The All Day Buck

I will start from the beginning:

The evening before I hunted at Nick's place and saw a small buck and two foxes. I got back to Ames as quickly as possible as Rachel and I had evening plans at a friends place to celebrate a birthday. Well, I of course grabbed a bite to eat and fixed myself a drink. Having hunted, I was thirsty. Terrible combo. I told myself I was hunting all day no matter what. My stubbornness, and ignorance was completely self inflicted. A brutal drive out to the spot was met by a couple stops on the side of the road (just in case)... I sat in the car for 20 minutes before actually getting my stuff together and start the trudge back. It was slow, freezing, and sweaty. Again, I am an idiot. I spooked a ton of deer on the way in, including a huge buck on one of the trail openings. Once in the stand I hunched over my bow for another 20 minutes to a half hour. I sipped on my watered down gatorade and hoped I would come back to life. At this point I remembered Nick telling me to watch behind me as the deer will sneak up on me back there. There stood a lone deer. Bigger body. I picked up my binoculars looking for bone. He stepped out from behind a clump of trees and I saw bone. He was by no means a monster but he had bone. He started working his way towards me when I finally decided I was going to shoot. My heart was beating through my chest and thankfully the nausea had subdued. He came all the way up the trail and I drew back when he stopped behind a tree. I don't know how, but even so, he pegged me. He turned around and presented my shot. I had to slip the shot under a branch, fumble with my harness, all the while coping with buck fever like I have never before. Why now so terrible I still don't know.

WHACK!

I hit him right in the middle. I watched him barrel away with my arrow still in him. He ate serious shit in a deadfall and I knew he was hurting. I put the bow down and watched him with my binos. The tail was twirling, head was down, and he was moving slow. I watched him bed down once, and knew it was game over. Then he got back up. I watched as he bedded down again, but I lost sight of him and couldn't see anymore.
Damn.
 I texted or called many mostly to calm myself down. The consensus was to wait it out as I thought I hit stomach. I shot him at 8:00am. I sat in the stand until 12:00pm.

 I saw seven bucks, most in the river 300 yards away, but one was a really nice 8 point that walked within spitting distance at 11:30am. He was completely oblivious of my presences. Water bottle in hand, mask down, face full of beef jerky. No idea whatsoever. 
 God has a great sense of humor.

I waited until my watch beeped noon. I had to practice what I preach. I got out and picked up my squirrel arrow (4 hours in the stand, one was bound to get too close) and noticed I did hit the damn squirrel. Ironically, I nutted him.
I then looked for my blood trail. I became concerned when I started as I couldn't find blood, but I knew better. I went to the downfall tree he barreled into and found my trail. Walking blood trail. I still too my sweet time. In less then five minutes I looked up and there he was. I drew back my bow and whistled. I kicked some detritus at him. I walked slowly up to him, still drawn mind you, and looked closer. Stone dead. I let down, walked up and tapped his ham. This is how I found him:

I was absolutely elated. Not because I shot a monster, but because there was no tracking odyssey. There was no more doubt. Sitting in a tree stand for 4 hours can do a lot to you mental stability, especially with the circumstance I put myself in.The shot was not as poor as I thought and I managed to hit stomach, liver, and one lung. When he barreled into the dead-fall he managed to break one of his front shoulders, and t was completed separated on the inside. My arrow was still intact and halfway through him. This was the same arrow and broadhead used to harvest my buck on the same property last year.

Now it was down to business. I managed to get the thing gutted by myself, and did it in the quickest fashion I have yet. I got a hold of a buddy whom was able to come help me get the thing out of there as soon as he was done with some school stuff. I figured I would get started with the trudge back but I needed to attend to some business first. When I squatted down to put my harness back on, the morning caught up with me. I knew the TP I brought just in case was going to come in handy. Nature Poop. As Murphy's Law clearly dictates, the second I squat down my phone buzzes. Not once, not twice, but three separate times. After taking care of business I started the trudge.

Not many know the terrain I dealt with but for the few that do, they know this was no simple feat. I think this was my greatest accomplishment. I managed to get this deer from the bottoms, to the prairie, all the way up to the first cornfield.

This is entirely uphill, for a total distance of close to 300 yards. I was spent by the time I got it this far. My hands hurt so bad I could barely hold my bow. When my buddy Ned showed up we tried the meat pole idea but after twenty feet we knew that was not happening either. We tied our harness ropes around the neck and looped them through the 2X4 Ned brought with him. It was essentially the oxen bar system. It worked sufficiently enough. We did encounter a couple of 'turkey' hunters before we got to the parking lot. A scoped 30.06 and a sawed off shotgun with buckshot clips. I should have called them in. I was a heap of goo by the time we got back to the parking lot.
I wanted to show again, just like my jake from this last spring, that I can still be successful on pressured public.

