Off Season-'11

Howdy ya'll. It's been a quiet off season as far as hunting goes but it's fixing to pick up. Work has been crazy and I have been working a lot of overtime so I haven't had much time for very many hunting related activities. I did get a new truck and it will get it's first hunting use when turkey season opens up next month.


I'm gonna try to get out next week and start checking on the local turkey groups and see where they are at and start roosting them in the evenings. One group I hunt has some new agriculture in the fields around where they stay so I have very high hopes for that area. I am so ready for opening day and getting back in the woods and so is my gear. I'm still looking for my first archery bird and hope it works out this year.


I am coaching my daughter's softball team this year. They don't usually play many games on the weekends so I shouldn't lose many full weekends and if we do play on Saturday, there is always Sunday. I may have to skip my Prentice Cooper turkey hunt but it's not a big deal. It's an open hunt and not a draw hunt.


After spring turkey is spring squirrel then it's time to get ready for deer season and my Prentice Cooper draw hunt. A buddy is supposed to go with me this year and it will be his first trip and hopefully not his last. I'm really looking forward to it more than the last couple of years. I hope to have some good stories this year and I look forward to sharing them with ya'll.


Good luck to everybody in the upcoming seasons and God Bless.

Opening Day Rifle Season-2010

Well, the rifle opener has come and gone. I sat in the stand for 11 out of 12 hours again. About 7 am I saw three deer moving through the woods but didn't have a shot. I thought about moving so I could see farther down the trail but didn't at the moment. Then an hour later six more came through on the same trail. That was it. I was moving. I changed trees and set up where I could see up and down the trail for about 100 yards each direction.


All was quiet except for some squirrels and a couple of foxes. I texted my buddy and my daddy-in-law to see if they brought something to eat. I packed some food in my pack and had planned on staying all day on stand. They hadn't so we came out about 11 for lunch.


I came back in to my stand about 1 pm and shimmied up the tree. I had just pulled my rifle up and noticed something moving in the woods. I turned and saw a big, old 10 pointer stand up. He was bedded 50 yards from me and about 25 yards from where I walked by on the trail. I slowly turned and got ready for him to cross the trail. He moved slowly to the trail and then stepped out, broadsided and stopped to look at me and see what I was. I placed the cross-hairs of my 30-06 right behind his shoulder and squeezed one off.


I saw him through the scope rear upon his back legs and fall over backwards. He hit the ground and started flailing, kicking and bawling. I stood there watching him and he suddenly stopped. Then I got excited. I new I had him. I think it was the big one my buddy and I had seen during Archery season. My buddy texted and said he heard the bawling and my daddy-in-law texted and asked if I was the one who shot. I relayed what had happened and started to come down.


Now it gets interesting. When I got to the bottom of the tree, he jumped up and took off. He ran about 25 yds. and fell over again. I grabbed my rifle and watched and waited again. He didn't get up. Well not until I hit the ground that is. As soon as I jumped out of my stand and hit the ground, he jumped up and headed for the next county. He was gone so fast I didn't have a chance to shoulder my rifle.


I went to the spot where I had initially shot him and there was no blood, no hair no nothing. I then went to where he fell again and there was nothing there either. I walked for quite a ways in the direction he had ran and never found anything. I even jumped a smaller buck in the process. After about three hours, just after sunset, I gave up and headed out. (Note: The general consensus is that it was a gut shot.) 


I just don't know how I missed unless it had to do with my scope being on 9x for a 45 yd shot. It had gotten moved when I was cleaning some mud off of it and I didn't notice it. I am going to the range to find out where it hits on 9x at 50 yds.


It has been eventful so far to say the least. Two deer missed with two rifles that are dead on out to 100 yds. It just makes me wonder what I did to deserve this. I'm going back out in the morning (the 28th) and see if I can finally close the deal. I just can't take all of these misses anymore. Three this year and one last year. I've never had that happen before. Oh well, we live and we learn. I guess I need to learn what I'm doing and fix it. Later y'all.

Opening Day Muzzle loader-2010

Muzzle loader season opens tomorrow and my daddy-in-law and I will be out there bright and early. My archery season didn't go too well so I am hoping things get better. We went today and marked our trees and found a great spot to hunt that we have never been before. It is a huge stand of pines about a mile from any road or atv trail; too deep for most people to walk. It has thick bedding cover on one side and ag fields on the other. There is a lot of sign and a rub that stretches across three saplings about 23" apart. I'm hoping it's the bruiser I saw during archery season. 


A front has been moving through for a couple of days and it has been rainy. The temps will be in the 20's in the morning with the front moving out late tonight or early in the morning. My gear is ready, my lunch is packed for an all day sit and I am pumped. All I need to do now is go to bed and get up, get dressed and head out.


