Deer Hunting

Saturday was the opener for Iowa's first gun deer season. As always I was using my CVA Hawken, a .50 caliber rifle using 80 grains of REAL black powder and a patched round ball, the difference this year was that I carried my Remington 870 Express for back up as needed.

Well, it was not needed! At 8:15 AM, a really nice 8 point buck wondered within 15 yards of my stand and I welcomed him with a black-powder breakfast. After a 20 yard sprint, he was done! A large bodied deer with a very typical antler set - but I was very happy because last year I got NOTHING!

The rest of Saturday was filled with field dressing the deer, hanging and removing the hide. Sunday afternoon began the process cutting, packaging and freezing the venison. With my sweet wife at my side we finished the project at about 10:30 PM following the evening service and fellowship at the church.

You might ask ... "I wonder if venison is very tasty?" I'm really glad you asked because tonight we had both inside tenderloins marinated in McCormick's Grill Mates Teriyaki Marinade and cooked on the grill. And the answer is YES, they tasted great and YES I was grilling in the midst of a major snowstorm! (My Dad would be so proud!)

I still have my archery deer tag to fill and I'm looking forward to getting out as soon as the gun seasons are completed. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Before you ask ..... there were no pictures taken of this deer harvest! Maybe next time!