Deer Camp - 2014

This year was looking to be a tough one. Due to the cold and snowy past couple of winters, it was bucks only this year. Plus the season started as late in the month as was possible.
Weather is always a factor up here and this year was no different. We had over a foot or snow the weekend before the opener but fortunately the deer were still moving. The rut, as always, was over but that's just the way it is up here.
I keep four trail cameras going most of the year and have been watching this one big buck for a long, long time. Saturday late in the day, John nailed him. He was about ready to shoot a spike when he saw this guy trailing him. He made a nice shot and fortunately he went straight down. Fortunately as he was the biggest deer we've shot off the property and it took three guys to drag him out to the pickup.
After the other guys left Monday, John and I butchered him and spent the next three nights in our stands. We agreed only to shoot if we saw a big buck but all we saw were a couple of does and a fawn. Hopefully this winter won't be as tough on the deer and turkeys.
I'd like to do some late season grouse hunting with Cody but will have to see what happens with the snow depth. Slogging through deep snow is something I used to do but no more.
Though I could bow hunt for bucks until early January, I've put the bow away as well. Don't need to shoot any more deer and don't know how I'd get one dragged out if the snow was too deep for my ATV. Oh well.......

A Man and His Dog

It's been a tough fall for bow hunting. Bucks only, and they seem to sit in front of my trail cameras when I'm not hunting or at night. The rut is on so maybe still..... I did have a bear under my stand two different nights. Glad he decided to leave before dark so I could make my escape as the sun went down.
Been out sitting in the rain a couple times and noticed this morning that a big system was coming through and this PM hunt would be a bust. So, I decided to grab the shotgun and do a little grouse hunting with Cody. He did a great job working last Saturday when Walker was here but we didn't even get off a shot. I did jump one bird and Cody found it and retrieved it, dropping it right at my feet. It was his first retrieve. After that he was like a cruise missile looking for more birds. We didn't jump any more but we had a great time. In fact, he refuses to take his afternoon nap. He's camped out by the back door wanting to go at it again. I think he'll keep me young.
Back to bow hunting tomorrow. It's gonna start getting colder with a chance of snow this next week. Hopefully that will keep the deer moving and put those ^^$%$&^ bears into hibernation!