Drycreek
Well-Known Member
Welcome Jax, to the forum and to hunting. I was much like you in that nobody in my family hunted, but that was probably because we didn't have any deer here when I was a kid. So first, I became a squirrel and duck hunter. I almost lived in the woods as a kid, and was lucky enough to be trusted with a .22 rifle at 12 or 13 years old. Squirrels and rabbits were my quarry. I was 18 before I saw my first whitetails, and believe me, white tails were all I saw ! I made every mistake in the book and invented some of my own. The advice to go slow is excellent advice ! In fact, if you're in a good spot, don't go at all. Sit down and wait. More deer are killed by sitting than moving in the woods.
Permission to hunt private here in E Texas is almost non existent so I hunted on National Forest land. When I started bow hunting, we had to share the woods with squirrel hunters, and I never even drew back on a public land deer. Of course at that time, there were very few deer here. Later in life, I hunted on leases, or hunting clubs, then I became successful as a bowhunter.
To address your question of what to do with a carcass: I'm sure there is at least a few vids on utube showing how to skin and quarter. You'll need a good sharp knife and a hacksaw would be nice, or pruning loppers, to take the leg bones off. Just quarter the deer up, put it in an ice chest and take it to a processor. Drain the bloody water off a couple times and add ice. I've done it dozens of times and it results in delicious venison for the table. I wish you were closer to me, I could let you practice on pigs !
Good luck Jax, and keep us informed !
I re-read your first post and just had to come back to say this. Go ! Go hunting even if you don't know what the hell you're doing. That will come later, and meanwhile you'll be gathering intel and having fun. If you don't have fun in the woods, even if you don't kill something, take up golf !
Permission to hunt private here in E Texas is almost non existent so I hunted on National Forest land. When I started bow hunting, we had to share the woods with squirrel hunters, and I never even drew back on a public land deer. Of course at that time, there were very few deer here. Later in life, I hunted on leases, or hunting clubs, then I became successful as a bowhunter.
To address your question of what to do with a carcass: I'm sure there is at least a few vids on utube showing how to skin and quarter. You'll need a good sharp knife and a hacksaw would be nice, or pruning loppers, to take the leg bones off. Just quarter the deer up, put it in an ice chest and take it to a processor. Drain the bloody water off a couple times and add ice. I've done it dozens of times and it results in delicious venison for the table. I wish you were closer to me, I could let you practice on pigs !
Good luck Jax, and keep us informed !
I re-read your first post and just had to come back to say this. Go ! Go hunting even if you don't know what the hell you're doing. That will come later, and meanwhile you'll be gathering intel and having fun. If you don't have fun in the woods, even if you don't kill something, take up golf !
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