It's gonna be hard to sleep thinking about the bruiser I know is out there but that's how it should be. LOL! Well, off to bed and sweet dreams of grilled backstrap and fried tenderloin. I hope to have a great story to post tomorrow. Nite y'all.


Opening day:
I got up this morning and headed out. It was a little chilly but I have some mid-weight base layers and was very cozy without my coveralls on. I sat in the stand 11 out of 12 hours. I came down for lunch and my daddy-in-law moved to a tree down from me because someone came in late morning and set up too close to him.


The day was fairly uneventful. I saw a couple on the private property next to me but that was it. I came down and we headed out that evening and the action started. We were walking back out and jumped a doe right under the tree my daddy-in-law was in that morning. 


She took off and we kept walking. We came up on her again where the trail turns to go back to the truck. It was last light but I could make her out through the scope. I had my treestand on my back and was trying to counter the weight of it and steady my aim on a 75 yd. off hand shot.


She stepped out into the trail, broadside and I let it fly. I couldn't see anything but smoke but my daddy-in-law said it looked good. We got up to where she was at and nothing. I guess the treestand was pulling me back and I missed. It was an intense moment nonetheless. Now I'll wait until gun season and see what happens. Later y'all.

Prentice Cooper 2010: Day 4 and Wrap Up

I got up this morning and headed out to another field for a quick morning hunt. I set up and kicked back to enjoy my last day in the woods for a week. I watched the squirrels and chipmunks play and listened to an owl calling in the distance. Turkeys were gobbling and birds were singing. It was a beautiful morning. I sat there until almost noon with no action other than the normal everyday commotion of nature.

I came down and loaded my gear up. I went back to camp and got ready to pack up. I noticed my buddies across from me didn't make it out. They overslept after another movie night. LOL!!! I changed out of my hunting clothes and into my street clothes and started breaking camp. for some reason it seems like it doesn't take as long to tear down as it does to set up. I tore down camp and loaded the truck in less than 30 minutes. It took me about an hour to set up.

I made my way around camp to the regulars and bid my farewells. I wished them all luck for the remaining of the day and the season and told them I couldn't wait until next year. I got a few phone numbers and some invites to some hunting leases and other hunting trips for later in the season. Some of us even made plans to get together for the muzzle loader hunt at Prentice Cooper in November. I got in the truck and got on the road headed home.

I got home and unloaded in about 15 minutes. (it's get quicker as I go, lol) Fueled the truck up, hit the car wash and then took the truck back to my mom and got my car. I came home and took a nice, looooong, hotttttt, shower, shaved and started looking human again. I called my wife at work and let her know I was home and that I missed her. Now i'm just resting and relaxing while waiting to pick the kids up from school. Then I have a meeting tonight and then slide into my comfortable bed, next to my wife and get ready for back to work tomorrow.

Wrap-up:

Even though this year was like many others on this hunt as far as bringing something home, it was still a great weekend in the woods with great friends and acquaintances that I only get to see once a year. I have drawn this hunt for 6 years now and always bring home some very wonderful and cherished memories even if I don't bring home a deer. Sometimes there are times when the hunt, the experience, the fellowship, the friendships and memories made are greater and worth more that any amount of meat in the freezer or bone on the wall. 

Always cherish time spent with family and close friends in the great outdoors and never let the pursuit of your game diminish the experience gained and the memories made while gathered together with your fellow sportsmen and women in the great outdoors. Happy hunting y'all.

Prentice Cooper 2010: Day 3

Morning:
Another 3 am morning after a long night. I watched a movie with the guys across from me. One of them brought their laptop. So it was later than planned when I finally crashed out.   There are two different time zones up here so they run everything on eastern time so I have to get up and hour earlier than normal. It was cool this morning but was supposed to be hot again and it was. I grabbed my hydration pack and headed out.

I bumped four deer on the way in to my stand in the dark. I didn't figure my day would be good after that. I got set up and settled in and took a little stand nap. I slept until the turkeys woke me up flying down and working towards the corn field. I was hoping the deer wouldn't be far behind. Apparently they weren't because the guy set up in the field next to me got a doe and the rest scattered. He recovered her and I decided to stay on stand to see if they would come back.

The action was slow and the woods were quiet. I did see a couple of does come across the end of the draw from the direction of the other guys stand where he shot his doe. They went up and over the ridge away from me. It was getting hot and I was sweating something fierce. It was noon so I decided to come down and get some more water and eat. I moved my stand closer to the edge of the field and headed out.

Afternoon:
My Sunday afternoon ended up like they all have in the past. There is an old man named Wayne that comes up here every year. I call him the Storyteller. He is in his 60's, farms, owns his own business and has hunted all over this country and a few others. He has hunted since he was young and has enough proof for most people to back his stories up. I didn't think he was here this year because he always camps across from me and he wasn't there by Friday evening. He got here late Friday so he was in a different spot.

