My Elliot Deer

[hopalong]

So I am new to hunting, this being my first year. We went out every single day of modern deer. If I learned nothing else, I have learned a lot about a buck in rut!

Early after noon, we stopped at a decent clear cut and I got out of the car to look over a ledge. Mostly admiring all the fresh sign. I turned around to look at the clear cut and seen a hopper!! In the entire time, I had not seen one close like that!! So, in my excitement, I ran down (with my dislocated knee) and yelled "Woo! A deer!" (rather loudly). i ran past the car and straight up the hill. Never seen it again.

Got back in the car to check out another hot spot. I felt rather defeated at this point and was quite unprepared. We stopped to check out a dead possum in a tree, and came around the corner to see the biggest buck with the widest spread I have ever seen head down in the middle of the road!!!

What? You want to know if I shot him?? Jeez guys, be patient!!

At this point I'm a little stunned. Then it hits me that this is my Elliot (open season, check it out) and I need his head on my wall!!! So I'm fumbling with my gun trying to get the damn clip in and chamber the damn thing. Then it gets caught on the floor as I am trying to open the door. I finally get out and this guy is still standing there, staring at me.

(remember how I told you this is my first hunt? Well I am a tad nervous about shot placement. I will not take a shot that I dont think will kill it. Cant have half dead deer running around right?)

So I move left slightly, raise up and...

GOD DAMN SUN!!!! Right in my scope and blinding me!!!!!  But he doesn't run! No he prances! To the brush line and then back out in front of me!

Needless to say, every time I get in the truck or am near my hunting partners I get teased endlessly!!

[Buckslaya]

Where's the punch line? 

[highside74]

That's two minutes I'll never get back. I don't know what just happened there. 

[poohdog]

Maybe he was dreaming? Got he hooked! 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Dream for sure. That kind of stuff doesn't happen in the real world?

[hopalong]

Sorry aboout the waste of time. No this was not a dream... happened and I still kick my self in the butt for it. Just a few days before the end of modern. My hubby was so pissed as was my daughter.

[highside74]

A women... makes a little more sense as to the writing style I guess. But what is an elliot deer?

You can't just show up tell a story that is all over the place not let us know you were a women hunting with your husband for the first time and havee a crazy name for a missed deer and expect us to follow along.  Or is it just me? I even read it again and it helps knowing that you are a women hunting with her husband but how were we to know that.

I'm glad you are hunting with your family. Now tell us more about you do we can enjiy your hunt with you.

I'm picturing a husband saying holy cap hurry up and a wife saying my bullets are on the floor... why are you so excited?

By the way I say this in a kind and understanding way. Its sometimes hard to gauge if someone is writing nice or not.

[shadowless_nite]

A women... makes a little more sense as to the writing style I guess. But what is an elliot deer?

You can't just show up tell a story that is all over the place not let us know you were a women hunting with your husband for the first time and havee a crazy name for a missed deer and expect us to follow along.  Or is it just me? I even read it again and it helps knowing that you are a women hunting with her husband but how were we to know that.

I'm glad you are hunting with your family. Now tell us more about you do we can enjiy your hunt with you.

I'm picturing a husband saying holy cap hurry up and a wife saying my bullets are on the floor... why are you so excited?

By the way I say this in a kind and understanding way. Its sometimes hard to gauge if someone is writing nice or not.

I believe the name "Elliot' is in reference to the children's movie Open Season and he is one of the main characters  who is a deer and rather goofy.

[RadSav]

Sounds like the first year taking my wife rifle hunting.  I had never heard her use such language  

Although I'm not sure what a "hopper" is   I can relate!  My wife's first buck with a rifle was also a mess to get the scope on because of the sun.  She kept asking me if that was him above the stump and I kept telling her, "There is no *&^%* stump!"  Then a few second later she asked again, "Is that him above the stump?"    I could see really well with the binoculars and there was no *&^%* stump!! 

If nothing else it sounds like you had a good time.  It's good to see that!



Perhaps you should have used the truck instead of the rifle with the sun in your eyes   open season scene

[Coreym8565]

I love this post. Getting ready to take my other half worth me for late buck. I can only imagine she'll be doing something similar :: chuckle:: She's very excited to try something new. Still a great story for an amazing first hunt 

Sent from my LG-LS840 using Tapatalk

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

I was lost about the Elliot deer thanks for clearing that up.  very strange story!

[Mike450r]

Loading the rifle in a clumsy rush before you get out of the vehicle???   

