Serious Hunter

Downwind ...

2012-01-06T11:57:00.001-08:00

Knowing better I decided to take them on downwind. I had their location pinned. Good. But the wind was taking my `locker room’ scent straight toward them. Bad. Smelled, but unseen, they moved upstream, out of the location. At distance they lifted off, for freight of the human scent, flying directly at me – and once they spotted me, flared. I shot twice, hitting one Green, which started to lag from the group and eventually fell to ground a half mile away. I recovered him easily. I should have known better. I DID know better.
... 12 for 14 with one bird lost.

Additional GREEN

2012-01-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Headed out to check the Creek, and Western Frontier, and beyond. Spotted Green on a stretch I don’t have direct permission to hunt, so just flushed them from the road – beautiful to watch take to flight.

On the Western Frontier – nothing in the first couple spots, so just kept going. Not paying attention I jumped a pair, but they were a ways out, so I let them go. A bit farther I jumped another pair, and dumped the Green. Went back to the bridge, around, to recover him on the other side of the creek. Ground just starting to thaw, at 32 deg.

...

good but not perfect ...

2012-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Some consider today a holiday – so, so will I. I grabbed my shotgun and headed to the `Western Frontier’. There a couple guys set up for geese to the west – fine! - they would have kept anything from settling on that stretch. I would hunt the stretch upstream. It was somewhat close – and – if they had done any shooting – it could have knocked the birds off the creek … on the other hand, if they got in, and were under the bank, they might have stayed.

The ground was frozen and going good. Interestingly, the one spot where I had murdered so many ducks in earlier years, was different … small channel changes made it less of a `spot’ for ducks. But I kept looking. Under one cut bank I spotted a single green. Sweet.

I had total tactical advantage. The bird was right underneath a big (vertical) bank, and I was unseen. I backed out and considered my options. Straight on would mean the bird(s) would likely flush with road and housing in the background. Though not a `dangerous’ situation, due to sufficient distance, I just assume not shoot toward houses or roads. If I approach from the west – the bird(s) would probably flush upstream - major cattail situation. I decided to swing around and come from the north. Flushing left they would be over a field – straight away they would be south and over creek and manageable streamside vegetation – or if right over field.

I came over the bank and found a green and a hen. They spied me and just looked. Perhaps it was the maroon sweater I obtained for Christmas. Finally they flushed. I took the green as they were going out straight away, pretty close, and was thinking I would get both in one shot – but only the green toppled. The hen then swung right and over the field and I dropped her, also. She appeared hit hard enough so I swung my attention back to the drake – and he was in the water, dead, near the other side. I went to the hen and killed her, marked the location of the green, and then went back down to the bridge where I was parked, dropped the hen off, and got the green.

Then I hunted the flats, nothin’.

I decided to drive over to the (other) creek.

`Green’! But I didn’t have permission yet. So I went into town and found Richard’s number in the phone book and gave him a call. He said I could hunt that stretch through the end of the season.

I drove back out, checked to make sure the ducks were still there (recon from the road), and then made the sneak.

I overshot their location, slightly, but was still within good killing distance. At the flush a green went out left and I dumped him. I clobbered a green hard flying straight away. The majority of the birds flushed slightly right and right directly into the sun. I picked a third green and dumped him.

My attention went back to the first bird. I chambered a round and headed upstream. He was dead enough. I then turned to the third bird – upside down in the stream – sweet! The second bird, which I assumed would be the deadest – was nowhere to be found. I looked and looked. This is the most perplexing portion of stream for recovering birds. There is no place to hide – yet this would be the second bird I would lose. Crap, amazing. I searched both sides, and into the field – found feathers, but not the bird. Dang!

I hate it when I lose a bird. I am a perfectionist. And losing a bird is way below perfect … especially after a perfect double.

I should have made the jump from the other side – sun behind me.

UGHHHHHH!
So it is.

Endnote: The only thing I can figure is that at close range I obliterated a wing, but left the creature otherwise mobile for land and water. While I went to get the first bird he made is dash. In that area the birds know there is no cover, and thus often make it to the water, go under, and hold on.

I will go back this evening – and look around some more.

I set my meeting with Frank for 330 ...

2012-01-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

… giving me just enough time to check the `creek’, and jump the Flats. (It was 2:30.)

The creek was blank – as I expected – did killing there just five hours earlier. I parked at a shortcut to the best bend in the Flats, and made the approach. Like downstream – the hydraulics have changed (pools, etc.) … interesting how things change. Nothing at the best bend – but, on the other hand, the bend is different – maybe they don’t like it anymore. (I don’t like it as much, either.) Nothin’. I hunted upstream a short distance, and decided to hunt downstream as well. Nothin’.

Plodding along in the mud, coming to my consciousness strangely slowly, … whfuu, whfuu, quack, quack!

Apparently a mallard pair were on the downstream stretch that I didn’t notice … probably they were on a bank sleeping, and thus I missed them.

The drake flew downstream, left, and away. The hen swung around right, crossing shot, out in the field. I dumped her. The drake flew around to look. I could have taken a long, LONG shot, but passed.

It was a long walk to a bridge, so I decided to cross. I got to her side, and her, without event, but on crossing back I slipped into deep water and got wet.

I had been wearing shorts all day long.

Coming Home

2011-12-31T17:28:00.000-08:00

...

Today I moved back into my house (after being away for almost two years during separation and divorce). All day long the geese flew overhead, at my house, which is not unusual, but also over the place I was moving from, less usual. It seemed somewhat of a message, of goodness, as this period of being away, or at least being out of my house, is ending.

A friend helped me move the big stuff. I was moving into an empty house, and single.

It felt good to be back in the neighborhood. Sad without my family, and a bit odd without the dogs to greet me at the front door, but otherwise the same house, smells, neighbors, etc.

With about an hour before sunset I decided to grab my shotgun, and head out, as I had so many times in years earlier, but so much less so in the last couple. I was home. I could hunt.

I drove out to one of my spots, and glassed. `Green’! (Greenhead Mallards), and some hens. I parked, shed unnecessary clothes for the sneak, loaded, and headed out.

Going was noisy across the plowed and quasi frozen field. As I got closer to the creek I thought, for the first time, in the field, ... `unprotected' this is going to be loud. Perhaps it is my age, or failing hearing, but usually that thought only comes on the range, in practice.

At about 50 yards I slowed, to gather my wits and catch my breath. Soon I would be in good killing distance. They had not spotted me, smelled me, nor heard me ... as I knew they would not. I didn't know exactly where they were, but my sneak was into the `middle' of them, somewhat scattered up and down the creek. Soon I was within very good killing distance. I felt good about the sit. I could not see them, nor they me. Things can go wrong with a sneak at such a time, yet I felt there was some mystical message, some confirmation, some sign, about to unfold coincident with my moving home.

...

They flushed. A green headed left upstream and I hit him with my first shot, not hard, but hard enough to allow me to turn to other birds, now all flushing from the report of the first shot. A green was flying straight away right in front – I dumped him hard with the second shot. A hen was the next prominent bird, quacking, and climbing out to the right. I crumpled her on the third shot.

...

The first bird came down (?) out of sight, the second bird hard hit in the field across the stream, and the hen still alive to the right. I put a round in the open receiver and for a moment it took me a while to recall how to chamber it – having been out of this kind of action for some time. Having lost a wounded duck in this same place before I decided to dispatch her (hard).

I then chambered another round and wandered upstream for the first green. Found him belly up on the other side of the stream – he had flown on some distance, and then died. Sweet – I had all my birds.

Ripped at Triple ... Coming Home.

This is good.

It didn't sound too loud after all ... as usual, in the field.

...

change in tactics ...

2011-10-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

One thing I am learning is that if a certain tactic is repeatedly not working – try something different.

For two weeks I have been setting up perfect ambushes: ranged kill zones, watching the wind, camo, face paint, conscious of the deer’s’ habits, etc., blah, blah. And it just hasn’t been coming together.

So, today I tried something different, entirely!

I didn’t have my cell phone – which I use to determine shooting hours – and to call Nancy. I was a bit worried about pushing the limit of shooting hours – but then reckoned that I know them well – just how dark the end of hours is – and continued.

Instead of camos – full civilian dress. No face paint – though a sunny day. Old Navy sweater, black cap, cargo pants I wore to work. Bold, intentional, I waited and then set out late, sun nearly setting already. The one thing to my advantage: hunting upwind. The other: confidence.

Unlike the previous days – the deer were already out when I arrived, and in number.

Deer at about 200 yards - hadn't noticed me (I think) – but I did not have a good shooting position. Options: retreat slightly and try and climb, in view, to a good position – or move forward, in slight shield of some bushes. I decided to move forward. Black with white/yellow Old Navy, and all.

Past the spot where they could view me I now moved into a spot where I had always imagined shooting a deer. My vest was noisy – worrying me somewhat – but I had a feeling this would come together.

I got to a shooting position – the deer were moving across a stubble field – three shooters close and a fourth beyond. Only one problem – two houses beyond also. I decided to choose a lane of fire to the right of the right-most house, and ranged, 138 yards, and waited.

It is amazing how fast deer move, even if grazing.

I set the bipod legs a bit high, so coming up with a rear rest was a bit of a challenge. I decided to take the second deer. I felt I could make the shot (before they moved out of the kill zone).

At impact the deer jumped straight up – almost like a ballerina.

Both front legs broken the deer augured down the hill straight toward me.

The deer got to the edge of the field and at the top of a small gulch of brush still alive – I looked for a head shot – but it didn’t come together – and the deer disappeared.
I slowly gathered my stuff and headed over. The bullet probably delivered death – I just hoped I didn’t have to follow a deer into thick brush as darkness ensued. (I have to work tomorrow!)

The deer left a discernable path down through the stubble – but no with blood – which concerned me ... but then I turned around – and saw a beautiful young whitetail buck, piled up at the edge of the field.

