Depressing First Season

Did your opening weekend look like this?

I didn't see a deer all weekend.  To much of this stuff!

I also feel that EHD may have had some impact in my area. We had an outbreak in '07 that seemed to take quite a few  deer.  I don't know if there is an accurate way to determine how many died of EHD or not.  I haven't seen any numbers from the IDNR on this.  One guy I talked with said he had observed several deer around a pond near his property in '07.  Most of the deer he observed appeared to be mature deer found dead or showing signs of illness.

Most hunters I talked with have seen fewer deer this season, but it is likely because of more corn to hide in this year.  Yet, I can't help but think the EHD in '07 killed several of the deer that would have had fawns that would have been at the age class we would be seeing the most of this year while hunting.

I am hoping many acres of corn are harvested before the next season.

So, I thought I would clean my .22 rifle.

I have been shooting more now that the beans are out and the fields are open.  I was out today shooting with my middle child, who is about to go on her first deer hunt.  We were having a nice time punching paper at 50yd.  I started thinking the gun was rather dirty, so I should clean it.  Then it occurred to me that I should shoot a group dirty, clean the gun and shoot another group.

And so I did, I printed off a target, then I shot a 10rnd. group at 50yd.  I then took the rifle in, cleaned the bore, and brought it out for another 10 rnd. group with a clean bore.  The results surprised me!

To my shock, the second group, the one from a clean bore, was worse than the first.

Left: group from dirty bore     Right: group from clean bore

I fired these groups from bags at 50yds. with my Marlin 881 w/scope.  The ammunition was the Federal 550 Round Value Pack ammo.  This also points out the consistency of this particular ammunition or maybe the lack of.  I shoot way better groups with CCI.

I will have to try this again with different ammunition and see how that turns out.

Maybe I should stop cleaning this one or change ammo?

Here comes Gun Season

The 2009 firearm season is on us.  I hope everyone is ready!
I have been trying to bow hunt, that has not been going well.  I think all the corn that is still in is hurting deer movement.  I haven't seen many deer at all this year.  I haven't even noticed much rut activity.  I hope the farmers get a bunch of corn out before the coming rain.  If they don't it will be some time before they get in the fields again.  And I think that could make the first firearm weekend a frustrating hunt.

My middle girl is gun hunting for the first time this year.  I am excited about this.  She shoots well so I have a good feeling about her getting her first deer.  My youngest wants to hunt like her bigger sister but she is still to young to hunt.

Don't forget the late winter season has changed.  It is now two weekends instead of the one it used to be.

Firearm Season Information
November 20, 21, 22 (first season)
December 3, 4, 5, 6 (second season)

Muzzle Loader Season Information
Dec 11, 12, 13 and Dec 3, 4, 5, 6 (second firearm season)

Late Winter Season Information
December 31 - January 3 and January 15-17, 2010

Remember, any unfilled tag from firearm, youth, or muzzle loader is valid for the late winter season if that county is open for late winter hunting.

Good Luck!