Last day of pheasant

Well, today is the last day for pheasant hunting.  It has recently snowed (Thursday) so there is a few inches on the ground and it's been iced over so it's a challenging walk.  It's also pretty chilly out.  Bacci isn't his usual self today.  Wasn't as excited as I was getting my stuff together...think he's getting old.  Who isn't I suppose.

Show up at the parking lot and there wasn't much room to park.  Even though, it didn't seem like a lot of guys.  Perhaps the snow cut down on the space.  Met up with Greg and Amil.  We started on the field side and Greg and I went down the middle.  Amil came around our backside and as he passed the point he flushed 4 birds!!  The funniest part was that we just all watched them.  I think all three of us were watching the one bird that crossed in front of us.  It was a little low so no one shot but it landed and then took off right away and when it did, Greg shot him.  The others flew into the point at the end of the field so we went down there to find them.  We ended up putting up two birds, one Amil got and one Greg and I missed on.  We walked into the second field.  I went into the edge and Greg stayed up on the pipeline.  Didn't put anything out of there but as we worked down toward the end, Bacci put up two cock-birds   They were too far for me to get a shot at because I didn't really walk that far.  The Yahoo and his buddies were closing in on the area so we didn't really pursue.  We walked back on the field to head to the hill.  Once we got up the hill we immediately found a hen under a tree.  She saw us and took off, I got her.  We turned and walked towards the river and another bird came busting out of the trees.  I shot twice and hit her, but she went all the way into the field.  After retrieving her, we went back to the truck.  We rested for a bit and then went up the hill again.  We ended up chasing a hen but she must have flown off because we couldn't find her at all.  We put up a few more birds, out of range or after we got our two.  All in all it was a very fun last day.

Bacci's birthday!!!

My boy is 10 today and what better way to celebrate than to take him hunting.  It's cold and windy today with some snow flurries.  I finally met up with Greg again and this time the parking lot was packed.  We started on the field side and as soon as we went in Bacci went on point.  He put up a cock bird which I shot.  We then went to the end of the field and seeing that everyone was moving to the second field, we turned around to go up the hill.  No one had been up this way yet.  We went to the top and straight across, then around.  After going completely around, Bacci caught scent of a bird (almost where Harley had put one up last time).  We got ready and a cock bird went up.  I let Greg shoot first and he missed on both shots.  I then took him. (I gave him to Greg though).  We worked our way to the second field and met up with Amil there. Together we walked all the way to the flats.  While on our way, Harley put up a hen bird that we shot at and missed.  It was a far shot, but we missed anyway.  We walked all the way to the road and when we crossed the street, Harley put up a cock bird that all three of us missed.  We saw about where he landed and pursued him.  He flushed again and yet again we missed.  He flew back across the road so we went back across and believe it or not, Harley found him again.  He put him up and yet again we missed!!  It would have been frustrating if it wasn't so comical.  We worked our way back towards the trucks and called it a day.  It was a lot of fun.

Nice day off...

I took today off of work to do a little bird hunting.  I went up to Flatbrook and expected it to be empty, but much to my surprise, it was pretty crowded.  I started out on the field side and made my way through the first two and then turned and went up the hill.  I hooked up with Amil at that point and we hunted together.  Soon after hooking up his dog, Harley, went on point at the top of the hill.  A hen bird came bursting out of the cover and he yelled "take it"...so I shot and dropped her.  He apparently didn't have a clear shot from where he was.  We walked all the way to the back fields and didn't see anything else.  There was no shooting at all today.  After I left I took a ride around near Van Campen Inn just to look around and take some pictures (one really nice one of Bacci) and then home.  It was a really nice day off.

Bang up day...

I started the day by pheasant hunting at Flatbrook.  The parking lot was more crowded then I think I've ever seen so I started on the hill side.  Although I wasn't thrilled about doing that I didn't think that going on the field side would be any better.  There were two birds in the trees off the parking lot that I wasn't going to even get close to so at the start, I stayed back, let them shoot those birds and then after letting everyone head in first and then after the first wave got to the top of the hill I started up the hill.  I went around to the right and after picking my way all the way around the hill, on the way towards the back, I came upon a rooster that had been shot and was just lying there.  I don't know, maybe it was just dead, but I picked it up and walked on.  Very shortly after I saw a rooster tucked against a tree.  I called the dog over and after setting myself up for a nice shot when it flew in front of me, it of course, took off behind me and I swung and shot and he fell.  I saw a few guys (the crazy guys from last year) and they mentioned something about Bacci putting up a bird for them.  I asked if they wanted one and when they said yes, I gave them the bird I found.  I continued on walking the fields towards three bridges and at the break in one field I saw another rooster lying dead on the ground.  While I was thinking about weather or not to pick it up I saw another in a tree.  It was a little later now...so I decided to take the live one and not the dead one.  I did and then headed back to the truck with my two birds.  I probably could have gotten more the way we were doing and the dog was birdy but I wanted to get home to go deer hunting.