I thanked God. What bounty!!! Sorry only I didn’t have my camera.

++++++

I de-meated the deer (in view of town, 5 miles distant) and carried three quarters to the car, about a mile away, then drove around to the houses above for the final quarter and head.
I was home by 7:45.

I am eating the tenderloin and drinking red wine as I write. Oops – I think the steak is burning.

JRF/SH

no-brainer

2011-10-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

... no-brainer, really. Bipod in front ... back of the gun rests on binos, range-finder, or both, as needed. Take off safety and shoot - put the bullet exactly where I want to.

...

lane of death

2011-10-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

... here is where I shot my last deer ... it is a tough spot. They cross this lane from forest to night feeding ... they don't linger much in the opening. Crossing spot at 100 yards. Bullet will be 1-1/2 in. high at that distance. Bi-pod in front, binos and/or range finder supporting the rear of the gun. All I have to do is take safety off and shoot. Lethal. Only a doe and a fawn crossed, so let live.

s.h.

kill zone

2011-10-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

Only does wandered across tonight ... so I `let live'.

Pictured is the Ruger M77 lam/stainless with fixed 4 power scope. Zeroed at 150 ... the crossing is at 150 with farthest shot at 215.

I wait to pull the trigger another day.

S.H.

went out last night ...

2011-10-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

... they came out late. Saw more little ones and does - nothing I wanted to shoot. Then, with 13 minutes of shooting hours left - I saw one I wanted, on the other side of the draw. By the time I got over to him - he was gone - and so was the light. Maybe tomorrow night.

...

Jared would be proud of me ...

2011-10-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

I ended work a bit early, changed, and went out. The timing was perfect – as I needed a bit more time – the recent rain adding about a mile to the walk. But the wind was wrong – taking my scent up the draw that I otherwise wanted untouched by human noise, and scent. Ughhhh. I decided to try. Getting ready to slip into position looking up to a spot where deer would likely come out – I realized I had lost my jacket – which I planned to lay on. I wanted to go back – but it would foul up timing. I got there exactly 30 min. from sundown proper (even though it was cloudy) … and the deer would start coming out between now and 10 minutes before. So I got into position, prone on wet ground, the grass somewhat insulating me from the cold, wet ground, in light rain.

I ranged the area where the deer normally come out – 150 yards – the exact range of zero on my rifle. Bipod legs fully extended and rear of the gun supported by my binoculars – all I had to do was take the gun off `safe’ and shoot. My chin was propped so I could lie comfortably without moving anything but my eyes.

I lay there, praising and signing to God without voice, yet loud in my heart.

I thought I could hear hoof sounds. Hmmmm. Dismissed it. Then again. I opened my eyes, and a doe `blew’ from just a few yards away. She had come in from my blind side on the right and alerted to my scent and perhaps tiny movement. She ran a few yards, stopped, turned around and looked, and then made her way to the side of the field, and disappeared. I probably could have swung the gun around for a shot – but preferred to watch – as perhaps more deer were around. The deer with her, a young buck, could see me but not smell me, and so wondered why all the fuss. (I certainly did not look human.) He wandered around in front of me – and I just watched. Perhaps his presence in the field would bring some comfort to any others in the area.

I probably could have shot him in the eye – 50 yards away with a perfect setup – but just watched.

The deer had come out 10 min. before sundown – spot on.

After a while he also caught my scent, and bounded off.
I waited to see if anything (else) would come out – though unlikely – as both deer retreated into the forest from which I hoped others would emerge. Had the area not been spooked I would have waited it out – clear to the end of shooting hours – a full 30 min. after sundown – but I wanted to find my jacket, and also get out before pitch black, and not get too cold. So I decided to do the walk out during shooting hours.

I found my jacket.

Ahead of me on way out was a doe, about 100 yards, walking ahead and away from me – she turned broadside - easy shot … if I wanted it. But, strangely, I didn’t. Maybe if it had antlers, maybe. I continued and eventually she, and her partner, saw me behind them and ran off.

Couple hundred yards to the east – two deer sky-lined. Both does.

I started the hunt totally intending to kill any decent size deer, doe or buck, but the bottom line, I guess, is that I just didn’t want to kill tonight – so I watched these two also, now also looking at me, and continued on out.

I texted Jared that he’d be proud of me – passing up a small buck, and multiple does. He would have done the same thing, holding out for `Mr. Big’. BUT, I didn’t shoot because I didn’t want to … maybe because I wanted to get back to civilization and not spend another hour dressing a deer (in the rain), or maybe because I wanted to get a decent night rest and not have to deal with cutting a deer up mid-week, when I have a guest speaker coming tomorrow, or because I wanted to spend some time with Nancy …

I’ll pull the trigger another day.

And that's the nice thing about hunting close to home .. I don't HAVE to get something when I go out.

Ruger M77 ... 260 Rem Caliber ... deer killing machine!

...

... tomorrow is Opening Day

2011-10-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

... tomorrow is Opening Day of the general rifle deer season. I will go to work as usual in the morning, come home, ... I have a meeting in Moscow in the afternoon. After that I may go out. I will go close, not far ... and I will wear my civilian dress, not camo. The deer around here are used to people ... but they have a natural aversion to hunters. I'll just make sure I don't glow in the dark. I might take face paint - and color up my smiley face like a forest, or `black boy'. (They don't see very many `black boys' around these parts.)

Checking Zero ...

2011-10-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

I went out and checked zero today. Actually, I checked zero earlier this season, but the thing is I got an animal earlier this season. I have found that in the ruckus of getting an animal ... the field dressing, the packing out, the ... etc., etc., there is way higher likelihood, as much as we would like to not admit it, that our gun gets knocked off zero. Especially with a big animal, like an elk, that is pretty consuming.

So, since our any-weapon deer/elk season opens Monday, I thought it necessary to check zero - and am glad I did. At 100 yards the bullets were hitting 4 in. low (of bulls-eye). Crap! That's a miss on a deer - especially if I am expecting the bullet to be 2 in. high. So I adjusted.

That's just the way it is: no matter how much care I take with my firearm - it's always prudent to check zero.

Now I am 1-1/2 in. high at 100 ... the bullet floats thru zero at about 150 ... and falls about 2 in. low at 200 yards. That is perfect!

S.H.

The Wild Card

2011-09-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

Jared texted me. He found his buck, and came up with a plan, went to execute, but just then they started harvesting ... that is the wild card (with these local deer). Just about the time you get your animal located and figured out – `the hunt’ throws in her wild card – in this case, harvest, or some other agricultural event. The field you had to yourself (and the deer) for weeks earlier – is suddenly shared with the clatter of machinery and the rumble and dust of trucks. The animals simply adjust – moving into the trees waiting for the farmers to leave for the day – or moving to another field altogether ... but it throws the hunter WAY OFF.

explanation ...

2011-08-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

... thru the years I have taken deer, turkey, pheasant, quail, even a duck or two off the hill ... but not an elk. Somehow they got away, or it was a shot I just didn't feel good about taking - for one reason or another. It was kind of an un-finished thing. I think about moving from time to time - but the thought of moving without having taken an elk from there - just seemed unfinished, incomplete, empty, not the way to end a chapter. So, now, whether I move or not, at least in that regard, I `can'.

... now I can move.

2011-08-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

I decided to head up to the hill. One thing I have learned for sure, whether or not I always practice it, is to `keep trying’.

The garbanzo beans are so late – the deer are in there - but no sign of elk. (Maybe the elk will be in the peas.) I brought my machete to clear some thorn bushes on one of the overgrown logging roads. In the process the blade got bent, and the handle seemed a bit non-dependable, so when done I tossed it. I would only need the trail cleared one last season (fall and spring).

On top I decided to text Michele to see if she wanted to get together for a beer. As we were zeroing in on a time – I crossed over a hill and out in the peas were a cow moose and yearling calf (moose).

But wait! – that cow moose doesn’t have a calf. (I have seen her before!) Could the other animal be an elk?

It is amazing how load a cell phone chime can be when suddenly on a stalk on elk. (Michele was texting back.)

I used cover of a single evergreen tree, scrambling to kill the master volume on the cell phone.

As I get closer the smaller animal appears to be maneuvering to suck off the moose, but not quite.

The smaller animal is also all dark, and elk have a light brown rump patch. So it can't be an elk ... But, wait! … the animal is facing me – so I can’t see the rump.

Maybe.

Closer still I look to see that they have separated. Now I am thinking instead of a yearling moose – the other animal is my prize – a mature cow elk ... a large animal on its own, though small next to a moose.

Past the lone evergreen I must get prone in the short dry, thistle-y cheat grass … my target is at about 200 yards, and I must get to the edge of a small draw to use my bipod. I am running out of daylight. It is getting dark.

As the cheat grass gives way to dry thorns and other stuff – I am getting noisy.

It is all about timing. If I go so slow as to be undetected, I will probably not reach a shooting position until it is too dark. I go at a pace at which I will probably be noticed, but not too startling to the moose and elk. Certainly I do not want to appear human. At first I will be noise, then moving grass, then ...

I must press or lose my opportunity. It seems far to the edge of the draw, but is only about 30 yards. The cow moose discovers me. And then the cow elk. The moose just stands there; the cow elk starts moving back toward the safety of the timber. Now I have their full attentions, and I must make more noise as I break thistles to clear a path for my bullet, and to also see through the scope.

The situation could decompose, but I have a sense it will not.

The elk stops at the edge of the field, broadside to look at me. I can barely see the light brown of rump. In fact, daylight is vanishing. She turns toward me. Now I am ready. I will take only a good shot with the 140 grain 260 Remington caliber bullet. I put the crosshairs dead center between shoulders. I will hit one shoulder, a lung, or the shoulder. It will kill but not anchor. At the shot she reels around and heads out into the peas and around the west end of the ridge (out of sight). I can tell by her reaction she is hit.

