Welcome to Dan Broderick’s deer hunting page

Dan@shopcam.com

Clayton County Iowa: Youth/Disabled deer hunt September 2007

  For the past four or five years, a friend and Shopcam customer from Iowa (Pat W) has encouraged me to “come kill these deer”. So last year I put in for a tag, didn’t get one, reapplied and was drawn this year. Big Ray O agreed to take the trip with me. I decided to drive the hunting van. I hadn’t driven it that far in 5 year, but it worked out alright.

Tail of the tape: We were parked in a Alfalfa field about 150 yards fro the woods. I was using a new 50. Cal Remington Genesis Muzzle loader, 3 pyrodex pellets, 250 grain Hornaday SST. I hit him in the left shoulder. I ranged the shot at 118 yards.

The story:  We had planned on hunting Pat's Vineyard, but 23" of rain had made the road up there almost impassable. Luckily he had an Uncle with a beautiful cattle ranch, just around the corner.  We pulled into Iowa around 3:30pm and met Pat at his shop.  We proceeded up his hill to a large clearing (15 to 20 acres) where his Vineyard is (see topo).   This would have been an excellent spot to hunt.  We saw a couple bird dogs (German Shorthairs) that may have bothered the deer, but probably not.  Due to the trail condition, we headed over to Roy's place.  After picking up Roy, we checked out his property.  I could have used a full day on scouting that place.  We ended up at the alfalfa field at the north of the property.  This is at least a 60-80 acre field.  We spotted 4-5 deer about 300 yards away. We only had the 6x range finder but I'm sure I saw some horn.  After that, Roy had us drive down by the ferry at the Mississippi river. That morning, he had cut the roadway heading to the ferry (see pic).  We hunted that on Saturday morning and saw a big doe. 

  Come Saturday morning, we were ready to go.  We hunted the alfalfa field but didn't see anything.  Around 10:30 we headed to the southeast side of the property.  There was a little strip of hay between the corn and woods.  From behind us, a couple does came 'prancing'  by.  I wish I had the camcorder handy, the one was skipping or something.  I have never seen a deer do that before. I should have shot it just for acting so gay.  We hunted that area for about 2 hours then headed to the river.  I thought we were on them after we jumped two does on the way there. We didn't see anything for a couple hours but did see one cross by the 2nd power line just before leaving.

  For the evening hunt, we decided to sit where Roy showed us that bunch the night before.  After about an hour, two bucks came out of the woods. I shot the first one, even though everyone said "don't shoot the first buck you see".  I did take the time to range him though. After I shot him, he ran about 10 yards into the woods and died.  Since the Iowa DNR makes you buy a doe tag and there was still 45 minutes of light, I decided to fill it.  After 15 minutes, the other buck decides to check on his buddy.  He realizes something isn't right and leaves.  A 7-point with a goofy set of horns walked by and I saw two bucks fighting and another one watching them (220 yards out).

 So that's how I ended my Iowa hunt.  Passing on five bucks while waiting for a doe to come along.  That doesn't happen in Michigan.

The happy hunter.	This is what the hay field looked like	This pic was at Pat's	Here is Roy with a couple he got.
	This is the view by the river	On the wall

Shiawassee: Opening day of rifle season 2006

  Here are some pics of my best deer.  A 9 point, 20.5" spread, 189 lbs dressed.

Tail of the tape: I got him in Saginaw county at the Flats,   I was using using a 50. Cal Knight Muzzle loader, 3 pyrodex pellets, 295 grain powerbelts. I hit him in the left shoulder.  The bullet splintered, somewhat, but obviously did the job. I estimate the shot to be 125 yards.

The story: It was a cold dark night, the woods were quiet.....too quiet. Actually, he stuck his head out a little after 7:00am and with all the geese, ducks and goose hunters, it was anything but quiet.  I didn't even have time to get cold.

   I drew a buck permit for the Shiawassee non-ambulatory deer hunt. I was going to take Nolen (Lilly's brother) but he missed school, so Paige correctly cancelled him going.  I couldn't find anyone at the last minute, so hunted with a volunteer named Kevin. A heck of a nice guy. A High School Teacher from up-north.

  Jim, the biologist at Shiawassee, noticed they still had some standing corn, so they threw up a blind at the last minute. I lucked out and drew it.  He said the deer would leave the corn in the morning and head for the woods.  I set up on the south side of the blind and let Kevin watch the north. About 5 minutes after 7:00, Kevin spots a doe to the north. So, I figured it could be a hot doe and I'd better wheel over there, just in case. Just then, Kevin said "there's a buck'.  I couldn't make out his rack, but I could tell by the size of him, I was going to shoot him.  I put the cross-hairs on him and sent up a smoke signal.  I couldn't see anything, but Kevin saw him running through the open field, heading for the cat-tails. With both lungs and his heart hit, he still made it over 100 yards. I had no idea how big he was until I saw them dragging him up.

Update:  I had him scored.  139 7/8  He made the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan. 

There's the corn field they were suppose to be in			Facing north. Got him at the end of this road.
The antis loved me up at Meijer's	pre-dressed. What do think? 250lb		At Meijer's	Here's my hunt-van
Good one with Kevin	Another happy volunteer	Tom, a volunteer	You can see the split G2 See the rub behind me?	It splintered but held  together pretty good
If you know Shiawassee Here's the  location	On the wall.	Here's my 8 point from 2000. Got him with a Muzzleloader

1992 Chevy Hunt Van with penthouse $1100 or best offer

You are viewing on a 1992 Chevy Van. This van has been modified for hunting and is 100% street legal. There is a 4' x 4' cage in the back that's attached to a 2000lb winch that extends it through the roof. There are plexiglass windows in the corners and shooting rests at the openings. It has a weatherproof ATV toggle switch within easy reach (while on it). We put a raised roof on it last winter so there is plenty of headroom while hunting. It was black but we painted it with camo paint. I'm including 3 cans of camo spray paint. We put insulation on the interior roof.

The good:

· It starts and runs great. I drove it to Iowa and back 9-15-07 no problems and just put gas in. My brother borrowed her for a couple weeks in January with no problems and even did a oil change.

· If you have a permit to hunt from a standing vehicle or private land, this is the perfect setup.

The bad:

· The heater/blower switch works but not on high.

· A valve stem leaks oil. It puffs when started if it sits for awhile. It uses about 1/2 a quart between oil changes. It's been that way for the last 3 years I drove it and it never got worse.

· Various rust and dents.

· It has the 4.3 V6. 129k

· Cruise control

· Air Conditioning

· Power steering & Brakes

· Power Windows & Lock

· delay wipers

· AM/FM radio

· 8" rims front & rear

· Extra leaf in the rear, 1" spacer on the front

· Class 3 hitch w/ extension. Accepts a 2" receiver or carrier.

· Under Vehicle lift (works great) 350 lbs capacity (Man or beast)

· Remote cable inside & outside controls.

· Transfer Base for drivers seat.

The Hand controls and spinner knob do not come with the van.

This van is sold as is. Ask any questions before bidding. I hunted three season with this van. The killing cage has been up and down 100’s of times with no problems, but checks it out yourself. I weight about 170lb.

You shouldn't be afraid to drive this van any distance. I'll work with the winner on possible delivery.

Remington Model 11

  Here are some pics of a nice shotgun I may sell soon.