Behind the Badge - The Tewaukon Hunt
The Tewaukon Hunt
District Game Warden Andrew Dahlgren
Typically, when we as game wardens reflect on the past deer season, we think about 16.5 long days with what feels like a stream of never-ending calls and complaints that ultimately drags on for another two weeks after the season closes.
As I reflect back on 2024 and the rifle deer season, for once that was not the case.
It was the quietest deer season I’ve worked.
Some of that is likely attributed to the lack of deer tags, some probably to the economy and hopefully some is people just behaved better.
Besides the 2024 season being quiet, I will also remember it as the year where I had one of my most enjoyable moments as a warden.
Prior to the season starting Tewaukon Refuge Officer Jason Treat had contacted me about a hunter who had one of the coveted Tewaukon Refuge antlered tags.
Jason informed me that the hunter, Govin, had stopped into their office to ask about the rules and regulations, and during their discussion Jason had learned that Govin was a first-time deer hunter.
Jason asked that if I saw Govin out on the refuge to help him out.
The Saturday of opening weekend I received a call from Jason checking to see if I was busy as he was wanting help tracking a deer on the refuge.
I arrived at the Refuge and met up with Jason.
While we were walking the one-half mile into the refuge Jason explained that he had come across Govin out hunting and had taken him out to show him a spot on the refuge to sit.
As Jason was walking back to his truck, he heard Govin shoot.
Jason went back out to Govin who said he shot a buck.
Jason was unable to find any blood, so he called me to help.
When we got back out to Govin’s location I asked Govin to recount what happened.
As I listened to his story, I asked both Govin and Jason if they heard the “thump.” Both asked what I meant by the “thump.”
I explained that when a bullet hits a deer, especially the chest cavity, you typically hear a “thump” right after the gun shot.
Neither Govin nor Jason heard a “thump.” We looked for blood in the cattails and phragmites and were unable to find anything.
As I neared the creek bed, I found fresh tracks from a running buck, and we determined that Govin likely shot right over the top of the deer given how close the deer was.
A little disappointed, but undeterred Govin asked if he should sit in the same spot that evening.
Both Jason and I agreed it was a good spot to see deer and we pointed out a little hill to the south and explained that based on the wind expected for the evening that would probably be the best spot for Govin to sit.
We decided to walk over to the hill and get a look at the other side.
As we reached the hill, I spotted a whitetail buck about the same time he saw us.
We stopped and watched as the buck cautiously walked up a ridge about 300 yards away.
With the wind in our favor, we discussed what Govin would like to do.
The deer definitely knew we were there, so sneaking closer was definitely not an option.
Govin indicated that he sighted the rifle in to 100 yards but was not sure about that 300-yard distance.
After looking at Govin’s scope and seeing it was equipped with reticle holdovers and learning that he served in the military, I explained the aim point for the 300-yard distance.
Govin loaded 3 shells into his gun and took aim.
I stood behind Govin and watched as he fired the first round.
Both Jason and Govin immediately said that they heard the “thump.” We watched as the deer ran a half circle and stopped after about 20 yards.
The deer stood there; tail twitching clearly hit but not going down.
I encouraged Govin to put a second round into the deer.
Govin fired the second time and again we heard the positive response of “thump.” The deer stood there for what seemed like an eternity but was really three seconds before toppling over.
As we walked toward the deer the smile on Govin’s face was enormous.
When we finally located the deer in the grass, I am honestly not sure which of the three of us was the most excited.
Govin pulled out his tag and tagged the deer and Jason and I each took a picture with Govin and his deer.
We looked at the shot placement.
Both shots were excellent, double lung hits.
I walked Govin through gutting a deer and after he finished and was cleaning up different organs to keep Jason and I learned a little about Nepalese culture and cuisine.
It is safe to say that all three of us will remember this hunt forever!