…

I text Michele: "I just shot an elk ... we will have to do beer another night … "

...

Daylight almost entirely gone I jump up, chamber another round, and take pursuit. The cow moose simply watches as I go by. I come around the ridge and she (the elk) is standing, 100 yards distant, in the peas, watching me. She is hurt. We are both standing. I will try the head shot.

The crosshairs swirl around her head in a pattern that is both chaotic but has pattern, and has air as background during much of the swirls. I have to try. At the shot she folds.

I have my elk.

…

Mostly dark I now walk up to her. I now have a five hundred pound animal to deal with, a mile from the nearest road, and it is August. Who can I call? Matt! I dial his number. Though we have talked only a little in the last 10 months, somehow he knows I am calling because I need help with an elk. I describe where I am – he has to finish up some work and will come help me.

She is still moving, but looks to be her last. I start down the back with my knife … starting to open her up and cool her off. As I start with the backstrap there is still a lot of blood in her body, so I explore a little. I cannot find a bullet hole, in either her front, or her head. Hmmmm … did I hit her at all? As I open her trachea I am hit with a spray of blood, on face an arm, so I obviously also hit a lung. She begins to drain out.

The cow moose, that calmly watched the ordeal unfold, now runs by in seeming panic. Perhaps at the smell of blood.

I turn the elk over - she has a broken shoulder.

In haste I get one rear quarter off, the good shoulder, the other rear quarter - about the time Matt arrives. …

I am getting tired, and thirstly. I should have asked Matt to bring ...

As Matt approaches I eat some peas ... arrives, and hands me a beer. SWEET!

...

The evening is glorious. The moon is out. The lights from town …

We work some more and take a load to the vehicles. We decide to come into town for food and drink.

…

The delight of the Palouse is that it cools at night, except for only a few nights in August, but this night is not one of them. In Matt’s open-air truck we are actually cold getting back to the hill. The climb warms us up. The moon is bright enough for navigation without our lights, but we turn them back on once at the elk. We finish with the good quarters, then salvage what we can of the front shoulder taking the hit. I get the other tenderloin, and now with saw we take the ribs. It is sweet. I hammer it home that Matt will miss this – once he graduates and leaves town.

…

It is 46 degrees and 1:45 AM as we come into town. I pull up to a blinking yellow light with blinking red on the left turn, and I am taking the left turn without stopping. A Sheriff deputy cruiser is parked next to the intersection. Halfway across the oncoming lane I realize I need to stop, and do, but it is too late. The deputy takes up chase.

He follows from afar for several blocks, and then hits the lights. I am tired. I am confident that he will only give me a warning – once he sees I am legal, not drunk, etc. And I am right. He checks my license and registration, warns me to come to a full stop first the next time, and lets me go. I waive a thanks-gooodbye. I pull into my apartment – it is 2:00 AM. LIFE IS GOOD.

Now I have taken an elk off the hill. I can move.

ENDNOTE: though I never found an entry hole - obviously my first shot broke shoulder and hit at least one lung. I could not find a hole in her head, only some bruising at the base of one ear. The shock of the bullet hitting or passing near her ear apparently stunned her - though the effects of the first shot had probably also near run their full course. I am grateful the events unfolded just as they did - I do not like trying to track a hit animal in the dark.

OTHER END NOTE: later I got a text back from Michele: "Oh, okay ... " A girl who grew up in England - had no idea what "I just shot an elk" would mean.

head shots

2011-08-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have taken two head shots on elk. Both in the last minutes, maybe seconds, of daylight. One shot was at, I am thinking, 80 yards, and I missed, ... but members of the herd lingered, and on the second shot I put the crosshairs on target for the lungs behind the shoulders, and pulled it off. I could tell I was on target as the animal bolted and ran with the others over the hill. My buddy, half mile off, watched them stop on the other side while my animal expired, and then went on.

The second head shot deal didn’t turn out so well. Range about 65 yards. Rump to me – the head shot was the only good shot – plus I had to anchor the animal where she stood. I put the crosshairs between her eyes and pulled the trigger – knowing my mistake. The gun was sighted for 300, and the bullet zinged an inch or so over her head. For an instant she was stunned – but then bolted into brush – not to be seen again. Dang!

I have taken head shots on deer – some I have made and some I have missed. The ones that counted I made. It’s fun.

moosage

2011-08-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

... we were sitting around talking about how dangerous wild animals are - especially bear and moose. Paul said that he'd rather meet a bear than a moose. Daniella (across from Paul) like-minded considered moose (along with bear, etc.) quite dangerous. Anna (across from me), on the other hand, like-minded with me, tried to assuage their fears of such beasts. As the sun was near setting I thought enough talk - grabbed Paul - and said, "Let's go look for elk."

After a short drive to a spot, we got out of the car, and not 60 seconds into our jaunt, I spotted a big cow moose, looking at us. I estimated range between 500 and 600 yards, and then we ranged her at 580. She was standing right where I was planning on going - so I headed straight toward her. She watched motionless.

I led Paul closer, and closer.

At about 100 yards I pulled up the binos and made sure she had no calf.

And continued.

Paul followed, a little bit behind. I was messin' with him a bit.

I had my rifle - but knew I would not use it.

At perhaps 60 yards she climbed up out of the field and left.

We saw her twice more, and got even a bit closer (according to Paul). I did not press our luck, but by end he was taking pictures with his cell phone while I took pics with my Canon.

...

It was fun showing Daniella the pics afterward.

Controlled Hunt Draw Results - IDAHO!

2011-05-16T17:35:00.001-07:00

Controlled Hunt Draw Results for the `Lifetime' species (Moose, Goat, Bighorn Sheep) are out ...

Grab your hunting license so you can enter your lic. number - and see how you did!

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/msg.cfm

Anyone drawing Sheep in 26 or 27 ... LEMME KNOW!

(See my profile for contact info.)

Spring Merriams Turkey ...

2011-05-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

I did some Spring Turkey hunting ... it's been GOOD! ... even magical.

HERE: http://turkey-nation.blogspot.com/

Pictured is second (smaller) bird.

I have learned to never ...

2010-12-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

I never get tangled up chasing quail, when in pursuit of chukar, or pheasant.

I never shoot at quacks if I am sneaking geese.

And if I am on a stalk on mallards, and I jump a roo, I'll let him go.

( ... even though pheasant are divine table fare.)

Jared and I went out ...

2010-12-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

...

... we set up in along the creek in the `north' area. Two geese flew over honking early, and that was it! ... zero, zip, nada! Nothin' flying high or low, close or far, not even any ducks. Only a few ravens. "Any time of year there is more than that!" Packed up and drove west. When we got to the car it started snowing; when we got to the western stretches it was snowing hard. Jared (and then I) spotted a flock of mallards working the area. Then we spotted geese in a stretch we couldn't hunt. So we headed farther west. Along a stretch we could hunt there were geese in the field, and ducks and geese in the creek. But it would be a hard sneak, so we drove to the far end.

At the far end I spotted geese in the creek and a few more on land heading for the creek. The creek, embedded below terrain, offered some relief from the driving snow, plus it gave the birds a chance for a `dip' - which some were taking.

By the time we dismounted all the birds were in the creek and embankment. Sweet.

At about 90 yards a flock of mallards came flying directly over. I sensed Jared's compulsion and tried to wave him off (from shooting). He raised up ... BLAM ... BLAM ... BLAM. JARED, YOU NEVER SHOOT AT DUCKS WHILE SNEAKING GEESE! (This opportunity, where the geese are embedded in the creek bottom, and thus easily sneakable, happens, in my experience around here, only once a year, or less.) He watched his birds fall while I watched the geese, accompanied with more ducks, take off and leave.

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Jared was elated; to his credit he had nailed a triple.

After a while he realized I was not with him in his elation ... I explained why; but he knew.

"Good shooting, but, Jared ... never ... !"
And then I joined him in his success, though inwardly would trade a triple any day for a point blank ambush on geese.

Selah ...

One of his birds fell far. I thought on the other side of the creek - but he thought on this side. He looked and looked, but couldn't find. The two birds he did find he set on top of the bank - a hen and a green. The hen was still moving, but with visibly broken neck it wouldn't go anywhere.

...

We hunted on up the creek. A group of what Jared guessed to be a hundred birds was out in the winter wheat huddled in the storm. We would not get close enough for a shot - but I supposed some to still be in the creek embankment next to, so we approached them in a way to flush them to the right and away from the creek - leaving any on the creek for the jump. It worked, except that the birds in the creek had joined the ones in the field resultant of the earlier commotion.

I jumped a green and a hen, safety came off, and I started to raise up but no ... I didn't know there were no geese left, and I would gladly trade even a double on quacks - for a jump on geese.

Nothin'. Dang ... but I did spot some mallards upstream, surprisingly close to the bridge. I backed up for the approach. Jared saw me and ran to join me.

A dozen flushed early - they had seen me.

We approached anyway - in case there were more. Now knowing there were no geese around - I would hammer mallards if flushed. There were (more mallards). A half dozen or so flushed in front of us. I pulled up on a green and shot ... just as Jared did ... at the same bird. The bird folded. Then I remembered ... time and time again on the jump, or over decoys, a single greenhead will be presented in such a way as to draw all the fire - and so again this time. I pulled hard right on a fleeing green fired and he folded as though dead for a day - just as Jared felled a second bird.

"I got two!" ... "I got two, too." ... but I know what happened. Jared said, " ... but there are only three birds down." "That's because we both shot the same one."

Jared knew me to only have shot the bird on the right - probably because the report for my first shot `arrived' (to him) just as he pulled the trigger. To him, he only shot at the first bird (and to him), he was the (only) one who got it.

Perhaps an autopsy will show more.

My (second) bird fell into the creek, but I was able to retrieve without having to go in.

...