I dropped off Bacci, put the Christmas lights up on the tree and then headed to the club.  I was the only one there and went back to the Swamp.  I got there around 2:00ish and sat.  At close to 3:20 I heard movement coming from the back of the swamp towards the road.  I slowly turned to see two does making their way inside from the pit side.  I slowly turned so I didn't make too much movement and i got the lead doe in my sights.  She was about 30 or so yards away.  I pulled the trigger, saw a cloud of smoke and then nothing.    I got up to check out where she had been and saw no blood.  How in the world could I miss.  I think I know where she was headed so I walked that way and saw no blood, but I did see wet tracks across the road so I followed the tracks to a different exit from the swamp and there I saw a tiny bit of blood.  I saw where she would head across the road and saw a tiny bit of blood on that side so I made my way into the woods across the road and found her lying, with a hole through her chest and lungs.  I great day of hunting.

Back in the swamp...

So, after my last trip to the swamp I was determined and excited to get back there.  I took the day off of work to go pheasant hunting in the morning and deer hunting in the evening.  I started out by going pheasant hunting at Flatbrook in the morning.  There was literally no one there.  Ok, so there weren't many birds, but in the parking lot was me, Amil and one other guy.  It was a PLEASURE.  When I pulled up there was a bird in the tree above the parking lot and one in a tree across the street.  So at start time, I took the one across the street and Amil took the one at the parking lot.  It's a good thing too because that was the last bird I saw all day. When I was done bird hunting, Bacci and I took a ride around taking pictures.  It was the first day of my new DSLR camera and I wanted to try it out.  I took some pretty nice pictures if I do say so myself. After bringing the dog home, I headed to the club.

When I got to the club I was alone there, which is what I expected.  I went to the swamp and settled in.  It was cloudy but warmish and a nice sit.  I didn't see any deer but I know that this is a hot spot still because there was a lot of sign in the swamp.  I got out and when I did I noticed Gary's car.  He went to 13 and told me that during shotgun, Tony got a 6 pointer and Jeff got a 6 pointer.  Grr.  Still looking forward to going back to the swamp and getting a doe with the smoke pole.

Last day of 6-day

Heading up to the club for the last day of the season.  It's been drizzling all night and with the temps rising, it's foggy out again.  I got to the club and was the only one there.  I decided to get dressed and head over to the Cadillac.  It was a nice morning but I didn't see anything.  Hardly heard any shots too.  Again, I stayed until about 10 and then it was siesta time.  I headed back out and got to the swamp about 1.  It was cloudy the whole day but didn't rain which was nice.  At around 4:00 I could see from the far side of the swamp, some movement in the field.  I looked through the range finder and saw some deer heading my way.  I put up the gun and waited.  I had a feeling that they were does but I wanted to be ready.  When they finally passed in front of me, they were about 30 yards away and it was 8 does.  If I had my muzzy it would only be 7 but I was out for bone today.  I sat and watched them pass hoping that they would and wouldn't come into the swamp.  I was on the ground and if they came in I would have been busted and possibly would have screwed the site for a while.  They walked by and then out of the field (I thought).  It was now just about dark.  I was preparing myself to get out of the woods when suddenly I saw movement in the field.  5 of the 8 does made their way back to my spot.  I sat tucked down hoping once again that they would walk by, which they did.  When they passed, I got up and out.  I hope they do that same thing the next time I'm there with the muzzy!

Six day, buck week, shotgun, firearms...whatever you want to call it.

This was the start of six day firearms season.  Considering that I foolishly shot a 4 pointer on the opening day of muzzleloader and that I have to get two does before I can shoot a buck at the cull, this would be my best last chance for a buck.  I showed up at the club and there was no one there which was a surprise.  I decided to make my way to the dip stand in the extremely thick fog.  I expected to see deer.  I heard shots from around me.   Not on our property, but close.  One of them actually sounded like it came from the Cadillac stand but I don't think anyone was there.  I got out of the woods around 10:00 and decided to take a siesta. At about an hour into my nap I heard a truck.  It was Tony.  He and Frank had been in the back by the river.  They didn't see anything either.  Tony decided to go to 10 for the afternoon and I went back to the dip.  I got in around 12:30 and sat.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  Warm, sunny and gorgeous.  Certainly didn't feel like shotgun season.  I didn't see anything in the afternoon either.

Well, he's small but he's mine.

Today was opening day of the muzzle-loader season.  I went to the club to sit for the day.  I got there and saw that there was a truck there.  As Greg had predicted, Gary was at the club.  I checked the board and there were pins in two places, the River Stand and the Cadillac Stand.  Not knowing which was his, I decided to head over to the dip stand.  I started out at the edge of the field and sat until it got light.  It was a beautiful morning, a little chilly, but clear.  I didn't see anything by 7:00 and decided to sneak over to the dip. I got on the hill and sat.  I didn't see anything.  I made my way out around 10am and met up with Gary.  He told me a a few nice bucks that are running around.  We talked for a bit and I decided to take a nap.

