82a Rifle Report

Went up to the camp on the Saugeen that my brother in-law and I co-own. Arrived at the camp on Sunday around 5pm and fired up the cabin wood stove and the bbq for some ribs. My BIL and a family friend arrived at about 6pm. We had a nice evening around the stove with good food, a few beer and small talk and bed by 10pm. Monday morning we were up at 545am and all on post by 630am. Legal shooting started at 642am.

None of us saw anything and we returned to the cabin about 10am for bacon, eggs, hash browns and coffee. We then hunted grouse in the vicinity of the cabin for about an hour. I managed one ruffie. I then did some trimming on a few shooting lanes before getting ready to head back out.

Monday afternoon 4 does and a fawn approached my position from my 2 o'clock and got to within 20 yards of one of my lanes and about 30 yards from me. At that point the matriarch must has noticed some movement on my part because she pawed the ground a few times and than decided to head up the hill and circle my position. As soon she got to my 5 o'clock at 30 yards she winded me. Immediate snort and 5 flags running off through the bush at my 3 o'clock. No shots fired.

Tuesday morning I hunted until about 9am at which point I was adjusting my tripod and it broke. As it had been quiet and the wind was swirling I decided to head back to the cabin to effect some repairs. On the walk out I hear something big get up out of the long grass on the backside of some cedars that are about 30 yards in front of me. I dropped to the ground and a 10 pt buck appears at my 2 o'clock about 40 yards though the tall grass and numerous shrubby trees. He's staring directly at me trying to figure out what is going on. This goes on for about 2 minutes and than he finally puts his head down. I get him in the scope and squeeze a shot off at his vitals. His head comes up but otherwise he doesn't move - clean miss - clipped a one inch diameter branch that I can now see is cleanly broken about 7 or 8 yards from where i am on the ground. He is now looking at me again and definitely more on edge. I try to move to get a better sight line with less obstruction and he snorts, puts his tail up and is running like the wind. A beautiful but regretful sight.

Tuesday afternoon the group of 4 does and fawn busted my friend in almost the identical fashion that they did to me the previous day. Tuesday night we packed up as we all were only able to get the 2 days off.

Thursday night I managed to schedule Friday off and headed back up. On Friday morning I was set up and comfortable about 615 am at a 3/4 acre clearing that we knew the bucks sometimes crossed after their nightly forays. I lit up a cuban wind vane (aka Cohiba Cigar) and could clearly tell the wind was strong out the north and to my advantage. Legal shooting started about 645am so I poured a coffee and waited to uncase and load my Rem 260. I must have fallen asleep because next thing I know I open my eyes and it's 715 am and there is a 3.5 year old 8 pt walking slowly but steadily directly towards me with his eyes unwaveringly fixed on me. I am sitting on the ground back to a medium size elm that has somehow escaped the ravages of dutch elm disease. He clearly has no idea what I am but is obviously curious - maybe he thought I was a giant tasty pumpkin.

My rifle is still encased and the magazine is still in my pocket - argh! I don't dare move as he closes to 4 yards at my 12 o'clock. That strong wind in my favour is clearly working wonders. He stops at 4 yards and just stares - no pawing, no tail flicking, nothing. This goes on for 30 seconds or so at which point he turns and calmly walks away. By the time I got the rifle out and loaded he was just visible about 50 yards away with his rear end facing me - no shot.

Friday afternoon the hunt was uneventful. This morning I bumped a 6 point tending a doe on my way in and passed on a button buck at 25 yards. Looks like it is bow or late season muzzleloader to fill the tags this year.

What unfortunate displays of shi&ty luck, on the up side of things you guys are seeing some good numbers of deer. Don't worry the luck will change

Thanks for the report Species, you saw a pile more deer than we did.

We (3) hunted 82a all week, took 2 does on Monday morning and chased a buck the rest of the week without ever seeing him.

Those high winds towards the end sure slowed down movement for us.

We also had the typical slew of trespassers to deal with.

Good (better) luck in the late season!

Ryan.

I live in 82A and I did hunt it 3 out of 5 days. Unfortunately I'm restricted to crownland (newbie to the area). Saw 4 does and a young buck go flying by me the second day of the hunt. Didn't even get the safety off I was so surprized. The came out of no where and left in the same fashion.

I've only lived here 3 seasons but I know I heard a lot more shots the first season on the first day. Tags are down and I think for good reason.

Yeah the crownland was empty by noon on Thursday and Friday. Too windy for deer movement and almost dangerous in the bush.

Yup back to bow and muzzleloader eventually.
Dan O.

I hunt 82a also. We got a small buck Monday morning. Hado 3 bucks on camera but didn't run into them at all. Most of the week they were moving at night. Lots of rubs and musky smell around my stand in the swamp. Luckily we pulled a last minute 6 pointer Saturday morning at 738am. I also had one come in behind me on Wednesday at 525pm but no shot he was 10 yards away behind a tonof bush. I do believe numbers may be down slightly this year but 5 coyotes were seen this week which isn't going to help either and the warm windy crap weather didn't make it any easier. I believe if you still get out for bo2 and ml with a bit of colder calm weather you'll definitely do well in our wmu. The deer are there. Just need the pieces to fall in place.

Great report Species and Hopefully you cross paths with one of those mature bucks later in the season.

Talked to the owner of Boyne River Outfitters in Flesherton yesterday. He said he's heard it was a slow hunt for the guys sitting. The groups that push did better. Warmer temps in first three days and high winds in the last 2 days seemed to affect success. Lower than normal deer numbers in his opinion.

That's quite a string of bad luck there Species. My group had that same luck last season. I'm betting that it will come together for you before the season is over as it sounds like you have a healthy population.