We went back to the car on the other side of the creek. I happened to look down and see a duck, now mostly covered with snow, dead as he fell - it was Jared's third bird, fallen on `the other side of the creek'. So now he found all the birds of his triple.

Back at the car it was picture time. Jared crossed to get his birds on (the other) other side. Instead of just picking them up - I could see him `looking' around. I joined him. The hen he had shot was no where to be seen. "I saw her moving, but I could see her neck was broken but didn't think she'd go any where." Jared returned, " ... I could feel her neck break, when I broke it."

We looked and looked! Enough time had passed so any `trail' was snow covered. But what can a duck with a broken neck to? Flop?!!! There was a stretch where the drifted snow had melted and produced kind of a shelf - enough for a duck to hide - so I looked in. Behind me I heard a quack or honk or something. Turning around, there was our hen, swimming in the middle of the creek. Occasionally she would dive, but more or less stayed in the same place. I tried to get closer - but she'd dive. Her neck appeared for the most park okay. Amazing ... her neck muscles must be doing pretty good to hold her in place.

Jared went back to the car for the shotgun - and finished her.

Epilogue

I sold my goose decoys to Jared. I don't know that I will be using them much, and I could use the money. I am going to Malaysia, and may end up living there for a while. Jared's words at parting were as though they would be our last.

But I don't think so.

...

... the deceit of success.

2010-12-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

Jared and I went out for Geese yesterday. I did some scouting, and anticipated success similar to the close of season last year. It seemed the ingredients were there. But, alas, pathetic. My discourse with Jared at the time, and surely how it played out, is how we lose association with what produces success. The last time - it seemed we could do no wrong - and geese would come in. And we would kill them. But not this day. And that is the key. Success is a drug that often deceives us as to what produced it (success). Success comes with time, effort, energy, ... things coming together for the win. But in the `drug' of success's glory, and with the passage of time, we forget all that went into it, and suspect it to be automatic thereafter.

No, to kill geese we will have to get our ~~[deleted]~~ act together.

We have been lazy, and distracted (he with work and school and me with ... `drama'), and that is why we have had some pathetic hunts.

Saturday - we'll get our `ducks in a row'.
SH

reply to a friend

2010-12-01T13:59:00.001-08:00

... whoa ... that is the thing about Idaho ... long seasons, not being restricted to particular equipment (bow, modern, muzzle) ... plus spring turkey (and bear), plus the August `greenfield' hunt, controlled hunts, plus depredation hunts ... I found that I could hunt ALL YEAR LONG!!! No wonder I never got anything else done!!!

... to the Fish and Game Department

2010-11-22T16:13:00.000-08:00

I notice that firearms continue to be called `weapons' in your literature. Gosh - I never think of my firearms as weapons. A weapon is something I would use in a `fight' (or war). I suppose I could use them in that way - but hope to God I never have to. I think we do ourselves dis-service as sportsmen and sportswomen to allow our hunting rifles, bows, etc., to be called weapons. I have harvested numerous, numerous game animals - but I have never once consider my gun or my bow a `weapon'.

...

Update (to Jared)

2010-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

... hope you made is south safe. Roads bad up here. Checked on the duckies today - nothin'. Well, I did jump one hen mallard, but couldn't get myself to spend this high-end Bismuth ammo on her - so let her fly. Saw probably seventy pheasants, on other properties. Snowing, cloud cover is low, temperatures are expected to drop. If the ducks came south - they kept going - maybe they are where you are. I'll get some work done so when you return we can ... `play'. But it will need to warm up for us to have some action. (Unless we chase some other things.) JRF

Found Jared's Buck! ...

2010-11-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

Jared didn't think it was hit lethally, but when I saw the blood trail, I thought otherwise. But it wasn't easy to follow. In places a fair amount, then nothin' for a while. I could tell Jared was not optimistic. The hill was in the clouds, so a deer could come out of the draw and we not even get a shot. Once in the draw (in the brush) - who knows! Going through the brush is tough - and even tougher to get a shot.

The buck had come out of the timber on top and down the open south slope and into the draw appearing to take a route straight to the bottom. Then the trail turned abruptly and went across the slope into some brush. Tight going (meaning crouching over to get under branches, etc.), Jared exclaimed, "there he is!" And with his exclamation I imagined him looking at a deer looking back at him, ready to bolt, and Jared wondering how he would get shot.

But the deer was dead.

... we found it.

While Jared boned it out ... I looked around for some Merriams (our late turkey season just opened). I found none, but did jump a moose, a deer, and a couple grouse.

Then I remembered! ... and so instructed Jared: these whitetail deer do just that, wounded, or just escaping - they will go over a hill, and once over the edge go a short distance, then do a 90-degree turn, go a ways, and then hide.

CONGRATS! JARED.

... my buddy Jared.

2010-11-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

Jared wounded a buck ... he had to break off the search at dark.

Today we will go look for it.

Matt - NO WAY!

2010-11-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Matt comes to Idaho for graduate school ... and does THIS!!!

Congrats! Matt!

Matt is one of several friends who are also here getting graduate degrees. They all complain of being busy, almost too busy to hunt. I tell them that they will soon graduate and move, and will have missed it, if they don't take advantage of what we have here.

JRF / Serious Hunter

"Meet on the Road on Top"

2010-11-19T20:03:00.000-08:00

Jared said, “let’s meet on the road on top.” There is no road on top; there is only the road on the bottom. But then I figured he meant the ridge at the top that kind of has a two-lane trail in spots.

I had a late start – and he was anxious to get up there (especially after the last episode) – and that’s why we met on the hill. On the ridge I snooped around here and there – it always looked like a nice spot – and there’s always sign deer cross – but I had never killed one there. I did notice, though, for the first time, a position from which one would be able to have much longer firing lanes than I had heretofore found.

We met and then hunted west. Not really hunting, as the sun was too high – but Jared wanted to look for sign. I broke off in a spot or two to look down into some brushy bowls. Nothin’.

Tracks in the relatively fresh snow indicated the spot was not entirely ours – looked like this morning.

At the west end I spotted some wild turkeys out, in the sun, … and got a few pics. Big, beautiful birds.

We decide to snoop around in the timber. Facing north – it retained the snow from the day before – and was cold and uninviting – I didn’t think the deer would be in there – unless purposefully to hid – and then they would be in the thick stuff.

We jumped a gigantic moose – would love to have caught it against the snow – but wasn’t fast enough with the cam.

We decided to split up. “I’ll go low and meet you `on the road on top’ – where we met this earlier.”

I found some good sign, and jumped a gigantic animal, no smaller than a moose, but didn’t get a good look. Jared said later that he pushed the first moose all the way east and out the top – so whatever I ran into was another animal.

I finally got up the road … and with the body heat of climbing my glasses were fogged and my de-fogging handkerchief damp. And now in fading light … I got to my newly found position where I could see way down the ridge. And I looked - and there was a deer – clear down at the other end.

The thing about the ridge is that deer cross there … they don’t walk up or down it … and so a shot has to be during the brief time it takes to cross the width of basically a double trail.

I got prone, and fighting fogged glasses and rifle scope, and needing to extend the legs on my bipod, couldn’t get a good shot before the deer had crossed. Hmmmmm … that may have been my chance.

But the deer stopped, and then came back. She gave me (I have a doe tag) a quartering shot toward me – and I took it.

At the report she lunged low along the ground and into the timber – a couple other deer racing about in panic. I felt good about the shot.

I got down to where she was, expecting to find animal. I was hoping the shot would anchor her close by. Or better yet, fell her where she stood.

Sometimes, apparently if the moment of impact coincides with the high pressure cycle of the heart beat - the overpressure bursts the capillaries in the animals brain, and ...

But, nothing. Then I did find blood, and a chip of bone. My bullet was supposed to hit shoulder and then catch lung(s), maybe heart. I was a bit worried this might be a piece leg bone. Maybe I hit low. I started on the blood trail, and called Jared.

As I followed the blood trail I was more encouraged. Some gew looking like lung, and significant blood spray, and, perhaps most importantly, the blood and spray high enough on the grass, brush, and trees, to indicate a shot well up on the body.

I had a mild feeling of panic, or maybe anx. It was getting dark fast, and was dropping below freezing. The panic was unwarranted, but, still, instead of standing over a deer, all I had was a blood trail, and it would only get darker and colder. Or maybe the anx was carryover from all the other `stuff' going on in my life.

At times the blood trail was good – but then at others I would lose it for a bit. Blood is good – but standing over a deer is even better.
Eventually Jared joined me – and we found the deer. Definitely not the largest deer I have shot – but not the smallest, either.

We had her de-meated in twenty minutes and headed to the cars.

In the end, she only made it the `90' yards typical with a lung shot - but 90 yards downhill in timber, brush, cold, and vanishing light - can be a long ways.

Sweet.

(Besides, the freezer in my current living situation is pretty small.)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1072899/demeating_big_game_in_the_field.html?cat=6

http://www.biggamehunt.net/articles/lighten-load-new-approach-dressing-big-game

Endnote: I texted Tammy that I got a deer and that the girls would be free to borrow the rifle.

Me and My 260: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1619211/review_of_the_ruger_m77_mark_ii_compact.html?cat=11

Pathetic

2010-11-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Jared's meeting time seemed late, but I flowed with it. I got there a bit early, and phoned him from the car, announcing I was early, but that the extra time might be useful. He said he'd be right down, as he also wanted to stop at [deleted] (the sporting goods store) to get some stuff. Hmmmm ... we don't have much time before dark, I thought.

On the drive out Jared described his plan - sounded pretty ambitious in what little daylight we would have. As we parked, I now paid closer attention to his plan, asking him to re-describe. "Jared, you mean me go over to the BIG draw to the east, dragging doe-scent all the way, then circle back and drop/drag into `Turkey' draw, dragging down, and meeting you at the bottom, and then going up to the `Tree'?"