At around 12:30 I woke up from my siesta and got dressed to go back into the woods.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to go to the dip stand (I had seen two scrapes there) or to the Swamp.  I'd been wanting to get back to the swamp since the last time I went with my bow.   I went to the swamp and cuddled up next to a log.  I had the field to my right and the woods (toward the road) to my left. I hadn't seen anything all afternoon.   At  just before dark, say almost 5, in a flash a deer came running into the swamp.  I raised my gun instinctively and aimed.  He was only a 4 pointer but had a nice body.  In the 3 seconds that it took him to walk in, I had a conversation in my mind on weather to take him because I hadn't gotten a deer or opportunity for a deer all season and I'm not sure what else would present itself this season or let him walk because it's the first day of the season, there are bigger bucks around and I don't like shooting smaller bucks.  Well, by the time this argument got in my head I squeezed the trigger...the deer ran 20 yards and fell down dead.  Not a drop of blood and no tracking necessary.

It was a bittersweet ending.  I was happy that I had a deer finally but I had wished that I didn't shoot a small buck like that.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Made my traditional morning bird hunting trip to Flatbrook with Dani.  I think that Flatbrook is getting more and more crowded.  I was going to start on the first big field and was standing at the edge with Greg when a group of guys walked ahead of us and stood there waiting.  I had two choices, shoot them or move...I chose to move.  I went to the other side at the base of the hill which I typically don't like to do at the first push.  We met up with Amil who also got frustrated and we started together.  When we made it up the hill Harley (Amil's dog) put a bird up and Amil shot it.  We walked together over the hill and split when we got to the top.  We went right and walked around the top of the hill.  As we got to the top, Bacci put up a bird that flew really low.  I held off shooting until I felt that it cleared Bacci and by then, it was kind of late.  We walked around a bit more and as we came to the field near the river two guys called us over because there was a bird in the field that they couldn't find.  We worked with Bacci and he, of course, put the bird up.  Greg and I both shot and missed.  I really am having a hard time this year.  Lastly, as we were on the hillside near the opposite field, a bird came in from across the road.  Two guys in the field shot at it and must have just grazed it and she glided into the hill...right near Bacci (her first mistake).  He chased her down and after both Bacci and the bird came tumbling down the hill, he caught her.  I asked the two guys in the field which one shot her and they both said that they didn't hit her so I took her home.  Now off to Jeannie's mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Quick trip to Berkshire

Jeannie told me that she was going to work from home if I wanted to go hunting in the morning, well she didn't have to ask me twice.  I knew I would make a quick trip to Berkshire Valley on the way in to work. I didn't have any expectations, just wanted a nice little walk through the woods and take a chance at seeing a bird.  Start time was 6:45 and when I got there I was surprised how few guys there were there.  I thought maybe I had the wrong day!  I think that by the time we started there were 10 guys...yes, in total!!  Only one with a dog.  I only walked around until 8:00 but I did manage to put up one hen bird...yeah I missed of course but what a great way to start the day.  I actually tracked the mileage that I walked and managed to do 2.32 miles in the short time I was there.

Opening day pheasant

I think that this was the most crowded I've ever seen it.  It was so bad that Greg and I had to walk to the end of the street to start at the little field next to the hill.  We started off there and put up one bird that greg shot dead...and then I shot it.  lol  I don't know, I was already in motion.  lol.

After that we were walking the hillside and came upon a dad and his younger daughter.  He had a bird hear him and put it up.  He shot and his gun jammed and the girl shot twice and missed.  I shot and killed the bird and when I went to pick it up the girl was walking towards me as if she got it.  I happily handed her the bird and congratulated her on a good shot.  That was the last bird we saw.  I worked Bacci a lot and he was exhausted by the end of the day.

Rut...what rut?

Ok. So I know that it's the rut but to be honest, I'm not that thrilled about it.  I was stupid and only got an extended bow permit for my cull zone...and I have to get two does before a buck in this zone.  Sadly, I have not had any luck this year so I haven't gotten any.  So let the bucks run around as much as they want, I can't do anything about it.  With that said, I still want to be in the woods and deer hunting so I took the afternoon off of work.  I decided to go behind the dump.  I saw NOTHING at all.  oh wait, I did see that guy that hunts there...at 4!!  Just walking around.  What is wrong with people?!  Can't wait until I get back to the club with the muzzy.

Post Sandy

Well, I didn't go out last weekend because I was getting a generator to prepare for Super Storm (a.k.a. Hurricane) Sandy.  I decided, after a crazy week of not being able to work because of no phones or internet, to leave early on Friday to do some hunting.  Wouldn't you know it that we got our phone and internet back...no matter, I was taking off anyway!

I decided that I was going to go to Briarcliff today and then dump tomorrow.  I headed over to the spot and the trees down in the area was unbelievable.  It looks like a tornado ripped through, or that someone took a bulldozer and tore down the woods.  When I walked in, I even had to walk under a big tree that was fallen over and being supported by another tree...needless to say i went under that one quickly.  I made my way to the tree and got up.  It was a windy day and to be honest, each time the wind would blow I wondered if any of the trees around me had been weakened by the storm and would fall on me.  It was kind of nerve wracking.  At around 4:30 I had 4 teenage boys hanging around behind me for a few minutes until they walked by me, across the field and then away.  At around 5:30, as it was just started to get a little dark, I saw a deer walking in the field.  I looked through my range finder and saw that at about 50 yards she sat down in the middle of the field.  Just about then, I saw the 4 boys walking back.  They were doing what boys do...smoke, laugh, push each other, etc.  When they walked by me I looked for the deer again and she was gone.  I didn't see her leave but she mustn't have liked the boys walking that close to her either.  That was all I saw for the remainder of the night.