I got out to the stand at 7:15am. Made the shot at minutes before 8:00am. Sat in the same stand until 12:00pm. Got to the truck at 4:15pm.
After dropping it off at Nick and Lisa's place, I went home, showered, collected butcher supplies, and headed back out there. Nick was raising the deer up when we pulled into the driveway. Nick and I butchered deer while the girls studied upstairs. We had smoked, fresh off the back-straps for dinner. It was nice to have deer on the pole. Now that the monkey is off my back, I can focus on getting Rachel a deer, as well as a fall turkey. It is two days after harvest and I am still tired.

As Rachel would say "You brought this upon yourself."

Hehehehe....



Stay tuned

Inevitability of the Hunt

Got out into the stand tonight with Rachel, and met Nick at the parking lot. We hunted the Boone public this time as Nick wanted to give the place behind his house a break. I put Rachel into her stand as usual and Nick had is climber. I sat in the willow stand which is the juice stand, I am just not comfortable putting Rachel in it, but there is plans to move it a few trees over. I was covered in deer. I had two button bucks come straight to the locust tree and feed on the pods for 20 minutes before they were joined by two does. Eventually, they busted me and plowed their way back into the willows. Not 10 minutes later they came right back. They winded me again but instead of fleeing, they just walked off behind with tails waving. I then get a text.

Nick hit one. In the neck. Bummer.

We knew the day would come that Nick would finally stick one, and not kill it. We collected Rachel, whom again saw no deer, and searched for blood. He watched the doe for 10 minutes or so as she walked around with the arrow halfway through her neck.
'Un-good'. 

We found blood and thankfully the arrow. No deer. Blood was super spotty and thin. Vet woman says non-fatal kill. We looked for half hour and called it. Unfortunate nevertheless but that's hunting.

Great evening out but will be sleeping in tomorrow.



Stay Tuned

Pheasant camp: the Excuse continued

 Things tended to blend in a little but I believe shortly after lunch we collected for a "camp warming" set up by Uncle Paul. The goal in mind is to help replenish supplies lost, and we all pitched in in some manner. Bullets, clay pigeon thrower, more bullets, clay pigeons, flashlights, and the list went on. It was wonderful to see what everyone was able to bring. This was when I was able to bring my table out for Karin and Al. It may not have been much but I know how much they both appreciated it.

The "hunt until we drop" mentality followed a predictable trend: our numbers thinned. We did a quick walk in the fen, which produced a lot of shooting and even a few birds. One of which Paul and Dad went back for and Ruby ended up finding. A select few went out for a find walk in what remained of the eastern section. We walked that little wooded area that we find to be a tiny gem every year and this year was no exception. There was a couple hens and a lone rooster there. It flushed on the other side giving Micheal Johnson a chance. First shot...miss. I admittedly looked away as the bird was a mile out there already. He shot again. Pasted him. Nick practically walked up to it in the corn stubble. We essentially walked it all in one hit, backwards. We started where we usually end the first push. Worked out well and we even ended up with another bird. Mocha had a picture perfect point and flush that was just the icing on the cake for the evening. Once we hobbled our way back to the truck it was time to call it a day. Once back to the house, it was time to toast our evening. We collected by the ash tree next to the driveway. We passed around the VO and Dad toasted to the pets lost in the fire. If there was a dry eye there, they were somewhere else. In Dad's infinite wisdom-filled fashion he ended the toast with a prayer:

Pledge of Commitment to Protect and Heal God’s Creation

We have come to renew our covenant with God and with one another in Christ Jesus, our Lord; to help protect God’s creation.  We have come as followers of Jesus to commit ourselves anew to one another and to heal injustice and poverty; to stand together against all threats of life.  We have come to discover some new beauty every day in God’s creation:  the sunrise and sunset, birds, flowers and trees, rainbows in the sky, the stars, the many forms of life in the forest.  We have come to listen to the “music of the universe”—water flowing over rocks, the wind, trees bending in the wind, raindrops pattering on the roof.  We will remember always that God speaks to us through the beauty of his creation, and we will try our best to answer God’s call to reverence all that he has created.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

I will be making the suggestion that this prayer be shared at every camp.