"It's already getting dark! We have time to go (ONLY) DIRECTLY to the Tree. We can drag scent along the way if you wish."
Apparently Jared got morning vs. evening hunting hours, or the end of Daylight Savings Time, or both, wrong.

A deer came out at the point, but as we were too late, we were busted ...

We got to the tree and watched ... but we perhaps busted our only opportunity.
"Jared, how could you? (Mess up on the time.) I should have drilled you further on your meet-up time."

I have had dreams of screwing up on leaving time - and getting out there LATE, but I have never actually done it.

But if there is any consolation (though this is none), Jared did stop me before peeing on the deer scent (urine) trail we were making. My urine is almost pure H2O (odorless, tasteless, colorless) compared to this bottled doe urine stuff. ("Please tell me this is not real doe urine I just got all over my hands.")

Well, perhaps it (the urine) worked, as the only (other) deer we saw we met backtracking our (urine) trail to the car (after dark).

We're pathetic ... we gotta get it together, man!

...

Offseason Turkey Hunting ...

2010-11-16T17:10:00.000-08:00

What is the best way to hunt turkey? ... especially in the off season? THE WAY YOU WANT TO ... here.

...

Test

2010-11-15T12:58:00.001-08:00

test ... cool ... set up so I can post via cell phone text messaging.

Crap ...

2010-11-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

... colder today ... low 40s with 100% humidity ... I needed a break. At the end I got into some pheasants. A rooster got up. Unusually (my fingers were numb and) I had trouble getting the safety. My first shot missed but my second shot dumped him. A second rooster got up rear to my left. I swung, but broke off as behind were buildings, highway, possibly cars and people, etc. I marked where the first bird fell - and then went downstream for a crossing. On the other side I found the spot - but no bird. Ughhhhhhh. I found feathers, even the wad! ... but no bird. I looked around and around, but nothing. CRAP! I hate losing a bird. It's been somewhat of a crappy week.

Next will be better.

...

not quite on top of my game ...

2010-11-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

... So, I came up on the creek, high. By that I mean across the field (more exposed) than via the road and borrow pit. I decided to pull up the binos ... and glad I did. In the little piece of water I could see - a green (Greenhead Mallard). I was still a hundred yards out. I'm glad I looked; I would have been busted.

I backed up and started the sneak. Soon I was within kill distance. I knew there was one green ... but only one?

Close ... I see him again. Ducks bust to my right ... I crumple a green. At the shot some 30 mallards more bust to flight. I pick a hen with a green next to her - hoping to get both - but getting neither. On the third shot I crumple another green. I don't have my edge - but not bad, either. They are stone dead on the other side of the creek. Yay to Bismuth. I will get them on the return.

... the art of sneaking up on wild ducks ...

...

P.S. ... I gave the birds to a friend who definitely wanted them. I have eaten enough mallard for several lifetimes. I'm glad he was blessed.

Experience ...

2010-11-10T16:48:00.000-08:00

... I was talking about hunting with a friend ... and how you just have to `put in your time'. And suddenly it made sense why. Why after years of hunting - do things seem to start to work, come together, though consciously I don't seem to be doing anything different? Well, all the while you are putting in your time - your subconscious mind is collecting information - and processing it. And eventually your subconscious mind is able to put it together constructively. So while you are motoring along in your conscious mind doing the same things ... your subconscious now has enough ... to start making you successful. That's why you kind of need to try - but not try too hard ... you also kind of need to `let' the hunt come together.

Reminds me of ... http://www.biggamehunt.net/articles/how-we-think-affects-our-hunting

...

Idaho ...

2010-11-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

I love Idaho. I do. It's my favorite state. Some people dream of hunting other states ... Montana, Wyoming, Colorado. I do my dreams in Idaho.

A friend of mine and I were discussing some of Idaho's other qualities (not to be repeated here) ... and I had to interject ...

"You should study how Idaho got its name ... it goes something like this: Colorado was one name under consideration ... but, nah, and so Colorado gobbled the name up later. (Colorado, of course, means `colored'.) They settled on `Idaho' (don't know if that's the original spelling). Definitely a pretty name ... but its origin? A gambling paddle boat, by the same. And what does it mean? ... NOTHING! ... it's just a word, made up."

And then I said ...

"No less hilarious is the boundary of the state ... intended to be the Continental Divide on the east ... but, oops! "F- it! It stays where it is! ... even though, after a lot of ridge work, they found that the ridge they were on ... wasn't the divide."

...

Your text message ...

2010-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

To my pastor ...

"Am I ok? No. As your text arrived (about my wife wanting to go through with the divorce) a rooster got up ... I dropped the phone and shot, and missed. (I want to be married - she is the love of my life!) But I can live with it. A while later this pheasant (below) got up, and I hammered him. F*U*C*K!"

"It just doesn't seem it needs to end this way."

BE CAREFUL ...

2010-11-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

I was headed out the door on a short foray across the border with a friend. My colleague (and dear friend) said, "Be careful!" He is not a hunter. What is it about hunting that is (perceived as being) so dangerous? I have been face to face with moose, bear, embedded deep in wolf territory without a firearm (but then I was a bit scared), and I have criss-crossed rugged terrain ...

But by far the most dangerous element of almost all of my adventures is the DRIVE in and out.

I have not researched it - but I imagine far more hunters are killed and injured in their vehicles going to and from - than from in the field itself.

So, yeah, you hunters, BE CAREFUL. I assume that you are already being careful with your firearms, knifes, your skirting of cliffs, and so on ... don't forget to be careful on the drive in and out ... especially on the way out ... you'll probably be tired.

...

Quail, and Rain

2010-11-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

... it's raining, and the quail are out running around. I think that is a bad sign - it means they do not anticipate a break soon enough worth waiting for.

Well, there is more and more water, for the quacks when they get here, but I think it is still to warm up north. They are still enjoying Canada.

...

Scrapes ...

2010-11-05T18:00:00.001-07:00

... went out looking for deer. Saw one doe (fleeing some coyotes) at distance. (And saw the coyotes.) Saw two beautiful SCRAPES (but not the deer that made them). Maybe a pic next time. Rut must be comin'.

...

Some local geese ...

2010-10-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

... here are some resident Canada geese. They are big, and smart. They know the safe havens.

I'll wait for their `Northern' relatives to come ... and then start banging.

...

... lots of Quail around.

2010-10-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

I'd rather shoot Quail with my camera.

... nothin' tonight.

2010-10-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Jared heading out across the wheat stubble - to get in a place where a big buck might come out. A little one tried to come out, bumped into Jared, and then came out up above over where I was. I had a doe tag ...

Could be the big buck saw the little one `run into something' ... and withdrew deeper into safety. Though we may never know.

Bear at the Fair

2010-09-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

I took Georgia to the Fair ... Latah County Sportsman (or some group), had a booth, with heads-and-hides of various creatures. On the far left was a black bear, about the size of the bobcat next to it. Criminy ... the cub with the sow the other evening was that big. I could have shot a cub and brought it in! The regs say that a bear with young is protected, but not specifically the young! I could have shot the cub. Further, without her young, I could have then shot the sow. (But I only had one tag.)

Actually, though I am a serious hunter ... I am not much of a serious killer.

I would like to take a nice golden-color bear some time ... but for now they live.

...

new haunts

2010-09-11T14:44:00.001-07:00

Cool, clear fall day, high 60s, breezy, bright sunshine, ... went one last look for elk … south facing hillsides hot, warm breeze blowing through the p-pines, the pine needle and dust ground bouncing the heat back. On the north facing slopes ... dark and cool ... occasionally rays of sun break through ... I took new trails into new haunts but still couldn't find the game. These places are timeless. Many of the game trails worn and traveled more than the marked Forest Service trails... yet being at the same place at the same time with the creatures that carve them is mysteriously hard. What was it like here yesterday, a couple hours ago, or perhaps just before I arrived?

... dark ...

2010-09-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

I took a few new game trails into new hidden haunts this evening. Some of these places, once in, I feel anxious to get right back out, ... noises are amplified ... mine, and those of the creatures; everything is various shades of dark; the sources of noises impossible to pinpoint, and creatures indistinguishable from the shadows. The occasional smell of `big mammal' - not elk; maybe moose ... perhaps (or was) just a few feet away. I come into roosting wild turkeys - they are in the trees above me - yet projecting their calls to the ground around. I am confused. I move quickly, and noisily, maybe subconsciously on purpose ... I don't really want to meet something in there - it's best they know I am coming, and leaving.

Perhaps I will search out some more, tomorrow, mid-day, when at least it isn't so dark.

WOOF!

2010-09-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

... from hunt to ... ???

(click on graphic to enlarge)

...

Watched this Buck this evening ...

2010-09-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

... maybe Jaci will get this buck this season. I'm not sure this is the biggest one of the bunch - but it is decent for sure. My tag is for a different unit.

(click on photo to enlarge)

...

Moose ...

2010-09-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Cow moose swimming the riv (then wading to shore) near Clark Fork, Idaho ...

...

Pinned down ...

2010-09-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

... went out looking for elk - got pinned down by this herd of deer - so I just watched and took pics. At first ... just a small buck and a doe. Then a larger buck came out. The doe noticed me as I clamored with gun, bow, camera, binos, etc. Ughhhh. Apparently it was the doe's responsibility to come check me out ( ... because she was the one who noticed?) ... she tried to get around me downwind. She made a lot of noise `blowing' but never did make me - so she joined back up with the other two bucks and eventually went over the hill. Four more bucks came out - each one nicer than the one before - six total. Something made some large noises behind me - but I never could look. I watched the deer until dark, then retreated with shooting nothing more than the camera.

Jared arrowed a doe while I was gone.

To Jared ...

2010-09-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

" ... okay, I'll head out a bit later. I'll hunt the east side, and if I'm courageous, drop down into that stuff on the north. If you hear a single shot - that means I found them (the elk). If you hear multiple shots - I found a pack of wolves."