Just my luck...

I took the afternoon off of work today so I can get back to the club.  After the last time, I needed to get back to the swamp stand.  I know I'll see deer if I can get back there.  I get there and settled into the swamp around 3.  It's a cloudy but warmish, still day.  It was nice to be there.  Not much going on until...hey, what's that!!  No...no...no....not again!!  It's the freaking FARMER!  He's coming back on a different machine...it looks like it's mixing the grass that he cut when I was there on Saturday.  Does he wait for me to get there?  Well...last time, I moved stands and when I came back there were deer there, so this time I'm going to wait him out.  I watch him go back and forth...this time, he's right in front of my spot.  I know that there aren't going to be any deer while he's in the field so I take the opportunity to adjust my seat and face mask.   How the hell was I supposed to know that 4 deer had snuck up behind me! Of course I couldn't hear them coming WITH THE MIXER TRUCK DRIVING BY!   With a snort, they are all gone in a flash.  That was the last deer I'd see for the night.

Mower, seriously?

This is just the way my season is going.  It's a beautiful day.  Sunny and 60 and i decided to go up to the club.  The last two times that I've been up to the club I've seen deer go to or near the swamp stand so that's just where I was heading.  I got to the club and there was no one there...so I got dressed and headed to the stand.  When I got there I noticed that the stand was kind of rusted and I didn't feel comfortable climbing it so I found a nice place on the ground that I could tuck myself into.  I trimmed a few branches and I was good to go.  I was actually feeling pretty good about the spot and my chances of getting a shot.  It was just around 4 and I heard a loud truck on the road...wait, that's not on the road...that's coming my way.  It sounded like there was an 18 wheeler driving down the middle of the field.  It was a mower...the farmer was deciding to cut the grass now...4:00 on a Saturday of hunting season.  I sat there for about a half hour wondering if I should stick it out or move my stand.  I finally decided on moving and I made my way over to the Dip Stand.  I got in and heard the truck go on and on.  I supposed that he stopped mowing around 5:45. I sat and didn't see a thing.  When I got out of the stand and was walking back to the truck I could see the swamp stand...guess what.  There was a deer right in front of it...that's just the way my season is going.  This was, unfortunately, the last Saturday of regular bow up at the club.  I didn't get a permit for the club...I'm going to try and get out of work on an afternoon and head up there.  I don't want to wait until muzzleloader season to get back.

Another windy day...and a stupid TV

I took today off so that I can get a new TV in the morning, get it set up and then hit the woods.  I had such problems getting the TV set up (turned out that the cable box was broken) that I didn't get to the woods and set up until 3:30.  I went behind the dump and the wind was howling.  I was rocking and rolling in the tree.  I saw nothing...maybe one squirrel...but that's it.

Deer, deer, deer....

It's a gorgeous day, sunny and in the mid 60's and I decided to get out of work early to hit the woods.  Yesterday I had walked behind my company and it looked like it was promising.  Even though I hadn't hunted there in a long time, and I saw the two stands there, if I didn't see anyone there I was going there.  The company shut down so it's quiet back there now.

I got into the tree at around 2:45 and literally, by 3, I was seeing deer.  Oh, first on my way in a trailcam got a picture of me.  Wonderful.  So, by 3, I saw two does walking in front of that camera...which was in front of that other stand.  They hung around for a while...followed by a few more.  This went on until just about 4:30.  The whole time I was standing up and at the ready.  Finally they walked off and I was able to sit and relax.  Not for long, however.  By 5:00 another deer walked back to that same spot.  I wonder what's there they that like.  They never did come close enough to me, only getting to a maximum of  45 yards away.  It was still a wonderful night!

What a gorgeous day at the club

As the name indicates, I went to the club today.  Daniella had a double header kind of close to the club so after the game I shot up there (no pun intended).  Got there around 3ish and saw that Tony's truck was there.  I intended on trying to get my stand down the old road, near to where stand 5 was and where I got my first deer at the club, but with the deadfall I wasn't able to get in there.  I could have gotten into the tree, but there was not a clear shooting lane and I wasn't prepared to trim trees.  I put my stand down and while I was there, I climbed on top of a dirt mound that overlooked a pathway.  I did see a bunch of trails so I thought I may have a good chance at seeing a deer.  The mound I was on gave me complete coverage to my left (where I thought the deer would come from) and the shooting lane was only 20 yards from me.  From my vantage point I could see the big field, behind me I could see forever and in front I could see the cemetery   It was a beautiful day and I was in a great place.  I loved it.

