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.