2023 Hunting
"2023 Hunting"
It's all about the Hunt, not the Kill!
by Bryan Austin
Nov 27th
Today was more of the same. Not sure why this area is not being productive this year. I decided to walk around a little since I have only been hunting 93 of 400 acres. I am glad I did, as I may have found a new place to hunt. I will try it later this week or this weekend.
I went high, and came back low....
Nov 22nd
Today was bittersweet. We only have three weeks of gun season here and I missed the first day Monday due to fighting wildfires. I did get to go early Tuesday morning after a good nights rain, but bailed by 10am due to continued rain. This morning was better and I did see a doe. Limbs were falling and getting worse as the winds got higher so I bailed at 1pm.
IMG_1276.MOVAlso added are two photos. One is from the bench where the doe walked by, looking up at the deer stand. The other is from the bench looking down to the creek.
Oct 25th
Well I saw the bear today. I made it to the stand late evening, and within 30 minutes (6:15pm), he stayed just out of sight. I'll keep after him. You can just see the barrel of the Marlin 1894CB 44-40.
2023-10-25, 6_12 PM - Made with Clipchamp.mp4Sept. thru Oct 21st
Nothing much to report. In S.C., My dad bagged a little four point (see photo) at 180 yards with his Winchester Model 1886 45-70, and my nephew has bagged two large bucks with his modern 7.somethingornother. I have seen a few does in SC but hunting deer in NC with guns in my county is only for three weeks starting November 20th. I have, however, been trying to track down a pesky bear (see photo) and two remaining coyotes. I have one groundhog that is giving me a fit.
The outline of the size of the bear can be seen here. I am standing in the same exact place. This is not a big guy by any means, just the first one I have been tracking.
The Marlin 1894CB 44-40 (see below photo) is loaded with 240gr loads.
Sept 1st, 2nd, 3rd and morning of the 4th, 2023
Headed down to SC to hunt with my folks. Picked up a small area to hunt that has deer in it. Just hunting a deep corner (138 yard mark) in a field. Had a few does, a four point and an eight point lurking in the shadows right at dark. Made some stand adjustments (red stand, range marked in white) and plan on attacking the area again in a few weeks...me anyway! The range from the yellow stand are marked accordingly.
10000000_6780647651978908_8181459817509963738_n.mp4
Early Summer 2023
Well, still working on the distructive critters...managed to pick of an unexpected coyote at 51 yards too. Here are a few examples!!!
3-21-2023
Finally getting out to shoot the Rattler a bit. Still a bit to get use to the awkwardness position of the scope, but I am getting there. I missed this guy......
1-11-2023
Well, it is a bit rediculous but it will get the job done. I spent the better part of four hours reading and adjusting. I did not take any videos or photos...too busy learning the basics and getting a basic zero @ 100 yards. The scope can be used during the day but the targets are a bit blurry for precision shooting. As you may already know, trying to zero the 44-40 is a bit of a chore. I managed a 6 shot 6" group @ 100 yards to get it zeroed in for coyotes. I'll get some good night time videos and screen shots uploaded over the weekend. Also seen is the external Anker battery.
Cat is 25 yards, large building is 618 yards
Rabbit 33 yards
Resolution looks much better when viewed on scope.
1-9-2023
Enough is enough, got one of these on the way....stand by!
It is probably the bottom line of thermals but it is all I need for the 44-40.
1-7-2023 Second Coyote hunt, still a lot to learn (No Joy)
Late this evening I decided to look for a few places to try and call in the coyotes. There really is only one place, just looking for the best angle.
I selected and climbed a tree with the The Tree Lounge..nice and comfortable but since I don't have what I need to hunt at night, I have to leave the tree too early. For my next attempt, I decided to stay on the ground. Sorry I have nothing to show for it, but it expected when ya ain't got no idea what your doing :-)
1-1-2023 First Coyote hunt, lots to learn
The scope has been zeroed for 100 yards.
Over this next year I hope to gain enough knowledge to successfully help reduce the coyote population on some private property I hunt. I am not real happy with the cheap cheesy call I have but hopefully it will work enough to thin out the population. Although I did take a few photos, I failed to record the coyote activity. I really didn't think folks wanted to stare at coyote poop with rabbit hair mixed in! Maybe next time.