I saw him on my way in and stopped to talk. He remembered me from years past and we started catching up. He had a buddy with him this year, made the introductions and started telling stories like always. Every time he tells a story, it leads to another and another and so on. Also, if somebody else tells a story it leads into one of his. It is really great. He has probably taken more game than most people will ever see in their lifetime. I gave him the title of " The most interesting hunter in the world" after the dos equis beer commercials. My buddies across from me came into camp and stopped at Wayne's camp to see what I was up to and within 30 mins. we were all sitting around listening to his stories.

It is a really special part of my trip up here every year to find Wayne and listen to his stories and adventures. He tells them with such detail and so vividly, that you can picture everything in your mind as if you are there. I think he enjoys it just as much as we do. It was hot so we all decided to sit there and talk until later in the evening when it started cooling off.

We all headed out about 4 pm for about 3 hours of hunting before dark. I didn't get in my stand. Instead I opted to sit in a hedgerow along the edge of the field right in the corner. There wasn't a good tree there so I brought my blind and stool and figured I would wait and see.

About 5:30, two does came out about 40 yds. down. They were picking at the corn on the edge and moving towards me. I couldn't take a head on shot so I waited. Then they jumped into the corn and milled around some. I was watching where they went in at and was watching the corn move and thought they were coming back out. So I clipped on my release and got to full draw. One of them stuck their head out but went back in so I let  my bow down to rest and relax. They stuck their heads back out and I drew back again. Then one jumped from the corn to just inside the edge of the woods. I told my self that the other one was probably going to do the same so I held my draw and waited. The other one stuck her head out and I released about the time she jumped and watched my arrow sail right under her back legs.

They took off and when I couldn't hear them anymore, I went to get my arrow. No blood and no hair. It was a clean miss. One blade broke off the broadhead from hitting a rock. I probably shouldn't have taken the shot but I had decided it would be a clean kill or a clean miss, so I justified the chance to myself. I packed my blind up and moved my stand to the other corner in a good tree and will be back in the morning.

Evening:
One of the guys got a small doe this evening. We razzed him about it. We had a big camp dinner. We all congregated on my end of camp with everybody's stoves and food and did answer camp version of potluck. Several people had plenty of food left and some needed to be eat because it wouldn't keep much longer and couldn't be refrozen. So we lined the tables up and the stoves up and commenced to cooking. People just lined up with a plate and got what they wanted and as much as they wanted. I'll tell you, it was as good as any church picnic I have ever been too. There was a lot of great food and fellowship and so far this has been about my best year ever coming up here.

Well, it's late again. Time to tuck in and get ready for the final day and hopefully those does come back and I'll be putting one in the freezer when I get home. Happy hunting y'all.

Prentice Cooper 2010: Day 2

Morning:
This morning started about as bad as it could. I got up at 3'am and it was almost downright cold. It dipped down into the 50's last night and I left the windows open in the tent. That together with a light steady breeze really cooled it off. I finally motivated myself, got out of bed, got ready to go and did a final gear check. I had everything except the most important thing: my permit for the hunt. I looked in all my stuff, in the truck and everywhere. It was no where to be found. So I thought maybe it blew out of the truck when I got out at my spot yesterday. So I laid back down and waited on daylight. I got up, went and looked and couldn't find it. 

I called my wife and it was at home. I very sweetly asked her to bring and meet me at the interstate exit and headed out. They always have a checkpoint set up to check licenses, permits and hunters Ed cards so I figured a ticket was coming. 

They weren't set up yet but were at the checking station, so I stopped and talked to them. I told them what happened and Mr. Bailey, the game warden who checks everybody asked me to step over to his truck and give him my hunting license. I thought I was in for it. He called Crossville on the radio and verified my permit and wrote the same on my license. Of course people were coming out by then and everybody saw him writing and I got quite a bit of razzing about getting a ticket. It was all in good fun of course.

After that, I came back to camp and fixed something to eat (some good ole fried bologna), took a nap and got ready for a hot evening hunt. I also talked to some friends from past years for a little catching up. It was an enjoyable afternoon after a very rough morning. 

Afternoon:
Got up from my nap with a massive headache. I took some excedrin migraine and headed to the woods. It was hot and there wasn't much of a breeze down in the draw I was in. I did see about 30 turkeys move into the corn field and two does on the ridge across from where I was at. I just couldn't take a 60 yd. shot in the woods. 

I came down to head back and moved my set up over towards the other ridge and the other end of the field. The guy camped behind me is hunting the second field next to me on the other end, so we decided to work together and hunt the closest ends with the deer moving between us. Maybe one of us will get a shot in the morning. 