At close to 4:30, I think, I saw a lone doe on the edge of the swamp (that makes two times I've been to the club and two times I saw deer in the swamp...guess where i'm going next time?)  As it was just starting to get dark I saw two does walking the middle of the field from the inside part of the big field, and then in front of the swamp.  I don't think they went in but I couldn't really tell.  When I was leaving, I saw Tony who told me that Jeff (I think that's what he said) got a 7 pointer that morning.  He also told me that he had to get better with the crossbow because he injured two more deer.  That infuriates me!  but what can I do.  Tony told me that he hadn't been doing as much hunting and that he's not gotten anything because he's holding out for a decent buck.

Sneaky little suckers...

Today I decided to go to the dump again.  It was much cooler than yesterday and very windy.  I got into the woods around 2:00 and after sitting, rocking and rolling in the wind, for a few hours, a gobbler made an appearance by the "inside field".  Nothing else to see until just about dark.  I turned to my left to catch a doe, at the very last second, making her way out to the field.  I was too late to even grab my bow, and honestly I don't think I would have taken that shot anyway.  At least I saw a deer.

A hot one...

Took the afternoon off of work and headed to the woods.  I went by the tower today.  Whew, it was a hot one.  The temps got into the low 80's and by the time I walked into the woods and set up my stand I was sweating my butt off.  I sat for about 4 1/2 hours and saw absolutely nothing...maybe one squirrel.

Party time

Today was the first day of statewide bow hunting. Not that it affected me any differently, but I could now shoot a buck or a doe (if I went to the club).  In the cull, I still need to get two does before I can get a buck. I went to Briar today after Dani's softball games.  I got to the woods around 4:15, which was a little later than I would have liked but Jeannie was going to her Dad's so I had to stay with Dani and drop her off at home after the games.  When I pulled up to the spot I noticed a lot of cars on the street.  As it turns out, a house that was a few down the block was having a party.  Well, the entire time I was in the tree I heard this party.  I knew that it wouldn't bother the deer, but as is the case with cull programs, I was worried that if I did shoot a deer, it would run to the house and die in the middle of the party.  Not a great advertisement for hunting.

I convinced myself that I would only shoot a deer if it was walking in a direction that I felt it would run away from the party and not towards it.  As the day wore on, the dog walking lady from the last time came back.  She, and one other couple walking, were the only interruptions.  As 5:30 came around, a doe (or quite possibly a small button) came walking directly into my tree.  She kept a tree in between her and I for the whole time.  She stopped and looked up at me...and then ran under my tree and stopped to look back and then trotted off.  She wasn't snorting, so she knew that I was something, but wasn't sure what.  That was the only excitement for the night.  I feel a few days off of work coming on so I can spend more time in the woods.

Late at the club

Dani had two softball games in Kittatinny today.  I decided that I would go to the first one and then get to the woods.  Took me about 45 minutes to get to the club from the game, which ended at around 3:30 so I got up to the club and dressed by about 4:30ish.  It's a little later than I would have liked, but no problem.  I was the only one there which kind of surprised me.  I decided I would take my own stand and sit in the hedgerow that I got my first deer at (first deer at the club, that is).  It was sunny and quite warm.  I walked across the field and looked for a place to set up.  It's changed since the last time I was at that hedgerow and a tree was blocking the path of where I would hope the deer would come from.  It was thick in all directions and made that stand no good until I can get in there and do some clearing.  I walked my stand back to the truck, and by now I am sweating like a pig.  After dropping it off I walked back into the field and tucked myself into the hedgerow that I shot my turkey from.  I didn't go that far into the field however and at 5 I saw a buck and a doe trotting from the corner of the field over to the swamp.  I KNEW that I should have set up in the swamp!  I moved myself closer to the corner and tucked myself into the spot that I got my turkey at.  I saw nothing more and although it was hot, it was nice to be in the woods.

Nuttin butta coon.

I took the day off to hunt today.  It was a little warm but quite breezy (that's never good for me)...but I was going to get in the woods anyway and that is always good for me.  I decided to go to the tower and try my luck at that.  I didn't want to go back to the dump considering all I saw there was bucks.  I got in the woods at about 2:45.  It was beautiful, other than I hate the tree I was in.  It was a great location but the bark is tight and getting up and down can be a bit scary at times because the stand kind of "falls" a little.  Anyway...as the title indicates, I saw nothing but a raccoon that came walking by me.  It was still wonderful to be out there.

Up to my eyeballs in bucks!

