Fall Hunting

It's been kind of a slow start to the fall hunt. Haven't seen much for deer while bow hunting and can only hope the bucks start moving as the weather starts to cool. Still, a slow day in a tree stand still beats working.
I posted previously about my start to turkey hunting. Could have shot a jake early on but was hoping for something bigger and didn't want to end my season so soon.
After a weekend of snow and high winds, yesterday seemed promising. The sky cleared and it was still windy. Turkeys seem to favor fields during high winds so it seemed like a good day to try and find a gobbler. After working out, driving to town, making a few phone calls and walking Cody, I headed out in the woods. Got set up at 10:30 and this gobbler wandered by around 11:00. There's a bit of a story that goes along with this kill but too long to post. I'll save it for my hunting buddies when they come up this fall. (gee I bet they can hardly wait).
There's been a few grouse around so Cody and I will do some wandering over the next couple weeks. Gotta love October.

It's Fall - Time to Hunt

Six weeks ago, I didn't think I would be saying those words. I won't go into details but those of you who know me, know the story. So,with a fairly high degree of certainty that I would be able to hunt, I bought my fall turkey license and deer bow license.
Both seasons opened last Saturday and I spent the opener in the Cities visiting with my grand kids. Hunting could wait....
Went out this afternoon and had this hen and jake within 18 yards. Either one was legal but I let them go. The jake was the perfect size for my turkey fryer but the season is young and he wasn't that big of a bird. I've got two months and if I don't get one, so be it. I'm just grateful that I can walk through the woods under my own power.
A buddy will be here tomorrow and after brushing a few stands, we'll do some bow hunting. It's bucks only this year but that's OK. Again, just to be in the woods......
There's a few grouse around and another buddy will be coming up to chase them around later this fall. I'll let Cody hunt with us and see how he does.
It's gonna be a good Fall.

A New Beginning......

After last winter, I didn't know if anything was going to survive. I do have a doe with twins that I'll probably post on Facebook and just discovered that I've got a whole boatload of little turkeys running around our meadow. Hard to believe any turkeys could have survived our winter but they did.
Went fishing this morning. My neighbor asked if I would take her and Damen out fishing in Al's boat. They really didn't know how to run it and it's been sitting idle for almost 2 years. So.... fishing we went. We only fished for an hour and a half but picked up a half dozen real big crappies and some nice sunnies as well. It was tough being the captain of my buddy's boat. Al and I had so many great days fishing together. Unlike hunting, when you are fishing you get to talk. And, talk we did..... Damn I miss those days in the boat.
When we got back, I showed Damen how to clean fish and I left them with a few meals for the freezer.
The only constant in life is change.... Think I'll go take a walk.

Return to Long Lake - Volume IV

My fishin' partner Mike and I have been going back to our old stompin' grounds since 2011. The wives decided to stay home this year so, as I often do, I decided to expand our little foray. John, my buddy Kurt and my old neighbor and good friend Jim and his son Jason joined us this year for our annual pursuit of crappies. As always, the fish cooperated and we pulled our limits in crappies and caught many, many nice sunnies as well. I'm guessing we each boated over 200 fish.
I've been going up to that area for over 40 years. Funny how the time flies by. How long will I keep doing this? Well, I've reserved a cabin for next year and as long as I've got guys willing to make the trip, I'll keep on a going up there.
Next week it's a local lake with a neighbor boy. Fishing won't match Long but that's OK. As long as the guy in the boat with me is having a good time, I'm having one as well.

Huntin' Turkeys

Hard to think of something better to do than hunt turkeys with good buddies. John, Kurt and I were at it again in SW Wisconsin last week. There are a lot of turkeys down that way and even though we had some tough weather, we heard and saw a lot of birds.
Kurt shot this nice 23+ pounder Saturday morning. It was his first bird and he did a good job of calling it in and making a nice shot. Opening morning I had three toms walk in with their harem of hens. I shot, I missed and they ran away. Uffda! Only shot I had during the whole hunt. Johnny saw birds but didn't have one close enough to shoot. We wanted Kurt to get one so were real happy with his success.
I was driving home last Monday thinking about the shot I missed. I was listening to The Byrds "My Back Pages" when I drove by the spot where Al was killed 22 months ago. I like that song. I miss my buddy......

Springtime in the Country

If you look real close you can see a grouse in the tree. Took this shot out the window this morning. He, or she, was busy eating buds off a tree. Grouse like snow and thrive in it so he, or she, should be real happy cuz we've got ANOTHER FOOT heading our way!! Gotta love that global warming.
Finally got out to the meadow and set up a trail cam. Woods still difficult to walk in and it's gonna get worse before the week is out. Saw a few sets of deer tracks and did capture one doe on the camera. When I was walking Cody on the road last week I did hear two gobblers. First season starts today and I pity the guys who have to hunt in this mess. I used to but finally wised up. Gobblers have a couple more weeks before they have to worry about me.
Went out to the garage and looked at my boat. Thought about cleaning her up, installing the trolling motor and putting new line on a few reels but after hearing the weather report, said screw it. Think I'll go read a book.....

March 27, 2001

Eric - There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Life has never been the same.
You were, and are and always will be my hero. I love you my son.....   Dad