QDM and the Traditional Wisconsin Gun Deer Season
November 15, 2012
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During the prime rut last week, I was invited to bowhunt on a 500 acre private property by an old friend who has designed his land for hunting on Quality Deer Management (QDM). I’m like many of you. Almost without exception, I have hunted on public land in northern and southern Wisconsin and I think, learned to be a fairly good hunter by simply going out and paying those dues called “mistakes”.
We don’t bait and hunt natural funnels, isolated oak ridges especially during years of prime mast crops, etc. and go where we need to with the portable treestands carried in on our backs. So, this experience was greatly appreciated and unique. And as it turned out, almost unbelievable for a hunter who might see a handful of deer during high number years. When times are good, we hang a few deer and average a 50-percent cabin success rate in Vilas County. With deer numbers low, we have not hung a deer in six years.
My friend requested that I keep the location of the property and his name out of print for obvious reasons. But no one tells me what to do. I was somewhere between Kenosha and Superior with my good friend, Mugsy Snabodkawitz. Look him up.
The deal was that I could take does and if I did choose to take a buck, I would make a shoulder mount of the buck tagged. That’s more than fair enough and a financial twist that many QDM landowners have adopted to make sure that their guests are taking a trophy that is truly in the eye of the beholder….or shooter.
Because I had cabin work to complete in Vilas County, I had only two mornings, November 8 and 9, and one afternoon to hunt. On morning one hunting from a tree from the pre-dawn black until noon, I saw 32 deer including 13 bucks many of which were running does. I saw three smaller bucks at one time on a trail to my left 50 yards apart, and watched three “shooters” chase does at different times, none of which came closer than 150 yards. Wow, though, which is enough said. I practiced drawing on a fawn at 10 yards but never shot at any adult does. With that kind of action I was certain that filling my desire for venison would be followed immediately by an appearance of the biggest buck of my dreams.
Speaking of big bucks, Mugsy’s wall is filled with tremendous head mounts from the property. During our hunt, he saw 30 deer and had opportunities at two bucks he evaluated to be in the high 130 class at 25 yards. He declined to shoot because of the success on much bigger bucks that he has already enjoyed. I hope that you all have the chance to experience a hunt on a QDM property at least once. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Dick Ellis has taken several good bucks on public land but experienced unbelievable deer hunting last week on private QDM acres.
Speaking of big bucks, lots of stories and photos are coming in from readers that we have posted or will be posting under “Deer Hunting”. OWO columnists John Luthens and Darrell Pendergrass writings and other deer season information sent by the DNR is also posted under “Deer Hunting” and “Outdoor News”. Make sure to scroll on Outdoor News because we post new material on a daily basis that come over the OWO wire from numerous hunting and fishing organizations.
OWO Concealed Carry columnist Robb Manning has his weekly great post and photos under “Firearms”. Also, sorry for the delay but Wisconsin trapper and OWO columnist Arnie Groehler is in the field and producing columns that will begin in early December and run weekly. Don’t forget the “Inland Fishing” and Fishing Reports” pages that in part carry new material of some monster fall walleyes newly posted and much more from our guides and writer. In celebration of the traditional Wisconsin gun hunt, we’re posting a successful gun hunt from better days in Vilas County under “Dick’s Trips”.
That’s exactly where I’m heading Friday, to enjoy the hunt and a traditional family Thanksgiving at the cabin. Wherever you find yourself, a safe and blessed week to your families. Remember those who paid for our freedom. Keep the faith.
Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis