OH MY WORD!!!! What a night. I went hunting yesterday. As soon as I sat down in my stand, I looked to my left and saw a deer that had just come out of the trees. It was a young one so I sat there and watched it eat and mosey around. Then, it was so comfortable, it bedded down next to a tree and watched. A little later, a big buck came out on the hill at the back of the property. It milled a couple of minutes and went into the trees. I also saw a red fox go hopping through. Those things a so fun to watch. They don't walk like a dog. They kinda hop as they walk. It was so cute. Well, the young one got up and started milling again. It started to come towards me so I was interested again. It was getting late and it was putting itself into a position for me to have a shot. There is a tee pee made of tree trunks between me and the grape vines and the deer was on the other side of the tee pee. I was able to stalk to within about 25 yards of the deer and it never saw me. I got my bow ready and fired a shot. DDOOOOOOOO! It was closer than I thought. The arrow sailed right over its back. The deer heard my string release the arrow and moved about 15 feet and stopped. It had no idea I was there. THEN, the big buck came out to stand in the same spot as the young one. The young one gave way. I was standing in the open and neither deer new I was there. The wind was right and it was now dark. I tried to find my arrow but a doe that I didn't see was in the trees and she started blowing. That is a very startling sound when you aren't expecting it. I left my arrow and will retrieve it today in the light. It was an amazing night. Even though I did not harvest a deer, it was still a great time in the field. TTFN

Friendly Visitor

Well, I had an unexpected guest today. In fact, two of them. They came in through my wood burners chimney. All I had to do was open the door of the stove and they flew out. Then I opened a window and they flew back outside.

Friday update

Ok, here is the update

Evening

Wow, another beautiful afternoon/evening. I was in the stand after picking grape to make grape juice. There was a farmer out getting his bales of hay so I figured no deer would come from that side of the orchard. Sure enough, they didn't. I saw three deer walking the trail at the rear of the property. And that is where they stayed. But it was still a great evening. Lots of cardinal and other birds flying around. Even a flock of geese came in and landing in the field. Boy they sure are noisy. Well, until next time; TTFN

The feelings of fall

Well, fall is here. The smells, the sights and the deer. Archery season opened on the 1st and I was able to get out this past Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon. The weather was great. Right around sunset, a little four-pointer came out and milled around the apple trees but was too far away to even attempt a shot. He was fun to watch all the same. And then tonight I was able to get out again. Same hunting spot with better results. Again, right around sunset, I saw a deer on the other side of the field and that is where it stayed. With about ten minutes left to shoot, three came out within range. I was able to draw on one but when I went to tough the release, it was too far from my finger. I let off and was just ready to draw again when something behind two of them jumped them and they ran towards me and into the pine trees out of sight. So, two hunts and both times, deer were spotted. It is a long season and with luck, a big boy will step out looking for a little love and that will be his demise. Until next time; TTFN