I decided that I wanted to leave work early today and get some woods time in.  It is a beautiful day, although a bit warm, but I know that I'm not going to be able to hunt tomorrow because Dani has a softball game and we're going to a party for Cindy.  It's her "good bye leg" party.  So I wanted to sit behind the dump today.  I left work at 3:30 and got in the woods around 4:10.  I was a bit sweaty when I got into the tree, but there was a little breeze to cool me off.  All was quiet until 4:45 when I saw a deer walking from "down the hill". I stood up and got ready only to see that it was a spike.  The spikes were tall and thin.  I could barely even tell it was a buck.  At 5:15, a deer walked from the field to my right, and down the hill.  I thought it was the same spike, but it was a different one with thicker horns.  Shortly after that, the original spike walked the same route.  It was about 10 minutes later when I noticed movement in the field again.  This time, I can see without a doubt that I was looking at a buck.  He was a nice, heavy horned 6 pointer.  He passed from the field and stopped at the tree that I ranged at 22 yards.  Stood there broadside.  I was shaking but still didn't have my doe.  He walked away down the hill.  A few minutes later, another buck.  This one had four points on one side and I couldn't quite make out the other side.  The rack was thinner, but still respectable.  He walked down the hill and away.  Two others came from the field and darted off...they actually went towards the apartments.  They seemed a little spooked but I can't tell what spooked them.

I waited until dark and it was time to get down.  I climbed down, happy in the fun, action filled night that I had.  I got to the bottom and wrapped up my stand and out of the corner of my eye I saw movement on the path.  It was a doe (I think)...but she was close.  20 yards away.  It was dark and I can't shoot from the ground anyway(not that I had my bow in my hand).  I "hid" behind my stand so I didn't spook the deer and as it walked by, in an attempt to scare it away and not get busted, I threw a stick near it.  Instead of running off it stood there looking at me.  Well that backfired.  I threw another stick...and then another.  I hid my movement behind the stand but instead of scaring it, she walked in the woods near me.  I squatted behind my stand as she walked away.  I got my bow, stand and tried to squat-walk out of the woods.  I didn't hear her snort so I think I managed to get out without spooking her.  What a fun day!!

Grand Central Station...

I took off the afternoon today so that I can get back in the woods and take advantage of this spectacular weather.  It is clear and in the low 70's.  I was going to try a new spot, off of Briarcliff...but from now on I'll call it Grand Central.  Remember that I am hunting in a spot that is part of a cull program.  I set up in my tree at around 3:30.  It wasn't long after when I heard noise coming from behind me.  I turned to see someone riding a bike through the woods on the path.  No problem, he didn't ever see me.  A little while later I woman with two teenagers came walking down the same path.  When they passed me, the woman looked up and saw me and I waved.  She was startled so I said that I was sorry if I scared her.  She said that I did and then asked me not to shoot her.  (did she really just say that?) I promised her that I wouldn't and they walked on.  Not too much after that, I heard a bunch of boys somewhere behind my stand.  I turned and could vaguely see them...must have been 5 or so boys.  They did something, not sure what, for a while and then left.  Finally, a woman came walking behind me walking her two dogs...she stopped when she got even with my stand and then walked away.  There is no way in hell I'm going to see any deer!!

Around 6:00, i see movement coming from the top of the hill.  A turkey walks out from the hedgerow...putting...walks a circle and goes back to where it came from, putting the whole way.  What the hell?  I think I found what spooked it...a 4 point buck walks from the same uphill hedgerow and walks to within 20 yards of me.  I could have easily shot him.  I let him walk and just enjoy seeing him.  At around 7:00 I hear some movement from behind me.  As I slowly turned, I could see a doe, has to be 10 yards away from my tree, trying to make me out.  I froze and didn't move.  I am turned and could see her in my peripheral vision but I don't want to move to get my bow, and even if I did I couldn't turn to shoot.  After a few agonizing minutes, she walked around my tree.  That was my opportunity to get my bow.  There is a tree behind mine that is full of leaves so she couldn't see me.  If I could get my bow and she walk around the tree, I could have an easy chip shot.  She walked away instead.  I sat until it got dark.  As I made my way down the tree, a doe...I assume the same one...was in the path, watching me.  I froze again...in mid-squat.  I sat there until she walked away.  I gave her a few more minutes to leave...now it's dark.  I get to the bottom of the tree and I heard her snort...dang!    I made my way to my truck...what a beautiful night.

Opening day was a washout...

Today was opening day for archery.  Despite the really hot temps I decided to hunt anyway and headed to the dump in the morning.  It wasn't too terrible, only around 70 something so I didn't even break a sweat on my way in.  I set up in my stand quickly and had a really nice post.  As soon as the sun came up I quickly remembered why I love this sport.  I saw nothing but some squirrels and then I had to leave at 9 to go see Dani's softball games.  As I was driving to the game it down-poured...heavy!  So much so that when I got to the field, they cancelled the games.  I checked the weather forecast and they were calling for severe storms in the afternoon, even had tornado warnings.  So I skipped afternoon post.  The season is long so I didn't feel like sitting through a tornado!

It's almost here!!

Saturday starts opening day for deer! A few new things this year...I got my new bow, so I'm going to put to the test. I've been shooting it really well...after my initial disaster. I know I didn't write about it, but when I first got the bow I was sighting it in and when I took a shot, missed the target and put an arrow through my central air conditioning line (cost me $300 to fix). So I've been nervous about shooting in the backyard so I've relegated myself to my club or the shooting range. I've been shooting 4 to 5 inch groups from 15 yards out to 35 yards.  The bow shoots nice.  Also new this year is that there is no deer check in stations.  It will probably cause a lot of guys to lie about what they get, but I'll of course report everything accurately.  You just have to call in a number...that's sweet!  Lastly, today, I registered for some new property.  It's in Hackettstown (actually Independence) but it's a Nature Preserve.  Not sure how it will be but I'll try it...take a look.  So, here's to opening day!!

