Well I guess I can begin by saying that this was the toughest season I've had in a very long time. Hunting the remote woods of Manitoba generally doesn't bring nocturnal deer movement and lack of mature deer but this year was very different.
I purchased a Contour action camera this summer and thought it would make for some good footage of my fall hunts. I rigged up a system where it is attached to a plate on my armguard and you can see down the arrow as the hunt unfolds.
I'd reccommend this setup for anyone wanting to self video. (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/fallbearsandarmmount015.jpg)
I don't do much for hunting deer until November as the area I hunt is a solid 10 miles from any agriculture and most movement is due to rut action and responding to calls. I rattled in this 2 1/2 year old early in November but was not about to end my season on such a young deer. I was using my #47 Tall Tines phenolic riser/myrtle limb in the video with FMJ 500's and 200gr. VPA's. (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/th_2011fallcontourhunts009.jpg) (http://s645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/?action=view¤t=2011fallcontourhunts009.mp4)
The season progressed and I passed on plenty of young deer and had typical response to calling and rattling. I had only seen one mature buck (over 4 1/2) and passed on a 130" 5x5 that was only 2 1/2. Dropping the string on a 2 1/2 year old deer was not in the plans regardless of what was on his head.
I guess I should add that I had almost the whole month of November off of work so could be as picky as I liked.
Mid November the deer movement changed unlike I've ever seen in the area. The general North to South travel patterns of the deer were now East to West. The area is "cottage country" and upon investigation found that a local developer had placed 5 tons of birdseed near his cabins. He rents and sells cabins and the attraction of deer around the cabins helps his sales. Great for him but not for me as hunting within 900 yards of bait is illegal in Manitoba.
With this new found info I adjusted my tactics and stand placements and day one managed to have a mature buck cruise by. He was not a high scoring buck but very mature and just what I wanted. He came in like he read the script but 2 steps from my shooting lane stopped and began to head straight away. He doubled his distance and crossed my lane. I was so focussed on my intended target that I didn't even take into consideration the distance. I can honestly say that I've never missed a deer by so much as I did here. Unfortunately the shock of the bow doesn't allow you to see the arrow fly but I promise you it was no where near the deer.
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/th_2011fallcontourhunts006.jpg) (http://s645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/?action=view¤t=2011fallcontourhunts006.mp4)
You may notice that the bow is different. It's my Tall Tines 3 piece longbow, #56 and 62"s. I was shooting the same arrow as with the r/c.
Following this missed opportunity the deer movement slowed significantly. The 5 tons of birdseed and section of private land proved too much security and competition for a guy with some pointy sticks hunting public land 1 mile away!
I began to explore other areas to hunt that have less deer but no food source to contend with. As suspected, deer sighting went down as well as overall movement. I was still getting opportunities but only on young deer.
With only a few days left in the season, I had a buck cruise by at noon and didn't have time to turn on my camera. As quick as it happened he appeared mature and I reacted as us hunters do and went into shoot mode. The deer was walking at 15 yards and I'm not a fan of stopping deer with trad equipment so took the moving shot. The hit was back of my intended spot so backed out until the next morning. I found the deer 125 yards away at 1st light and he had obviously died quickly.
As it turns out he's likely 3 1/2 years old and was quite skinny for a Canadian deer. He weighed 200 lbs (guts in) and was never likely going to be a big deer. Sometimes the amount of effort put into a hunt for me determines what a trophy is. This buck... combined with my scouting time, set-up time, and hunting time... is certainly special to me. And also my 1st with a longbow! Thanks for taking the time to follow me through my fall....Ryan (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/2011buck143.jpg)
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/2011buck134.jpg)The carpeted uppper lip is for "Movember" as I grew it to raise money for prostate cancer research. Glad it's shaved now! Here's another pic
Very cool been thinking about filming my own hunts.Thanks for sharing.
That would definitely constitute a "big deer" in these parts. Congrats on the hunts and the fine deer.
Nice Buck. Cool videos too, thanks for sharing them.
Very nice Ryan, a sign of a great hunter compared to a average hunter is his ability to recognize something isn't working and adapt to find a way to be successful. Congrats brother.
Also wanted to tell you. Thought about you the other day. I was in our Walmart and noticed they are carrying your kind of hats. You guys have started a craze.
Way to go Ryan! It looks a bit warmer compared to last years pics :) Looking forward to spring :thumbsup:
:clapper: Great season! Sorry about your luck with the land owner baiting. I really like your camera set up. I might have to do that next season. Thanks!
Nice deer Ryan!!
congrats Ryan, a great buck non the less taken under hard conditions, I bet it was cold out there!
