Soooo…
Went down to Central Texas for a couple of days of deer hunting…
There is something special about sitting in a blind, or anywhere in the early morning as the sun rises, enjoying the peace and quiet as the land comes awake around you…
Lousy picture here, this is actually MUCH brighter than it was… Two fawns, just out of spots…
The same two little fawns, and one of the little yearling bucks, 4 point…
And a different little fawn, as the morning sun finally gets high enough to actually light the trees…
So, everybody wants to know how we did, right?
Well, there were six of us hunting, there were TWO shots fired, and one 8 point buck was taken (3-3 1/2 yrs old) by JPG. And one shot at a big doe by HS, that apparently hit a tree limb in the dusk.
Me? The only thing I shot was pictures… I wanted a nice fat doe, since the rut has already started. I wasn’t going to take a buck unless it was a monster…
Yesterday morning was a wash, due to winds, so the hunt ended like this…
My comments are in green.
Still was a good time, with good friends. Can’t ask for more than that…
As one guy said this morning, “That’s why it’s called hunting, not killing!”
I’m glad you had a good time. I feel much the same – the kill is secondary, the time spent is memorable. A fat doe sounds good to me – better meat. Because tamales !! ;^)
A day in the woods is well spent, I actually feel closer to God there then in a church. My opening day (1st weekend of November) went pretty much like your hunt, but I wasn’t alone – only heard three shots all morning, only one hit. Still a beautiful morning.
Might get out this weekend – cool front is supposed to blow through this afternoon – evening. Low 40’s for lows, mid 70’s for highs – sounds good to me !
Have a great weekend.
I used to feel that way. That’s when I realized I must be going to the wrong church. 🙂
Deer hunting without having to wear all the cold weather gear in the closet?
I think my wife will have a few questions when the house for sale sign shows up in our yard.
The company along with the top photo, good trip!
Yes, just being there with friends and enjoying the experience is a BIG win. Deer hunting is more than just killing, as you point out. Progs don’t get it, but there is not much that they do get.
At 72, my hunting now days centers around the meat market at the store. Can’t climb the trees or pull up a deer stand anymore. But the times I did spend hunting were some of the best, most relaxing times with buddies ever. Enjoyed sitting around the fire, telling lies and playing poker. Good times. Now, back to writing…
it’s always fun to hang out with the guys outdoors regardless. I have lost my hunting urge so don’t get those opportunities much anymore. Looks like you may have been very close to my neck of the woods.
So far this season I have a neat picture of a Pileated woodpecker and thats about it.
Heading back out in about a hour to sit for the next few days.
It was good for your soul and in the end that is what counts.
I miss my deer camp in PA, it was my adult Christmas.
As noted by others, above, the best part about whitetail season was being out in the woods all day. My BIL & I hunted a 140-acre farm most years, and just being out there was fun. In additions to the deer, we were visited by a mama fox & her kits, river otters, turkeys, and all manner of birds and grey squirrels. One day of that is better than anyplace else. (Well, almost.)
You were out with the curmudgeon weren’t ya?
https://adaptivecurmudgeon.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/hunting-with-the-curmudgeon-part-three/
leaperman
Bet you were with the curmudgeon.
leaperman
https://adaptivecurmudgeon.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/hunting-with-the-curmudgeon-part-three/
Glad you got some hunting time with friends. Not much better than that.
We don’t use tree stands, or seating, lots and lots of hiking up and down, miles and miles, lots of glassing. At 70 I can’t go quite as many miles as before, but I so love being out, seeing Mother Natures handiwork, and spending time with family & friends, doesn’t matter if I never fire a shot. Besides she who shoots it, has to gut and pack it out…
j.r./Ed- Amen to that, hope you have better luck than we did… 🙂
John- LOL, next month we’ll be digging all that stuff out! It gets COLD down here!
MRs.C- It was!
LL- Good point and all true!
CP- The oldest guy was 76, these were all ground stands. Don’t do the tree stuff… And yep, good times!
Randy- Check your email. 🙂
Jon- Good luck!
Gerry- That it is (at least for us guys)…LOL
Rev- Agreed! Except for the little deer, all I got was a spider on a trapeze…
Leaperman- Nope, but similar results…
Brig- We’re lazy… LOL
Glad you had a good time and those are some neat pics.
It’s been too warm around here but that is about to change tonight.
All Sweetie has seen has been 20 turkeys running around like fools, and a bunny. I told him the deer are getting smart and coming out after dark. The deer cam is full of pics after dark.
I have seen 6 over the past few nights walking on the side of the roads as I was on my way home. Probably because the woods are all full of guys walking around. Lol.
Suz
Suz- Thanks! And you need to make sure you’re wearing something orange when you walk!!!
Spent the morning in a blind with youngest Minion, who passed on a longish shot at a small doe. She didn’t feel comfortable taking a shot at that range, and decided to wait for a better deal. Pretty proud of her, she did good for only 12 years old!
Went into town for lunch, and they tried to bankrupt a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet. Rested up a bit, and headed back out. The older Minions have their own blind (they’re 16, they don’t need adult supervision). Cannot recall ever having a better day in the field. Like Col. Cooper said about coming home empty-handed after a day afield:
“No luck?”
“Much luck! I was hunting all day!”