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Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
#8475456
12/14/21 04:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Posts: 17,721 |
Well really just took one dog. Hadn't been out since 2nd weekend in Nov.. Got to our place in Montague Sat at 1 and wanted to fill a feeder before the hunt so did that and noticed battery showed low and corn was directly under feeder from morning but didn't think much of it. We got in blind about 3:30 and bumped 4 doe who ran to next county. Then the cows came through for next 45 minutes thinking this sucks. I threw corn everywhere earlier and saw one doe hit some on a road so at least we saw a deer. Feeder should have gone off at 4:15 and didn't dangit. I walk down to it at 4:40 and sure enough battery had enough to barely spin so corn just fell directly down. Get back in blind and few more cows right in front of feeder. At 5 my son says he sees a deer behind feeder and sure enough it was a buck. He walked up to the pen and stood there for 10 minutes not moving. I recognize him from one picture taken in October over a mile away. He had a perfect rack on one side and weird on other. Didn't even think it was branched but after studying him I see a tine coming off the beam so he wasn't unbranched. He looked big and old though. Then I realized he was way wider than 13 inches so legal. He finally jumped in and ate corn I threw out earlier but never moved from quartering to. I wanted my boy to who is 16 and been hunting with me since he was 5 to get his buck. I say shoot that front shoulder with his 243 100 grain bullet. Deer never turned so he shot and he just jumped literally directly to his side and out of the pen. Son said he saw him standing in two places in the tree about 50 yards away but no shot andnhe was gone. Waited about 10 minutes to look for sign of shoot and any blood but nothing. Looked for about 100 yards and nothing. Son goes to where he saw him standing and found one nickel size blot of blood on a leaf. With dark and thick so no lung or heart dangit. Guys at camp offered to look but there was no way to know where he went so we drive back to camp thinking we will look in morning. It was already 34 degrees and going to be in low 20s. Just too marginal of a shot and could bump it. Then I knew what to do and texted a guy who knows everyone around there and ask if he knows of a tracker. He found one I think some have used but after going back and forth he says he can't make it so contacts another one. He puts me in touch with a guy out of Bryson and agrees to meet at 9:30 next morning. We have a good time at camp and he was at gate at 9:30 sharp with his dogs and buddy. Drive to feeder and dogs head out and nothing for 30 minutes. We get separated so my son and I are walking randomly with one dog and finally go back to pen. Then tracker comes back and said get your dragging shoes on!! Found him 400 yards away right before our deep dry creek. We drive to another blind that is closer and they drag him down and up the creek for us!! Awesome feeling my son got his first buck and I made sure did everything I could to recover it for him!! Was worth the $300 plus $100 tip!! Didn't know if meat was still good but was in low 20s so hung him up and cut into it and smelled horrible. I decided not to gut as bullet fragmented and was full of blood. I took the backstrapa and back hams. Still smelled bad from the blood but cleaned them up at home and put on ice and meat is perfect. Will take to Kubys tomorrow after resting. Deer was biggest body I have seen out there so was possibly bad genetic so no one shot him and grew old. Ended up being 17 inches inside and had 3 pts on the jacked up side. Super happy.for him finally. He had an opportunity to take a really big one for our place 3 years ago but was too scared and let me shoot him. That guy went 148. If we did this again I would have waited for a broadside shot for him to take.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475461
12/14/21 04:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,588
DQ Kid
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,588 |
Good story and recovery..
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475488
12/14/21 05:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,447
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,447 |
Glad it ended well. Cool buck.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475559
12/14/21 06:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,234
flintknapper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,234 |
Good outcome. Move the Lad up to a 7mm-08 and you can increase your shot angles. Recoil is barely more than the .243 but results (with a 140 bullet out to 300 yds.) are decidedly better. And IF you have 'hogs' better on them too.
Spartans ask not...how many, but where!
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475568
12/14/21 06:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,786
spacejunkie
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,786 |
Good one for the boy. Good for you for getting the dog.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475583
12/14/21 06:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 300
outdoorsmen54
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 300 |
I saw these photos on your trackers Facebook. He’s a pretty cool guy. And has great dogs. I’ve only had to use him once, but have stayed in touch. Congrats on the buck.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8475585
12/14/21 06:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,716
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475612
12/14/21 07:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052
Dodge_Rock
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052 |
Congrats to your son on his 1st buck. It's definitely an unusual trophy & he'll remember it forever. Good tracking dogs are priceless. I know it's a little bit different than deer trackers, but here's y'all a song to commemorate the success. Cheers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPXJLaswrDk
Last edited by Dodge_Rock; 12/14/21 07:37 PM.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475638
12/14/21 07:59 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091 |
Congrats to you and your hunter!
Charlie
Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50 M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475643
12/14/21 08:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,627
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,627 |
Care to share the trackers name?
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475657
12/14/21 08:22 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,995
Old Rabbit
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,995 |
Glad ya'll were able to recover your son's first deer. Also happy that some of the meat was salvageable .
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8475682
12/14/21 08:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 779
Double AC
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 779 |
Awesome hunt and deer. Please share trackers name/info or pm if you get a chance. My dog is good but always good to have a back up.
My .243 is my favorite whitetail gun. Have busted through plenty of front shoulders on that same shot with it and a good bullet. Have also seen a bullet ricochet off a single front side rib so I guess you can always have that rare “wish I brought the .270” moment.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Double AC]
#8476198
12/15/21 03:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721 |
Awesome hunt and deer. Please share trackers name/info or pm if you get a chance. My dog is good but always good to have a back up.
My .243 is my favorite whitetail gun. Have busted through plenty of front shoulders on that same shot with it and a good bullet. Have also seen a bullet ricochet off a single front side rib so I guess you can always have that rare “wish I brought the .270” moment.
