SPA Modeler

Wow, what a nice loot! How do you manage to get it out of the woods or are you braking it right there? And how much time does it cost you until all's in the fridge?

Oh, and one more question: How deep penetrates the quarrel after a 40 yards flight?

mostrich wrote:Wow, what a nice loot! How do you manage to get it out of the woods or are you braking it right there? And how much time does it cost you until all's in the fridge?

Oh, and one more question: How deep penetrates the quarrel after a 40 yards flight?

For getting the deer out of the woods....first, gotta track it down and find it. "Field dressing" (removing the guts) lightens the load by about 40 pounds. This particular deer was in the 150-160lb range, on the hoof. I made a deer drag with a piece of rope and wood handle. I just wrap the front legs over the neck/head, loop the rope (has a slip knot) around legs and neck and drag her out. This is a billion time easier than trying to drag it out by the legs or head alone...they slide along a lot easier and don't get hung up in all the undergrowth.

Time-wise...the shot only takes a moment....then the time starts. For this one...the shot was at 6:47pm. I knew it was a good hit, left the stand and brought my gear back to the house (roughly 250 yards) to drop it off. Went back out, found where the shot was at, tracked the blood trail for about 75 yards, field dressed and had her back in the yard at 9pm. Took a break for some dinner, then some pics and got her strung up in the garage. The basic processing will take about 4-5 hours...another 2-3 to trim off all the gristle and membrane for the bits that will get burgered. All in all...after the shot, there's about 10 hours (+/-) of work to get the animal from hoof to freezer. Add a couple more for making jerky and sausage.

Arrow/bolt penetration is still very good at 40 yards...even for this cheap crossbow I have. She was slightly quartered away, so I aimed for the last rib on the left side, bolt came out (partially) just behind the right shoulder...passing through both lungs. I found the bolt about 1/2 way between the shot and where the deer ended...probably snagged on a sapling as she passed it, and pulled it out. I've had bolts pass through completely at 40 yards..but ya gotta get the bolt between the rib bones on both sides!

Mmmmm... Venison beef jerky. Haven't had those in years. Sadly, I don't do any hunting. Nowadays it's a rarity my bro-in-law gives me venison or jerky. So it's been 10 years since he gave me any. I still crave it though more than my wife does.

Out of curiosity, how many pounds of meat do you get out of a single deer?

Paul wrote:ummmmmm Back strap. I have some new seasoning rub that I am itching to try on some venison.

What's back-strap?

BlackSheep214 wrote:Mmmmm... Venison beef jerky. Haven't had those in years. Sadly, I don't do any hunting. Nowadays it's a rarity my bro-in-law gives me venison or jerky. So it's been 10 years since he gave me any. I still crave it though more than my wife does.

Out of curiosity, how many pounds of meat do you get out of a single deer?

I make the best jerky I've ever had!!! Yes, I do toot my own horn, when it comes to making anything venison!
If ya tasted it, then put a piece on top yer head, yer tongue'll lap yer brain out tryin to get to it!!!

Each deer is different, as could be expected. A yearling (80-90lbs) will yield around 20-30 lbs of table fare. A year and a half old (like this one) will be around 50-ish lbs of meat. My biggest deer, I got around 100 lbs from...but he was an old brute, in the 300lb range...MONSTER!!!! Believe it or not, he was taken out at 95 yards, with my bow. I had no business lobbing an arrow at such a magnificent animal at such a distance. Arrow came down, right between the ribs and straight into the heart.

Manny1943 wrote:

Paul wrote:ummmmmm Back strap. I have some new seasoning rub that I am itching to try on some venison.

What's back-strap?

Filet mignon!!!

Fermis wrote:

BlackSheep214 wrote:Mmmmm... Venison beef jerky. Haven't had those in years. Sadly, I don't do any hunting. Nowadays it's a rarity my bro-in-law gives me venison or jerky. So it's been 10 years since he gave me any. I still crave it though more than my wife does.

Out of curiosity, how many pounds of meat do you get out of a single deer?

I make the best jerky I've ever had!!! Yes, I do toot my own horn, when it comes to making anything venison!
If ya tasted it, then put a piece on top yer head, yer tongue'll lap yer brain out tryin to get to it!!!

Each deer is different, as could be expected. A yearling (80-90lbs) will yield around 20-30 lbs of table fare. A year and a half old (like this one) will be around 50-ish lbs of meat. My biggest deer, I got around 100 lbs from...but he was an old brute, in the 300lb range...MONSTER!!!! Believe it or not, he was taken out at 95 yards, with my bow. I had no business lobbing an arrow at such a magnificent animal at such a distance. Arrow came down, right between the ribs and straight into the heart.

I love your jerky and want to eat it...


A pic of that 100 yard kill would be kinda nice...

Manny1943 wrote:

A pic of that 100 yard kill would be kinda nice...

Top left, closest to the elk...

Fermis wrote:Gettin closer!!!





Just gotta add the canopy, stores and RBF flags.

On a side note...had a great day!
Got off work early...got home, got the leaves blown off into the woods, mowed the lawn for the last time and put the tractor into hibernation...cut down a couple few limbs and had an hour of daylight to spare! I decided to kill that hour, in the deer woods. I fully expected to see nothing, as there has been very little sign of any deer activity in my woods. Figured I'd relax for that hour, just enjoying the woods, then hit the bench. Normally, I won't use my crossbow, unil I've taken at least one deer with the regular bow, but given the pinched nerves, the bow is out.
This one presented a clean shot at 40 yards, which is my self imposed limit for the crossbow (25 yards for regular bow).



So much for only an hour in the woods!
I'm paying dearly for it now...lots of pain...totally worth it!!!

Fermis wrote:

Manny1943 wrote:

A pic of that 100 yard kill would be kinda nice...

Top left, closest to the elk...

Now that's what I call a Man Cave!