November Double Stike

Since my last post, things have been roughly the same, cold and some wind thrown in.  I have seen deer, just none close enough.  Two does came close, but then walked away.  It's gun season, so they we're in range, but it was a risky shot.  Then Tuesday, Nov 22, came.  I went out to the stand at a normal time of 4 o' clock.  I prayed that God would grant me a deer tonight after so many close calls.  Around 5, there was a doe behind me in a field.  It wasn't a great posture to shoot from, with the tree stand harness restricting some movement, not to mention my stand is on the edge, so branches still block some shooting lanes.  But she came closer.  I waited.  She looked back, and another doe entered the field.  Their feeding led them in my direction, I told myself I would take whichever one gave me the first shot.  One stepped to where she gave a good view "Bang!"  She dropped.  I quickly cocked my Winchester for another shot if needed, while the second doe ran to the other side of the field. She stopped and took a look at what had just happened "Bang!"  She dropped as well.  2 shots, 2 deer, no trailing needed.  After the shot, I was shaking all over, not from cold, but from excitement!  God had answered, not with one, but two great does (one may have been the biggest I've ever shot).

What makes it worth the trouble, sometimes not seeing deer, other times not getting a shot, or when cutting up the deer, doing all the work to get the meat processed?  Good question.  I'm not sure of the answer. Other than the experience of the whole endeavor.  The expectation of a deer showing up out of thin air.  The adrenaline rush before and after the shot.  Holding steady aim when you're shaking all over.  The blast of the shot.  The reward of success.

What's next for me?  Well, I hope to get another one before the season's over!  And a certain buck I'm getting pictures of is on the list of "next ups" as well.

Sensed, Avoided, Busted

Hunting season is in full swing now, and it's nearing the end of October, and in many places, not far from the whitetail rut.  I still haven't tagged a deer.  I've seen plenty, but they simply haven't come into range.  But I think I figured out the problem.
Every time a deer enters the field to the right of my stand, they feed for a while and when they get about 40-50 yards from the stand, they stop and lift up their heads and sniff.  They know something is there.  It's quite fascinating actually.  It's as if there is a circle drawn in a 40 yard radius from my stand.  No matter where the deer enter the field, they don't act like anything is wrong until WHAM!  They hit an imaginary wall just outside of my bow range and they know something is there.  Every. Single. Time.  I had 2 bucks, one a nice 6 point, do it.  I had a group of 4 does do it.  I've had numerous other deer do the same thing: 40 yards, stop, lift up nose, sniff, walk the other way.  They don't see me, they don't hear me.
They smell me.  I believe you can be as quiet and as hidden as you want, but if deer smell you, they will bust you every time.  The oddest thing is, I believe I'm controlling my scent.  Last year all I did was rub fresh pine needles against my clothing and gear and it worked, I harvested 3 deer, I don't think any knew I was there, not to mention all the other deer I encountered that season. This year is different.  I have some scent killer spray, maybe I should use instead.  I know I should pay more attention to the wind, but I can be careless because I want to hunt every chance I get.  I'll see how it pays off.  Hopefully with good results.

Opening Day(s)

I was going to tell a story about a hunt I had, but as I wrote it, I realized it would have been a little boring, no matter what I did to make it intriguing.  The quick version goes a lot like this: I saw three deer, I snuck over to the edge of a field to intercept, and when I got there, they had vanished.  I tried to quietly head in the direction I thought they headed, but I didn't see them.  On the way back, I scared a doe.  Go figure.  Anyway, how's opening day for everyone?  I haven't had much luck, but I've only been out two times.  I think my plan going forward is to continue to get data from pictures (time of day, weather) to find patterns and to just keep trying.
Want a quick tip?  Get ready to hunt oaks.  The acorns are starting to fall, albeit they're not "ripe" yet, but nonetheless they are falling.
Want another?  Carry a call with you.  I'm going to start doing that, you never know when you may need it.

Til next time!

The Season Approaches

It's almost hunting season!  Are you ready?  I know I'm not, as far a prep goes!  BUT, here's a few things to help rev up for the season:

• Glass fields and crops such as soybeans at dusk.  It's also a great way just to sit out in nature and enjoy it, take someone with you too!
• Put out trail cameras.  I have a camera out, I need to check it :) I've been away lately, but I can't wait to see what it has captured in pictures!  As far as trail cameras go, look for patters in activity.  If you have consistent pictures of deer at 8am and 5pm during the summer, then during the early season they should still be following that same pattern.  Thus, you know when you should be in your stand.
• Shoot!  Shoot your rifle, shotgun, your bow.  Sight in the scope.  Pattern your shotgun and perfect that lead by shooting some skeet.  While shooting your bow; perfect your anchor point and release, not to mention arrow grouping.

Enjoy your prep time!  Can't wait for fall!

Fishing with Artificials

Recently, I've had the privilege of fishing at a friends pond.  I've only used artificial lures while there.  And while pond fish may not react the same to lures as lake fish, I've noticed a couple things:

• Big sunfish and any size bass will attack minnow spinners.  I use a Strike King Pro Series 2" minnow with spinner blades.  This little minnow spinner has worked magic on those fish.  I had sunfish and bass hammering the lure.  The bass weren't monsters, in fact, they weren't even big, but on my ultralight, they gave a fun fight.
• I noticed that the bass like to hang out near a tree line with a drop off.  That way they can get to cool water quick, have access to food that falls from the tree, and be in the shade at the same time.  Perfect place to fish!
• If you find a bed of sunfish, cast a jig out past them, and reel in the jig, letting it fall to the bottom before making it rise.  Or, reeling in slowly and steadily while twitching the lure may work as well.  

Here are some of the fish I caught on the minnow:

Nice size bluegill

Small Largemouth

I don't know what fish this is...bluegill with spots?

Before I close, I would like to mention that I now have a Cabela's Wind River fly reel.  It works great, and it's nice and shiny!  Keep fishing and prep for hunting!