You didn't deserve that deer.  You could have at best shot a round through the floor,  at worst a person.

Hope you learned the most important lesson that I can see from the story.  Calm down a little and load outside of the vehicle.

[deltaops]

Loading the rifle in a clumsy rush before you get out of the vehicle???   

You didn't deserve that deer.  You could have at best shot a round through the floor,  at worst a person.

Hope you learned the most important lesson that I can see from the story.  Calm down a little and load outside of the vehicle.

That's what I was thinking as well! I have fumbled trying to get my magazine out of my coat pocket, but never loaded my rifle before getting out of my vehicle.  Oh I forgot to mention it is illegal too!

[h20hunter]

Wow.....if this thread is for real the OP needs to rethink a few things. Can you please very specific about where this was....folks will want to stay way the heck away if you are loading your weapon in the vehicle (and doing a terrible job of it) and considering shooting a deer standing in the middle of the road.

You can't be serious about this.

[chukar58]

I am happy that you did not have an accident.  That is one hunt you will never forget a hopper and an Elliot all in the same day!

[hopalong]

Wow I do need to clarify!! My children where with us, and illegal or not I would never put them into jeopardy. I was looking for the clip. After struggling to get out of the vehicle, I chambered the damn thing. The spot he was was not a road, presay, but a well beaten path. And I did not take a shot because I never had a clear shot.

As for others staying away?? Lol my area is too crowded as it is....

either way, I will never forget my first hunt. We seen many more, but I lost confidence after that and no shots fired.

[h20hunter]

So I'm fumbling with my gun trying to get the damn clip in and chamber the damn thing. Then it gets caught on the floor as I am trying to open the door. I finally get out and this guy is still standing there, staring at me.

Then I suppose you should edit your post. In my mind you have now just made it worse. In your words you say you are trying to get the clip in and "chamber the damn thing". THEN it gets caught on the floor as you are trying to open the door.

WITH KIDS IN THE CAR!!!!!!!!!

[h20hunter]

The spot he was was not a road, presay, but a well beaten path. And I did not take a shot because I never had a clear shot.

Go ahead and clarify this one as well for us. If it is more of a well beaten path that you are driving on what makes you think it is even remotely a good idea to fire a gun at a deer standing on it. If you are driving a car on this well beaten path that is not a road and it is crowded like you say it is you must be crazy or ignorant.

Yes, I'm coming across harshly but you are posting about behaviour that is clearly illegal, unethical, and downright dangerous to others.

[Netminder01]

Wow I do need to clarify!! My children where with us, and illegal or not I would never put them into jeopardy. I was looking for the clip. After struggling to get out of the vehicle, I chambered the damn thing. The spot he was was not a road, presay, but a well beaten path. And I did not take a shot because I never had a clear shot.

As for others staying away?? Lol my area is too crowded as it is....

either way, I will never forget my first hunt. We seen many more, but I lost confidence after that and no shots fired.

Hopalong - you might see where this thread is headed.  Not only did you appear to take some liberties with weapon safety but you have to ask yourself the kind of example you're setting for the kids let alone general safety issues and shot selection.

You'll quickly find most people on this forum are responsible hunters and won't take too kindly to reading this post.  On one hand, we're happy you have the passion so many of us have for hunting but on the other hand, this is not the best way to introduce yourself to the rest of this forum.  I expect this thread to pick up momentum with others voicing concern - just so you know where it's coming from.

Net

[h20hunter]

My $1 bet is the OP will get either fully deleted or heavily edited with the story ever changing.

[bowhunterwa87]

Now you did it. Ill be checking on this thread all day!

[deltaops]

I am glad my first post didn't carry on like this.  It was close though.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Now that some of the story has been clarified by the OP. This leads us into the controversy of ROAD HUNTERS!!!! 

[Netminder01]

I guess the larger question I'm milling around is if Hopalong did this with kids and hubby in the car, I highly doubt it was an impromptu decision to road hunt, is this something done on a regular basis?

Is hubby part of this forum? I sure would like to understand some context around this and why this seemed like a good idea at the time.

[h20hunter]

Nothing wrong with road hunting. Road hunt all you want. What is wrong is loading your clip, attempting to chamber a round, and hoping to take a shot at a deer that is clearly standing in the middle of a road.

[D-Rock425]

Nothing wrong with road hunting. Road hunt all you want. What is wrong is loading your clip, attempting to chamber a round, and hoping to take a shot at a deer that is clearly standing in the middle of a road.

nothing wrong with road hunting .  If you want to road hunt go to Safeway foe heaven sake.  Get off your lazy bums and put some effort into it.

