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Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:03 pm
by HenryFan
Every year, I prepare food plots on different tracts of land and it is not cheap to do so. Diesel fuel, lime, seed, fertilizer, implement parts and repairs, tractor maintenance, gasoline for towing the equipment trailer and box blind maintenance have only gotten more expensive.
But I accept it because I still enjoy working the land and other than fishing at Lake Okeechobee once yearly, food plot preparation is really one of my few hobbies.
That being said, after I do all of the above, I seem to rarely shoot a deer anymore. I most often watch them and I enjoy doing so. My binoculars get far more exercise than any of my deer rifles. My wife laughs and says I could save money by selling deer rifles because I don't use them. I guess I have shot enough deer over the years that I don't feel the compunction to do so.
Do any other forum members experience the same or am I the only one only one who runs a free deer cafeteria?
I think old age has changed my outlook on a number of things.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:15 pm
by markiver54
HenryFan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:03 pm
I think old age has changed my outlook on a number of things.
Ain't that the truth!
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:20 pm
by DsGrouse
I've watched a ton of them this year. It's been hot as blazes here in VA—nearly 70 degrees most of the rifle season so far. Prior to that, it's been in the 60s. I find that too warm to process a deer and get it in the cooler fast enough to avoid spoilage. It's going to be in the low 40s tomorrow morning. I might go sit in the stand with the smith and wesson lever gun to see if I can get one. I normally average five to deer a season. It's our primary source of meat, and we love it.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:25 pm
by HenryFan
Temperature is a factor in shooting or not shooting. I won't go if it is too warm and also, if I don't think I can get it processed in a timely fashion.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:35 pm
by The Happy Kaboomer
I am 70 and I watch a lot deer too...........Until the big horns come out......Then it's BANG......Get a ride in the Chevy.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:37 pm
by The Happy Kaboomer
HenryFan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:25 pm
Temperature is a factor in shooting or not shooting. I won't go if it is too warm and also, if I don't think I can get it processed in a timely fashion.
Our season comes in Aug. 14th.. It's hot. I hunt in tee shirt/shorts and tennis shoes. If I kill one he's in my cooler in than an hour.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:37 pm
by The Happy Kaboomer
The Happy Kaboomer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:37 pm
HenryFan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:25 pm
Temperature is a factor in shooting or not shooting. I won't go if it is too warm and also, if I don't think I can get it processed in a timely fashion.
Our season comes in Aug. 15th.. It's hot. I hunt in tee shirt/shorts and tennis shoes. If I kill one he's in my cooler in than an hour.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:58 am
by markiver54
Interesting...I've never heard of a Deer season in August...
...where might that be?
Just curious.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 8:52 am
by HenryFan
markiver -
South Carolina has (or at one time used to have) the longest deer season in the country. The season comes in mid-August in "The Low Country" of South Carolina. Think of the coastal counties. Season openers change as you move inland with the last season opener occurring in Game Zone 1, the upstate counties at the mountains. The season closes in all counties on January 1 but I think that at one time, there was a Youth Hunt the first weekend of the new year. Can't remember for sure and I don't know if such still occurs.
When I lived in Beaufort, SC, I hunted early in the season and it was, as Kaboomer commented, difficult. Heat, humidity, mosquitos and the occasional rattlesnake. In the mid-90's, I both a Ruger M77 MKII stainless in .308 Win. because of humidity and my sweat.
I live in Game Zone 2 now and our season opens in mid-October and it is far more pleasant than The Low County in mid-August.
Re: Deer Hunting or Deer Watching?
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:03 am
by markiver54
HenryFan wrote: ↑Thu Nov 21, 2024 8:52 am
markiver -
South Carolina has (or at one time used to have) the longest deer season in the country. The season comes in mid-August in "The Low Country" of South Carolina. Think of the coastal counties. Season openers change as you move inland with the last season opener occurring in Game Zone 1, the upstate counties at the mountains. The season closes in all counties on January 1 but I think that at one time, there was a Youth Hunt the first weekend of the new year. Can't remember for sure and I don't know if such still occurs.
When I lived in Beaufort, SC, I hunted early in the season and it was, as Kaboomer commented, difficult. Heat, humidity, mosquitos and the occasional rattlesnake. In the mid-90's, I both a Ruger M77 MKII stainless in .308 Win. because of humidity and my sweat.
I live in Game Zone 2 now and our season opens in mid-October and it is far more pleasant than The Low County in mid-August.
Hmm, I didn't realize that. I don't Deer hunt, (at least not for many years now), but I know many who do. I used to Bear hunt in the mountains up by our cottage but don't even do that anymore. my body told me to quit.
...where might that be?