Still-Hunting Big Bucks

[robby denning]

A few years ago, I use to pick up late season whitetail doe tags (December) I would still hunt and track them in the snow. It’s a great way to sharpen the skill, put deer meat in the freezer and it’s fun with very low stress.

Just a few years ago I used the same skills to track a 5 year old buck (lab aged) in Colorado. Ended up killing him at under 40 yards in the thick stuff. He had no clue I was there.

this is awesome!!!!

good work!

 

[Ramem7mm]

I loved listening to this episode. I was driving to the mountains listening to it and when on the mountain I was thinking of some of the techniques of the stalking etc. Unfortunately it didn't work for me but still learned some valuable insight.

Hopefully Robby doesn't go completely I have listened to tons of podcast with him and have learned a lot too so thank you.

 

[robby denning]

I loved listening to this episode. I was driving to the mountains listening to it and when on the mountain I was thinking of some of the techniques of the stalking etc. Unfortunately it didn't work for me but still learned some valuable insight.

Hopefully Robby doesn't go completely I have listened to tons of podcast with him and have learned a lot too so thank you.

and got a reload episode planned for 10/27 covering mid season stuff. Watch for it

 

[Islandeer]

This is a solid thread.
On a timber hunt a few years ago I was threading myself thru a proven area, watching squirrels etc. Sat for a bit and got out the tube and grunted softly. Waited, then crunch behind and above me is a very pissed off mature buck. Full swagger, thrashing trees looking for whoever grunted.

It was a 4 pt season and I couldn’t get a great look at him over 15 minutes or so, it was brushy with lots of trees of all sizes. He came to 50 yds or so, certainly a mature older buck. He walked away and gave me a lifetime memory out of the deal.

I’ll post up some more encounters soon.

 

[bricketts]

Loved this episode! Covered just about every aspect of why we do it and the value and insights we gain on the mountain.

I thought I’d share some of our groups biggest bucks utilizing still hunting over the years.

My dad and his buddies grew up in western Washington hunting blacktail with classic still hunting techniques. In 2000 they started hunting mule deer on the east side in big thick timber, hunting them just like you would blacktail. They hammered some giants over the years and this was how I was raised and taught to hunt. Of the roughly 75 bucks our group has harvested since then, every single one was taken using still hunting techniques, including my 185” typical I was fortunate enough to harvest at 70 yards. I’ve been fortunate to harvest a handful of big blacktail as well hunting this way.
I learn more and get better at it every year, spending 9 days straight still hunting dark to dark takes a mental toll, but the end result when it comes together is worth it every time. We also use a mix of tracking paired with this when the opportunity presents itself. All bucks pictured are general season OTC tags from one of the lesser mule deer states

 

[robby denning]

Loved this episode! Covered just about every aspect of why we do it and the value and insights we gain on the mountain.

I thought I’d share some of our groups biggest bucks utilizing still hunting over the years.

My dad and his buddies grew up in western Washington hunting blacktail with classic still hunting techniques. In 2000 they started hunting mule deer on the east side in big thick timber, hunting them just like you would blacktail. They hammered some giants over the years and this was how I was raised and taught to hunt. Of the roughly 75 bucks our group has harvested since then, every single one was taken using still hunting techniques, including my 185” typical I was fortunate enough to harvest at 70 yards. I’ve been fortunate to harvest a handful of big blacktail as well hunting this way.
I learn more and get better at it every year, spending 9 days straight still hunting dark to dark takes a mental toll, but the end result when it comes together is worth it every time. We also use a mix of tracking paired with this when the opportunity presents itself. All bucks pictured are general season OTC tags from one of the lesser mule deer states

Excellent post! Thanks for sharing

 

[MeatInTheFreezer]

Loved this episode! Covered just about every aspect of why we do it and the value and insights we gain on the mountain.

I thought I’d share some of our groups biggest bucks utilizing still hunting over the years.

My dad and his buddies grew up in western Washington hunting blacktail with classic still hunting techniques. In 2000 they started hunting mule deer on the east side in big thick timber, hunting them just like you would blacktail. They hammered some giants over the years and this was how I was raised and taught to hunt. Of the roughly 75 bucks our group has harvested since then, every single one was taken using still hunting techniques, including my 185” typical I was fortunate enough to harvest at 70 yards. I’ve been fortunate to harvest a handful of big blacktail as well hunting this way.
I learn more and get better at it every year, spending 9 days straight still hunting dark to dark takes a mental toll, but the end result when it comes together is worth it every time. We also use a mix of tracking paired with this when the opportunity presents itself. All bucks pictured are general season OTC tags from one of the lesser mule deer states

To spend a day in the woods with you!

 

[Islandeer]

Amazing!
I can feel the work and steady, slow, observant grind your group commits to hunting this area. So pure.

 

[Islandeer]

heck ya man, that's why I mentioned Blacktail hunters in my book--this stuff is natural for you guys

and this: "....The encounters were close and intense." describes it perfectly

how far was your shot on the muley and whitey?

Well the muley my son and first found him early morning at 40 yds, then at noon found him again at 175 below is in thick timber, head and neck hidden, stood like a stone for ever, then slipped away.
We found him late afternoon in a spot we call the gathering place , with does, shot him at around 150 ish in timber above us. What a special day with my tagged out son who was on the glass all day, and found the buck for me as we snuck closer thru timber. Thanks bud! I wish you still had a tag in your pocket that crazy day!

The whitetail was at 50 yds, hunting tree to tree, saw him below me watched him use a string of trees to slither along and shot him as he came between 2 trees.
Fortunate to be leaning on a fir as I had the fever bad!!
Hunting with Dad who likely moved him my way that amazing November morning.
Funny as he walked up to me , said I’d killed the ‘king of the forest’ !!