Opening day in Penn's Woods

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rjohns94
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Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by rjohns94 »

The day started early at 430. I dressed warmly in my red plaid wool jacket, wool fingerless gloves, my high top boots and a couple of shirts. I planned on staying in my spot all day. That spot, selected because of its inaccessibility, water, cover, and that it was a known escape route off the game lands to non-huntable land, requires a bit of hiking to get into and I wanted to be first in the area so the other hunter movement would occur after I had gotten settled. The parking lot was empty as I pulled in. I mounted my pack which includes essentials such as saw, hand axe, binoculars, rope, pistol, ammo, water, power bars, slingshot and ammo (for pesky critters making noise and giving me away) folding staff, flashlight, and cold weather gear. Next I took out my Remington model 14 in 35 Rem in inserted four rounds, cycled the action and inserted the 5th. Today I would be using Winchester 200 gr soft points. The walk from the parking area traverses several fields and enters the woods between two hills. The bottom has a 6 foot wide stream going through it year round. This stream is a feeder stream that dumps into the west branch of the cordurus creek which feeds the Susquehanna river past York city. I would be hunting the bottom, along the stream and my single destination was the boundary area where a large Oak had toppled making a great stand area among the branches of its once towering mast.
The stream in places had ice over it betraying the colder temperatures this hollow held over the rest of the area. The hills on each side of this hollow were filled with buck scrapes and rubs, as well as many well traveled deer paths. Most of the hunting on this public land would be done in the fields and the other sides of these hills and in the distant woods across the way. I reached my goal area and settled in for the two hour wait for shooting time. by 643, when shooting time begun, the sounds of the screech owls that had kept me company during my wait silenced. Two hunters were seen out in the field at the edge of the woods I was in but no other hunters were seen. Over the next two hours shots rang out as other hunters found their luck or misfortune. Single shots I guessed as success. The string of shots I figured not so much. Through it all, I gazed the hills around me with my 10x42 Swarovski binoculars. (I remember KirkD's thread of him trading in a gun or two to purchase good glass). I had done the same last year and this morning, the clarity of view was rewarding as I picked apart the landscape searching for a flickering ear, a straight line of a deer's back, or the glint of antler.
About 845, 40 mins after the two hunters had moved away from their spot to seek refuge from the cold, while I was combing the ridge to my left, I heard a slight scuff noise to my back and behind the tree I was leaning against. I slowly looked around the tree but could not see anything. I brought my binos up and after a min or so, located the gray of a deer's back in a thicket. About 80 yards away, making its way towards me, was a browsing deer. I soon was able to make out enough bone on his head to realize he was big enough and held at least three points. Now I just had to wait for the shot. 10 mins went by and the deer was 60 yards away horizontally, but nearly to the top of the hill. He had three choices, go over the hill, go back or continue my way. He held up behind a tree which obscured most of his body but I had a portion of his shoulder and all his neck visible. Through the binos I could see my aiming point and I was sure I could make the shot, but held off to see what the deer would do. When he reversed direction, I thought he was leaving and I lost the shot because of the large tree. What the deer was doing was heading down the hill. I knew there was a trail, a heavily used trail that ran out to the field and into private land. In fact it would go right past the two hunters previous stand if the deer took the trail all the way out. at 50 yards he was still coming down to the trail when he turned to its right which would bring him parallel to me. I waited and at 45 yards, the gold bead of the front sight met the point of his shoulder and I squeezed the trigger. The shot was true and the deer dumped right there, rolled off the trail and expired facing the opposite direction, 6 feet from where he was hit. The Remington 14, made in 1927, was purchased as a result I had of wanting a bit more power and ergo-dynamics in a woods walking rifle. The Leverguns offer this in spade, but I find the pump action more user friendly. I had a source for an original lyman tang/receiver sight and sourced the super grade swivels it took and a Remington sling. I put it all together and took it to the range and was well pleased. I was happy to have it continue hunting in in Penn's woods after 86 years in others care.


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Red Plaid Coat- a gift from a dear friend, Remington 14 in 35 Rem, and the gift from above.

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The bullet struck in the shoulder near where the top of the sling is seen in this picture.