Thanks everyone. I can say if you have blood but no deer, a dog is worth every penny. Known too many who give up or not look enough. Starting 3 years ago I have only used my sons 243 and everything was DRT or easy tracking job. My big buck went 200 yards but easy blood trail so it is all about shot placement. Only used a 30.06 before that on 60+ deer/pigs but that 243 shoots so nice. Every pig and doe we have shot has gone right down. Tracker was Quint Hare. Referred to us by Rcky Loftis and then Michael Moore. Said they have plenty of clients in the area lol.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8476222
12/15/21 04:10 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,083
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,083 |
Awesome hunt and deer. Please share trackers name/info or pm if you get a chance. My dog is good but always good to have a back up.
My .243 is my favorite whitetail gun. Have busted through plenty of front shoulders on that same shot with it and a good bullet. Have also seen a bullet ricochet off a single front side rib so I guess you can always have that rare “wish I brought the .270” moment.
Thanks everyone. I can say if you have blood but no deer, a dog is worth every penny. Known too many who give up or not look enough. Starting 3 years ago I have only used my sons 243 and everything was DRT or easy tracking job. My big buck went 200 yards but easy blood trail so it is all about shot placement. Only used a 30.06 before that on 60+ deer/pigs but that 243 shoots so nice. Every pig and doe we have shot has gone right down. Tracker was Quint Hare. Referred to us by Rcky Loftis and then Michael Moore. Said they have plenty of clients in the area lol. Nothing wrong with a 243, been killing deer and pigs with one for 27 years. Plenty of gun, just hit your mark. Bullets are important.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: skinnerback]
#8476226
12/15/21 04:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721 |
Awesome hunt and deer. Please share trackers name/info or pm if you get a chance. My dog is good but always good to have a back up.
My .243 is my favorite whitetail gun. Have busted through plenty of front shoulders on that same shot with it and a good bullet. Have also seen a bullet ricochet off a single front side rib so I guess you can always have that rare “wish I brought the .270” moment.
Thanks everyone. I can say if you have blood but no deer, a dog is worth every penny. Known too many who give up or not look enough. Starting 3 years ago I have only used my sons 243 and everything was DRT or easy tracking job. My big buck went 200 yards but easy blood trail so it is all about shot placement. Only used a 30.06 before that on 60+ deer/pigs but that 243 shoots so nice. Every pig and doe we have shot has gone right down. Tracker was Quint Hare. Referred to us by Rcky Loftis and then Michael Moore. Said they have plenty of clients in the area lol. Nothing wrong with a 243, been killing deer and pigs with one for 27 years. Plenty of gun, just hit your mark. Bullets are important. What do you like? We shoot Hornady American Whitetail 100 gr. Luckily have 1.5 boxes but that is it and have not seen a single 243 box in a store for a year now. Looks like plenty online though.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8476234
12/15/21 04:26 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,083
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,083 |
Awesome hunt and deer. Please share trackers name/info or pm if you get a chance. My dog is good but always good to have a back up.
My .243 is my favorite whitetail gun. Have busted through plenty of front shoulders on that same shot with it and a good bullet. Have also seen a bullet ricochet off a single front side rib so I guess you can always have that rare “wish I brought the .270” moment.
Thanks everyone. I can say if you have blood but no deer, a dog is worth every penny. Known too many who give up or not look enough. Starting 3 years ago I have only used my sons 243 and everything was DRT or easy tracking job. My big buck went 200 yards but easy blood trail so it is all about shot placement. Only used a 30.06 before that on 60+ deer/pigs but that 243 shoots so nice. Every pig and doe we have shot has gone right down. Tracker was Quint Hare. Referred to us by Rcky Loftis and then Michael Moore. Said they have plenty of clients in the area lol. Nothing wrong with a 243, been killing deer and pigs with one for 27 years. Plenty of gun, just hit your mark. Bullets are important. What do you like? We shoot Hornady American Whitail 100 gr. Luckily have 1.5 boxes and have not seen a single 243 box in a store for a year now. For my grown up kids I started them off with 100 grain Remington Core Lokts, they work great and I used them for many years. Then I switched to 95 grain Winchester Silver Tips. My youngest boy shot both of his deer with Silvertips. Those are the only two bullets I have used in a 243, and they both work well if you do your part. I have killed an awful lot of pigs with a 243, and some big nasty ones too. I have no personal experience with the Hornady American Whitetail 100 gr rounds, but I'd bet money if you put that bullet where it's supposed to go it will work just fine.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8476362
12/15/21 12:58 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794
ILUVBIGBUCKS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794 |
I am glad they were able to find him for you and your boy. Congrats to him on his first buck.
High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8476416
12/15/21 01:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,283
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,283 |
Congrats to your son on a fine first buck Good job getting a tracking dog involved for the recovery
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8480064
12/19/21 04:36 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Posts: 17,721 |
Thanks. I just checked the cam setup at this feeder that was on late October to last weekend when he got him. This buck is not on a single pic. Only mature bucks on cam were one day late Oct, 11/17 to 11/20 and 11/24 & 11/26. Kinda tells you when the rut it. And oh boy did we miss out on a giant that showed one day. Very happy to get this guy. Bucks don't hit feeders where we hunt.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8480172
12/19/21 01:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,220
Big8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,220 |
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8480228
12/19/21 02:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,279
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,279 |
Congrats, enjoyed the read
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: TEXASLEFTY]
#8480246
12/19/21 02:44 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 |
Congrats, enjoyed the read
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8480266
12/19/21 02:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,149
Espy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,149 |
Glad your son was able to his buck. He will remember that hunt forever.
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Re: Tracking Dogs Work - Sons First Buck
[Re: Txduckman]
#8480313
12/19/21 03:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,385
Biscuit
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