September 30th, 2008
By Arthur

I think it might happen again.  Last year we had thunderstorms opening day, and it really put a damper on our morning hunt.  Just as we got settled into our stands it let loose.  I was trying to be a trooper right until the point when the lightning started.  Sitting 15ft up in tree + lightning = BAD!.

The weather isn’t looking much better then last year for our bow opener tomorrow.  Thunderstorms aren’t really in the forecast, but it sure looks like it is going to rain.  I’m trying not to let it bring me down, but it isn’t the best scenario for opening day.  I wish it would be about 50 degrees and overcast, but you take what you get I guess.

I suppose I could look at the positives here for a minute:  We won’t have to fight mosquitos in this weather, and we won’t have to worry about being too warm.  I also have to remember that I got some nice rain gear last year for a gift.  It is looking like I might have to bust that out for opening day.  Only time will tell that I guess.

There is one thing for certain.  We definitely will be out there hunting–rain or shine.  The only thing that will keep us from the woods is lightning, and so far, that isn’t in the forecast.

Is there an anti-rain dance I can do?   If there is, let me know, ’cause I’d like to start it right about now.

Popularity: 13% [?]

September 29th, 2008
By Arthur

They came, they saw, they didn’t kill anything, but they definitely had fun.  And that pretty much sums up how the weekend went.  It was great, the kids were great, and we had a great time.

On Saturday morning I was setting with my nephew, Tyler Daniel, in a spot that no one had hunted yet.  Both of us were waiting in anticipation for opening light.  And when it came it sure didn’t disappoint: it brought Tyler D. his first close encounter of the buck kind.

I am always amazed at how silent these animals can be when they come in.  We were setting in the same tree, but in different treestands, and this buck slipped to within 5 yards before I even knew he was there.  I let Tyler know that he was coming in, and he started to get ready, but it just wasn’t meant to be.  Ole Mr. Buck was 10yds in front of us, and only needed to take a few more steps, but his instincts got the best of us, and he bolted away before stepping into the opening we needed for the shot.  I got a few seconds of video footage of him, and at some point this week I will try to get that posted.

Just after the encounter with the buck, we also had four doe come into our setup.  They also came within 10 yds, but came behind our setup where there were no shooting lanes, so we had to reluctantly let them go as well.  It still was a great hunt though, and you should have seen the kid shaking from the pure adrenaline rush.  It was great.

Jeff sat with Tyler G. on Saturday morning and they also had a close encounter of the deer kind.  They had a doe come right into there setup and stand broadside at 5yds.  The only problem was this doe still had spots.  Not wanting to shoot a fawn, Jeff instructed Tyler that he had to let her go.  He was a little disappointed, but he followed orders and let her walk.  They saw plenty of other deer that morning as well, but none that offered them any kind of shot.

Saturday night Tyler G. and I hunted together, and we had a doe come to within 10 yds.  These doe are so old and so smart though, and she realized something wasn’t exactly right, and ended up taking a different trail then the one we needed her too.  It is so hard to hide two bodies in a tree from the well-trained deer eye.

Jeff and Tyler D. also had a close encounter, but the deer snuck in silently.  Without knowing the deer was there, Jeff was trying to get his ThermaCell working again, and the deer caught his movement and spooked.  I can’t fault him for that though, because the mosquitoes were trying to carry us away yesterday.  Without the ThermaCell we would not have hunted–I guarantee it.

It was a great weekend with the kids.  They got to experience the pure rush that goes with getting ready to take the shot, and they got to experience the disappoint of not having everything go exactly as planned. But, most importantly, they got to experience all the great emotions that come with deer hunting.

And I’m sure they will keep coming back for more.

Popularity: 14% [?]

September 27th, 2008
By Arthur

This is another installment, of our weekly series here at SimplyOutdoors, entitled Inside the Frame.  In this series we post a picture from our archives and try to tell the story of what’s Inside the Frame.——————————————————————————————————————————

This picture was taken 10 yrs ago.  I can’t believe that it has been that long already.