Idaho

2010-09-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

I live in Idaho. I drive farther to work than I do to hunt.

*****

After Action Report and Summary ....

2010-09-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

After their encounter with you they reversed and went in herd up and out to the far end. I found their exodus path and took pursuit, but broke off due to bad wind and I didn't think I could get a good jump on them (and because I just wasn't `up' to it). I think they will be there until stirred again (either by hunters, or harvest). I got some scenery pics, saw some deer, and ran into one clan of wild turkey.

Almost ...

2010-09-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

So, I set up where the van-load of deer came out the other night near Jared. I got to a nice spot, but then moved forward a bit to check out another spot. It had a good angle on the road, but not on the field, and since `nothing ever comes down the road’ I decided to retreat to the first spot. Ughhhh … here comes a cow elk down the road. Silly me … I’m not learning from my mistakes. Calf in tow, she hung up on my scent. She stopped her advance down the road and went around. I drew. She would probably pass at 30 yards – I’d take the shot. OMG she went slow. She looked at me – but could not quite make me out. I had a lane of fire – but she passed farther out. I’d take the shot if she stopped, but she didn’t until past, and behind a bush. I waited, full draw, and now in full view. After a while I started shaking … not for `buck fever’ … but for the sheer duration of holding the bow at full draw. She watched me let up. Then she went back for her calf, and crossed the bottom. Perhaps she would give me a shot on the road – but now she was on alert. She crossed to the far side of the draw. I tried to get closer – but she wouldn’t …

I put down my bow and took pics.

Jared ...

2010-08-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

Jared is beginning to worry me a bit. Perhaps he is taking over as the `Serious Hunter' ... (as I take on other matters). Today he passed up a 5 x 5 buck at 11 yards (for something better). Last year I chastised him for such - but he did - he got something better. So we'll see - he may just do it. He is serious about this.

All I could get into was a small buck (and I have a doe tag only for this unit). Interestly, the buck kept hanging up on a place I earlier stepped to but retreated from. Even though I was showered, in freshly washed clothes with `hunter' detergent, and that Jared sprayed me down with scent-killer head-to-toe (including the bottoms of my boots) ... the buck could still pick up something along the path I had walked. Amazing.

...

Hens Happen

2010-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

"They're shooting toms, jakes, and f-g hens! What a bunch of bullshit!"

S.H., undated.

Swarovski Binos

2010-05-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

So, this place I go turkey hunting (and other hunting) ... there is this one nasty patch of brush. It doesn't look that bad, but in it - what a tangle. The brush is not tall, but it is all oriented downhill, so ascent is difficult. Last year I got to the top without my sunglasses. This time through, it took my rifle off safe (I was also looking for bear), and peeled one of the eyeguards off my binos. (Probably unzipped my pants, also.) And, no, I will not go back and look. The good news is that I just called Swarovski and replacement eyeguard(s) goes out in the mail today!

I like Swarovski.

Ticks ...

2010-05-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

"Whoa, ticks sink. At least that one did." "Sinking would not have done them well in the Flood."

My daughter and I were Spring Turkey hunting yesterday. She came back with one (tick), which she found (on her body) shortly upon return, and my wife found a tiny one jaunting across our dining room floor. (Whoa she has good eyes!)

Here's my thing on ticks:

1. When you find one - get rid of it/him/her, ... but be kind, they are a living creature.

2. I suppose they make tick-repellents. I don't like the repellents, as I suspect they also repel deer, elk, etc. Plus, they attract dirt. And on a long trip this may not be good.

3. I don't mind so much a tick crawling on me - but I really want to avoid them latching on, and growing, so ...

Upon return from an outing (or during, on long ones), do either or both of the following:

1) disrobe and have your partner `check' you for ticks
2) lie quietly (when you go to bed/sleep, or whatever), and just relax your consciousness (awareness) enough to `feel' them crawling around on you. In fact, with some practice, just tell your consciousness to be aware of anything crawling ... and you'll be able to feel them.
3) comb your hair (and feel your scalp as you do) ... I almost didn't list one because I don't have much.

If you find one that had decided to become attached, there is plenty of advice for removal ... but if you practice the above, esp. 2), this shouldn't be an issue.

One thing I have done from time to time is to put the clothes I was wearing directly in the wash afterward, or put them on a chair outside for a while. Regarding the chair approach, supposedly the ticks will climb to the top after a while, waiting for a passersby.

Spring Merriams Turkey ...

2010-05-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

Since it's General Turkey Season around here ... my current posts are over on ... http://www.turkey-nation.blogspot.com/

BeachBody helping ...

2010-04-15T12:53:00.001-07:00

Opening Day of General Turkey season today ... I did some crawling ... and crawling is easier now that I have been doing this BeachBody thing.

Serious Exercise ...

2010-03-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Climbing and glassing, with Matt (and Charis) M. The best way to get in shape for tough country hunting - is to get into some - and start climbing around. On this beautiful afternoon we climbed from canyon bottom to top (Snake River Canyon, E. Washington state), and enjoyed glassing and the view.

I am endeavoring to do both indoor and outdoor workouts this spring.

Indoors: BeachBody workouts with my wife and her friend(s) ... (and anyone who wants to join us electronically).

Outdoors: hills and canyons and on my bike.

The BeachBody thing is `sculpting' me, and helping me limber and strength up; the canyons and hills (and bike hills) are major CARDIO.

The combination - sometimes I feel like I can fly! ... or at least sing ... (as I jump rock to rock).

I have started a "BeachBody4Hunters" workout group on my BeachBody site ...

Check it out - but don't laugh (at my `before' pics):

http://teambeachbody.com/pancho

JOIN MY TEAM!

That was strange ...

2009-12-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

I was hunting a favorite stretch of creek for Mallards, and as I came over the bank ... a green (greenhead) swam past, fast downstream. That is / was good, meaning I was probably getting into a bunch. They flushed. Some went left and some right. I swung on the ones on the left and my first shot dumped a hen, and my second a green. I then swung right, and by this time the birds were a ways out; I decided not to shoot. Then I looked back left and ... the green was on the ground in the field (next to the creek), BUT NO HEN. What?!!!

I didn't want to get wet, so I went back along the creek to the bridge and came up the other side. As I got near the spot, a hen swam out into the open, and took to flight, quacking angrily at me. I didn't shoot. (I don't often shoot at single hens.)

I got up on the shooting zone and found the green, but no hen.

The only thing I can figure is that the angry hen was the one I dumped. She was apparently so close that the `blast' of my shot knocked her down, without really inflicting long lasting damage. By the time I came up the other side, she had come to her senses, and not only that, was mad.

I recovered the green and went home.

Crawling ... (cont.)

2009-12-15T08:15:00.001-08:00

I can't help but notice every year (Tri-State Big Buck Contest, the photos ...) that (oft) the basic Whitetailed Deer hunter (around here, anyway) (a guy) is overweight! ... plus there are a few women pictured with their bucks (generally more slender ... the women) ... and a few (his or her, also slender) teen(s).

Ughhhhhh! ... what an image!

And I can't say I don't fit, entirely.

I need to lose some weight, tone up.

How far can I crawl? Or run? How much can I carry? What weird pose can I maintain for a long time, if I have to?

If deer hunting doesn't demand more of me than short outings, and a few beers, maybe I should move on.

Or maybe I can `change the equation'.

Crawling ...

2009-12-12T16:34:00.001-08:00

I had a late-season turkey tag. Jared said he had a spot. We went out. We got caught out in the middle of a field as the birds started coming out. Only direct option was to crawl, so I tried. Crawling for more than a few yards is hard ... (is this something I can practice, or train for?). I cut the distance a bit, ... plus, some birds came my way ... now I was stuck flat, in range ... to move for a shot would give me away.

I rose up, ... they started to flee, together. One pulled away from the group and I shot.

SWEET.

I am more and more thinking that serious hunting involves more than being able to walk, or even climb, or wait ... it also involves more difficult feats ... crawling, being in strange physical positions, and so on ...

HOW DO IT PREPARE FOR THIS???

Jared did it ...

2009-11-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

Jared did it - he got a nice buck. Congrats Jared!!!

Jaci set up ...

2009-11-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was talking with Craig this morning, and asked if he saw Jaci and I, set up next to where he was plowing. (He was going right by us - the legs of the bipod actually in the soil he just plowed.) He said `no', but asked me about the `flash' that would occur each time he drove by. At first he thought it was the Rapture, ...realizing that was not it - he did notice it would go off at the same spot each time. So I told him about the trail cam. :)

... first birds, no pics.

2009-10-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hunted the `western frontier' - nothin'. But saw some quacks headed toward the `flats'. So I hunted the `flats'. Jumped a solitary Roo, and dumped him. Jumped the ducks - got a green with first shot and (thought I) hit another with second, but they flew on.

Hunted over to the [deleted]. Ran into a sea of quail, which I just enjoyed - I am not going to trigger my $2.50-a-round duck loads on these creatures. But I thought - if quail, maybe more Roos - and, behold, after flushing the quail, about six pheasants got up, mostly roosters. I toppled one, and marked where he fell, and didn't shoot further. Bad stuff. Grass eight feet tall, and at one point into water up to my nipples. I never found him. Ughhhh.

If my cell phone still works - I might have a pic. The nipples-deep water was not expected.

Beauty ...

2009-10-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

... Oh, Baby! ... I go into the outdoors with some of the most beautiful creatures!

Four 4-Points

2009-10-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

I just watched my buddy pass up four 4-point white-tail bucks. We watched them, along with 2 other bucks, for as much as 20 minutes, and at 150-ish yards. I said to him, "I'm not going to feel sorry for you if at the end of the season your freezer is empty." He's waiting for a big one.

