Alabama Deer

[utah400elk]

The government has me moving around a ton and life has gotten very busy.

Every year I have posted me and my son doing adventure hunt. This year got away from me. Christian is a freshman in high school and the government has moved me to Huntsville, AL.

A little family update for those who remember my elk hunting post for my son.

Christian decided he wanted to swim in high school and is swimming for James Clemens HS in Madison AL. I am working on Redstone Arsenal and hopefully there are no more moves for my family (fingers , 7 is enough).

Christian has really grown into a great swimmer. He took 6th in the state in the hundred backstroke and 7th in the 500 free. Not bad for a 14 year old. The real highlight was the day after state finals he was able to swim his best event, the 200 back which was not available in the state high school meet. He swam the 3rd fastest time in the nation for his age group. I am very proud of him.

I took my friends son on an elk hunt in CO and he got his first elk. I also went on an elk hunt with another great friend in CO. Both were cow hunts but we had a blast.

A

 

[Flatbrimmer]

Dang, having to move around like that sounds rough… Glad to see such a positive attitude though, and that’s bad to the bone about your son! Keep it up! There’s no better therapy than being in the water, and his therapy might just take him around the world if he keeps training!! Happy to wake up and read stories like this. You’re a good dude @utah400elk !

 

[utah400elk]

I had high hopes of a live action hunt thread for Christian this year. He had drawn a TX whitetail hunt. Believe it or not there are a few really good public land whitetail draw hunts in TX. However, right before the trip Christian started to feel a little “funky”. When we arrived in TX it developed into a full blown flu. He missed a few days of scouting but made opening day. We eased into a draw where I had been seeing a few great bucks. As we were settling in for the evening hunt he saturated coughing and couldn’t stop. A very nice 140-150 class buck bolted. He took a shoot but it was a clean miss. The hunt was a bust. From then on. It was a small section of land. We saw several does but no more bucks.
There is a nice buck in the 2nd picture but it was last light and cell phone so not sure if you can see it.

 

[utah400elk]

We had a great Christmas and are getting ready for next years draws. Christian and his coach think he will make US jr nationals this March and be looking at Senior Nationals/Olympic trials in the next two years. Man they grow quick.

 

[utah400elk]

Now to the fun stuff. Whitetail rut if in full swing in northern AL. We have until February to hunt the Arsenal and we are having a blast.

Christian is hunting on his own, I am only a couple hundred yards away but he is in a climber by himself hunting with muzzleloader. We are seeing a ton of deer and having a blast. Nothing huge yet but I will try and post a few pictures as the season goes on. The rut will go into February here so we still have a few weeks. I am in a tree overlooking the Tennessee river in a tree saddle (first year in saddle for me) this morning. I had a huge bobcat come buy and four deer with a nice buck, no shots. If Christian is up to it, he and I will be out tonight and or tomorrow.

 

[utah400elk]

There have been a couple hurdles this year. Christin is big enough to shoot my 257 Weatherby (he told me it is now his) and he has permanently taken possession of my Knight Muzzle loader. I keep telling my wife I am not happy about it as I replace the guns he has commandeered. I really don’t want to do it but, what’s a proud dad to do?

I might have gone overboard. I now have four muzzle loaders for the two of us and my rifle collection is quickly growing.

 

[utah400elk]

And just that quick…buck down!

 

[utah400elk]

My buck from yesterday. I thought he was bigger. Oh well. Have another buck tag. Christian and I are back at it this afternoon.

 

[utah400elk]

I have another decent buck within range but it’s behind Christian. It gets a pass tonight as we enter the last hour and 15 min of shooting light

 

[utah400elk]

Christian is right in the main “y”of the limb. He is 180 yards away

 

[utah400elk]

Texts from Christian….

I see a raccoon.

Then immediately…

And a deer.

He has 5 deer out in front of him now. All about 50-70 yards

 

[utah400elk]

Christian now has a huge buck to his right

 

[utah400elk]

Two bucks fighting 85 yards from Christian now.

 

[utah400elk]

Christian now has two does in front of him. One at 13 yards and one at 23. They big buck is grunting like crazy just out of range to his right

 

[mxracer317]

We had a great Christmas and are getting ready for next years draws. Christian and his coach think he will make US jr nationals this March and be looking at Senior Nationals/Olympic trials in the next two years. Man they grow quick.View attachment 259633View attachment 259638View attachment 259637View attachment 259640

Ha! That shirt is awesome. Who made them?

 

[utah400elk]

I did as a gag gift for my wife and son. They got a good laugh

 

[LCH]

@utah400elk
Any hog sign around there?

 

[utah400elk]

No hogs sighted. The night ended without any shots. I had an opportunity at a 130 class buck but passed. Christian had a huge buck that would easily go 150…if it had not snapped off the main beam on his left side. He had it at 40 yards but elected to pass. We know there is a huge buck in the area. Christian was watching the does and heard a noise behind him and turned quickly. He locked eyes with our target buck that is legit pushing 170. I have seen him twice and the local game warden knows he is in there. We are keeping the buck quiet because the game warden would like to see Christian get that buck.
Christian had turkey, ducks, raccoon and a ton of deer all around him. He had one doe walk directly under his stand.

We are off until next week but why an awesome night in January.

 

[utah400elk]

Sorry, the shirts were made at Shutterfly and were really inexpensive.

 

[duckhunt]

Great hunt, looking forward to more updates.