Jeff’s son, Tyler,  was only a few months old in this picture.  And, as you can tell, we already had him in the camouflage clothing.

The outfit was actually my doing.  I can’t remember why, but I was on my way home from a trip up north, and stopped by a local outdoor store on my way home.  This outfit was sitting there, just begging for me to buy it.  I wish I would have taken a little more time, realized how expensive it was, and how short of time there would be that he would be able to wear it, and moved on.  But, me being me, I just couldn’t resist the temptation to get him his first camo outfit.

Tyler has been hunting with us for years now, and has seen Jeff shoot at least a couple of deer.  This is his first year that he will be able to bowhunt, and he is stoked.

I’m glad I bought the outfit, and I’m glad I have the picture for a keepsake.  That, in and of itself, was worth the twenty bucks.

Popularity: 14% [?]

September 26th, 2008
By Arthur

This weekend is the Youth Hunt for this season.  It should be a good one.  We are all hoping that the weather cooperates, lets us get out hunting, and allows a chance for the kids to bag their first deer.

I know a lot of people frown upon the Youth Hunt, but I for one am a staunch supporter.  I think allowing the kids to get our early only escalates their chances of shooting their first deer.  And who could be against that?

I also do not think this early firearm youth season really affects the deer movement that much.  Of course there is the potential to scare off a wily ‘ole buck a little early in the season, but I think the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks.  I think the possibility of scaring off a buck is worth the risk if it gets another youth involved in hunting.  That is my take on the situation anyway.

So, we will have three youth hunters out this weekend.  I know come Monday we will have a great report, kill or no kill, but I do hope that one of the youngsters does manage to put their first deer down.  That would be very cool.

Popularity: 17% [?]

September 25th, 2008
By Arthur

This subject has been touched upon on quite a few blogs already, but I still wanted to give my side of the issue.  Kris has a really good take about this particular subject encompassed in his Why I Hunt post.  His post was the main reason I started to think about this subject.  And then, after reading Holly’s post, I was completely convinced that this was what I was going to write about.

Hunting and fishing have always been a family oriented activity for me.  My brother and I have been hunting together since we were kids.  I can remember going fishing with my dad and brother from a very young age as well.  And I can also remember fishing with my Uncle and cousins when I was a kid.

I still hunt and fish with family: My wife, my brother, and cousins on both sides of the family.  Even our sighting in practice is a family event.  And usually if we are shooting anything there is family involved.  It is just second nature for me, so I guess I really didn’t give it much thought until I read Kris and Holly’s posts.  I realized then, that according to a lot of guys out there, I have been doing this all wrong.

I don’t understand why men hunt and fish to get away from their wives and children.  Sure I can understand needing a break from everyday life, but actually going hunting to escape family makes no sense to me.  I love that my wife gets to go hunting with me, and I am going to miss her not being able to go this year do to the pregnancy.  Sure, the payoff of a new daughter is worth her not being able to go, but it will be weird hunting without her there.  I have always wanted her included in our outdoor activities, and I wouldn’t trade her going for anything–except a new daughter of course.

Also, I don’t have kids yet, but in the coming weeks that will all change.  And you can bet your you know what, that come time, my daughter will be involved in our outdoor excursions.  I do realize that one day she may decide that isn’t what she wants to do with her life, but until that point, I am going to take her hunting and fishing every chance I get.  It will be a family affair:  The wife, the daughter, and I.

I look forward to these experiences.  I always look forward to sharing the woods, or the boat, with the wife.  And I will be happy to share a blind or a shore with the daughter.  I think all of us sharing in these experiences will result in a tight family unit.  What could be wrong with that?

So, to all of you guys who hunt to escape from your wife and kids,  I really don’t understand where you’re coming from.  I love having my wife hunt and fish with me.  And I can’t wait for us to do it as one tight knit family unit.

Popularity: 18% [?]