I'm fixing to eat a big bowl of camp stew from my neighbors. They asked to use my stove to heat it up and offered me some. It's got deer, potatoes, carrots and onions. It smells so good and I'm sure it will taste just as good. Then I'm gonna crash for the night and hit it again in the morning. Happy hunting y'all. 

Totals so far: Bucks-1; doe-4

Prentice Cooper 2010: Day 1

Morning:
I got up and left about 9 am this morning. I made a stop at the gas station for ice then Walmart for a couple more items and I was on my way. I arrived at camp about 10:30 am and got the truck unloaded and everything set up. Afterwards, I grabbed a bottle of water, some viennas and crackers and a peanut butter bar and kicked back for a bit. 

The weather is unseasonably warm and dry so I went to get my spot set up. It is way off the beaten path and only accessible by atv or 4 wheel drive. I am set up between two very good food plots with water and thick cover close. My buddy, Sam, has hunted here a few times and has always saw deer. He sent me the GPS coordinates so it was easy to find.  I have a good feeling and high hopes. I just hope I can navigate the terrain well in the dark in the morning. 

I'm back at camp now eating some lunch and relaxing. I may even take a nap. I just wish I had brought my hammock. Oh well. I always seem to forget something and if that's all I forgot then I'm doing good. 

Afternoon/Evening:
I took a nap (a big thank you to whoever invented the air mattress) and now I'm roaming seeing who is here from past years and who isn't. So far the guys that usually camp next to me haven't showed up. I have only seen a couple of people that I have seen or met before. So far there aren't very many people here. There are a lot of empty campsites which is very unusual. It is a 500 hunter quota and there are usually almost that many here on Fri. 

I did talk to Clint and Joel, the game wardens who live here and saw some pictures of some very nice deer that were harvested last year on the first gun hunt. The was a 14 pointer, several nice 8's one of which dressed at 185 lbs. and a crazy looking non-typical 10 with a full double beam on one side. It wasn't wide but all three beams were tall with long G2's and G3's. 

Maybe this weekend will hold some good luck, a lot of fun and help restock my freezer. Time to settle down and settle in for the night. I'm having mac and cheese with spam chunks for dinner. It's really good and an old favorite from my backpacking days. I'm gonna do a little star gazing and then hit the sack and get ready for 4 am in the morning. Happy hunting all.

Prentice Cooper 2010: Preparation.

Well, I have the truck packed and ready to head out in the morning. I keep everything pretty organized so it didn't take long. I keep my hunting gear and camping gear in totes so all I have to do is grab a tote and go. My food and cooking supplies were already boxed up so all I had to do was load it up. All I have to do is pack my camp clothes in the morning and I'm on my way. I always carry clothed just for wearing in camp so I can keep my hunting clothed scent free. I will take a scent free shower tonight and another one in the morning before I leave. I will also take my scent free soap to clean up with. 

One of the best investments I have made was a 7 gallon water jug. It gives me plenty of water to wash up with, do dishes and spare water to drink if needed. After many years in the scouts, the military and camping and hunting, I have found you can't be too prepared. Also, over the years, it's seems the one thing people never have enough of is water. They seem to think of everything else but never seem to have enough fluids especially water.

Right now I'm enjoying time with my wife and getting ready for my shower and bed. I will post daily updates throughout the weekend. Goodnight y'all and see you tomorrow.

Remembering 9/11

9/11 a day of sadness

Attacked by tyrants in their infinite madness.

Our country mourns, our country cries

As we remember those who gave their lives.

We did not bow, we did not breakWe showed the world our resolve is great.

United we stand, strong and upright

We will destroy the madness with all our might.

Blessed by God a nation becomes one

To rise in His love when the war is done.

As we look back, there is one bet, 

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET!

God bless us keep us on this day of remembrance and guide us everyday in every way of our lives.AMEN! 

Getting Ready

Well, it's less than a month until my pre-season bow hunt and I'm already getting ready. My bow, arrows and broadheads are tuned and ready. My pack is organized and ready. I just have a few items to pick up between now and then and I will be totally ready. I need to get a new canopy because mine was destroyed last year from the rain. Water built up on top and the center post ripped right through the top. I can't decide if I want another canopy or a screen room. I can get either one for around $40. 


A canopy would be open and offer easier access for cooking or just chillin' with a cold one, but a screen room would be enclosed and offer some extra protection from the elements and pests. That would save me on Therma-cell refills. I'll probably just flip a coin, LOL!


I'm hoping the weather will be better this year. Last year was nothing but rain and too many acorns so the hunting was not very good. Also, we have an open season on turkeys in the fall this year, so the weather will be important because I want a nice fall bird this year. I have plans for smoked turkey, LOL!!!


Hope everyone has a great and successful season. Good luck to all. 

