I took another venture out yesterday afternoon. It was a mild autumn afternoon with temps in the mid- 50's. I sat in the blind for hours...but nothing was moving!
We have been experiencing cold nights and moderate days. the rut is not in full swing yet, so the activity is minimal. There are many tracks, but that's about all. I'm optimistic though, the weather is supposed to turn much colder this weekend, so hopefully that will get some activity going.
I did notice that most of those colorful leaves I had noticed my last trip out, were off the trees. We experience d a major wind & rains storm this past weekend. It lasted for 3 days! It looks more like late November rather than mid-October.
No matter, the quest is on for a buck to fill the freezer! Stay tuned...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Fall Adventure Continues!
So, I went back out in the blind yesterday, looking for redemption from my mis-shot the other day. Did I get it? I wish I could say yes, but this fall season is not off to a good start. My friend “Tom” was back struttin and scratchin and otherwise having a grand ‘ol time in the corn field with about 20 of his closest friends and neighbors!
He came up quickly to one side of the blind about 20 yards out, but he was down enough of a slope that I did not have a clear shot. He proceeded to head well out of bow range. I ranged him at 95 yards!
I started calling. This time, the whole group started to respond. They came in to 55 yards. Then they decided to head off in another direction. I continued the occasional calls to try to range them closer. I was able to get them within 40 yards. The only problem…they were on the side of my blind with the entrance, nothing to shoot through!
I have to admit, I was very frustrated. I decided that I was going make a shot. I slowly on zip the door to the blind…enough to get the arrow out and still keep myself concealed. I open it as much as I dare. I take another range…I have time…he’s just scratchin and eating.
I get the arrow out, try to maneuver around in the blind to get in position to draw back without hitting anything with my bow string this time. I think I’m ready…I draw back…but I’m not feeling it…something doesn’t feel right. But here goes “Tom,” he’s about to head into the woods and be gone for another day.
So, I decide to take the shot. I watch the arrow cruise by him at the perfect height but about a foot wide. “Tom’s” gone.
I was so frustrated. This is not a great start to this season. I sit back in the chair just staring out of the blind. As I’m just looking around, I notice the beautiful colors on the trees. I start to relax and remember the other benefits related to the hunt. The next thing you know, I looking at the mountain range off in the distance, the beautiful clear blue sky and I’m totally relaxed.
That’s the stuff. I left empty handed, but my soul was full for the day!
He came up quickly to one side of the blind about 20 yards out, but he was down enough of a slope that I did not have a clear shot. He proceeded to head well out of bow range. I ranged him at 95 yards!
I started calling. This time, the whole group started to respond. They came in to 55 yards. Then they decided to head off in another direction. I continued the occasional calls to try to range them closer. I was able to get them within 40 yards. The only problem…they were on the side of my blind with the entrance, nothing to shoot through!
I have to admit, I was very frustrated. I decided that I was going make a shot. I slowly on zip the door to the blind…enough to get the arrow out and still keep myself concealed. I open it as much as I dare. I take another range…I have time…he’s just scratchin and eating.
I get the arrow out, try to maneuver around in the blind to get in position to draw back without hitting anything with my bow string this time. I think I’m ready…I draw back…but I’m not feeling it…something doesn’t feel right. But here goes “Tom,” he’s about to head into the woods and be gone for another day.
So, I decide to take the shot. I watch the arrow cruise by him at the perfect height but about a foot wide. “Tom’s” gone.
I was so frustrated. This is not a great start to this season. I sit back in the chair just staring out of the blind. As I’m just looking around, I notice the beautiful colors on the trees. I start to relax and remember the other benefits related to the hunt. The next thing you know, I looking at the mountain range off in the distance, the beautiful clear blue sky and I’m totally relaxed.
That’s the stuff. I left empty handed, but my soul was full for the day!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
My First Fall Hunting Adventure of the Season?
So, I went out in the blind today, armed with my Mathews bow, Rage broadheads, grunt tube, rattle bag, turkey call, range finder, deer & turkey tags…what else could I need? How about another chance at a monster tom!
After sitting in the blind for about an hour, I hear some rustling through the woods behind me. I peer through the mesh screen of the blind and here comes about a dozen or so turkeys just struttin their way through the woods. I’m looking for a good tom and BAMM…there he is…he’s all of 30 lbs if he’s an ounce.