Congrats Ryan,I like tough hunters. :notworthy:
Congrats Ryan. Nothing wrong with taking that buck. Ken
Congrats Ryan!
Ryan, Could you give some more detail on your camera setup. Make of camera, how you rigged to the arm guard....etc. Looks like a real neat set-up.
Congrats Ryan, way to stick with it!!!
Congrats! thanks for the vids,I do like the cam setup.
Thanks everyone....love the group here how everyone is so supportive!
For those wondering about the camera and mounting system, it's a Contour Camera that records in high def. I got a 16G micro card for it so can record the whole season on a card and still have space. I like the shape of it and how it mounts to stuff vs. the GoPro model.
I made a plate on top of my armguard to mount one of the mounting discs that the camera snaps into. I also have a headstrap but can't see the buttons to operate the camera when it's on my head. The footage from the headstrap is good but you need to mount it so the camera points out to the left (rt. handed shooter) so that when you turn to shoot that the target is in view. You also have to remember to hold your head turned to follow the animal in as the camera is pointed out to the side.
For these reasons I went with the arm mount even though there is "shock" at the shot. Also gives a nice "down the arrow" view.
Here's a pic of the plate with mounting disc I rigged minus the camera.
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/fallbearsandarmmount014.jpg)
Way to go Ryan,
Nice buck.
That disc comes with the camera and has two sided tape on it. The camera just clicks into it. The plate I made is made from a cutting board from the dollar store and just zip tied onto the armguards existing hook holes. I then made new holes on the far side of the plate to accept the hooks from the armguard strap and shortened up the straps.
Anything rigid to attach the disc to would work well and velcro straps would keep it in place. I just thought attaching it to the armguard would be a 2 in 1 use. Hope this helps!
nice deer!
Congrats Ryan. It's sounds like a tuff deer season through all off Manitoba. Way to go.
Abe
Good buck and video! Congrats!
Good job on the video and photos. The camera shows clearly what you were seeing. The deer you shot is a good one to be proud of. Thanks for sharing . Maxx
Beautiful deer and pictures! Congratulations!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Great Season and great buck!!~ Congratultions!!
Again my friend congrats! You are a good hunter that respects the animals you hunt. Looking forward to having you in my camp for a change :) You gotta keep the 'stashe though. It's No Shave November 'round here ;)
That's a great buck!
What kind of broadhead are you using? I've never seen a bright red one like that before
Congrats,
Bisch
Ryan, Way to go man.What a nice buck.You guys in that North country are tough fellars.Beautiful deer,and what a nice weapon that Wessel builds Eahh
Congrats and thank you for sharing!
"No shave November" around here too.
Way to go and you're from Canada, eh?
Very nice. Thanks for sharing the hunt!
Excellent as usual my friend, congrats on a great season, and a real nice buck!
Thanx for taking the time to share :notworthy:
Great looking deer Ryan and the video was excellence! Can the camera be mounted onto a camera swing arm that would attach to the tree? I know you would have to pre set it up to capture the deer in the view finder but it would allow for the shot sequence too.
Nice buck!!!
Congrats Ryan!
Very nice,congrats! :thumbsup:
Yah done Ryan...
Especially considering the lack of number of deer in our province this season. Goes to show you,never give up and always have a plan B in place.[and C and D and....]
Congrats on a super deer.
Mo
Well done Ryan, it was a tough season. That rig of yours works great. congrats, i always smile at what you consider a cull buck. talk to ya soon.jp
Thanks everyone! Very kind words!
Bisch...the heads a vpa terminator.
John...you can mount the camera to anything, it's a great attachment system.
Brian...yeah, Wessels bows are alright. So alright that I have a couple more ordered.
JP...I haven't heard your story here yet???
I'd tell the story but it's difficult for me to post pics. I've lost enough hair trying to figure out, i don't have alot to spare.
Ryan
Congratulations on your awesome buck. You are the kind of hunter that inspires us all. I'm proud to know ya!
Nice one, congrats!
Congrats again buddy. I'm with JP, your cull bucks would be my monsters. Cool to see the vid's with your new set up. Keep it rolling for the bears.
Nice Buck Ryan, he has blue eyes like one i shot about 8 years ago.
Missed this one. Nice "cull" Reehahn. Lucky tuque and stache :thumbsup:
Can't wait till June for the second annual TallTines week at Stickflingers! Big bears, big bears, BIG bears!!!
Ryan, I never tire of your stories. Keep them coming. You are the hardest working hunter I know. Nice hairy lip. Richard.
Nice deer Ryan,cograts.
Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and nice deer!!
Very nice..and well told
Great job Ryan! Looking forward to seeing you in bear camp next year...you know, the same week as my anniversary.
thats a nice buck!
Congrats Ryan !