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Quick note: When an item says “we can’t link to it” for a link, that’s cuz we have to check all links before we put ’em in here, and if a domain/URL shows up on a blacklist, we can’t link it. The blacklists change all the time and are kinda sketchy, but that’s what we have to do so….
Today’s Top 5
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GA giant dropped with only minutes left in the season!
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Get a load of that tower-tined buck from western GA! That’s 14 points with some ultra cool split brow tines. GA Outdoor News caught up with Justin Peterson for the story:
> …settled into his stand just a few hours before dark, looking to finally get a shot at the buck. The huge deer made an appearance as the final minutes of daylight were fading.
> “I looked down at my phone to see what time it was, and when I looked back up, I saw a deer standing about 85 yards in front of me, but its front quarters were blocked by a pine tree. I realized that it was larger than the does I had been seeing, and then he stepped out from behind the tree and I saw his antlers.”
BANG! Justin dropped it:
> “It was just an adrenaline rush, and I started calling people that I’d been telling about this buck for the past few weeks,. It’s incredible. I’m really thankful to God that I was able to get him.”
Green-scored at 190 — heckuva buck Justin, congrats dude!
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180-class buck ain’t bad for a 2nd deer!
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What a stud and it’s just Ashley Eichwurtzle’s 2nd-ever deer! Not only that, she shot this big guy on a day she wasn’t even planning on hunting…rain in the forecast and her hubs had to work. Deets from the MS Clarion Ledger:
> …her husband told her it was peak breeding time and she should take advantage of it. So, she and her father-in-law went.
> The treestand overlooks a small food plot with brush around the edges. Ashley said there was some activity that got her blood pumping — a spike came into the food plot. The spike walked out of sight and Ashley began to calm down, but the calm was short-lived. She kept hearing sounds in the brush.
> “I heard something in the woods and thought it was the spike. I was thinking it was him until I looked down and saw another one. He stayed in the brush. He was so close — he was about 10 yards away.”
After contorting herself to get her crosshairs on the beast, Ashley made the shot with her .30-06:
> “I just sat there beside him and waited for my father-in-law. It was just a blur. I won’t ever top that. It’s a big deal. I’ll probably still hunt, but just to get a doe for the freezer.”
Keep after ’em for sure Ashley!
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An electronic deer-tracking arrow nock…thingy?
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You and your buds ever sat around deer camp saying, “There oughta be a way to use technology to track a wounded deer”? Well, seems like now there is.
One of the cooler tech announcements at the recent ATA show (archery trade show) is Kirsch Hunting’s Bloodhound XTN Nock. Apparently it’s a “thing” that attaches to the back of an arrow, and “embeds” itself in a deer as the arrow passes through.
So it lights up to help you track the animal in low-light conditions, and it’s a tracking device that wirelessly connects to a handheld deal — which kinda looks like it came from the ’90s? — and leads you to your deer up to 400 yards away.
Here’s a vid from Bowhunting.com…. If it works like they say it will, could be pretty cool. BUT it’s big enough that we’re wondering if it might touch an arrow rest and might affects arrow travel, but then again we can’t imagine Kirsch didn’t consider that.
Not out yet, and real-world pricing is also unknown. We’ll keep our eyes on it….
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Annihilator Broadheads keepin’ it simple.
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We love hunting technology as much as anybody, but sometimes the simplest things are just the best…and the deadliest. Like the new Annihilator Broadheads. They’re machined out of one piece of 4140 steel alloy — so no mechanical moving blades, no vents, no nuthin’. Outdoor Life got a close-up look at ATA:
> The actual cutting surface is relatively small, but the Annihilator cuts on contact while the scoop design punches a hole in game, pushing and pulling tissue to create a large wound channel.
> The fixed head is designed to gouge holes instead of cut slits. This scoop-style broadhead does introduce some drag, but this is reportedly a feature, not a bug. …the wedge puts drag in the right places for optimal flight stabilization.
> 3-packs of the 100- and 125-grain broadheads are already available on Annihilator’s site for $55 and $57, respectively. That’s pricier than many fixed-blades, but if you consider the hassle you’re saving with such a simple piece of equipment, it might be worth it.
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Check out this one-eyed Iowa MONSTER.
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Sweet-lookin’ Midwest trophy whitetail with a cool story. Team Realtree’s David Holder tells the tale of “Juice,” the one-eyed buck:
> Holder’s home property served as the hunting grounds for a buck nicknamed “Juice.” The deer earned his name after a tremendous jump in antler growth between 3.5 and 4.5 years old.
> …the deer lost his eye in 2018 — a year prior to shooting him. “Last season I filmed him one morning and both eyes were fine. The following afternoon, his eye was swollen shut. That was approximately one year prior to me shooting him.”
