PA deer stand pics

[Frank Srebro]

Today was the last day of our PA two week regular deer season, buck and doe were concurrent since last Saturday, no Sunday hunting. I hunted mainly for a particular big buck nearby my home. I didn’t see him over the six days I spent in the woods and as far as I know no one took that buck, the word would have passed pretty quickly if so. Over those days I passed up two small but legal bucks, and saw one big spiker and probably 35-40 does. I bought an antlerless license too but didn’t use it – trying to make up for past sins. :whistle:

I’m posting some cell phone pics taken from one of my stands where a sidehill trail converges with another one on a flat. Two rifles are shown, one is my Model 70 in 300 Win Mag that was born as a 264 Westerner. Now on her second 300 barrel and third stock, she’s been with me since I was a young pup and we've hunted in some good far away places. The other rifle is the familiar Krag sporter I wrote about on another thread. I also hunted with a 348 Model 71 but the cell was on the counter at home that day.

Old schooling it but effective, just a pile of rocks with a cushion that’s been my seat there for many years. Same setup as when I was a kid. Enjoy the view!

[Jay Gardner]

A lot to be said about sitting on the ground, old school, like having a unrestricted view of the world and the ability to hear every sound. There is a lot one can take in while waiting for a buck to appear.

[Garry L Gordon]

Old School is the way to go. You've inspired me to take my old Savage 99 in 250-3000 (I had someone load me a couple of boxes using the original 87 grain bullet) next year. I just like sitting in the woods with a good rifle some days. Thanks for posting those pictures.

[King Brown]

My oldest and dearest friend, who died last year at 101, only used a Savage 250-3,000 on deer. I called it a "popgun" but so impressed with its accuracy in good hands I bought one and haven't regretted it. I prefer 100gr bullet.

[Dean Romig]

I have spent fifty-six Vermont deer seasons still-hunting and sitting on my Therm-a-Seat 1” foam pad (just like yours Frank, and made right here in MA) sometimes in the same place year after year, but usually where I find a lot of activity. I always carry pruning clippers so I can make the best of a new spot or where there is new growth in an old spot.
I don’t trust myself in a tree stand even with a full body harness. Sitting in the right spot on the ground is just the ticket for me.

I shot a buck at 12 feet from where I sat that never knew I was there.





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[Stephen Hodges]

I agree with all on the "sitting on the ground" method instead of in a tree. Was a time when I would not Deer hunt on the ground, HAD to be in a tree stand. Not anymore. Warmer, every bit as effective, IMO, and I am not going to break my back falling off my Lowes five gallon bucket:)

[charlie cleveland]

my stand is like most of you boys a bucket a rock pile a good stump or even a pile of leaves ...i do get in shooting house from time to time...but my folding chair with string as a sling is my main sitting poistion no telling how many turkeys i have shot out of this chair.....i too use differant old guns while hunting all game my deer guns are my 8 ga lifter parker my 10 ga parker a 1894 remington 12 ga a 16x16x7x57r drilling a 270 remington pump a 1903 remington 30-06 a 25-20 remington pump head shots only...a 30-30 marlin a 45 long colt winchester and the list goes on.....charlie

[Frank Srebro]

Anyone interested in old school eastern deer hunting, period rifles, equipment and such would do well to get a copy of Shots at Whitetails by Larry R Koller. Mr. Koller was an extraordinary deer hunter and writer. He started his book in the 1930's, finishing it after the War. It was first published I believe in 1948. Reprints are available on eBay etc. Incidentally Larry was a huge fan of the 250-3000 cartridge in the Model 99 Savage.

[Dean Romig]

Anyone interested in old-school eastern deer hunting, period rifles and such would do well to get a copy of Shots at Whitetails by Larry R Koller. Mr. Koller was an extraordinary deer hunter and writer. He started his book in the 1930's, finishing it after the War. It was first published I believe in 1948. Reprints are available on eBay etc. Incidentally Larry was a huge fan of the 250-3000 cartridge in the Model 99 Savage.

Frank - I just finished reading it and returned it to my hunting and fishing pal of some forty years - And it was a first edition. A great book with some very classic Northeastern deer hunting lore and customs of the day.





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[Dean Romig]

Pics from some of my ground sits.

The little buck with the broken off antler I took in 2007 from the ground 75 yards into the woods from a hot inside corner.

That's a moose in the saplings in the 3rd picture... Gosh! I was hoping that big animal was a buck.

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[Rich Anderson]

For years I took a five gallon pail with me. It carried my hot seat, thermos, lunch, binoculars ect. When I'd get to where I was hunting it became a seat. So far I've used 6 rifles since November 15. This pm the 275 Rigby comes out again.

