a Belgian Browning A5 and a take down Browning semi-auto .22. The last two had to be surrendered and sold/destroyed when the OZ government banned all semi-auto and some pump firearms a few decades ago, otherwise they would be residing in my gun safe.I greatly value the Bernardelli, particularly since it has been passed on to me for safe keeping. I haven't fired it, preferring to use a .22 scoped rifle for rabbits and an old single barrel 12g shotgun that I've had since my teens.
      I've considered going out deer hunting--not nearby as it is too built up and not legal anyway. There are areas where I go fishing where it is legal and safe. Might begin putting together what I need.

      Kindest Regards,
      Steve.

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  11. Alan,
    Wonderful post as always! I am glad that you hunt as well as fish! We are in the grips of deer season here in Ohio and faced with fewer animals to hunt. That is frightening and well as depressing. I am in awe at the beauty and splendor of the Connecticut woods and waters! We discovered many years ago that venison is fine table fare indeed with so many ways to enjoy it! We are blessed with all that nature provides!
    Dougsden

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    1. Dougsden
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      Doug, a dwindling deer herd is not good news. The area of PA that we hunted suffered the same issue in the early 2000's. The game comm. issued a tremendous amount of doe permits to allow the thinning of the herd which they said was to create quality deer management. I think if you ask a lot of hunters you'll get quite a different story. Tenderloins last night, and right now I'm planning for tonight. P.S. I saw your deer, so nice.

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  12. Alan
    Great post, use to own a double barrel, one sweet choosing shotgun; good eats ahead for your family---thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill the side by side has some beautiful classic lines.
      Enjoyable table fare for sure.

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  13. nice post Alan, lovely gun, I started off on a single then had a double then went to an over & under in my pre army days, not fired a shotgun in a quite a few years now. Its always nice to be thankful of what we take for eating, enjoy the venison.
    Regards
    George

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    1. George
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      I to had a single barrel, both single shot hammer gun as well as a pump. I almost went for the O-U but chose the SxS.

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  14. what horror ..! poor and beautiful this deer .. I do not dare to kill a deer would give me pity. I can not get the idea of killing such a beautiful and apasible animal ... I think it's a sport .. !! Anyway congratulations Alan for such marksmanship...

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    1. Armando Milosevic
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      Armando it is hard to describe to a non-hunter what the feeling is to harvest a beautiful wild creature. But for over 50 years now I've had some of the greatest days of my life being in the woods and fields in pursuit of wild creatures.

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  15. Brook Trout, Grouse and Deer the New England trinity!
    I have a 12ga 37 that I had cut down to 24" no choke and a fiber optic bead. I'll send you some deer photos

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    1. Unknown
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      Yes it is the NE trinity. The model 37 is a fine deer gun as well as a great bird gun.
      Would like to see some photos.

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