In early Nov 2019, David got an opportunity to arrow Juice, but he barely grazed the buck’s chest. The deer had some more time…but just another week:
> “He was close enough that I felt confident I could put my arrow right where I wanted to. After making a non-lethal hit 6 days prior, I told myself not to do that again.”
This time he got him! Juice grossed at 169 6/8″ but if you add the 10″ of abnormal points, it stretched the tape to 179 6/8. Anyone else ever get a one-eyed buck??
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News
1. MO hunters tagged 285,000 deer.
> While the total deer harvest was down slightly from the year before [by about 5K], the archery deer harvest was considerably higher this year.
> …timing was a factor. “These extra days of hunting during the rut when bucks are particularly vulnerable to harvest, and an increasing trend in the number of archery hunters, contributed to a record year of archery deer harvest.”
2. OH deer kill could beat last season’s total.
> The harvest total through Tues stood at 178,648, about 8.2% more than the 165,131 whitetails checked at the same point a year ago.
3. WI: 50K fewer deer tagged this season.
14% drop blamed on a late start and poor weather:
> …hunters killed 288,025 deer across all seasons last year, including archery, the traditional 9-day season and the youth hunt. That’s down from 335,243 deer in 2018.
4. LA hunting closes early because of flooding.
[Can’t link it but it’s on louisianasportsman.com]
> …on all lands east of the west Mississippi River levee in East Carroll Parish due to flooding….
5. PA: Most hunters NOT happy with deer season changes?
[Can’t link it but it’s on lockhaven.com]
> …changed the over half-century-old traditional deer season opening day from the Monday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday prior….
> Opposition to this change came from 65% of our hunters who were surveyed by the PGC [and] 81% of approximately 1,300 hunters who contacted the agency opposed the change.
> Economic losses were identified from 10 business contacted exceeding $360,000…statewide impacts are likely in the several millions.
6. UT wants more cougars taken to help deer.
7. NB: Less venison, more hotdogs.
New Brunswick, CAN officials canceled a program to give venison to dozens of low-income families?? Here’s the deal:
> …The initiative was quietly cancelled to allow the NB Dept of Health time to assess whether there are any risks to food safety.
> Instead of the 40 lbs of deer meat per family, they’re being offered hot dogs and hamburger meat through the local food bank.
C’mon, man….
8. Nikon no longer making scopes…because of hunting??
[Can’t link it but it’s on outdoorlife.com]
Will still make binos, rangefinders and spotting scopes:
> “…completely about internal politics rather than consumer preference. They are trying to expand binocular sales in Europe, and association with guns causes problems in some types of shops over there. Additionally, there is just no domestic — as in Japanese domestic — support for being a part of the blood sports.”
Wow. If — if — that’s true:
9. VA: Pay attention to the gun rights stuff that’s happening.
[Can’t link it but it’s on washingtonexaminer.com]
Sounds like first VA politicians removed or wanted to remove certain run rights, then created “fears” about pro-gun folks gathering to protest it. In other words, they’re implying that all VA gun owners as “violent.” Not cool.
10. CT: Scientists have a Lyme disease vaccine for mice.
Mice are the major pathway for the ticks, not deer, but less Lyme disease should mean less deer with Lyme ticks.
11. Win a TenPoint Viper S400 x-bow.
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New Stuff
1. Tethrd’s new Phantom tree saddle.
> The Phantom offers more of a curvature in its design so it is more contouring to your [tail area] thus it is more comfortable when you are hanging out in a tree all day. …also slightly more rigid (not stiff) but just more firm to the point where it will not slide, lay flat, or fold over on you while you are using it.
2. Traditions Firearms’ non-traditional muzzleloader.
> So, is it really a muzzleloader if it loads through the breech? In this case yes, because with the new Traditions NitroFire rifle the bullet is still loaded via the muzzle. This gun has been designed in conjunction with Federal’s new FireStick, which is a self-contained powder charge filled with either 100 or 120 pre-measured grains of Hodgdon’s all-new Triple 8 powder.
3. Savage and Proof Research release 110 Ultralite.
> At 6 lbs…the 110 Ultralite is designed to combat elevation and elements while maintaining the performance of a factory blueprinted Savage 110 action. The carbon fiber-wrapped stainless steel barrel and melonite skeletonized receiver minimize weight for success on any mountain hunt.
4. SIG’s new Cross first bolt-action rifle.
Look at this!
> “Hunting rifles are typically focused on less weight, and accuracy is secondary. Precision rifles are designed for extreme accuracy, with no weight limitations. What was missing from the market was a true crossover. Our product management team and engineers took the best of both worlds and developed the Cross featuring the characteristics of a hunting rifle with the accuracy of a precision rifle.”
5. Nosler says it’s improved on the .270.
[Can’t link this one and the next one — they’re at theoutdoorwire.com]
> Conceived as a 21st century upgrade to existing 270 calibers, the 27 Nosler delivers previously unobtainable downrange ballistics by pairing the ultimate combination of case capacity with modern long-for-caliber bullets.
