More Big Deer

EDITOR'S NOTE: This week you'll meet several deer hunters who have taken the bucks of their lifetimes while extreme whitetail hunting this year in Manitoba with Whitetail Outfitters.

Clifford Shultz of Bloomsberg, Pennsylvania, also took his buck of lifetime this year with Whitetail Outfitters. Schultz had hoped to find a buck like this 8-point one with unusually high brow tines. Shultz said, "I really loved the trip into the wilderness. The trailer containing all our luggage flipped over, a couple of the four-wheelers got stuck in the mud and ice, and we had to get off and push them out. We also went through some really deep water holes. Just the ride in was a fabulous adventure. I was really looking for a wilderness experience where I'd be back in the woods, never see another hunter from my tree stand and get the opportunity to bag a really big buck. This hunt more than met my expectations. We had five hunters in camp, and all five got their bucks. We had warm tents to sleep in, plenty of good, hot food and great guides who took care of us as though we were their best friends. I came up here needing to lose weight, and I actually gained weight.

"I bagged took my deer on the fourth day of the hunt. On the first day, I missed a buck even bigger than the one I eventually took. On Tuesday, the second day of the hunt, I spotted four big does and a really nice 8 point that just wasn't as big as the one I wanted to take. So, I let him walk off. On the third day of the hunt, the wind was really blowing. However, I was the only person in camp who didn't see a deer. At about 10:00 a.m. on the fourth day of my hunt, I saw a doe off to my left that suddenly disappeared. I decided to get out the lunch that the guide had packed for me, pour myself a cup of coffee and eat. After I put my thermos back in my pack, I looked at the same spot where I'd seen the deer earlier. When I moved to get a better look, I could see antlers. I thought that this might be the same 8-point buck I'd spotted on Tuesday. I decided to go ahead and take him. Once I squeezed the trigger, the buck began to wobble to his left and his right. But the thick brush kept me from getting off a second shot. I could see the deer with my naked eye, but I couldn't see him through my scope. Finally the deer moved out of sight. I took my time, let my pack down out of my tree and climbed down from my tree stand slowly and deliberately. I had to walk about 100 yards to where I'd shot the deer where I spotted a really good blood trail. I followed the buck's blood trail for about half an hour. I looked at my watch, remembering that my guide was coming to check on me about noon. The guide had made a rule that if anyone shot a deer and went after the deer or needed help getting a buck out, then the hunter was to leave his pack by his tree stand. Once the guide spotted the pack, he'd follow the hunter's tracks in the snow and come to help him get the deer out. I knew I needed to get back to my stand and leave my pack for the guide. I left the trail and went back to my tree stand to wait on my guide. Although I hated to quit following my deer, I felt sure the buck would be down. I knew I'd need the guide to help me get that big buck out. I headed back to my tree stand.

"As I returned to my tree stand to wait on my guide, I became more anxious. When my guide, Ryan Hack, arrived at my tree stand, he told me, 'Come on. Let's go, and I'll help you find your deer.' Since Ryan is much younger and stronger than me, I told him to go ahead. I said, 'I'll never keep up with you.' Ryan finally returned and said, 'You got your buck.'

"We had to take a chainsaw and cut our way through the brush to get to my deer with the 4-wheeler. When I finally saw the buck, I couldn't believe how massive his rack was. He was much bigger than the 8 point I'd seen on the first day and was the biggest deer I'd ever taken in my life. I love this wilderness hunting in Manitoba, and I can promise you I'll be back."

Jerry Ward of Danville, Pennsylvania stayed in the same camp as Clifford Shultz. He explained, "I came into camp on a sled and thought to myself, 'Oh, boy.' We were in beaver swamps, water, snow and ice, and I was wondering what would happen to me. At the same time, I was laughing and having the time of my life. The land was wet and sloppy, and I hoped the end of the trail would be better. Then we were really surprised when we got to our tents, which had wood sides and roofs. The tents were warm and comfortable, and the food was delicious. On the first day of the hunt, I saw two or three bucks and several does. I spotted a 4 point, a 6 point and a spike. On the second day I only saw one buck, but I watched a lot of does. On the third day, I'd seen three bucks by 10:30 a.m. -- one a spike, then a 4 point and next a 6 point. After 10:30 I didn't see a deer. The weather turned really cold, and snow began to fall. I used the heater inside the sack that covered the blind and stayed warm - - even though the weather was terrible.

"On the fourth day of the hunt, we rode the snowmobile 20 minutes into the woods and then hiked about 900 yards to get to my tree stand for that day. My guide, Ryan Hack, pointed high in the air and said, 'That's where you're going.' The tree stand was really high on a thin pine, and when the wind blew I got a ride that was definitely something to write home about. The guide assured me that a big buck would come through the area between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. That day I got so cold in that stand. I started to climb down and walk around two or three times, but I stayed in the stand instead. Then at 2:15 p.m. a big buck stepped out of the thicket. I didn't see him at first because I was grunting at a doe. As the doe walked off, I reached in my pack to get my sandwich for lunch when the buck appeared about 100 yards away. That buck had his ears laid back like he was ready to fight. As soon as I saw his rack, I got my rifle to my shoulder. When I squeezed the trigger, the big buck went down and then lifted his head. Since I thought he might try to get back up, I fired one more time. I screamed, 'Yes!' and then watched him through the scope for about 20 minutes, just to make sure he wasn't going to get up again.

"Finally I got out of the tree stand and went to the buck. I thought to myself. 'Good one. This is the buck you've waited for your whole life. He's got 14 points and weighs about 240 to 260 pounds live weight.' This buck is the biggest I've ever taken in my life. I plan to come back here and hunt again. I don't know if I can take a buck bigger than the one I've bagged this time, but the fun comes in the trying. The guides work hard, and they tell you the truth about the deer you can expect to see. The food is great; the accommodations are warm and comfortable. I will be back again."

If you're looking for the deer of a lifetime and an adventure you'll never forget, contact Whitetail Outfitters, owners Doug Grantham and John Nixon, at Box 1052, Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada ROC 220; call toll-free (888) 398-3459; email hunt@whitetailoutfitters.ca; or visit the website www.whitetailoutfitters.ca. Whitetail Outfitters' hunting dates and costs for 2001 include: archery -- 10/29 - 11/10, $2200 US; muzzleloader -- 10/29 -- 11/10, $2200 US; rifle -- 11/12 - 11/24, $2400 US. Canadian government licenses and fees cost $125 US for hunting, including archery, muzzleloading and/or rifle.

Tomorrow: Tarsal Glands, Premonitions and Trophy Bucks