[CraigThompson]

I have spent fifty-six Vermont deer seasons still-hunting and sitting on my Therm-a-Seat 1” foam pad (just like yours Frank, and made right here in MA) sometimes in the same place year after year, but usually where I find a lot of activity. I always carry pruning clippers so I can make the best of a new spot or where there is new growth in an old spot.
I don’t trust myself in a tree stand even with a full body harness. Sitting in the right spot on the ground is just the ticket for me.

I shot a buck at 12 feet from where I sat that never knew I was there.





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56 :eek:

Geeez I've only been on the face of the earth 57 1/2 years :whistle:

I suppose you could say I took to the trees a little later then some . I used to lay between two blow down trees . Dunno if I ever got one at 12 feet but if I haven't I didn't miss it by much .

I really enjoy sitting in a climbing treestand 30-35 feet up . Strapped in etc , I've taken many many naps up that high . I've got 6 or 7 climbers that you'd have to make a concerted effort to fall out of .

In the last 10 years I've gotten to where I like deer hunting/driving with some friends the last 2 or 3 days of the season . That's more of a social thing , although a deer or two are killed some years .

I also occasionally like the pop up covered ground blinds ESPECIALLY if it's raining . Been known to take a nap or two inside one of those things sitting in a bag chair while it's pouring outside .

[CraigThompson]

Anyone interested in old school eastern deer hunting, period rifles, equipment and such would do well to get a copy of Shots at Whitetails by Larry R Koller. Mr. Koller was an extraordinary deer hunter and writer. He started his book in the 1930's, finishing it after the War. It was first published I believe in 1948. Reprints are available on eBay etc. Incidentally Larry was a huge fan of the 250-3000 cartridge in the Model 99 Savage.

I've had a copy of Koller's book for over 40 years !

I also like Bryce Towsleys book on the Benoit's all thou there choice of rifles isn't exactly mine .

[Garry L Gordon]

56 :eek:

Geeez I've only been on the face of the earth 57 1/2 years :whistle:

I suppose you could say I took to the trees a little later then some . I used to lay between two blow down trees . Dunno if I ever got one at 12 feet but if I haven't I didn't miss it by much .

I really enjoy sitting in a climbing treestand 30-35 feet up . Strapped in etc , I've taken many many naps up that high . I've got 6 or 7 climbers that you'd have to make a concerted effort to fall out of .

In the last 10 years I've gotten to where I like deer hunting/driving with some friends the last 2 or 3 days of the season . That's more of a social thing , although a deer or two are killed some years .

I also occasionally like the pop up covered ground blinds ESPECIALLY if it's raining . Been known to take a nap or two inside one of those things sitting in a bag chair while it's pouring outside .

The nap in the woods while deer hunting has to be one of God's greatest gifts to humankind!

[Dean Romig]

The nap in the woods while deer hunting has to be one of God's greatest gifts to humankind!


It truly is!!

I woke up one evening after dark after having fallen asleep soon after I sat there at about 2:30 pm. It was snowing pretty good when I sat and when I woke up I had at least 3" of fresh snow blanketing me.





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[CraigThompson]

It truly is!!

I woke up one evening after dark after having fallen asleep soon after I sat there at about 2:30 pm. It was snowing pretty good when I sat and when I woke up I had at least 3" of fresh snow blanketing me.





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Never did that ! When I was going to the Blackwster NWR for Sika deer I’d leave home at about 12:30 AM drive the 3 1/2 hours , refuel the truck and be at the refuge gate when they opened usually up the tree and situated by 05:30 . Then I’d nap until close to legal shooting time . Little Sika hooves splash splashing in the water are an excellent alarm clock !

[Garry L Gordon]

It truly is!!

I woke up one evening after dark after having fallen asleep soon after I sat there at about 2:30 pm. It was snowing pretty good when I sat and when I woke up I had at least 3" of fresh snow blanketing me.


Dean,

Now that's some serious napping. Your story gave me the best chuckle I've had in a while. I kept thinking of another hunter coming upon you half buried in the snow -- it would take a year or two off a guy's life.

I had a buddy with me while Fall turkey hunting a few years ago. We had busted the flock and I was calling them in for us. Unbeknownst to me, he had fallen asleep behind me. Just as I had several of the flock on the edge of shotgun range, he sounded off with one of the most prodigious snores I've ever heard. The turkeys flew off. He never woke up...and later a groundhog came in to investigate his snores. I told him I was going to start using him as a varmint call.

I'm sure you did not snore under your blanket of snow...

[edgarspencer]

I just love that Krag, Frank.