6. Burris’ new next-gen Eliminator laser scope.
> Quick and calculated shots to extreme ranges are now possible with the Eliminator IV’s improved integrated laser rangefinder and updated onboard ballistics calculator which offers more data and faster aiming solutions to accommodate centerfire, rimfire, muzzleloader and slug gun ballistic trajectories.
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Gear of the Week
Benelli gets into the boltie business.
Y’all know Benelli is the deal for autoloader shotguns, and a few years back intro’d the R1, a centerfire semi-auto rifle. That gun pushed the envelope with its futuristic mechanics and unique look.
Now Benelli’s jumping into the bolt-action biz with it’s new “Lupo” (Italian for wolf) rifle. NA Whitetail got an advance look at the new gun in a whitetail hunt last fall:
> …this new offering…in .30-06 Springfield, .270 Win and .300 Win Mag in 2020, and in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win and .243 Win in 2021…is designed with a nod to classic styling while bringing to market a rifle that harnesses the best quality, precision, modularity and safety features that modern design can bring about.
> …belts out sub MOA 3-shot groups consistently with quality factory ammo like my Hornady Precision Hunter bullets…precise accuracy is one thing Benelli engineers carefully sought when building this new rifle from the ground up.
> Thanks to such accuracy-enhancing features as the gun’s chassis-style frame, a rigid bedding system, a free-floated, threaded Crio barrel…an adjustable trigger from 2.2 to 4.4 lbs, and a 1:11″ twist rate in the .30-06 model I was shooting, even I could make the bullet holes touch on a paper target sitting 100 yards downrange.
> …other features include Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil management system in the rifle’s stock, 3 interchangeable COMBTECH cheek pads, a carefully designed AIRTOUCH stock and forend, a variety of stock and trigger reach spacers for precise custom fitting.
Benellis have never been cheap so…starting price on this is $1,900. Definitely not your dad’s bolt-action rifle, but cool that Benelli totally re-thought a classic. Who knows — like their scatterguns, could be a big hit.
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Tip of the Week
How to play the wind.
Good reminders and a couple great tips for using the wind to your advantage — from Field & Stream:
> You smell like danger, and if they smell you, they will run. Under the right conditions, deer can smell you from 300 yards away.
> Scent-control products are a salesman’s dream…. F&S has tested about every scent-control product you can think of — from rubber boots and carbon suits to sprays, cover scents, and ozone. None — not one — fooled the dog’s nose.
> …keep in mind that things do act on the wind: hills, valleys, river corridors, and even thick woodlots can deflect and funnel air currents in odd directions.
> …it’s a good idea to set up so the wind is blowing perpendicular to the deer’s line of travel. That way, small bucks or does that you don’t want to shoot can get past you without catching your scent and alerting all the other deer….
> If you have a stand set for a specific wind, make sure your route to get there won’t blow your scent through areas that may be holding deer. Even if you have to spend an extra hour taking the long way, it’s a lot better than sitting in a stand for hours without seeing any deer.
> During the rut, bucks aren’t just using the wind to stay alive, they’re using it to find does. Generally, a buck will walk in a crosswind, with the wind hitting the side of his face. This allows him to smell as much territory as possible while staying on the move. Pay special attention to prevailing winds and thermals during the rut.
> Another trick…purposely hunt an almost-wrong wind. Some older bucks almost refuse to move unless the wind is in their face. The way you kill one is you give him the wind — mostly. If you set up on the east side of his trail with a south-southwest breeze, even though you are upwind, there’s just enough angle to the breeze that he won’t scent you.
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Quote of the Week
“…I thought the 6-point was going to be my top dog for deer hunting this year. I didn’t think the Man Upstairs was going to bless me with another one.”
– LA’s Dylan Trim talkin’, who got blessed with this 250-lb 10-point BRUTE — happened on one of the few remaining days of the LA deer season:
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Shot of the Week
Here’s what our deer sisters used to looked like in the ’40s! These beautiful ladies were members of the Fergus Falls, MN Fish & Game Club. Lucille Soby (left) won the MN marksman championship in the 1940s, and they actually let her compete against the men. Bet THAT was a tense sitch!
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What’s the DB and who does it??
The DeerBlaster is a weekly roundup of the best, worst and funniest stuff about whitetail deer hunting culled from around the interwebz. We were kinda doing it already, just not the blastin’ it into your inbox part….
It’s put together by some deer nerds — Ted, Jay, Wade, couple more — from around the country. We excerpt content (and credit EVERYONE!), comment on content, do some original content — it’s an internet thing…. We do it because we can’t get enough deer hunting, hopefully you’re wired the same.
The DeerBlaster’s a work in progress, just like we are. Let us know what we can do better and thanks for readin’! Any issues, suggestions, whatever, just hit Reply to this email and we’ll get it. Thank you!
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