The season ended fittingly...

Today was the last day of bow hunting. What an unbelievably gorgeous day it was. The sun was shining, it was in the mid 40's...just beautiful. I decided to go to the water tower for the last day. I honestly had no expectations of seeing anything, but I just wanted to enjoy the woods for one last time before turkey season. I got into the woods around 2 and found an area in the snow where there were a crossroads of tracks. A good sign. At around 4:15 I saw 4 deer up the hill from me. They were around 80 yards away. They picked around there for a bit and then walked further up the hill. At 4:30ish, I had two walk about 50 yards below me. In this twosome was a buck that was still holding horn. Although only one. He looked to be that small buck that the big buck was chasing from earlier in the year. At around 5:00, I had another doe walk below me, again around 50 yards. Then, at just around dusk, I had six does come to about 50 yards from me. They made their way from under the apartment to up the hill. They were spooky. All the deer I saw tonight, with exception of the ones up the hill, were crossing from right to left (looking up the hill). Then, just as I was about to get down from the tree, I coyote followed that same 50 yard path below me.

So ends another season. It ended fittingly because, much like the entire season, the deer were around me, just not close enough for a shot. It was a great day in the woods however. The season was great. Although I only harvested one deer early on, I had more opportunity to hunt this year than ever before. Now...on to turkey!

Last day of muzzy...

I went to the club today. It was the last day of muzzy and I went to 10. Instead of going into the stand, however, I knelt in the snow in the hedgerow. There was almost a foot of snow on the ground and not many tracks so I didn't have high hopes. Turns out I was right...I didn't see anything. I left early because I was going out to dinner. One more week left (with the bow).

Blizzard....NOT!

We were supposed to have a blizzard today...well, happily, it didn't happen. I was planning on going out but if it was going to snow like a blizzard, well...I couldn't have. So I'm happy that there wasn't even a snowflake. I went up to the club and sat at 10. It was a gorgeous night...chilly and a bit windy, but by the time I sat in the stand the wind had died down. I was certain I was getting a deer tonight...as you could guess...I didn't see a thing. Time is running short!

Sit after a drive

I went to the club today. They boys were driving the property but I couldn't attend the drive. I decided to head up late, got into stand 3 at about 3. I didn't see anything. It was cold...only about 15 degrees. Gorgeous night....I heard turkeys making a racket down by the cadillac the entire time. Didn't know they were so vocal this time of year.

Still nada...but I'm on high alert...

Ok, so I'm going back to the club. Even after hearing about the bears. While I was driving up there I was trying to think were I was going to sit. The bears were a constant thought in my mind. When I got there, I actually contemplated sitting in the bed of my truck and letting THAT be my blind, but logic got the better of me and I went to 10. It was chilly but the wind made it downright cold. It was pretty gusty and I didn't see a thing. As I was leaving the woods I noticed that there was a full moon. I really should plan my days off better next time! Oh yeah...why was I on high alert? Well, I kept expecting to see Mama bear and her three baby bears. Thankfully I did not!

B...B....B...Bear!?

Ok, first let me start by saying, I didn't see a bear. Secondly, it was absolutely beautiful out. I took the day off to do some hunting. I headed up to the club and got there around 2ish. I decided to try a new spot so I went to #4. I sat up in the tree and felt so exposed. I used the range finder to check out my distances and when I did that, I noticed that there was a milk crate tucked into the brush about 50 yards away from me. Perfect! I got down out of the tree and sat in the brush. It was fantastic...a great hiding place. I sat there and just enjoyed the afternoon. I didn't see anything, surprised, but used to it at this point. When it got dark I made my way out. I ended up seeing Tony, Jeff and Brad. Tony saw two buttons but then proceeded to tell me that the Division of Fish and Game chased a mama and three cubs out of the neighborhood behind our property and on to our club. They are denned up between the first field and upper field on the side of the old pit. Lovely!! Tony did say that the Division will be back in March to dart them and move them. I sure the heck hope so or Turkey season will not be so fun!

It's amazing how good their hearing is...

That could also be entitled, "My season...what else could go wrong". I went out today and it was just gorgeous!! First I went in MP by the tower. I got in about a half hour or so before light and it was brisk out...about 24. I sat sort of near the tower, kind of where that ladder stand was...and as the sun came up, I saw such a beautiful orange ball rise out of the sky beyond the horizon. I saw about a million squirrels...but no deer. I got out of the tree and went home for lunch. Afterwards I headed to the club.

I got to the club around 1:30 and I was the only one there. The weather was absolutely beautiful and perfect. I sat in stand 10 and just really enjoyed the afternoon. Just about last light, I had a nice sized doe come within about 20 yards or so from my stand to my left. The problem is, I was expecting her to the right and I shoot lefty. So, as she was passing my tree, I turned. As I turned, apparently the sound of my butt against the wood is louder than I could perceive and she took off. Only a few steps...but away from me...behind me. So, I waited and waiting. We played a little stare down. I was being hidden by the tree so I decided, because she wasn't going to come back, I was going to stand up and try to swing around the tree. Well, she didn't like that too much. Don't know if she saw me (which I don't think) or heard me...but she wasn't sticking around anymore. It was a beautiful day.