One less turkey...

Well, there is one less turkey in the woods today!!  The weather has gotten a little warmer.  We were in the mid 40's this morning as I was waiting for the sun to rise.  There is a pretty stiff wind, however.  I got out of the truck when I got to the property and I could hear a turkey gobbling from across the road, on the far ridge.  I know I can't get there but it made my blood pump anyway.  I went to the blind with the renewed faith of hearing that bird and I sat and called.  The sun was just starting to come up and I could feel the warmth starting already.  The wind wasn't too bad...I must be protected by the trees.  I hear the occasional gobble and I occassionally yelp.  We're not talking to each other, but I want to let all possible suitors know that I'm around.  At 6:30 I notice movement coming from my right.  Just where I was expecting.  A turkey in full strut came walking cautiously to my decoy.  I held up my gun, clicked off the safety and waited for him to enter my line of sight.  It seemed like forever.  He never made a sound...I could see him all puffed up.  I peeked at his beard and then just focused on his head.  As he entered through my window of opportunity I squeezed the trigger and he fell immediately.  Barely a flop, but I came tearing out of the blind to see him.  20 paces away, there he was...  He measured 18.5 lbs, had a 9 inch beard and 7/8 inch spurs.

Turkey hunting day two...

Well, at least it isn't raining!  It's pretty darn cold for turkey season though.  It's 34 on my truck as I sat in the parking area at the club.  I got back into the blind and didn't hear a peep.  Oh, wait...I lied.  My Phriend the Pheasant was back again.  I heard him (and I think another one) talking.  As the sun came up it started to warm up a bit.  Felt really nice.  I waited out the morning in the blind and then I got a little antsy so I went to the back of the property, near the river.  They did some work down there and there's actually a little road that goes back there.  The Autumn Olive trees smell so nice, but they are literally taking over.  I did see a bunch of deer tracks from the field, into the path that leads to the river.  Perhaps I'll set up there with the gun in the fall.  I went back to the blind and spent the rest of the morning there.  No birds but a wonderful day.

Opening Day Turkey, 2012

For the last two months it has been sunny, warm and dry.  It has felt like spring, and turkey season, for weeks. Well that was until turkey season.  Today it is cold (in the low 40's) and has been raining since yesterday.  I'm happy for that because we needed the rain, but I really didn't want it on this week!  So, knowing it was supposed to rain I went up to the club on Saturday and put up a blind in the same spot I got my bird last year.  I got to the club around 5:15 and started to get dressed.  As I was, it was just starting to get light...from what seemed like under my feet, I heard a loud cackle.  Scared the hell out of me!  I was behind the truck and peeked over to see a bird roosting in a tree, not 10 yards or so from my truck.  I stared at it wondering what to do, but then realized that it didn't look quite right.  It almost looked like a pheasant, but it couldn't be...there aren't any natural pheasants and birds haven't been stocked in months...and certainly no birds were stocked on my property.  Well, as I was staring at it, it flew out of the tree and right towards me!  It landed a few feet away from me and I asked him what he was doing there.  He looked at me and walked calmly away.  What a way to start!

I finished getting dressed and made my way into the blind.  I made some soft calls, and then as time went on...louder ones.  By around 8:00 I looked out the window to the right, where I had been expecting to see birds, and what do you know...here comes a bird.  Soaking wet and cautious it came closer to the decoy outside of my blind.  It stopped to look and then I noticed it was a hen.  It clucked and cackled a little as it made its way down towards the back of the field and eventually out of sight.   That's all I saw all day, and i certainly didn't come home with a bird, but to me it was a very successful day hunting turkey!

Last day...

Well, it's the last day of the season.  I ended muzzy last week and now I have the last day with the bow this week.  I decided to go to recycling center for one last try.  I had been seeing deer, sporadically but I have my feeder there, although I haven't checked on it in forever.  The weather was beautiful and unseasonably warm but it was breezy.  As I was getting dressed a car pulled up, it was someone else from the cull.  We chit chatted and he went on his way.  I got to the tree and started to put stuff up on the tree and I saw the other guy that hunts there.  This time, however, he was just cutting wood.  We exchanged pleasantries and he was on his way.    I climbed up the tree and sat for a very peaceful, beautiful evening post.  I didn't see a deer but passed my time with a bunch of squirrels.  It was a nice way to end the year.

Trying something different

Today was the last day with the muzzle loader.  I headed up to the club in the afternoon and once again found no one there.  The weather was really nice, almost warm and I had every intention to go over to the dip stand.  I hadn't seen anything there in the last few posts but it just felt "deery" there.  Well, when I got there and walked into the property, I happened to notice some tracks as soon as I got to the field.  Then as I walked in, I saw some droppings.  I ignored it and continued to the dip stand.  Once I got there I got a stupid idea.  I decided to go back to the truck, get a chair and sit in the first hedgerow.  I may not see anything but honestly, I haven't been seeing anything anyway and this was at least a place with some sign.  Well I did and had a very comfortable post.  As expected, I didn't see any deer...but it was an enjoyable last muzzy post. When the sun was just about gone I took a shot to clear the gun and headed home.

