Vic Colfari
Well-known member
Hunted the weekend of November 9th-10th in central Montana. The country was rolling hills, dotted with pines, brushy draws and aspen stands -- classic whitetail country. Deer numbers were not exceptionally high, but sign was evident -- droppings, rubs and scrapes, etc.
With temps in the 40's and a light breeze, I set up in a long stand of Ponderosa pine about 2 miles in, and began a rattling sequence. In less than a minute, I noticed a flash of movement to my left. A buck was running in, nearly full speed. At about 60 yards, he put on the brakes, and scanned the area, looking for the "fight". I watched him through the scope briefly and decided to take him. One shot from the .30-06, and the work began. It caught me off guard on how quickly he responded, and thankfully he stopped where I had a clear path to shoot. I had him loaded up for the pack out, and had him on ice by about 3pm.
Hands down, rattling has to be my favorite way to hunt whitetails (yes, even in Montana). I definitely have to cover more ground, and bucks don't charge in on every set-up, but when it works, it is just that much sweeter.
With temps in the 40's and a light breeze, I set up in a long stand of Ponderosa pine about 2 miles in, and began a rattling sequence. In less than a minute, I noticed a flash of movement to my left. A buck was running in, nearly full speed. At about 60 yards, he put on the brakes, and scanned the area, looking for the "fight". I watched him through the scope briefly and decided to take him. One shot from the .30-06, and the work began. It caught me off guard on how quickly he responded, and thankfully he stopped where I had a clear path to shoot. I had him loaded up for the pack out, and had him on ice by about 3pm.
Hands down, rattling has to be my favorite way to hunt whitetails (yes, even in Montana). I definitely have to cover more ground, and bucks don't charge in on every set-up, but when it works, it is just that much sweeter.
