Thread: Arkansas whitetail hunt.

Very enjoyable read.

Well the next couple of days are starting to get hot. I see a few more deer, A couple of Trash Pandas visit the feeder, But I don’t wish too shoot one with the 50 cal as it will wreck the pelts. I start to carry a .22 as well as the ML in case they show again, But they dont.
Each day there is this Buck that sneaks about in the shadows and thick cover. I hear him, see the odd glimpse, But he never lets me really identify him. The days are getting harder and there is less action, But its still very enjoyable, and really interesting putting things together. Like how the first sign that deer will show is the squirrels. If the squirrels are not present and active, you just wont see a deer. As squirrel activity builds up, get ready the deer will be moving too. The deer are also avoiding the direct area where I shot the Coyote, so despite my efforts some scent is putting them off a bit. Despite this the hunting is really enjoyable and I feel Im learning alot and thinking how I can translate it too use back home. Ken and his wife Patti come round, and we visit them again. I got to say, Bob and Ken put a massive amount of time into Creating habitat and attractive places for the deer and other wildlife to live. Feed plots, little meadows, removing unwanted tree species you name it. Its the old adage that you get out what you put in.
There is a massive amount of observation required too. Its taken years to get to know the property and how and why and when the deer use it. So that they can position stands etc in positions that will give a decent chance.

One afternoon Im in the stand, and a doe with a couple of fawns comes into the feeder. They are cool to watch. The deer don’t seem to guzzle the feed. Instead they stay for maybe 10 minutes and pick at it before heading on. This is what this group does and I watch them walk my way and head back into cover. Just after they leave I notice a small movement under the feeder. Its only 50 meters away, but hard to see and I think squirrel. But take a look with the binos anyway. Bloody hell its an antler! and I realise that a Buck has slipped in useing the cover and is sneaking a feed. Hes big and as I watch him I come to suspect he’s substantially bigger than the one i’ve shot. He also knows exactly how to use the cover and I start thinking hes probably the ghost thats been about.
I quietly bring the Muzzle loader too my shoulder and hold it on him ready. Now If I had of had my 270. Or indeed any reasonable centerfire rifle in my hands. I would be telling you about another dead Buck right now. But Im aware at least to some extent that the rifle I do have is not as accurate as Id wish, that while there are some good clear avenues for a shot, there is alot of material. Sicks, saplings and vines etc about too. Plus Im not experienced with black powder weapons. The buck also, gives me only short windows of opportunity. The best one is a quartering away shot just before he fades back into cover. Three thoughts are on my mind. Who dares wins, I could fuck this up, and if I dont disturb him he might offer a better chance tomorrow.
In the end, and this is you realise, all going through my mind in a few seconds, I decide there is too much chance i'll end up with a deer shot in the front leg but not in the chest, and let him walk.
I do see him again too. On the last night Bob, Raye and I are sitting at the cabin having a beer, when a green light gos on at a feeder 70 meters away. I go and grab some binos and there he is, a big wide 5x5 whos top tines make his main beam tine look short because of their length. I let out an audible Ohhh!
But I have no regrets. I seldom wound an animal and its because Im careful. I have a great head from my experience and no action or event to detract from the great week ive had. Its a far better tale to tell of the one that got away, than it is of the one lost.

I hunt the next morning, which turns out to be my last hunt, and the place turns on another unforgettable experience for me. Out of nowhere only 15 minutes after I enter the stand, when its still only just light enough to see indistinct silhouettes close by. The forest around me is buzzing with the sound from every quarter, of deer moving. As light gathers the indistinct forms turn into 6 does and yearlings, which spend quite some time feeding all around me, even right beside the box. Most of the photos I took didnt turn out due too the darkness, But one might give you some idea.



That afternoon we are invited back too Ken and Patti’s place for a beer. One turns into a few and its a great way to spend an early afternoon, talking hunting and rural life etc. Bob says we might miss the evening hunt and I really don’t care. Listening to guys talk of Caribou, Elk and bears, Dall rams and tough recoveries. Hardships in pursuit of adventure. And of course telling a few of my own and laughing at some of the silly stuff we all do too, is a great part of what I love about heading overseas to hunt with locals who are doing it their way.

A big thanks To Bob/ Zeeriverrat and Raye! for their generosity and the marvellous experiences. As well as Ken and Patti for their hospitality too.

Great trip, some good memories

Awesome thanks for posting.

Awesome trip , great memories and friendships. No doubt you will be back some day.

Mr Z had a penchant for old 98 based sporters. .338/06 if I recall coy.


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Yep, still got it and in 7x57

Awesome read, you write a good tale Shanks.

Good decision on the 5x5 I reckon, the sickening feeling of a wounded or lost animal, would have overshadowed a great trip.

Awesome writeup and a great hunt. I can see them good ol boys sitting on porch rockers sipping out of mason jars talking about the time that Kiwi fella can to visit and not only got a good buck but a peski yote too,for years to come. Good on you for making it happen.

I lived for some years in Indiana. Hunted the same ways minus covering myself in doe urine! Used a Thompson in-line.45 cal with sabotaged slugs in front of 2 pellets (100gn) of BP. While 4x kahles that rifle would shoot 3 inch groups at 100. They can be very accurate. My first buck is a mirror image of yours.

You have mentioned your night out on Beale street yet!

Yep Bob reckoned the sabots worked well, but became a pain to load after a shot or two.

Sorry I dont recognise the reference to Beale street?

It was a great pleasure to finally meet Craig and get to share a camp and a few days hunting with him. I was worried that his hunt would be difficult because the weather had been so hot and dry…but he had a better few days hunt than I have ever had on our place. So..it’s clear that he is one very lucky bugger!

I wish he had more time to hunt and to do a bit of sight seeing. In any case it was all great fun for us!

If theres one thing I would say to guys out there, If you ever get the chance to do a swap hunt or such, then do it! You learn so much and the experience, regardless of success, is cool.
I would have loved to spend more time With @Zeebob, and Raye! The week I had was fantastic as it was. Im not the first Kiwi who's been a recipient of their hospitality and probably wont be the last either.

Great story @whanahuia Arkansas is a great place, and you can't beat "Southern hospitality" I was there November and December last year and met some amazing people on my travels.
@Zeebob I recognize the name zeeriverat from Arkansashunting.net my Grandfather is from Osceola in NEA Which wouldn't be far from you. Hopefully you can make it to NZ at some stage.

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Brad, yep Osceola is about an hour and a half northeast of where we live. I still get on Arkansas hunting.net once in a while…but my internet footprint shrunk up drastically once I retired in 2012…now all I do is fish, hunt , travel, repeat….best job I ever had.

Just an update on our deer hunting here….rifle season opened November 9th. Hunted steady…saw 7 does first day, 2 bucks that weren’t legal the second morning. Hunted morning and afternoon everyday until today…haven’t seen a deer since. So much for the easy hunting with foodplots and feeders.. 40+hours sitting and watching with out seeing a deer…my butt is sore from sitting. The weather has been warm and we have had a giant full moon and that never helps. On the bright side..we have a wet system moving in tomorrow followed by some real cold weather in a few days..

We came home from camp to do laundry and regroup…we will be back after them by Wednesday morning….still lots of time. Yep..Craig hit it perfect…he shoulda bought a lottery ticket while he was here…