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Skychief

69 Cal.
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
4,350
Reaction score
1,183
Location
The hills of Southern Indiana
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Yesterday found me searching for a buck deer with my .62 deep in an old stand of hardwoods. Hunting from the ground, I decided on a walk (still hunt?) near midday.

I stumbled across a shed antler with nary a gnaw-mark on it. Close by was a clump of Sassafras trees which looked like a fine spot for a snack and coffee. They would also provide good cover should any deer decide to visit.

In no time I had 8 does and fawns milling near me, just upwind. Minutes after they filtered through, I heard footsteps and noticed an approaching buck. He was moving down the narrow ridge toward my hide with the breeze on his backside.

The cock was thumbed back as I liked what I saw and decided to take him if presented with a good opportunity.

It came when he turned broadside at 33 yards to rub a small beech tree. The turtle sight looked good held low on his chest as my sight picture registered “squeeze!”.

Emerging from the screen of smoke, he ran so hard, you could have thought he’d been shot out of a cannon. Tail tucked, hard!

He went West off the ridge toward a 100 yard wide bottom. I thought I heard a crash preceding silence.

After taking mental notes of all things seen and heard, I took advantage of more coffee and a slow reload.

His trail was a good one. It lasted about 150 yards from that small beech tree, and ended on the far side of the bottom. I gave thanks for the clean heart shot, and thought how fortunate I was to hunt these magnificent animals somewhat like the Old Boys once did.

Good luck all and best regards, Skychief.
 
Nice! Keep up the good work with that smoothie. It will take any game in North America, big and small.
 
Marvelous, Skychief, congratulations. Indiana deer are going to learn to hate you and that smoothbore.

Excellent report, and the pictures are top quality. You have a good eye.

Spence
 
Thank you Spence for the accolades and all your help along my way.

Now, if I can learn to get the photos posted below the text and maybe sized a bit smaller, I'll be cooking with hot grease.:)

I may have to implore Angie for more guidance.

Still, I posted pics ALL BY MYSELF!!!!:D
 
Skychief, please tell us about your fowler and load.

BTW, don't know about an iPhone, but with my Mac, the photo is added wherever the cursor is. Write your post, place the cursor a couple of spaces down and then select Upload a File.

Spence
 
Appreciate that Spence. I made a couple of attempts and previewed both. They previewed as seen here. I went ahead and hit 'create thread'. Seemed the cursor was where you describe, but, will be certain the next time.

I noticed that the first photo uploaded would be shown as the last and visa versa, but corrected that.

Baby steps!

The fowling piece was built by Brian Turner of Mississippi. Of French influenced design most would call it a Tulle, I believe.

As you know but others may not, I've grown to really favor the gun and the ideal of a do-it-all boomstick.

I started the love affair in the squirrel woods, where trying different loads and techniques in the woods, found this smoothbore would bring them to pot efficiently.

It made its maiden voyage for turkeys, ...ahhh turkeys:rolleyes: , ....a few years ago. It's never let me down. The satisfaction taking game with her provides, is all but indescribable. So much more thrill than a caplock, let alone one of those suppository guns.

This Fall, I was determined to take a buck with it. In fact, it was hardly a choice. Opting for her use just came naturally after the experiences I've had afield with her so far, and, the work I've put into getting comfortable firing offhand. While 3-4" groups at 60 yards off a bench came earlier, that kind of precision took a bit more time and practice offhand for slightly shorter ranges.

Once "mastered" the idea of bagging some venison was nearly overwhelming. That itch was scratched yesterday. Still now, I wonder if that itch hasn't evolved into a full blown rash!:confused:

While maybe not for everyone, I find the more I put of myself into something as this, the greater the reward.

I thankfully had a friend (he also is using a Fowler this Fall for deer) help with the extradition yesterday. He perhaps summed up our opinions when he asked, "do you suppose the guys killing deer today at several hundred yards with the newest belted magnums, will ever go hunting?". I replied that we could only hope for them!

I used the most accurate load (sage advice) that I had found for MY gun. It consists of 80 grains of double-f Goex under a thick patch lubed with vegetable shortening and a .595 soft roundball that I cast.

Best regards, Skychief
 
As you know but others may not, I've grown to really favor the gun and the ideal of a do-it-all boomstick.
Yes, I've watched you gradually cozy up to the gun over the last little bit. I'm tickled to see it, because I think she will be something special for you, and give you a lot of pleasure over the years. I share your appreciation of that do-it-all characteristic of the flintlock smoothbore and look forward to sharing your coming experiences with her.

Spence
 
Well dang me.
Spence has a young rival in the writing of wonderful events in the woods, hunting the rich blessings created for us to enjoy!

Nicely done my friend, I tip my hat to you, your buck and the Lord.

Great comments about the non hunters, poor devils!

Brits.
 
Thanks all for the attaboys.

Nate, there's no contest friend. Spence is at the too of the heap and always will be.:cool:

Thanks for mentioning me in the same breath though.

Best regards all and have fun hunting, Skychief
 
Great story and nice buck, Skychief. I like that gun, too. After killing my first smoothbore deer several years back, I've come to rely on it for deer. My rifles are getting lots more rest nowadays.
 
View attachment 811 View attachment 810 View attachment 809 View attachment 808 Yesterday found me searching for a buck deer with my .62 deep in an old stand of hardwoods. Hunting from the ground, I decided on a walk (still hunt?) near midday.

I stumbled across a shed antler with nary a gnaw-mark on it. Close by was a clump of Sassafras trees which looked like a fine spot for a snack and coffee. They would also provide good cover should any deer decide to visit.

In no time I had 8 does and fawns milling near me, just upwind. Minutes after they filtered through, I heard footsteps and noticed an approaching buck. He was moving down the narrow ridge toward my hide with the breeze on his backside.

The cock was thumbed back as I liked what I saw and decided to take him if presented with a good opportunity.

It came when he turned broadside at 33 yards to rub a small beech tree. The turtle sight looked good held low on his chest as my sight picture registered “squeeze!”.

Emerging from the screen of smoke, he ran so hard, you could have thought he’d been shot out of a cannon. Tail tucked, hard!

He went West off the ridge toward a 100 yard wide bottom. I thought I heard a crash preceding silence.

After taking mental notes of all things seen and heard, I took advantage of more coffee and a slow reload.

His trail was a good one. It lasted about 150 yards from that small beech tree, and ended on the far side of the bottom. I gave thanks for the clean heart shot, and thought how fortunate I was to hunt these magnificent animals somewhat like the Old Boys once did.

Good luck all and best regards, Skychief.
 
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