We finished our evening with a meal fit for kings. Rachel's dips with veggies and beer bread, mashed potatoes, and venison stew prepared by my mother. It was wonderful. The chirping and conversations never ceased. Although it may have been chaotic at times, it was great to see everyone that was able to attend. Eventually, the word got out that a fire was needed outside, and once Adam heard it we had a great campfire. I enjoyed greatly the Gibson's that Uncle Rick  brought (and shared). It was a cool night and was marred only slightly but the burning feather stench from Dave deciding it was a good idea to burn a couple of the leftover pheasant carcasses. At one point, a hilarious moment presented itself involving the word 'damn' and burning pheasant stench. If anyone can remember what exact was said I would thoroughly enjoy it. 

At any rate, Rachel and I continued our conversations with everyone and the topic of Calvin and Hobbs came up with Dave. We told him that we always compared Connor and Jamison to their likeness, at which point Connor stated, "Common sense? I have lots of common sense. I just choose to ignore it."

I don't know whether to smother or hug that kid. ;)

Once the evening ended and it was just Micheal Parker and I we threw on the last two pheasants so no one else would smell it and went to bed. *

 The next morning we didn't exactly spring into gear. I was informed that Jesse was sick enough that Rick was taking him in and camp was over for them. I saw Jesse before they left and it hurt me to see him in such a state. It was great to have Jesse at camp and I really hope to see him up there again next year. 

 Right at 9:00 Nick, Austin, Michael, and I went behind the house and did a quick tromp. Saw a few birds but no shots. We got back up to the house where Dad walks up to me and says, 

"Eldest son present at pheasant camp, I am done. Your Grandpa is done, and your Uncle Paul is done. You get to do the decision making as to where and how we do today's hunt. We are done making these decisions."

.....Well Nick and I had already decided. We planned the same walk as the morning previous, but backwards. We managed to pull a few birds out again, one of which we lost as I made a marginal shot and he ran for the hills. When we got back to camp, breakfast was ready and it was time to head out.

Nick and I made an observation this camp: we are in transitioning. We remember vividly the days when the Uncles, and Dad were, for lack of better term, balls to the walls, about the hunting. We youngsters struggled to keep up, and by days end were a heap in a chair in the corner. This camp was different even so then last year. We spent more time hanging out and less time chasing roosters. Yes, we do call it pheasant camp, but this year it was much less about the pheasants. The uncle's spent time together. Talking. Watching. Observing. Dave spent time with Connor shooting pellet gun. Jason shot trap with his sons. Rick spent every moment he could with Jesse. Paul and Dad spent time floating. It was Nick and I, and the select few that were after birds, either in practice or in mind at all times. Even with that in mind, Nick and I were less concerned about the hunting. The transitioning came into full view when Dad told me he was done deciding things. I knew then, that the hunt was merely an excuse. An excuse to get family together. An excuse that we, for the most part, all shared an interest in. This excuse has created a gathering that many families cannot fathom. 

I love Pheasant Camp.

Stay Tuned.

  * footnote: The next morning this move proved costly as Charlie, Nick and Lisa's mutt, ate the remaining crunchies from those phesasants, and then proceeded to puke it up on blankets in the camper...

Pheasants: Mearly an Excuse

Pheasant camp 2012 was for obvious reasons, different. There were some new faces, some faces not seen in a long time, and the die-hards. I personally struggled the entire week leading up to this camp as I was on emotional overload. Rachel can attest that I was a MAJOR pain in the ass because of this...Nevertheless, we came prepared this year. Rachel spent countless evenings stitching away on a quilt for Karin and Al. The number of pins I found in the carpet are countless, except for the one that went through my foot. I had the idea of having one of my tables migrate up to Canby since I started this endeavor. I was not able to contribute the time when it was needed, but instead I provided a little of myself for them.

The new house was a sight for sore eyes indeed. I choked up when I stepped in the door Friday evening to see the house full of chirping and laughing. There were children running around and two absolutely adorable babies playing with Auntie Karin.