It's Been Awhile

Hey y'all. It's been awhile since I dropped by. I changed jobs in May and got a promotion at the new job the first of August and it comes with a lot of vacation time. It doesn't look like the duck hunt in AR is going to work out this year but next year looks real good. I have 30 days until hunting season and my preseason bow hunt at Prentice Cooper. I'll be going by myself this year as no one else put in for it but I will still enjoy it just the same with all of the friends I have made there throughout the years.


I'm ready for hunting season to start and, from reading, most of y'all are too. Good luck to everybody this upcoming season and may God bless you with a bountiful harvest and great memories.

The End of Another Season

Another season has come and gone. I have some meat in the freezer thanks to family. I didn't get to hunt as much as I wanted due to work but we have to do what we must. I'm looking forward to going after hogs on my lease next and then it's turkey time. I hope this coming year will be better than the last. I am planning on my first duck hunt this coming fall in Stutgart, AR so that should be fun. Any advice
from other duck hunters would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to another year with my outdoors friends here and on the other forums I am a part of. Good luck to everyone and may you be blessed in the coming year.

Bow Season '09

I decided for a quick hunt after work. went back to where I shot the doe, slid up tree, turned around, sit down and saw him in the field. I tried some calling and got his attention but he kept walking to the woods. If he hit the woods he would be down wind and I figured it would be over. Wrong!!! He smelled the Butternut and walked out right under my stand. He just seemed to stay there forever.

I was losing light fast and he wasn't moving, so I did something I would have never done without the no-peep. He moved out about 10 yds. and I let one fly right between the shoulder blades and a little back. The Thunderhead did the job. I climbed down, field dressed him and headed to the house.

I processed him, had supper and got done not too long ago. I have some meat in the freezer finally. Now for muzzle loader season.

It was late and dark so I didn't get any good pics. I had to work him up by headlights and flashlight.

I Feel Sick

Today was the first decent day to hunt since the season opened and I was there. I started my morning hunting a spot I have had luck seeing deer in the past on a regular basis. It was cold and there was a good frost on the ground. The wind was very light, almost still and it was a perfect morning.

Well, almost perfect. I went to get my gloves out of my pack and had the wrong ones in there. I had my early season lightweight gloves. I toughed it out as long as I could, until my fingers went numb and decided to run back to the house and get my other ones. I was close to the house so it wasn't a big deal.

I got the right gloves and headed back out but decided to go to another place. The place where I turkey hunted in the spring. I got out of the car, geared up and headed into the woods.

I got close to the corner where I was going to set up and something caught my eye. It was deer and lots of them. They were feeding down the fenceline coming towards me. I thought "Oh crap this could not be worse." but they never noticed me. Never even looked up. The wind was had picked up and was blowing right up their tails. Ok, now I must be dreaming.

Here's the fun part. I have my stool on my shoulder, my sling on my bow and on my shoulder and the deer are moving into the clearing that I am standing in. I set the stool down, nothing. I get my sling off of the bow and on the ground, still nothing. I get an arrow nocked and draw. They are still coming, right in a line, like a parade.

I am watching them and the first one walks by. They are at 25-30 yds. and don't even know I'm there. I hit a bleat on my mouth call but it keeps on walking. The second one is coming up and it's bigger so I settle my pin on it. It steps into the lane, I bleat, it stops and everything after that was in slow motion.

I set the pin, checked my No-Peep and squeezed the trigger. I watched the arrow fly right into the doe. She jumped, flipped and turned over the fence. She cut through the field and jumped the next fence into the woods. I could not believe it. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

I thought I heard a crash just after she crossed the second fence but then heard a second crash so I waited about an hour to go in. Plus I had to get permission from the landowner next to the WMA to retrieve the deer. It turns out that was the easy part. Come to find out the owner is our family dentist. Things are looking better all the time.

I call my father-in-law to come help me out. We go in and pick up the trail very quickly. It was like a bucket was splashed about. We followed the trail for about 40 yds. and came to a creek. We were able to trail her to the other side of the creek and then the trail started getting less and less. We trailed spots for about another 40-50 yds. and then it just disappeared. We started a grid search, I was on my hands and knees and could not pick up the trail. I called my boss and a few other friends and we all searched all the way out to a road that I didn't know was there and never recovered the trail or the deer.

Now I started feeling sick. We searched for several hours and I started reliving the shot in my mind. I even went back to the point of impact to relive it.

Here is where it gets bad. I stand where I was when I took the shot and suddenly there is a branch in the lane. I never saw that in my sight picture. I didn't find any marks on it from the arrow but I can't be sure. Then I picture the impact and see the arrow in the deer as she turns and flips. A couple of us search the field but do not find the arrow and it was not recovered anywhere on the blood trail.