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My first Buck since 2003. I had shed the red coat by this time as it took over an hour to get him out of the woods and I was very hot.
Mike Johnson,

"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
SJPrice
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by SJPrice »

Thank you for telling of your great morning, the hearing of which was a great way to continue my morning. Congratulations!
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.45colt
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by .45colt »

Awesome Mike!!! You Gotta Love it when it all comes together. :D .
86er
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by 86er »

Fantastic Mike! It looks like you did your homework and did it well. Your rifle pre-dates mine by 12 years but is a close relative nonetheless so I appreciate the fine handling, quality build and smooth action that you now cherish. That's a beautiful buck too, nice character. Several blessings, you are a lucky guy!
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Sixgun »

Nice story Mike. Somethin' how those old rifles can still kill :D
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TedH
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by TedH »

Love your stories Mike. Congratulations on wonderful hunt, those are the kind of days that make this life special.
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Pete44ru
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Pete44ru »

.

A great rendition; a very decent deer; and a "quality" hunt !

Thanks for the pics & taking the time to post !

My mouth's just watering - thinking how good that deer liver's going to taste ! . :mrgreen:


.
M. M. Wright
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by M. M. Wright »

Congratulations Mike! Many hunters go through life without killing a buck that nice and certainly the experience is enhanced by the use of that vintage rifle. Enjoyed the story.
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vancelw
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by vancelw »

Nice deer, jacket, rifle, and story!

I wanted one of those jackets but the wife vetoed me :D I think the reason I wanted one was the same reason she nixed the idea. (reminded me of old-time hunters and reminded her of "old"......I hit 50 this month and she's not far behind :lol: :lol: )
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Pitchy
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Pitchy »

Most awesome Mike, congratulations. 8) :)
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Blaine
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Blaine »

Great story. Nice buck. 8) 8)
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Les Staley
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Les Staley »

Mike,thanks for sharing your fun with us..my little brother bought a model 14 from a family friend about 1964 for the princely sum of $60. It was a 32 Rem. and knocked down deer pretty well..he sold it a few years later for $75 and has regretted it since. Back to your hunt, It's nice when a plan comes together..later..Les
Last edited by Les Staley on Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RustyJr
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by RustyJr »

Congratulations and that was a great read :mrgreen: Nice to see an old rifle getting used again.


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Mac in Mo
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Mac in Mo »

Nice deer, nice rifle and nice story. That is hunting! Thanks for posting.


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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by GoatGuy »

Fine post. Great story and really nice buck. I'd be tickled to see one like that on my place. Congratulations on your success.
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Nath »

One heck of a fantastic field report. Well impressed over here sir.

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jazman
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by jazman »

Enjoyed every detail, what a great day you had.
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RIHMFIRE
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by RIHMFIRE »

Congrats on a fine deer.....and story!...
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wolfdog
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by wolfdog »

Good write up, nice rifle, great buck!!!
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Borregos
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Borregos »

Enjoyed the story, very nice buck, congratulations :D :D
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by cshold »

So once again there's the proof.

1. Deer haven't mutated into ironclad tanks.
2. Great Grandpa's / Grandpa's old deer rifle still gets'r done.
3. Great Grandpa's / Grandpa's old school plaid wool togs keep ya warm & dry.
4. It's a flat out pile of fun doing it like our Grandpa's did it back in the day. 8)

Mike, needless to say I'm sure you're now hooked like I am 'old school' :wink:
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Ji in Hawaii
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Ji in Hawaii »

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BenT
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by BenT »

Super Duper! Great Hunt! Great Rifle!
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Ysabel Kid
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Fantastic! Congratulations Mike!!! :D 8) :mrgreen:
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ollogger
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by ollogger »

When a story is written that way it puts a guy right there, great job!!!!
Nothing better than Red & black wool a old rifle & a nice Buck



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mod71alaska
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by mod71alaska »

Congratulations, Mike...way to go!

...and thanks.
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Dan 444
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Dan 444 »

Great gun, story and deer!

Dan
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by 1894c »

rjohns94 -- really liked your story and pics...that's nice old pump...nice caliber too... :)
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by madman4570 »

Great story and a nice buck Mike! :wink:

Congrats my friend
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Chuck 100 yd »

Very nice buck. Congrats!!! :D
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Dave
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Dave »

Great hunt and some high class iron too! Congrats
rjohns94
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by rjohns94 »

Thanks all. Glad you liked the story.
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by gamekeeper »

Nath wrote:One heck of a fantastic field report. Well impressed over here sir.

God bless.

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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by JDL »

Most excellent! Thanks for taking us on the hunt with you.
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Re: Opening day in Penn's Woods

Post by Old Savage »

Nice rifle, nice buck.
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