The Guns of Autumn

      Also known as Deer Camp 2019, here we go.  Two days driving from Poplar Bluff, MO with an overnight at Walmart in Vinita, OK.  We arrived and set up camp in the only area in Oklahoma I claim to know top to bottom, east to west......Fort Supply.  I have a taken a number of deer out of here over the years, but only been back once since 1997 for an unsuccessful archery hunt in 2014.  We have been enamored with Texas Wild Hogs the past 4 years, but Barb has a hankerin' for some venison so this year our plans changed.  We would be spending Thanksgiving here as well, but those groceries are already on hand.  We discovered that the last gas/grocery in Ft. Supply had closed so any groceries to be had are at Woodward (SE 17 miles full services).  We had planned to camp at the Corps of Engineers Campground on the west side of the dam, but record level spring rains and the subsequent 10 foot rise of the lake level caused flooding that had the entire area closed.  We were able to water up at the 4 way stop near the Corps Office and then camp at one of our old familiar free boondocking spots along the west side of the area.   This would entail full up boondocking protocol with both sets of solar panels and a bit of generator as well.  We arrived and set up just before dark in 42 degree rainy weather.  We did discover the only place to get propane refilled was at Clayton's Propane 4 miles east of Woodward on Hwy 270.

Fort Supply Boondocking

      Fort Supply WMA is located approximately 188 miles NW of Oklahoma City and has a nice lake and over 5400 acres of good hunting land with open agricultural fields, sage, timber, and thick river bottom home to deer, quail, turkey, pheasant, rabbits, and a variety of varmints.  We would be camped at the west side of the area while I hunted the southern areas of cottonwood, willows, and river bottom.  There is no antlerless hunting here unless I hunt private land.  We are more meat hunting this trip, but on the management area it is bucks only.  Barb would not be hunting this trip, enjoying the relaxation of camp, the critters, peace & quiet.  We arrived two days early in order to gather a bunch of firewood and I could do some scouting.  I would be using Barb's 7mm-08 this trip, but did bring along my new toy to test loads and site in.  Both the WMA and Corps of Engineers have shooting ranges here for public use.

  

Lowland cottonwoods, elms, and junipers each side of the river 

Winter wheat fields located randomly throughout the area

      I sighted in my new Ruger Redhawk using 44 Special 240 grain semi wadcutters.  I purchased the Talo Industries Model with fiber optic open sights.  This is my standard carry load unless I'm packing with self defense or bears in mind.  For this I will be utilizing 300 grain JHP Hornady.  The 44 Spl loads (HSM 240 SWC) are an easy, comfortable load to shoot.  I went to the COE range near camp, but there were only table rests at 200-150-100-50 yards.  I did all my sighting at 25 yards freehand.  The trigger pull is light and crisp, but I found the gun a bit heavy to handle with wood grips.  I will be putting on Pachmayr Rubber grips in the near future.  I have them on my Blackhawk 45 LC and find they help my hand fit the gun better.  It took about 2 dozen rounds to get it dialed in, but it was fun to shoot as well.  

Ruger Redhawk 44 Spl/Mag

25 yards freehand

        We ate our normal menu of good stuff with Thanksgiving an extra treat.  My Best Damned Chili, Saucy Chorizo Tater Soup, Miso Soup, and Ham n Spinach Salad just to name a few.  

Rich's Best Damned Chili

Ham Spinach Salad w/onions, boy choy, and eggs

      Every 10 years or so we like to 'mix it up' a bit for Thanksgiving Dinner.  We chose duck this year, a German Alsatian Roast version. Stuffed with quartered Granny Smith apples and whole clove stuffed quartered onion, the duck is trussed and rubbed out all over with Extra Virgin Olive Oil then the top breast is shallow scored with a knife in an X pattern.  I also prepared pecan cranberry stuffing, deviled eggs, and sweet tater casserole.  Have to watch that limited freezer room when dealing with leftovers. Thanksgiving....leftovers?  Yeah.  This year freezer room was non existent upon departure.  

Apple onion clove stuffed duck prior to roasting

Alsatian Roast Duck w/molasses, honey, soy glaze

Served with Cranberry Pecan Dressing, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Deviled Eggs, & Rolls

      Opening day provided plenty of deer, but no bucks. Now what comes next isn't at all normal and any hunter will tell you they thank God for seasons like this.  The second morning dawned clear and bright.  About 30 minutes after I got set up 6 does straggled into the far end of the winter wheat field I was hunting, 500 yards by the rangefinder.  I watched them for a bit and then this guy walks out.  He follows the does around for a bit and then turns and begins his walk across the field coming my way.  I couldn't believe it.  Near as I can figure he was heading to a scrape I knew was about 90 yards behind me.  I got steady, calmed myself, and put one straight through the wheel house at about 90 yards.  Honestly we did have to get some help from nearby hunters to help drag him out as Barb and I didn't have much stamina.  Age sucks.  145 pounds, 8 points (5x3), and no spoiled meat.  Because the temps were forecast to reach 70 degrees we did bone him out in camp the same morning and put him on ice till we could get him to the processors.  By the way, Barb's new 7mm-08 worked beautifully.  Easy to carry at 6 pounds, balls on accurate with the Nikon scope, and not much recoil.  Fun to shoot. 

My bride working her magic

In the end it was 45 pounds of steak and stew meat as well as 22 pounds of burger

      Barb has always skinned our deer through the years.  She learned the art from her uncle and does a wonderful job.  She enjoys the satisfaction of it.  Rather than butcher it ourselves this year we took it to a local butcher that cuts up deer after hours.  Steaks, stew meat, backstrap, burger....oh my!  John Ray in Woodward does a very nice job.  We still did not have to be at our next destination for another 15 days so we had time to improvise our itinerary. 

      I also brought the 22-250 Varmageddon to stake out and plunk a few coyotes, turkeys, or cottontails.  However, I discovered that only deer gun was open while we were here.  Turkeys ended the day before and coyote opens after.  

      NW Oklahoma is like much the rest of country when it comes to weather.  Wait 10 minutes...….it can be very unpredictable this time of year.  Boondocking this trip worked as expected with the generator needed almost daily to top off the battery bank.  Cold weather uses a lot of propane and battery bank.  On Day #6 we had winds 30-40 mph with gusts over 50 at times.  It gave us cause for alarm as several wildfires began with the closest only 18 miles south of us, but the WNW winds kept us from having to be evacuated.  Thanks to the Fort Supply COE Rangers for keeping us advised.  Thanksgiving it rained with some snow mixed in.  

      There is a lot of local history here.  The area was the historic home of the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes.  It was also the home fort for General George Armstrong Custer during his early days serving 'Westward Expansion';  yeah we'll call it that.  I'm not a big fan of the man, but he started his 'personal' campaign here.  His famous Battle of the Washita originated from Ft. Supply. www.okhistory.org/sites/fstour
     Barb, Roux, and Bones got all the rest they needed here and Barb was able to knock out the Christmas card list as well.  We also met 3 new friends that travel from South Oklahoma to hunt here each year.  One of them harvested a very nice 8 point as well.  Maybe we'll hook up again next fall.  We utilized solar daily and the generator to top off at night a bit more than usual.  We ran 76 hours of generator equating to $ 35.85 of gas.  We also used 2 tanks of propane at a cost of $50.70  We stayed here 10 days equating to a total cost of $86.55 camping or $8.55  per day, plus we got a freezer full of venison.  From here we travel the roundabout way south to Marlow, OK to visit our grandson, the 18 year old senior, for a couple of weeks.  Thank you God for a great camp and reminder of all we have to be thankful for.  

"Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience.  It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person" 

Fred Bear

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