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First time hunting solo
#7729745
01/27/20 04:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
supertruck97
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9 |
So, I will admit to being a fairly inexperienced hunter. I've been hunting less than a dozen times in my life, as my family were not the hunting type (fishing yes, hunting no). The last several years, I've had good friends invite me out to their lease or their owned property to hunt with them. 2 years ago, I got my first buck, which was awesome. This year, though, due to work and other issues, we couldn't make the timing work for me to go out with friends. Fortunately, a good friend of mine on the last weekend of season said "Hey man, I'm not gonna make it out. Just go out there and hunt without me.". Needless to say, never having skinned/field dressed a deer solo, the idea freaked me out. So I got out early on Friday to sit in the blind (Comal County, near Canyon Lake) just to check things out. Saw a bunch of bupkiss. Nothing. Great. Next morning, I'm in the blind bright and early before 6, just to be safe. Freezing my bum off. I proceed to see absolutely nothing for nearly 3 hours. Not a doe. Not a hog. Not a wandering cow. Nada. I was honestly just counting the minutes till I could get inside an warm up and texting my wife that I hadn't seen any signs of movement, when finally there is something. This guy walks out on the ridge behind the feeder, and meanders down. He stops for just a second, raising his head to give me a great broadside view of his front half. That was enough. I know, not the biggest deer posted on these forums. But my buddy said it was by far the biggest buck he had seen on the property this year (small acreage). And it was the first (and only, so far) one for me to take completely solo. The next hour or so was spent fumbling through probably the worst field dressing ever. I was lucky to have had good teachers in the past, but there's no replacement for experience. All in all, while I appreciate the solitude of a solo hunt, I'm a pack animal. I'd rather have some good friends and a pair of extra hands when hunting. That said, I can't see myself skipping any more seasons for the foreseeable future. I've got the fever. Next up: Turkey
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729753
01/27/20 04:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149 |
Awesomeness!
Speed of field dressing isn't all that important. You'll get quicker with the field dressing and more efficient with the process.
Thanks for the story.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729759
01/27/20 04:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729766
01/27/20 04:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
It only gets better from here on.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729817
01/27/20 05:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 558
jast86
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 558 |
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729829
01/27/20 05:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,230
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,230 |
Congrats As long as you don't puncture the gut sack your fine If you do you'll regret it
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729833
01/27/20 05:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,901
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,901 |
Job well done! Don't compare your buck to Bucks posted online. Compare him to your previous buck. Compare him to the other Bucks on property. He will make a fine european mount sitting on your mantle!
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: stxranchman]
#7729834
01/27/20 05:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,785
Mr. T.
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,785 |
It only gets better from here on. X2
Cabin rental in Pagosa Springs, Co. Sleeps 10, If interested please PM me.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729839
01/27/20 05:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
Best way to learn.
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729846
01/27/20 05:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078
TKandMike
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078 |
It's nice to have others to teach you, but you absorb a lot more doing things solo. Good work
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729848
01/27/20 05:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,402
TooLow
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,402 |
Congrats. I hunt solo all the time
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729868
01/27/20 06:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241 |
Congrats and thanks for posting
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729876
01/27/20 06:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091 |
You are hooked now. It gets quicker, easier and better with practice. I'm pretty much a solo hunter and nothing better than hands on learning. Congrats on a fine buck.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729882
01/27/20 06:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 680
fmrmbmlm
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 680 |
Nice buck and experience, just some advice for next time, tag it before pictures.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: Mr. T.]
#7729926
01/27/20 06:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,861 |
It only gets better from here on. X2 X3
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7729984
01/27/20 07:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 102
Bbq74
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 102 |
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730030
01/27/20 08:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650 |
Great write up, congrats on the nice buck!
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: Pope&Young]
#7730070
01/27/20 08:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533 |
Congrats As long as you don't puncture the gut sack your fine If you do you'll regret it Add the pizz sack to that list!
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730074
01/27/20 08:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533 |
Congrats!
I have hunted on my own some, I will say I much rather hunt with my wife, brother, father, son, or friends. Im 33 and I gotta say I still really enjoy going and sitting with my dad or brother... depending on what was eaten the night before for dinner!!!!!!!!!!!
The field dressing will come with practice. I cant tell you how many deer and hogs ive gutted and at the first of the season I knock one down and scratch my head for a sec before I go poking it with a knife.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730116
01/27/20 09:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,057
ChrisB
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,057 |
The only thing I hate about deer hunting alone is loading a deer by yourself. Congrats on your buck.
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730120
01/27/20 09:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,886
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,886 |
Congrats!! That's awesome!! While it is tougher, it is an experience and a memory made...and the pain of it will wear off and be replaced with pride for doing it all on your own. (Not to mention that no one really knows how bad it was because you were by yourself ) I love to hunt. Period. I hunt with a big group, sometimes small groups and sometimes by myself and I enjoy them all, so can't really say I have a preference. Good luck in turkey season
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730163
01/27/20 10:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,637
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,637 |
Awesome story! Congratulations on your first solo! That will forever be a great memory for you, and heck, that's most of the reason we all go, for the experiences!
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#7730264
01/27/20 11:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,959
Jimbo1
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,959 |
Awesome story! Congratulations on your first solo! That will forever be a great memory for you, and heck, that's most of the reason we all go, for the experiences! Agree! Congrats to the hunter.
FJB - Lets Go Brandon BBB - Bring Back Better Awake - Not Woke!
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Re: First time hunting solo
[Re: supertruck97]
#7730531
01/28/20 02:49 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015 |
Way to go man! Just like cleaning a fish, best way to learn is to get in there yourself.
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