A Season of Gratitude: The Clinical Approach That Led to a Successful Whitetail Hunt

Nov 15

By Keith Denoncourt

I am very Blessed to be successfully hunting Whitetail deer solo. I am very grateful for the time, effort, and resources that I have been able to put in place that allows me to enjoy Nature at this level. I am very thankful for the absolute abundance of hunting opportunities right from my house.

Getting to my very isolated hunting areas is seriously half the fun ! Knowing that I can get out safely and comfortably is priceless!

I am now sitting in my office, the morning after a very successful whitetail hunting adventure. I can not stop counting how many ways I feel totally Blessed. Just earlier this hunting season, I had to give up an Elk hunting adventure with Brody Teale due to health reasons. I wish that I could say that it did not bother me, however not being able to move freely I find very personally frustrating. I am now recovering, and value every moment that I spend outside. This season I not only had personal inspirations, and offers of assistance, from so many great outdoorsman, I also had equipment, and resources, that I very purposefully put in place so as to mitigate any physical limitations. This year I had to be very clinical as to where I put my physical resources. As stated, I was Blessed in so many ways this season, that I wish to share the processes that I put forward to bring to be able to successfully harvest a respectable whitetail buck this season.

As stated, due to physical restrictions I had to be very clinical where I put my resources. I had to use time and patience to accomplish small physical goals daily. Knowing that it is the process of hunting I love more that the pulling of the trigger, I started by planning my trails. I am Blessed that I have several Whitetail right at my house. I do not need to load or transport my side by side anywhere. I can just leave from my house, and within minutes head back up in to the hills overlooking the lake. I started by cutting my forestry trails in later September. I used Ruffed Grouse hunting as my reason to drive down the very isolated overgrown cutlines. I put a lot of time and effort in to trail maintenance this year. I value having trails completely cleaned and clear of obstructions. The pure physical effort that was required to do this was actually getting me physically ready for when I harvested a deer. Although the main reason I clear trails is for comfort, the added value having no obstacles in urgent times, or when the game is down, is priceless. Day my day, trip by trip, I continued to cut my way in to what has been historically some outstanding whitetail deer territory. One of the best part is that with my side by side on tracks, I could climb, what would would turn out to be, the snow covered hills in to places where other ATV’s would be limited. Along the way I would harvest a few Ruffed Grouse and then be ready for when the deer rut of November would be begin.

I knew that I would have to be sitting still, and set up, well before I started any form of rattling sequence. I had checked out and planned several viewing and shooting corridors. I parked my side by side well in to the bush and got out my shooting sticks. I intentionally set up with the wind in my face and the sun at my back. I was overlooking a small ravine and wildlife corridor that historically has shown intense deer sign. I was 100% alone with no one for many kms… this was cool ! I cut my firing lines so as be clear from all obstructions and finally remained quiet. Before I begin any form of rattling sequence I always put an obstacle at my back. Animals coming in for a mock fight can be aggressive at close quarters. Having that protective barrier is highly recommended. I prepped my tripod, checked my shot options and began my first rattling sequence. I am not a professional, but I have done this a few times so I am getting excited. After roughly 30 minutes there he was. Walking thought the timber towards the main trail. I got up, placed my firearm in to the tripod, then my tea cup fell over and he spooked. He bolted back in the timber. I immediately bleated a buck grunt, grabbed the horns and began another rattling sequence. I was going to give him something to focus that noise to. In roughly 10 minutes he came back. To the exact trail that I had just cut open. I was in the tripod already. He came walking straight back to me. The safety was off. I stopped him at 75m with a short bleat. With just a mere 2.5 lbs. of trigger pull, he went straight down. Absolutely no tracking. I placed a .300 WM 180gr partition bullet straight in to his heart. There was no pain, just 100% clean. The time and effort that I put forth practicing had paid off in more ways than I could ever explain. I was fighting daylight so my pictures of me loading my deer are limited. I will state that having a Portable Electric Winch to hoist a deer up as you back up your side by side is pretty amazing. When I got back to my house, I am already prepped to receive wild game. I backed in my my side and by side and with ceiling winches I hung the deer up. I then took off the hide and removed the tenderloins. My favorite first meal is BBQ tenderloin kabobs. In a couple days I will process the remainder of the deer in to roasts, jerky, burger and sausage meat. Here is a very brief version of how you can get your whitetail hunting adventure started.

How to Begin Your Journey into WhiteTail Game Hunting

Complete your Firearm Safety Course and obtain the necessary licenses. Always carry your documentation on your person.
Complete your First-Time Hunter Course.
Check local hunting regulations. Know the specific zones, open and closing dates, and legal hunting times. Permission is always required to hunt on private land.
Practice regularly at a gun range to confirm the effective range of your firearm. I personally prefer firearms from . 243 to .300 WM for deer . Identify the kill zones of the deer in various positions and stay within those humane areas for harvest. Plan for processing well in advance. Time is critical to preserve the meat
Scout effectively. Walking cutlines, driving old logging roads, or using an ATV to find new areas are common tactics. Keep your firearm 100% unloaded and encased during transport, and secured when not in use. Look for feeding, watering and bedding areas. It is common in November to start to look for rut sign such as scrapes and rubs as well. Stay downwind and keep still is the most basic and effective hunting strategy. Tell people where you are going at all times.
Rattling and grunting sequences for deer can be done in November. Always keep something behind you like a large tree when rattling. It is not only for complete concealment. Deer can get aggressive in close proximities when drawn in to mock fighting.
Take a Wilderness Survival and First Aid Course. Stay within your limits, and contact a professional outfitter if needed. Be prepared for the worst at all times.
Enjoy your harvest !
Thank you very much for respecting wildlife and for supporting a nonprofit conservation organization ! Never hesitate to contact us if we can help you set up a Whitetail Hunting adventure (kadenoncourt@gmail.com) !
-Keith