After much discussion and reliving the shot both mentally and verbally, I feel very strongly that it was a shoulder hit and not a very good one. I believe the arrow caught the branch and deflected forward and hit high on the shoulder and I believe the arrow is still with the deer. I feel confident in the effort that was expelled in the search and recovery attempt and admitted defeat. Once the trail was lost, there is approximately 3000 acres for her to disappear in with a large part in heavy cover.

This is the first deer I have lost and I feel worse than I ever thought I could. Especially with taking such care on the shot and placement and having to be slow and deliberate because of the position of the deer in relation to me and being in the open like I was. I hope this never happens again.


It's just sickening.

Bow Season '09- Opening Day

Saturday Sept. 26, 2009: Opening day of the Tennessee archery season.

I got up at 4:00 am and checked the weather and radar. There were supposed to be storms moving in Friday night and continuing on through Saturday evening. It wasn't raining when I got up so I checked to see where the storms were. According to the radar, there was a storm moving in but it was off to the southwest of me, quite a ways off, so I thought I could get in a good morning hunt.

I got dressed, loaded up my gear and headed out to dad's where I have been seeing deer on a daily basis in the field. I got there about 5:00 am, geared up and headed to the field. I slipped in quietly and crept under a huge tree behind the building in the field. The drip line on this tree is about a 12' radius from the trunk with the limbs hanging on the ends. It makes a great natural blind and offers me no more than a 40 yd. shot in any direction to where the deer come in and out.

It started to sprinkle a little bit but the canopy of the tree was keeping my nice and dry. Daylight started breaking and I could see the field well enough to shoot. The sprinkling was continuing off and on but nothing I couldn't deal with. Then I heard a noise coming through the woods that sounded like the wind picking up, Man, was I wrong. It was one of the hardest rains I have ever seen or heard. It was raining so hard, it proved the trees are 90% air. It was raining through the canopy. I held out until water was running down my back, then I built an ark right quick and headed to the car.

As I headed back to the house, it wasn't raining in town so I went to one of the local WMA's and hunted a field for awhile. Surprisingly, there were several people hunting but I didn't run into anyone. This was the most I have ever seen on opening day of archery season. The rain finally moved into town so I went to McD's for breakfast and went to the house to get ready to watch the Alabama game.

The rain continued throughout the day so I stayed in and watched some great college football with my wife and some friends and had a great time.

Sunday was a beautiful day with sunshine, cool temperatures and no rain. I thought it would be a great day in the field, but I was wrong again. I sat on stand all morning and all evening, watching the birds and getting a sore butt, still it was a great day to be out.

The temperatures are starting to drop now. The highs are in the 60's and 70's with the lows in the 40's and 50's. With as much rain as we have had and the temps dropping, I suspect the deer activity will pick up. Work is slowing down as it does this time of year, so I may start getting off early or having three day weekends soon which will give me more opportunities to hunt. I have plenty of time to hit the woods after work now, but, when the time changes at the end of October, I don't have enough time unless I get off early.

This season has the potential to be more productive than any have been in a long time, so hopefully, with a little bit of luck, the work I have put in will pay off and I will have a great year and a full freezer at seasons end. I hope everyone has a great season either by filling tags or making memories or both.

Bow Season '09- Prentice Cooper Pre-Season Quota Hunt

Well my preseason archery hunt has come and gone and all I got was wet. LOL!!! I got off of work at noon on Friday, the 18th and headed to Prentice Cooper WMA for a preseaon draw hunt. II got there a litte after 2 pm and set up camp. I got a great spot with the same neighbors we had last year. I was really glad to see many of the friends that I have made over the last few years there. It seems to be a lot of the same people there every year so It's always like a reunion. Mike, the new guy, arrived around 4:30 pm and unloaded his gear. Afterwards, I took him on a little tour of the place to help him find a few places to hunt Saturday morning that he could find easily in the dark. We came back to camp, kicked back and visited with friends until about 8:30 and hit the sack.

The alarm went off at 3:30 am Sat. morning. Time to get up, get ready and head out. My plan was to hunt along the Tennessee River, on the side of the mountain so that when the gate opened at 4:30, I would be set up and ready when other hunters drove in and pushed the deer off of the top. I had a hard time finding a place to park because, apparently, about 20-30 other people had the same idea. I parked and headed to the woods.

I found a pretty good spot and climbed up in the tree. Daylight broke and I could see other hunters coming through the woods. Turns out we decided to set up next to a bluff and didn't know it until daylight. They were walking trying to find the end and go on up but weren't having any luck. There wasn't much since in me sitting there either so I came out and went back up top.