This is camp, and everything it should be:

The next morning came with cold. It was cloudy, misty, and a bordering on foggy. It was forcasted to burn off but it just hadn't by legal time. We started out tromp in the usual style;

And the successful Pinwheel:

It was a slow morning with a few birds but no one seemed bothered at all.
This one Adam called 'DaBurger'

The morning hunt lead into the other main activity at camp. Food I wish we could have gotten more pictures of that chaotic scene. No matter the meal, what a spread. We had our breakfast and then moved on to the next big push. Again, fewer birds but we did just a nice buck. I am not going to say we didn't get birds as we did, but we also had a few missed opportunities. Rachel got one video I call 'The Canes'. This is what it is like to be the guy in the middle:

Stay Tuned, more to come.

evening hunt goosebumps deux

We behind Nick's house to the prairie stand. Wanted something easy and was granted my own ignorance. Nick placed two stands near the now dried up pond. One is an easy access ladder stand that is not really that secluded but easy nevertheless. The other is by far the hairiest stand I have ever tried to get into. My issue was that I wanted to sit in this stand; the other was too easy. Nick placed the stand in a large shagbark hickory but only a cedar butted right up next to the hickory allowed climbing access. No string was attached so I tried to climb the tree with bow in hand. This was beyond stupid. With bowstring in teeth, limb in each hand, two arrows dangling from random branches, and my large boots lodged in between small branches, one gave way....I cursed my brother's name. I went back to the other stand and sat for 20 seconds before cutting the string and going back. I climbed back up, attached string, climbed down to attach bow, and re-climbed the damn tree. Once I finally got set in, it was magical. I have never felt so secure and hidden in a stand. Only the wind will bust me, and eventually it did. Three does busted behind me a 30 yards after they winded me. I did not really expect to see deer. Of course, had I been sitting in the other stand, they never would have known what hit them. There were an unaccounted amount of deer right before dark, but again winded me. Two deer fed on acorns in front of me without me even seeing them, but I could here the random crunching of them feasting on the hickory nuts and acorns. Crazy evening, love the most wicked stand I have ever sat in.
 
Rachel saw two way out of range and Nick passed on a mangy coyote.


Stay Tuned

Evening Hunt Swarms 10/6/12

Evening hunt at property around Nick's house. I went into the bottoms and sat in a multi-stemmed boxelder stand. Got lost but eventually found the damn thing. Busted six does that were milling around right by the stand when I got down there. Missed 3 calls from Nick. He jumped a monster after dropping Rachel off at the Hickory stand,. He set up on top with his climber and watched Rachel's stand. She was covered in deer. Three separate times she drew on a doe, but that one more step came too late in the game and it was too dark to shoot. She got to see ten deer, one being the small buck that frequents the area.

I saw five does come off the cliff behind me, and they never busted me even being almost downwind. I had a barred owl land feet in front of my head at dark and was hoping he would refrain from dive bombing me as has happened in the past. All of the deer that were in the bottoms made their way up to the prairie that is essentially right next to the house. Great evening out yet again.


Stay Tuned, Putting Rachel in another juice stand tonight

Evening hunt: bottoms

Went out to McCoy public with Rachel this evening. On way to stand we ran into two separate flocks of turkeys. The first slipped out of the field before I could make a move. After turning a corner on the road leading to another field there was a big beautiful gobbler standing right in the middle of the path. I dropped to my knees, nocked and arrow, and drew. He stood there until my arrow whizzed passed his chest. I watched my arrow bounce off into oblivion. There were 5-8 more that followed suit of busting ass out of there. I drew on another but figured I couldn't hit the one standing still so I didn't shoot again. We made our way to the stands and busted two does underneath the large oak our stand use to be; go figure. I set Rachel in, and then climbed into my own. Ten minutes in, two does made their way down the dry creek and I thought there would make there way to Rachel but they had other plans. With 15 minutes to legal, three does came in behind me to the south and busted after winding me. Busted another on the way out. Picked Rachel up and headed out. SEVERELY out of shape. Rachel and I will both be working on that...Saw flashlights on the way out, hope the best of luck to those guys. Busted more deer on the way out. One of the most beautiful sits I have had in a long time. Helped me remember again why I am actually out there.


Stay Tuned; hunting with the Mrs. all weekend :)

Goose 'Hunt'

After working last Saturday's football game my boss Aaron said we should try a poke at some geese at one a pond he had permission on. This is the same property I acquired the very large cedar that I have been turning into tables. The plan was simple. Walk to pond, wait until legal light, shoot geese when they get off the water. simple...ish. There were way more on the water than I thought we would see at all. Steve and I walked around the back side of the pond and Aaron was walking the edge to push them towards us. Four minutes until legal a large flock flew within yards and dropped into the water with the rest. We all knew where we could and could not shoot as a plan was devised before we even left. Legal light came and we moved in. Of course, the geese went out the back side. We were still able to get one each between the three of us.  After some well placed finishing shots, we worked on goose retrieval. As none of us brought a dog, and the pond was too deep even for waders, we had the next best thing; fishing rod, treble hook, and a half ounce of lead. Great morning out.

Stay Tuned, It's only going to get better.