End of Deer Season - MD and DE

Well, I ended the hunting part of deer season last night with a muzzleloader hunt in Delaware with friends. Posted up on a field to try to take a doe. Saw 8 deer, most on the other side of the field where a dad and so were located. I could have stretched a shot on a doe but would have possibly messed up an opportunity for the boy. He ended up taking a shot but missed.

Murphy's Law - across the road (still our property) 15 deer came out. One of my friends tried to put the "sneak" on them but no deal.

The last hunt for the sika stag occurred on Thursday...again with friends. My stag bugled once at about 75 yards but again wouldn't close until dark...pretty slick moves; not falling for any calling, water splashing, scents or a corn pile before dark. Hats of to you...I'll see ya next season.

Delaware Muzzleloader

Did a PM hunt on the field. Deer came out on the other side where the bait had been placed. The fellow on that side took a shot at a big doe and missed. None came out on my side of the field until too late to shoot. It was pretty cold but is already 15 degrees higher today. This evening should find me with a bow in my hands looking for that sika stag once again. Saturday is the last day...a sad day for sure. Will let you know what happens from tonights hunt.

Late Season Sikas - Part 2

Met the farm owner yesterday afternoon and got on stand by 3:15 pm. I took the same location as the last hunt but moved around to a different stand for the wind that we had. It was very cold but I dressed properly. Took the compound this time. Saw a single WT doe skirt my location at 4:40. Then at 5:00 a WT button buck came in and fed at 10 yards...never detected me...good...left in 5 mins. I was still looking for that stag that showed up the night before at last light. At the very end of shooting time a WT doe and two fawns came in. The fawns fed the doe watched from the sidelines. They fed for 10 mins then left. No sikas showed nor did any stgas bugle. The owner saw 11 WT does and fawns but did not take a shot. All in all, a nice evening...consider myself blessed to be out. One more week left in both Maryland and Delaware. Will try to get out a few more times.

Late Season Sikas

Have been hunting sikas the last two days at baited areas only to not see them in shootable times. The moon has been full for whatever that means. One evening I hunted a groundblind and had a couple whitetails come in before dark but no sikas. Yesterday morn I hunted off the end of a food plot and saw nothing but squirrels...a nice morning none the less. Two of us saw 0 movement. Yesterday pm four of us hunted and, unbelievably, not a hair was seen. My excitement...I had a stag bugle less than 100 yards from my position after last shooting light. Waited til dead dark and slipped out of there. All I could do was go home imagining how big he was.

If I can get my work done in time, I'll be heading over to Delaware for a late season doe...hopefully.

Another Good Goose Day

Met with good friend Dennis again for a "before the snow storm, late morning goose hunt. They flew in small bunches today which is the way I like it. They really liked my Shore Country call and Dennis' call and dropped right into the decoys. It tried to spit a little snow but is holding off until tonight. If the forecast comes to fruition, we may try some in the snow tomorrow.

Great Goose Hunting Lately

Sharing a goose blind with a friend in Talbot County has been most enjoyable the last few days. There have been plenty of birds. With some good calling and not so good shooting we have done very well. We gave them a break today. Thanks Dennis.

Hope to knock of some does this evening in Delaware. Will report back later.

New Year Hunting

Well, after spending enjoyable time with all my family over the Christmas, I am able to get back to some late season hunting. I'll try to get in one more rifle hunt with my grandson, Joshua. Sika with a bow is a given. I'll be spending lots of time in Delaware with the handgun and muzzleloader trying to fill  freezers. Delaware always proves to be a lot of fun with good friends. Fox, coyote and crow hunting are certain activities as well. I look forward to the fantastic full bodied mount that Jason is doing of the my monster 2010 sika stag.

With not owning any hunting land of my own, I would like to thank all of the landowners who have allowed me to enjoy the fruits of their labor and property. Its not just the taking of game animals buts its the experience in and with the Lord's handiwork that brings me such pleasure. As the credit card commercial says, the experience is "Priceless".  Please accept my very sincere thanks. Also, thanks to my hunting friends, you know who you are. I have enjoyed hunting with you this year.

May you all have a fantastic 2011.