Still Enjoying Deer Hunting Chores

Spent time with a landowner and another friend yesterday still laboring with the focus on next deer season ie. taking old stands down, puting new stands up, investigating and identifying stand sights and the "right tree" and with all that finding a shed or two. We all had a good time for sure.

We found a few sheds in that process. One that I lucked upon happened to be a monster LOL. There may be some history with the deer that carried it. Pouring over some pics will confirm that. Following are some pics of the "drops" and that "monster" shed.

Gobbler Season Fast Approaching

I'm still thinking deer but my favorite season is fast appraoching. DE will open first and I'm locating birds now. Joshua is getting ready for youth day in Maryland and turkeys are out and about in my favorite haunts. Someone asked on MWC about "first turkeys" so I posted and will place what I posted on here as well. I'll see if I can cut and paste it...here goes:

Fall 1963  -   Yes there were cameras then LOL.
                      My first one was a Fall bird taken at Piney Ridge, Sleepy Creek Mountain in West Virginia. That was the start of my first "obsession" ... turkey hunting. My mentor, Howard Beard of Hagerstown, had me over to practice calling and learn the art of turkey hunting once a week during the summer. I learned on a homemade diaphram call and proudly graduated turkey hunting school in September. Howard said, "now you are on your own boy (thats what he called me).    I remember the hunt like it was yeaterday....at o dark thirty on that October morn I made my way up the mountain and slipped 1/4 of the way down Danny's Ridge and stopped to listen, hoping I could hear where a flock of birds had roosted. At first light I heard some clucks, then some tree yelps, more clucks.......why how lucky could a kid be as I realized I was standing under a whole flock of roosted turkeys. What should I do as I thought back to all the sage advice, lessons and scenarios taught during the summer. I didn't dare move as I could see birds and branches moving among all the yelping and clucking. I remembered a key saying Howard taught me, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"... it was given in the "don't wait for a trophy longbeard on your first turkey hunt boy" lecture. I would heed that bit of advice. The first bird that pitched off a branch and hit the ground came to a standstill about 30 yards from me. The bead on my double barrel 12 settled on its head and I slapped the trigger. At the sound of my shot the balance of the roosted birds erupted and scattered in all directions. I skidded to a stop at the turkey as the last few wingbeats subsided...looking down at my first wild turkey. I can still feel the weight of the bird on my shoulder and the wet spot where the blood from its head soaked into the back of my pant leg. I was busting with excitement only to walk into an empty cabin yard...why..my mentor and the other men were still out hunting. How could I contain my excitement? The hour spent waiting there, glancing at my turkey every few minutes, seemed like three. Finally I caught a glimpse of my Howard coming down the path to the cabin (actually he came in early to see if it was me that shot). He saw the excitement on my face as he followed my gaze to that bird laying on the bench. I probably told him the story of that hunt three times.  

Now, as I recall that moment 48 years ago, the most vivid thing that stands out to me now is Howard's hand on my shoulder and his assurring words to me, "I'm proud of ya, you did good, boy"..... Don't miss the chance to take a kid turkey hunting this spring..it will make good memories that truly last a lifetime.    

March Roars In

Its been a while since I've been on here. This is the time of putting away stuff used during hunting season and cleaning up equipment. I've also been selling unused equipment and clothing that has, magically, shrunk if you know what I mean. I am going to purchase some new camo from Day One. I, along with some other friends, have been scouting and preparing for next year; all the while keeping our eyes peeled for sheds...no luck in that department yet. Also doing some maintenance on treestands...can't overlook safety.

Spring gobbler season is fast approaching. Danny Pusey made me two of his fantastic slate calls as "winnings" from last springs MWC Turkey Contest. My partner and I racked up the most points for our gobblers and were receipients of these great prizes. My calls are slate over glass pots and they do sound good. I asked Danny for a medium pitched, raspy call and he delivered nicely. I'll see if I can post a pic here.

Last Years Model



Interesting Sight Yesterday Morning

I was heading out to do some scouting this morning in the deer woods. While driving I noticed what appeared to be a deer (strange looking from a distance) on the edge of a field about 80 yards from the road. As I got closer I realized I was looking at a mature 8 point breeding a doe. I pulled off the road, turned my camera on , hit the zoom feature and pointed towards the breeders but too late; they were both running into the woods. The doe was most likely a fawn born in May that came into estrus and was bred on February 11....almost Valentines Day. I know this happens but always interesting to see. She will produce a late fawn thats for sure. Wish I had the photo to attach. I'll just have to file this one away in the memory bank.

Crop Damage Shooting

A friend waits to eliminate some does from the population until after the season. We have gone three times and have taken 5 mature whitetail does; all with two young. He wants to take a couple more and that will do it for this season. I've seen one nice sika stag, a very nice 8 point and a 4 point whitetail. Both should be very nice deer next season.

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.