Bang ... (blurb)

2009-10-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

I parked at the same spot. I hunted up the same way as before – where I first saw deer putting on my camo paint, where I next ran into them, and so on. Nothin’. I kept going, pushing [deleted] and getting over to where we had seen a buck(?) days earlier. I saw a small deer along the way, bedded in the stubble, and it saw me, but I left it alone. Walking through the plowed fields wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be – though it wasn’t easy, either. (Maybe I’m used to it.) As I got back closer to the car – I considered going up to [deleted]’s. But, no, I thought - `hey, I’m here – I’ll keep going’.

I could see deer out, way in the distance, over on property I did not have permission to hunt – and probably no-one else does either – a sanctuary.

As I came up on the draw where I got the doe on Monday – behold – two more does, slightly up the draw. Sweet. I plotted a way around to get a closer shot.

As I made my way around a hill … I ran into another doe … an `inconvenient doe’, of sorts – now I had to decide – to take her, or flush her and keep going for the other two. I decided that I may as well take her – she’s smaller – but she’s right there (range 135 yards) – and, besides, I have no guarantee of closing in on the others – and (double) besides – they are (only) does also.

So I begin to get serious about the present doe – and behold – she is with another – but a buck. Now that is sweet! The buck is not a big one – but what better way to fill an `either sex’ tag, than with a buck.

I drop my stuff and make the crawl. No reason to bring the range finder, or binos … if I can get to a shooting position, the range will be 110, or 120, and I know what they are.

I am sky-lined – but I am hardly a human, sliding on my belly, and they are looking into the sunset – and so the buck sees me – but just looks.

After the thing on Monday – I decided to just put the crosshairs centered in the kill zone behind the shoulder. In retro, I should have suspected the bullet to fly a bit high at that range, but … bang.

At the shot the deer ran a few yards and turned around. No need to shoot again. There was too much fur in the crosshairs for anything but a good hit. Though no clear sound of impact – there was really no other alternative. The deer stood there, … I waited, … and the deer collapsed.

Sweet! A nice little buck – 3 x 5 – but, small (mind you) in both body and antlers – smaller than the doe on Monday – yet beautiful, and perfect.

I de-meated the deer as it went from evening to dark, and now have him home.

(I think this is the deer (buck) we saw the other day – he was just a couple miles away from where we saw him.)

Second tag filled.

Paradise.

Harris Bi-Pod Review

2009-10-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

...

I couldn't resist ... I so like my Harris bi-pod that I decided to write a little thing about it: ... here.

Oh, buy thru Amazon ...

Got him ...

2009-10-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

...

During the first few days of rifle season I/we spotted a buck in, well, let me say, an `interesting' place. He was not large - but I decided he was the one I wanted.

On Thursday evening I went out looking for him ... and found him ...

Bang.

A little 3 x 5.

Yum.

Doe Tag Filled ...

2009-10-21T20:04:00.001-07:00

Got this beautiful doe on Day 3 of rifle ...

Idaho Wolf Kill Area Quotas

2009-10-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, for whatever reason this was difficult for me to find ... so much so, that someone else found it for me ... but here are the ongoing wolf kill quotas for the 09-10 season. (In case others have trouble finding it.)

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/quota.cfm

I changed my mind ...

2009-10-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

... and bought a wolf tag.

Idaho - the Carnivore State

2009-09-29T20:05:00.001-07:00

Article composed from recent journal entries ...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2231845/idaho_the_carnivore_state.html?cat=44

... wolf tag ...

2009-09-18T14:33:00.001-07:00

So, my neighbor asked me if I am going to buy a wolf tag. I told him, `no, probably not.' In my opinion the whole wolf introduction thing is/was an abuse of federal power (with Idaho wildlife and economy suffering). But my battle is over. I don't have to shoot one simply because I oppose them being here.

... five marvelous bucks ...

2009-08-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

So, I went out today, looking for elk. I didn't see any (elk), but I came across five marvelous Whitetail deer bucks. I spotted one of them spotting me, in some timber. And he was with several others, out of sight. As they bounded off, at least once a bigger buck crashed into a smaller. Were they just clumsy? Or was the bigger vying his way in advantage in their escape? To have caught it on film would have been fantastic - but all I have is a memory.

some local deer

2009-08-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

There is a big deer in the background ... his tail above the head of the tiny buck in the thumbnail starting into the open. A second deer will walk out - a four point that my daughter got a few months after the video. The big boy stays mostly invisible the whole time. (That's how he got big.)

180 Class Bucks around Moscow (Idaho)?

2009-08-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

So, yeah, I went down to the local sporting goods store. Each year they have a `big buck' contest, photos on the wall, etc. I count 8 bucks 180 plus, with a couple over 200. (Seems like each year the biggest is taken by a girl or woman - which doesn't surprise me - my teenage daughter has outshot me in the mule deer and whitetail deer categories - in just a few years - while I have hunted all my life.) But, anyway, 180 in. whitetail deer are not uncommon. That doesn't mean it's common to come back with one. You just won't be famous or anything if you do.

Early Elk ...

2009-08-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

This early elk hunt is tricky. It's called a `Greenfield Hunt' as it is intended to take pressure the animals munching on the standing crops. In fact, the hunt is limited to within 1 mile of such. No problem. It gets difficult, however, especially at the beginning of the hunt, in that virtually all the crops are indeed standing. Thus it is difficult to get around. Obviously the deer and elk go ahead an just walk (or run) across standing crops, but farmers don't like it when we do. (And we certainly can't drive across their crops.)

Some farmers don't like anyone even around, at all ... as their fields are dry and they don't want to see a year's income disappear in a plume of fire and smoke.

As the hunt progresses, harvest commences (or vice verse, perhaps by a day), and, thus, more fields are accessible.

(Don't even think of driving out across that stuff, even if already harvested (stubble).)

Every day is different. A field that was yesterday a magnet for game, is today a harvest operation. Or the place I want to hunt is right next to one (and noisy).

... and they slipped away.

2009-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

… a cow elk, the thing I love. My heart leapt, a calf elk, the thing I want. I had come upon a herd of elk, bedded strategically in timber, not far from field and food, but unseen. But would I get a shot. Another elk, previously invisible. I maneuvered. A cow called to her calf, or vice versa. No good shots. I waited. I maneuvered more. They slipped away. Fifteen or so in all, cows, calves, and younger bulls. I went around.

I fumbled into a cow and calf again. The cow crossing the logging road right in front of me – a five hundred pound animal, yet with the grace of an angel. And then the calf in tow. All happening too fast for a shot – but long enough for a permanent memory. I went around.

The calf was plowing her way up a field of standing grain. She looked lost. I maneuvered, and waited. She disappeared, and not to appear again. Probably her mommy warned her back, and they slipped away, across an open hillside, yet totally out of sight.

I so love elk, …

Shot, and missed.

2009-08-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

I was in a good spot this evening, and playing it well, ... the wind, game movement, etc. I was ranging one group of 8 or so elk about 750 yards out - their summer no doubt ended by a farmer cresting a hill in his combine. And behind me a big `clunk'. An elk had come behind me - saw me looking the other way - and turned around. I waited just a bit and took up pursuit.I found her - at 60 yards all I had was an all-or-nothing head shot. The shot passed probably a half inch over her head. Stunned for an instant - then she disappeared. Gulp. I missed. I think I wanted to miss her. I had to. I needed to. (These animals are so sacred to me.) I have been hoping to run into cows and calves, and in this heat, this early in the year, and alone, ... take a calf - and this was a very large cow.

... what a rush.

Early Elk ...

2009-08-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Our `Early Elk' Season opened today. I saw one cow (elk) at first light - but she saw me and made rapid evasion. Saw some deer also.

" … these local elk are fabulous. At civilization edge - and hardly noticed. And when they are noticed -

it's only for an instant, or just as shadowy figures distant in the headlights, … or only by the tracks, eaten crops, or trails left in fields … made sometime in the dark of night.

By crack of dawn they have returned to concealment."

It was 104 deg F by noon or so (Sand Road) ...

Saw some deer also.

Advertising ...

2009-07-30T17:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, I just got a pair of camos from Cabelas.

In the box are the camos (single pair of camos pants).

Also in the box:

Cabelas ad for Shop online/request a catalog/find a store
Cell phones for Soldiers
Corvette Dream Giveaway / Kids Wish Network
Oh, a thing to order checks, over 800 designs to choose from
Offer for a free coffeemaker just for trying Gevalia Coffee
Dreams of the Wild ... I'm not sure what it is ... genuine leather something
Dale Earnhardt Jr Express .. I think Junior Train set ad
Oh, and an 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock folding ad for a mattress - the last bed I'll ever need
Geico Insurance - `for all the things that move me'

and a packing slip.

What a waste ... all I wanted were the camos.

IFG on Facebook

2009-07-28T10:15:00.001-07:00

Does IFG really need to be on Facebook ... ?

Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Idaho-Fish-and-Game-IDFG/106210392621

And Twitter? (What is Twitter?)

While you are on Facebook - I'll be out chasing critters.

Da Moose 9

2009-07-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Another close encounter ...

Narrative is ... here.

Idaho Elk Report

2009-07-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a Report on Elk in Idaho, dated April 2009, thanks to a post by alias Sierra_Dave on BigGameHunt.

https://research.idfg.idaho.gov/wildlife/Wildlife%20Technical%20Reports/Elk%20PR08.pdf

The Report is pure delusion with regard to the impact of the introduced grey wolf.

See my comments on BGH here: http://www.biggamehunt.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22580

and ... http://www.biggamehunt.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22425

The above links are relatively new. There is a lot of discussion on the wolf thing on BGH, some of it pretty spicy. And I have included more 2 cents on earlier forum strings.

I must say they could have picked a healthier `looking' elk for their cover photo.

Outdoor Life Top Town ...

2009-05-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

Lewiston, Idaho ... yeah, just down the hill ... named by Outdoor Life ... as the top town to live.

That's not too far from here!

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/05/top-200-towns?photo=10

(Last year LEW was # 2.)