I get my trusty Nikon range finder; 35 yards. No problem, well within my wheelhouse. I’m already picturing this guy on the dinner table. I get the arrow through the mesh so no chance of any deflection. I put the pin on the mark, come back to full draw and wait for the shot. There it is…the perfect shot, down a small ravine and BANG…turkey pot pie.
I release the arrow and I hear a strange sound and I watch my arrow cruise right over the tom while he scurries off to safety. What happened? I was so worried about getting the tom on the table I didn’t check my surroundings. My bow string was touching the arm of the chair I had brought with me into the blind to make myself more comfortable. I WAS comfortable when I was sitting and waiting, but I have to tell you at this point, I didn’t even want to see the chair!
The day with this tom wasn’t over yet. He comes cruising out of the woods into the field that I have my blind set up on the edge of. He has all his buddies with him and they are all headed off in the opposite direction of my blind. I try calling him in. He stops for a second, spread his tail, gives a short strut and gets back on his merry way.
Feeling completely embarrassed I fold up my chair and set up the small stool I have (made specifically for a hunting blind) and give more watch over this corn field. About another hour later, here they come again. But as if it weren’t enough to taunt me after missing a perfect shot, my tom puts himself about 20 yards from another blind I have set up on the other side of this field.
Feeling completely outwitted by this tom, I call again. This time, he likes what he hears. I get him to come half way across the corn field. Unfortunately he is still almost 200 yards away. He decides again that he doesn’t like what he hears and he is off…back into the woods.
At this point, I figure it’s time to take a break. After a coffee, I spray off and head out into the woods. This time on the quest to catch a buck bedding. After walking through the woods for about 45 minutes, what do I see…the tom. He hasn’t seen me yet through the thickness of the trees. I decide to put the stalk on. I weave ever so carefully and quietly toward tom. I finally get within 15 yards, but it is too thick to get a clear shot.
So, in my final act of desperation, after about 30 or so minutes creeping through the woods, I step out into a shooting lane and I’m spotted, tom and all his friends are off to the races.
I will be heading back in a couple of days to redeem myself (hopefully). Stay tuned.
For all the latest hunting info and tips check us out at OutsidEnthusiast.com
After sitting in the blind for about an hour, I hear some rustling through the woods behind me. I peer through the mesh screen of the blind and here comes about a dozen or so turkeys just struttin their way through the woods. I’m looking for a good tom and BAMM…there he is…he’s all of 30 lbs if he’s an ounce.
I get my trusty Nikon range finder; 35 yards. No problem, well within my wheelhouse. I’m already picturing this guy on the dinner table. I get the arrow through the mesh so no chance of any deflection. I put the pin on the mark, come back to full draw and wait for the shot. There it is…the perfect shot, down a small ravine and BANG…turkey pot pie.
I release the arrow and I hear a strange sound and I watch my arrow cruise right over the tom while he scurries off to safety. What happened? I was so worried about getting the tom on the table I didn’t check my surroundings. My bow string was touching the arm of the chair I had brought with me into the blind to make myself more comfortable. I WAS comfortable when I was sitting and waiting, but I have to tell you at this point, I didn’t even want to see the chair!
The day with this tom wasn’t over yet. He comes cruising out of the woods into the field that I have my blind set up on the edge of. He has all his buddies with him and they are all headed off in the opposite direction of my blind. I try calling him in. He stops for a second, spread his tail, gives a short strut and gets back on his merry way.
Feeling completely embarrassed I fold up my chair and set up the small stool I have (made specifically for a hunting blind) and give more watch over this corn field. About another hour later, here they come again. But as if it weren’t enough to taunt me after missing a perfect shot, my tom puts himself about 20 yards from another blind I have set up on the other side of this field.
Feeling completely outwitted by this tom, I call again. This time, he likes what he hears. I get him to come half way across the corn field. Unfortunately he is still almost 200 yards away. He decides again that he doesn’t like what he hears and he is off…back into the woods.
At this point, I figure it’s time to take a break. After a coffee, I spray off and head out into the woods. This time on the quest to catch a buck bedding. After walking through the woods for about 45 minutes, what do I see…the tom. He hasn’t seen me yet through the thickness of the trees. I decide to put the stalk on. I weave ever so carefully and quietly toward tom. I finally get within 15 yards, but it is too thick to get a clear shot.
So, in my final act of desperation, after about 30 or so minutes creeping through the woods, I step out into a shooting lane and I’m spotted, tom and all his friends are off to the races.
I will be heading back in a couple of days to redeem myself (hopefully). Stay tuned.
For all the latest hunting info and tips check us out at OutsidEnthusiast.com
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