Henry Rifle Forums

I’m not moved yet but if and when I do I may end up in prime deer hunting territory. I haven’t hunted since I was in my early thirties and then it was coyote. I’ve never harvested a deer.

My excuse was I can’t shoot them in my backyard. If I move somewhere where I can that excuse goes out the window. It all depends on where I settle. If I end up in Helena then maybe no. In Fortine yes.

My friend in TX has been trying to get me into hunting for 20 years.

JMO, but I'd go with Fortine. I get a doe every year on my property, load it in the p/u and take it to the local processor. I could do the hard work myself (and have in the past), but I'd rather pay somebody else for that service.

I'm with Gunny on this one, I have done it all myself before and many times.
There are two very good processors near me, one is probably 10 mins from my house,
and the majority of my deer hunting is done on the farm next door.
believe it or not they prefer that you let them gut them even, as they have told me most people screw it that up even.
The other is around 20-25 mins away and charge $10 to gut.
I like the one that is a little farther a little better and all the meat is vacuumed sealed.

RP

I have only processed my own deer. Getting old enough to appreciate the local meat market. We’ll see.

I process all our own deer... Don't mind it unless we have 5 or more, then it gets pretty tiring! Maybe start with hunting rabbits! They are easy to clean!

GunnyGene wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:12 pm

JMO, but I'd go with Fortine. I get a doe every year on my property, load it in the p/u and take it to the local processor. I could do the hard work myself (and have in the past), but I'd rather pay somebody else for that service.

Choosing a new place also makes me choose a new life. Do I want to socialize or do I want to shoot? Do I want to live to the center to the right?

This is an odd spot. Women make more than men and for Montana the wages are good. Before Covid hit developers came in with plans to wire the area for 5G. It’s now installed and I’m told there are about 30 companies competing for your business. No cell service and everyone has a land line. Above is Fortine and below is Eureka just 12 miles away. Poverty is lower when women make more money even though the household income is close to the same.

I can take or leave deer meat. Id much rather shoot an Elk if I was going to be a hunter again.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:29 pm

I can take or leave deer meat. Id much rather shoot an Elk if I was going to be a hunter again.

I hear ya Al, the majority of mine anymore is used to make Summer sausage, or jerky.
I do use it in chili also.

And agree on the Elk, but we don't any close.
They do have a small hunt able herd over in the Eastern part of the state, but
it's on a draw, and your more likely to win the lottery than that.

RP

I’ll most likely take the first responsible harvest I come across. Which will most likely be a deer close to where the house is.

Growing up in Missouri my dad didn't hunt deer so we boys didn't either. He said the deer population had dwindled and would like to see it come back (1960's) I had a lease in Texas in Walker Co. on the Grimes Co. line and deer hunted for years (1988-2007). Loved the companionship with the others on the lease. I made lifetime friends for sure. The land owners sold the property to Rayonier Corp. and they immediately doubled the price of the lease and then eventually sold it in piecemeal lots. That ended our lease. I can tell you I enjoyed the outdoors and company more than harvesting deer but did take at least one per season. I actually got one with a bow on that lease. I think if I had property now I'd just set up blinds, watch, and maybe take some photographs but pulling the trigger might be another story.
Jake