Depredation Hunts ...

2009-05-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

Now is the time ... (Idaho)

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=4903

Update: I put in for deer, elk, turkey ...

Second Tag ... First with New Gun

2009-05-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

May 1 ...

Spot and Stalk hunting I knocked down two nice `Toms', but the SOBs got up and ran off. So I decided to buy more gun – the Benelli Super Black Eagle II shotgun chambered for 3-1/2 in., 12 ga. shells.

After coffee with my wife I decided to head out. It was an odd time of morning – after their morning mating rituals, and probably before their late morning feeding. There was nothing on the main face, that I could see, so I parked and got ready to make the half mile and 500 or so feet climb. Heretofore I had been using 2-3/4 in. shells, but my Benelli will take 3-1/2. I loaded three Bismuth magnum BB loads in the magazine, and inserted the wonderfully loooooong 3-1/2 in. Winchester Supreme Turkey load with 2 ounces of copper plated # 5 into the chamber.
I hunted my way up, checking out various spots - the angle of sun providing vantages I had not much noticed before.

On the back side of the top I stopped and `camo-d' up (painted face and finger tips). There was nothing out in the open on top, which was not surprising, since I had not seen anything from below. But in the time it takes to get up there – sometimes ...

I hunted to the west end, and still nothing. Good sign indicated the birds at least pass through. I had one last place to peek into at the west end when I heard a gobble.

One of the [Deleted]s was working tractor with fertilizer out in one of his fields, so there was an enormous amount of clatter. And, in fact, it may have been in response to the clatter that a Tom had gobbled. I would use the clatter to descend into the timber and get down low enough to come into the bird(s) from the east.

About half way down, and just entering heavier brush, the clatter had moved on, and I was stuck. The birds would only be a hundred yards or so west, and noise would not be good, so I decided to back out a bit and go another draw to the east, and then come around.

Going was pretty well and I was hoping the `machinery' would return to mask my approach. By the time I got ready to come up on the last draw, the clatter was closer, but not premium. (So,) I made my approach.

Shit!, the birds were high. I overshot my stalk. Two fabulous Toms out away from the timber in the winter wheat, cautiously making their way toward cover. Hoping they hadn't seen me, I needed to back out. They would enter the timber much higher, and I needed to get up there.
I got backed out and cautiously tried to maintain knowledge of their whereabouts visually. But this is risky because to see a bird means he/she/it can potentially see me. There were two younger Toms along with the two bigger ones. They made the edge of the cover; I had to move quickly.

As a sort of self-inflicted torture I sometimes wear shorts on these forays. Vainly I think I might gain some tan on my rather white legs, but it also helps me slow down. I was now up against thicker brush, including blackberry. I needed to close the distance, and quietly. Ughhhh. My legs would look like crap afterward.

I was getting close to a horizon close to where I had seen the birds last. They had not crossed in front of me across a shallow swale, as I would hope, allowing a crossing shot, meaning they had already crossed (hunt thus being over), or they had stopped and were still above me. I went slowly, oh so slowly. I glimpsed some movement – a tweedy bird? I dismissed it. I saw more movement – a flash of tan – a squirrel? I dismissed it as a squirrel. But I knew I was too close to turkey to dismiss too casually, so I looked closer. A bird! (turkey). A hen? What is it (she) doing?
The bird was alternately looking around (for danger), and getting on the ground, wings and tail spread, and flailing around. Huh? Was it a hen, nesting? I looked closer. No, a young Tom. Molting and trying to shed feathers? I watched. This was not one of the older Toms, but a wary one nonetheless. I wanted one of the two big birds. Would one show up? Maybe. But not likely – the birds were `hung up' on the top of a nice little knob. Lots of vantage, and the present Tom very much in the way of getting closer to see anything else. I crept a tiny bit further. Finally I had to make a decision (and I didn't have all morning to make it): I was in the shadows, but I would not be unnoticed forever. Realistically it is this bird or no bird. I crept forward.
(This next part happens very fast.) He made me – I raised up as he dashed for nearby cover. I got off my shot as he disappeared into the brush. The three other birds took to flight.
I made my way to the top – pretty assured my bird was down. Yes, sweet.
... first tigger pull with my new Benelli Super Black Eagle II.

Notes

1. I just read an article about how in Spring the birds are closer than they sound, the softer surroundings muffling their gobbles. Indeed these Toms were all the time not far from where I was standing when I first heard them. And on an earlier hunt, similar, a gobbling Tom ended up being much closer than I thought.

2. Wild turkey (especially the Toms) are amazingly wary birds. At the first sight of danger they don't mess around – they leave, and as stealthy as possible. They don't consult their buddies – they leave – and if their buddies want to follow – that's up to them. To stalk these creatures forces me to be always improving on my stalking (and shooting) skills.

3. Yes, my legs looked like crap afterward. What good is a tan with shallow lacerations criss-crossing this way and that?

4. Interestingly, the bird had vast amounts of skin where the feathers were gone (making plucking easier, even thought I didn't).

And what's with the white legs (for concealment)? Hmmmm ... I have assumed that due to the vegetation and the crowning terrain that my white lower legs are not importantly visible. But I think I need to think further on this. Thinking further – maybe it was those white (and by then somewhat lacerated) legs – that that Tom `saw'.

First Turkey Tag ... Spring 2009

2009-05-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

April 24 ...

Well, it was 5 o'clock, PM, Friday evening, and I found myself home alone. I could go get a movie, or mess around on my computer, or I could go hunting. I hadn't been hunting for a few hours, and hadn't really planned on going out again, but the thought (of it) felt good, so I did.

I spotted 8 or so birds out near some winter wheat about one and a half miles distant. I got to within about one mile, but didn't dare get closer. And started my stalk. I parked out of sight, and went down a fold in terrain, and was only exposed for about 60 yards, still a mile distant. My plan was to go around to the east, probably a mile and a half, and 600 or 700 ft up. After the initial exposure I would be able to be out of sight, theoretically, until I came around and on top of them from above, within killing distance. I could from time to time peek over the ridge-lines, but doing that would also cost time, and there was no guarantee they would stay in the open – the timber was just a hundred yards to their rear. So I made as best time as I could. Plus, peeking west I would be looking into the sun, and probably illuminated. Not good – so I didn't.

I saw a coyote, but he went northeast – good – not toward the birds. I jumped a couple deer – but they went basically north, and on my side of the ridge line – good. About a quarter mile from the birds, and well on the other side of a hill, I stopped to camo up (face and hand paint).

I crossed the shallow crowning sparsely pine-covered top, slowly. I would not know their exact location. And these creatures have 1) incredible eyesight and 2) they don't mess around when they see something they don't like – they leave – and quite often immediately putting terrain and vegetation between themselves and what they are evading. So, I carefully move through the pines – and occasionally using binos. I get a glimpse of something black, moving, and pull up the binos, thinking it to be a moose. No – it is several birds – moving toward the timber. A couple hundred yards away. I do not have much time to get between the birds and the trees, or at least get into killing range, and it is difficult to tell where they are, especially as I endeavor to remain completely out of sight.

I know I am getting pretty close. I stay in the shadows. Have they made it to the trees? Ugh, ... if they have – it's probably over, unless per chance they are milling near the edge (not likely). Or are they below me, still in the open? If they are below me they must have halted their advance to the trees. I take it REAL slow.

A tom sticks his head up from over a shallow knoll - looking around to see if it is safe to cross the open to the timber. Another bird sticks her head up. The birds are still below me. Sweet. It is safe - they think – though it is not. I am in the shadows but in the open. This will probably be it. There is little chance another second will pass before they make me. I raise up and take the tom. He topples. Learning from earlier – I rush over the shallow knoll to finish the job if I need to. Huh? ... he's not down. Momentary chaos as birds are running both east and west. No tom down. I make a jake and take him. Then the tom appears (from ???) – and I must let him go (as I only have one tag). But fabulous! - I have a bird – from [Deleted's].

I think these toms are as ugly as they are from generations of being shot in the head and surviving to continue breeding.

On the way down I saw (another) moose.

Another day in Paradise.

Idaho Sheep Goat Moose Draw Results ...

2009-05-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

... are available online at ... http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/results.cfm

Girls, Guns, and the Outdoors

2009-05-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

... latest piece ...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1717368/girls_guns_and_the_outdoors.html?cat=25

Idaho Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose ... Controlled Hunts

2009-05-08T14:07:00.001-07:00

Drawing results are not up at the time of this post, but here is the link (for when they do come up):

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/results.cfm

BABY!!!

SOB got away ...

2009-05-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

22 April, 2009 ...

I just walked in the door. I'm exhausted. I knocked a huge tom on his butt and then we played cat and mouse for the rest of the morning. I did a lot of things right, even amazing, but in the end, he won; he is still out there. I went through thorns, brush, water, up and down hillsides, through timber, across knobs, back for more ammo, etc. I caught him off guard first thing - whacked him at 60 yards, but he got up and fled; he caught me off guard and I missed an opportunity to finish him. Amazing bird. I would really like to have brought him home - but another part of me says he deserves to get away.

Me and My 260

2009-04-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

Review of the Ruger M77 Mark II Compact Rifle in 260 Remington Caliber ...

Also pictured are Harris Bipod (sweet) and Leica Range-Finder (also sweet).

Here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1619211/review_of_the_ruger_m77_mark_ii_compact.html?cat=11

Slideshow: http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/14967/ruger_m77_compact_260_remington_caliber.html?cat=11

2009 Idaho Big Game Regs

2009-04-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

2009 Idaho Big Game regs are now on line ...

Please don't apply for any of the controlled hunts I am applying for ... but, actually, you won't know what those are, since I'm not telling.

Enjoy ...

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/

March Depredation Deer Hunt

2009-03-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

Article is ... here.

Slideshow is ... here.

Sweet.

Click on image on right for bigger pic.