I went to a field that was back in the woods and set up about 30 yds from the edge in the woods. I had a draw to my left and a well used trail to my right with the field in front. It sprinkled off and on but I had a great canopy of leaves above me so I wasn't getting wet. Then, about 10 am, the bottom fell out and it started pouring; a good ole frog strangler. I was getting very wet and it was raining too hard for anything to be moving, so I decided to come on out, have lunch and wait for the rain to stop.When I got back to camp, Jason had showed up so all of us ate and checked the totals so far. Three doe had been checked in. Not good for day one so far.

The rain stopped about 1 pm and I headed back to the woods. I went back to the same spot and sat until dark with no luck. I came out, headed back to camp for some dry clothes and supper. We visited some more, ate supper, BS'd and I crashed out early in anticipation of Sunday. The total was now five doe.

Got up Sunday morning and Mike headed home. He had to work Monday and was discouraged. Jason headed out and headed to a spot way back towards the side of the mountain along the edge of a pine thicket. I sat there until noon with no sightings so I had lunch, helped Jason pack up, and moved to the very end of an oil pipeline that runs through the area. I found where deer had bedded down recently and set up back in the woods along the trail. I stayed until dark and nothing came in. Oh well, back to camp for supper. I'll try this spot first thing Monday morning. Total now is seven doe.

I had supper with the guys across from me. One of them got a doe so I helped him get it on ice and in a game bag. He fried me two 1/2 pound hamburgers from a cow he had just butchered. Man, there is nothing like fresh meat. LOL!!! When his buddy got back, he cooked some steaks from the same cow and gave me some of it too. I may not be killing anything but man am I eating good. Then the guy next to them came over and brought a chocolate chocolate chip pound cake his wife fixed for dessert. He had two people with him but they had to leave because one of them got sick so he had too much food and was trying to give it away because everything wouldn't keep for as long as he was staying.

We sat and talked around the fire until it started thundering and lightening and raining sideways around 8:30 pm. We all said goodnight and headed on to bed hopeing it would be done by morning. If you have never tried to sleep in a tent during a severe thunderstorm, you haven't camped. LOL!!! The tent was leaning and a little rain blow up under the rain fly. I checked the radar on my phone and finally fell asleep.

I awoke Monday morning to more of the same that I went to sleep with. I decided that my trip was done. It slacked up a little and I loaded the truck. The radar showed that it would be clearing for a little while soon so I thought I would wait and take down the tent and canopy. In the meantime, the guy with the pound cake came over and we started talking and ended up at Cracker Barrel for breakfast waiting on the rain to stop. We got back, I finished loading up and headed home. I got home around 1:00 pm, unloaded the truck, kissed the wife and got a wonderful, hot, shower.

The take when I left was at ten doe. So, apparently there were some who were lucky Monday morning in the rain. These numbers are pretty much in line with years past. I think I am going to pass on this hunt next year and start building points for a once in a lifetime hunt at President's Island in Memphis. There are only about 130 tags drawn for it each year with an antler restriction of 9 points or better and you can only get drawn for it once.

Now I am looking forward to this weekend and opening day of archery. Hopefully there will be a more successful story then.

Vantec Review

I received some Vanetec vanes in 2" from the company as a sample to test. Anybody can get them so I figured what the heck, they are free. Well, I fletched them up last Fri. in 3 and 4 fletch to do so testing and comparisons to my Blazers and to shoot my bow with the new string on it. I shot Fri., Sat., and today, about 30 shots each arrow and I'm not happy.


I was pleased Fri. and Sat. with the accuracy and grouping of the 4 fletch but was told of a problem with this set up in wind at long distances. Today we have a pretty good wind so I got my equipment out today to find out. I just reached in my arrow case and grabbed the Vanetec's to try the 4 fletch at 60 yds. in fairly strong angling head wind and a couple of Blazer 3 fletch arrows for comparison. I shot the Blazers and they were right on target as usual. I grabbed a Vanetec, nocked it up and shot it. OMG :o It went crazy. I thought it may have been me so I grabbed the other one and damn, it did the same thing.

I went to the neighbors field on the next block and picked them up. While walking back, I was going over both shots in my head trying to figure out if I did something and could not pinpoint anything I may have done wrong. So, I got to looking at the arrows to see if they may have gotten damaged somehow (these are the new ones picked up Fri.).

To my surprise and a certain level of disgust, the vanes had enough waves in them to surf. There was not a 1/4" of the vane that is straight or in line with the next section. The only thing I can figure is they DO NOT like Biscuits.


I have not found anything about this problem on their website but I do plan on notifying them about it. I can't complain too much as they were free, but I did expect more than 30 shots out of them.

They have already come off and been replaced with Blazers. As soon as my wife gets back from vacation with my good camera, I'm gonna take pictures to send to them also. I do know I will not shoot anything but Blazers from now on. I really expected more from a vane that claims to last as long as my bow. Also, they were the Vmax. Just my .02.

