[Waldo]

I've had my XLR 45/70 for just over 13 months now. All thru our (Aus) Autumn, Winter and partway into Spring I carried the thing chasing Sambar deer, what was my last deer hunt of the 2010 switched back to my 30/06 and nailed one, I was relieved but frustrated to score one because I really wanted one with the 45/70!
This month I've hunted 3 times with the 45/70 and still to fire a shot, saw the back of a deer sneaking away yesterday but no chance of a shot, opportunities just aren't coming. I can only jump to one conclusion, the deer are scared!
During the past 13 months I must have carried it in the field for around 150 hours of stalking, seen a few deer and still haven't fired a shot at a deer with it. Carried the 30/06 last year on 4 hunts for two opportunities and nailed two deer, the time has to come and hopefully sooner rather than later or I am going to get real hungry.
Has anyone else had problems christening a new rifle?
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Yes...they were scared of me this year too...COWARDS!!!

 

[1895Gunner]

Yes...they were scared of me this year too...COWARDS!!!

;D Same here, took the 444P and the 1895G out into the field with me this last season and they all successfully "avoided" me.

 

[tlc361]

I am so fearsome to deer that they all left the state when they heard I got a hunting license. At least it appears that way for the last 2 years.

Hiking or traveling the back roads deer every where, get a hunting license and they are all gone.

 

[Waldo]

This is really starting to develop into an obsession, albeit one I would consider healthy?
If I spend enough time out there and work hard the opportunity will come, if nothing else I am getting very familar with carrying it. :
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[Oz]

Good luck Mate. Anyone with as much patience as you have, deserves success.

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Waldo]

Not real sure about patience, in 2010 I hunted a lot, visited/walked a lot of new ground, chased a new species and spent a lot of time working with my young Brittany (3 3/4 years old now) in the field and still managed to put a couple in the freezer (not with the Marlin though).
The 45/70 I brought specifically for a Sambar rifle and those things don't give up easily, you really have to work for them but it will be worth it.
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[Digger]

Same goes here the last two years, but I have a good feeling about this year, 8)

 

[Seabass]

Bears in the area go back to hibernation when I head for the hills.

 

[tater1961]

Had em terrified in Kansas last season also.

 

[rhendrix]

I had pretty good luck with my new SBL last season. I bought the gun, put the Burris scout scope on it, sighted it in and when deer season opened I took it to the field. On opening morning, 15 minutes after legal sunrise, an 8 point buck came in to my scent I had placed out before sunrise. One shot at about 40 yards and I had my first buck with my new rifle and the first shot fired at any game with it. Didn't see another deer, buck or doe, the rest of the season.

 

[lever addict]

First thing in the morning! That's the way to git er done! ;D

I had them all scared too! Every deer I saw was running at mach I.

 

[BlueMike]

Pretty slim (no) pickings where we hunt in West Virgina for the last 4 years. I haven't even seen any "nice" bucks in a long time and the rest of the herd is really thin. Things are changing. But, I do have a ball roaming the woods with my (older) Brittany.

 

[bry]

I carried my new GuideGun almost exclusively this year and never got a good look at a deer during legal hours. Could be these 45/70's put the smell of death in the air.
My Brit only likes my Beretta, she knows it's go time when it comes out.

 

[lever addict]

This thread scares me! I think we all need to fight our local game commish! The people who decide how long the seasons are and how many you can shoot are drasticaly reducing the herds numbers! This is serious our local hunters have been arguing with the commish the last 5 years or more. I don't even see them hit on the road anymore! :

 

[Waldo]

Good to hear there is a few more combined Brittany and 45/70 enthusiasts out there. Here's a pic. of my girl, soaked during a day in the field standing next to a big deer scrape.
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[lever addict]

Holy crap! Thats a deer rub! Check out this years Team 45-70 Big Buck Contest! We are calling out all the Teams! ;D

 

[Waldo]

Holy crap! Thats a deer rub! Check out this years Team 45-70 Big Buck Contest! We are calling out all the Teams! ;D

Texas ain't the only place that has "BIG" things, that's a rub from a Sambar stag. I've seen a couple of stags but never had the chance for a shot at one, stay tuned it will happen.
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[findrichard]

Not sure they are scared, just plain smart. Gun season starts and all I see is doe up until the very first day of doe week. Then for seven days of hunting I see no doe. The very next day after doe week I start seeing only does again. Go figure.

 

[skmarsh77]

Only saw a few up here in mass this winter. once the season was over though they were everywhere. found them all grouped up not far from the normal hunting spot lost count around seventy. Never seen anything like it. we had a bad (snowy) winter this year maybe that had something to do with it. oh well maybe next year.