Beautiful day...quiet, but beautiful

I went up to the club to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.  It was in the lower 50's but a breeze blowing.  I sat where I sat last week, by the dip stand.  I didn't see a darn thing, but it was a gorgeous day to be in the woods.

Snow on the ground...

I always love hunting with fresh snow on the ground!  It snowed last night and this morning and stopped around 2:00 so I head out for the club.  I got there around 2:30 and met up with Tony.  I told him that I was planning on going to the same rock wall from last time and he told me that it would be a good strategy to sit on the hill near the dip stand.  Almost as soon as he said it a plow driver that was plowing the road to the property came up to us and said that he saw three deer run across the road and head to the hill near the dip stand.  Well, considering that's where I was going, it made my blood pump.

I walked over to the hill and sat up against a tree.  I sat there for about an hour enjoying the beauty, freezing my butt off, but really enjoying the post.  Suddenly I saw a deer about to walk in to my area from the railroad bed. She stopped at the bottom of the hill and looked up the hill.  I slowly got into position but she must have known something wasn't right.  She moved off to her right and up the hill.  As she did two other deer came in from above, near the cedars.  I looked at them in my scope, and probably could have shot at one of them but they were a little further than I would feel comfortable with so I waited in hopes that they could come in closer.  They walked up into the thickets and hung there for about 20 minutes.  I finally saw them move across the railroad bed and into the neighbors property.

I didn't see anything else for the rest of the evening but it was fantastic just to see deer again.  I'm not sure if I should have taken the shot or not...but one thing I know for sure.  I'm going back to the dip stand.

Frustrated at the club....

I wanted to head up to the club today.  I wasn't sure were I would sit but I was thinking that I would do something different.  So, when I got there I decided to sit on the logging road between the big field and the field next to it.  As I was walking down the road I saw a truck, it was Tony.  He drove to the road and I met him at the beginning.  He asked me if I saw Frank.  I said no, and he told me that he was in the Dip Stand last Saturday and got a deer and that he would probably go back tonight.  I asked who Frank was and he said "a new guy".  Then he pulled away and left.

I walked back down the road and found myself a nice spot overlooking the pathway between the two fields.  I still had a view of the big field, at spots, but mostly I was looking for a deer walking into the road from the upper field.  About an hour in, at 3:30 I saw another truck pulling onto the property.  Must be Frank.  I lost sight of the truck and then a minute later I heard him pulling up towards me.  Then, to my surprise, right past me.  I waved and he waved and then he continued on.  He pulled into the path between the fields and parked...right were I was hoping a deer would walk through.  I got up and walked over and asked him if he was Frank.  Then I said "you realize that I'm sitting right there hoping that a deer would walk down this path, right?"  He said he thought I was hunting the other side.  I said no and he said, "what do you want me to do"...I said, "moving would be nice".  He finally said something like "I'm just a guest here, you've got the experience".  WHAT!  A guest?!  I thought we weren't allowed to have guests?  He moved his truck to where I was parked, walked past me and to the dip stand.  I didn't see him again...nor did I see a deer.  On my way out I saw Tony and he asked me if I saw Frank.  I said yes, and Tony asked me if he walked past me.  I said, "no, he drove past me and then parked between the two fields".   Tony was astonished too, but I didn't say much...and left.  I'm so freaking frustrated...I need to find new property.

Feed and all...

I haven't been to the Dump in a while, so I decided to hit that place again.  I happened to have some corn in my truck for a while so during the week I went in and filled the feeder up again.  I haven't done that in some time so I was hoping, it being later in the season, that the deer would be looking for food again and would hit up the feeder.  It was windy!  I picked a tree, and I was back to the hill climbs again.  I got up the tree and to the uphill side I didn't look that high up, but from the downhill side I was giving myself a nosebleed!  So, I sat there, rocking and rolling in the wind.  Honestly, I didn't expect much.  I sat with no action...nothing but one squirrel hitting the corn.  With about 10 minutes of light left, a deer came running in from the uphill side, and left just as quickly.  I had no chance of turning around on it.

New Year's Eve Quail Hunt

Daniella and I headed down south to go hunting with Danny at Greenwood for quail.  It's too bad that it takes 2  hours to get there because it is a fun hunt.  Dani was thrilled to be there...she didn't have to worry about any bears, it is all flat and it's mostly walking in grass fields or woodlots of pine.  It is a "gentlemen's hunt" as Danny puts it.  We were 5 men (Me, Danny, Red, Kayle and Dave) and 4 dogs strong.  The great part about this place is that it was us 5 and the next closest guy when we were starting was like a thousand yards away.  As soon as we headed in we were in birds.  We each got two by the end of the day.  When you're in birds the action is fast and furious.  All in all a great time.  Then a crappy long two hour ride home.