Off Season Journal '09

Well, I went to the lease last weekend to mow and replenish minerals and check food plots. We didn't get any mowing done because the trail has been washed out so bad I could not get the small tractor down it. I tried but ended up laying the tractor over. It's a good thing it has a bucket on it or I wouldn't have been able to get it out.

We didn't get to do much hunting but we did do some scouting and found some new travel lanes where the deer were moving along a ridge 20 yds. from one of our stands. We also found some new hog wallows and a lot more hog signs. We camped under a rock house and when we woke up the next morning had a small rattlesnake laying on a rock a few feet from us. We took some pics, packed up and headed home.

I went to the bow shop to drop off my HCA PowerForce last Mon. and went back Fri. to approve some repairs. The owner had his two recurves there and two more on the shelf. One was a PSE Kingfisher takedown, one was an older Martin takedown and the other two were one piece Martins. D/W's ranged from 45# to 55# and I must say I was surprised. 45# to 50# is about all I want. LOL. It truly was a very different shooting experience. I was also surprised that I could at least hit the target at 20 yds., not very accurately, but I hit it. Hopefully, in the next year, I will be adding a new recurve to the arsenal. I just want to have the opportunity to shoot a few more manufacturers before I make my decision.

It's killing me not having my bow but I hope it will be better when I get it back. Well, gotta go for now. I should have my bow back Fri. and I have my fingers crossed that I won't have to make too many adjustments. Bye y'all.

Off Season Journal '09

I got a No-Peep yesterday and put it on and did the rough set up. It wasn't very difficult but I had talked to other people that have it and got a few shortcuts.

I went to the range this morning, I adjusted my sight accordingly and the first three arrows were stacked on top of each other. The only problem is that they were hitting to the left. I adjusted the sight all the way out to no avail. So I put the sight back where I started and adjusted the rest in. It got better but was still to the left.

The groups were outstanding out to 50 yds. Three arrows almost in the same whole. I did have one flier that buried an inch into a 2x4 from 50 yds. and broke it getting it out but otherwise, I love the no-peep and my groups are tighter than before.

I think I have figured out my problem though. I was drawing it at the house and looking at everything and I have some serious cam lean going on. I guess the new Winner's Choice string and harness is coming sooner than expected. I knew I needed a new string anyways but I was hoping to get a little longer out of it but I guess not.

I had very little fine tuning to do to the no-peep though. All I had to do was resight and it is not a lie when the website says it will show any problems with form or equipment. It sure does. LOL!!

Update: June 21- I got it!!! The No Peep is set and this is my 50 yd. group with a 10 mph left to right crosswind.

I am extremely happy with these results. I also was amazed at how steady I am now because of being able to see the no peep moving if I'm moving. I think this is one of the greatest archery inventions ever. I think any new archer should try one of these and it would greatly shorten the learning curve, even if they start out using a peep. I now understand why so many people like it. I just can't wait to let the air outta something now. Later y'all.

Spring Turkey '09- Wrap-up

Well, turkey season has come and gone without a kill. It was cold at the beginning and we haven't had this much rain in years. It was one of the toughest seasons I can remember. I did figure out some new tactics for the place I hunt and the State Wildlife Agency is contiplating a new fall turkey season, so I hope to have some better luck then. We do get to hunt turkeys in the fall during the "archery only" season for bearded turkeys and we have quota hunts for either sex.

I went on a hog hunt at my lease a couple of weeks ago and it was spoiled by trespassers. I was in the stand and it was about hog 30 when I started hearing atv's. I thought it was on the other side of the valley but they started getting louder. I look down the trail towards the river and here come 3 UTE's, right where the hogs come from at this time of day. Needless to say I was pissed. I came down from the stand and walked back to the 4-wheeler I had and chased them down.

There were six of them and one of me with a bow, so my options were fairly limited. They were locals so I tried to be diplomatic and asked them not to be on the property as it is private property now. They said they had been riding there all their life so I asked them to at least be respectful enough to avoid our place on the weekends. There is plenty of other land to ride on including 4500 acres of public use land, which is where they started. They appeared to agree and I hope they do. All lessees try to get along with the locals in the area but there have been some confrontations that have led to personal property damage and legal actions with other clubs. There is not a whole lot we can do as there is not someone there 24/7 and we are outsiders for the most part so we don't generally get a lot of help from law enforcment either. All we can try to do is get along.

We are hoping the rain stops so we can get started working on our food plots and feeders. We are already behind due to the weather but we are hoping we can still salvage something and have some decent plots by the fall. Whenever we go to work, I will still be chasing my first hog. I hope to get it with a bow and be the first one to do so.

Well, I'm off to start on honey-do's that have been waiting on the end of hunting season. I hope everyone has a great summer and gets done what they need to before their next season starts. Good luck with your food plots and don't forget to leave the trail cams out. You never know what you might see.