[Button Nubbs]

Nothing wrong with road hunting. Road hunt all you want. What is wrong is loading your clip, attempting to chamber a round, and hoping to take a shot at a deer that is clearly standing in the middle of a road.

nothing wrong with road hunting .  If you want to road hunt go to Safeway foe heaven sake.  Get off your lazy bums and put some effort into it.

I love road hunters, more elk for me! The last 2 years I've killed bulls within ear shot of the road.

[deerhunter_98520]

Nothing wrong with road hunting. Road hunt all you want. What is wrong is loading your clip, attempting to chamber a round, and hoping to take a shot at a deer that is clearly standing in the middle of a road.

nothing wrong with road hunting .  If you want to road hunt go to Safeway foe heaven sake.  Get off your lazy bums and put some effort into it.

what about the guys that can't physically get off the road? That's all they can do...they suppose to just give up hunting? My grandpa was a logger his whole life and now is paying for it...he has to road hunt...I don't expect or want him to give up hunting because of his limitations 

[h20hunter]

Don't think anyone is referring to disabled in any way. Only referring to the illegal and unethical actions taken by the OP....I'd bet your gramps knows the regs and abides by them when he is out hunting, especially with the limitations he has.

[D-Rock425]

I'm not referring to disabled hunt I'm referring to the able hunters that do nothing but drive roads and have guys ready to shoot.  I understand about disabled hunters trust me my dad has his disabled hunter permit. 

[deerhunter_98520]

I agree with you guys then 

[RadSav]

The resident H-W wolf pack needs to take a break from their recent feeding frenzy.  Give it a break guys.  You can say what you feel in a post then move on.  No need to get any more members to leave this sight because you gang up and beat the horse to death.

[Button Nubbs]

Don't think anyone is referring to disabled in any way. Only referring to the illegal and unethical actions taken by the OP....I'd bet your gramps knows the regs and abides by them when he is out hunting, especially with the limitations he has.

Let it go quarterback.

[blacktail luv]

So many guys do everything perfect on here...I love this sight but it's getting a little ridiculous now days.

[bearpaw]

If some of you internet wolves don't back off from attacking everyone who makes a post I'm going to be handing out some bans.

There's no need to attack everyone who makes a post on this forum. If you want to offer some advice and help to someone new to hunting please do it in a friendly manner. But these posts attacking everyone who makes a post is going to end. 

[bearpaw]

There is nothing wrong with road hunting when done legally. There are some hunters who look down on road hunting and seem to think they are better than anyone who road hunts, but as long as it's done legally and ethically then I see nothing wrong with it. My advice would be that you need to be out of the vehicle before you load your gun and please pay attention for private property. Always think safety first and please follow the hunting laws. Good luck on future hunts, I hope to hear about your experiences. 

[bearpaw]

There is nothing wrong with road hunting when done legally. There are some hunters who look down on road hunting and seem to think they are better than anyone who road hunts, but as long as it's done legally and ethically then I see nothing wrong with it. My advice would be that you need to be out of the vehicle before you load your gun and please pay attention for private property. Always think safety first and please follow the hunting laws. Good luck on future hunts, I hope to hear about your experiences. 

There are a lot of good members on the forum who are willing to help you with most any questions you may have. Don't let the nasty comments of a few rude members run you off. 

[Jonathan_S]

Whew!  I missed this thread   

Lots of guys have blue b*lls because they didn't get a deer early season and are waiting for this week to hurry up.

The only thing I have to say to the OP is, make sure you're being safe and remember "slow is smooth, smooth is fast"  Although I have had some pretty flustered attempts trying to load a .22 to shoot a grouse on the side of the road   

Did nobody else almost die laughing from RadSav's post on the first page?   

[hopalong]

The point I didnt make was that this was MY buck of a lifetime, and I completely  messed it up.

The first week of modern deer, I did not drive at all. I injured my knee so bad I cant really walk 10 steps, let alone 10 miles. Believe me when I say I would much rather be out walking rather than in a truck with my butt falling asleep.

This incident has taught me a lot, and so has posting on here. Was my actions unsafe, yes. Do I regret every single bit of what happened? Yes. But, hind sight is 20/20 and now I know what not to do.

Also, I may not know many of you out side of here, but the size of that thing (Elliot) was something not many people would have not taken a shot on, which I did not.

[Jonathan_S]

I laugh every time I read or think of a deer named Elliot   

I saw a few hoppers tonight