July 9th Trail Camera

July 9th, 2012                         


                                       “It’s Camera Time”

Well I commented in my previous post, my mineral licks have been brewing for some time. I was able to make it out on Father’s Day to put out a few trail cameras. The licks did not appear to have had much use. But, I set up on them anyway. The past few weeks have been unseasonably warm. Therefore, deer activity was expected to be low, although it is my personal opinion that this tends to draw the deer to the mineral sites, igniting their desire for nutrients.

I set out about 5:30 a.m. to start my trek to several site locations, as the heat was expected to be in the upper 90’s once again! I checked the first two sets, with only about 200 pictures total. Next, I ventured to a mineral lick I set out in the spring, with reluctance to place a camera to due past theft of a buddy’s tree stand. Well, after viewing what appeared to be pretty good visual activity at this site, I elected to put up a camera. I’ll have to go back and check that one in a few weeks. The third camera I already had in place, had about 120 pictures. I was not expecting much activity at this site. But, some early spring scouting revealed a lot of big rubs. I mean a lot! This is an area of young dense pines, along a thin stretch of public land. So far, the only way I figured it could be hunted is by ground blind (not my desired means), as there are no mature trees and the thick underbrush would make it literally impossible to see deer until they were directly below you. But, the myriad of trails and old buck sign, have me intrigued to say the least!

Well, I was unable to view my pictures in the field, as the card reader I had recently purchased failed. Again! I’ve come accustomed to having to return the cheap junk that is being made these days. So, needless to say this will be going back to the store. The drive home was kind of torture. As I see my checking of cameras kind of like Christmas in the fact that it’s always a surprise and sometimes disappointing! Well, this was a mix of both, because the pictures (bucks) I could decipher were nothing to get excited about. There were several pictures of what appears to be a good buck in the pines, but due to the thick cover and low light, most of the pictures were blurry. And, this camera (oldest in the bunch) is not taking night pictures. So, well see what the next trip brings.

This was also a sad day, as it was the last day of my vacation! Had a good time visiting family and friends in both Tennessee and Mississippi. The wife and I had a good night in Nashville listening to some good music and plenty of cocktails! We headed south to Mississippi where we partook in the 1^st annual “Juggin in July” on Booths Lake. It was a friendly competition with plenty of trash talk and some controversy, indeed! Needless to say I didn’t win, but it was a blast no doubt. We even extended through the night where we boated some 26-29”, 6-9 lb. fish. Great time with great people! And, there is always next year!

  

Turkey Season/ May 20th 2012

May 20                                                “Patience”

That’s right Patience! This is the key ingredient to being a successful, not only Turkey, but hunter! Today started out just like the rest of my recent posts. More of the same old…blah…blah…blah, about how tired I am, having the energy to make the 60 mile journey and the consecutive 6 day work weeks. But, today was a little bit different. This would be the last day of the spring season! The last day of hunting for the next 4 months! So, needless to say, at the 3:30 a.m. wake up call I was ready to go. Tired. But Ready.

I decided this would be a dual-purpose trip. I would also be freshening some of my mineral licks in this certain area. The night prior, I strategized on how I would make toting 40 lbs. of Trophy Rock and Mineral material up the 1 mile railroad hike, all while carrying my hunting gear. Well, naturally, my plan fell apart shortly after leaving the house, as I forgot the duffle bag I was going to use to carry my mineral stuff. So, even with a lack of sleep, I was able to improvise.

As I was approaching my hunting area, in the pre-dawn, it became apparent that the sun was slowly making its way to the horizon. I pedaled down, and made up some time. After grabbing my gear and dumping the contents of my work/tunnel bag, I had what I needed. I started hiking at a fairly quick pace. I spend a lot of time running and lifting just to stay in shape just for this 1 mile hike. Just as I was starting up the tracks, a train began heading my way (probably only the 2^nd/3^rd time in 4years). So, I stepped to the side, only to find it was a loci slowly moving into position for loading. Apparently, the engineer could see me in the dark. As I stepped back onto the tracks, he flashed me with his lights. I continued on, regardless, only to catch up to the locomotive in a strange spot. This was the area where I turned to walk up the holler. Well, I tried not to get to close, being that I was carrying a gun, in the middle of nowhere, and in the dark. Unfortunately, this did not faze the operator as he commenced to having a conversation a 5:10 a.m. with an armed man! I politely responded and tried not to engage him, as he was already ruining my morning with his not so stealthy engine sitting near my prime spot, idling.    

Eventually, I made it to the top of the ridge, having dumped all my mineral stuff at the head of the holler. Let me say that, I was sweating balls! I did my usual pre-dawn locater calls, with no response. I moved further down the ridge, and was able to conjure up the same results, nothing. So, as the sky began to lighten, I sat at the bottom of an oak, hoping for that little bit of luck. Well, still nothing! In the meantime, I started hearing what I thought were birds, at differing directions. So, I moved out on a point and began to call. Again, it sounded like a distinct gobble, but this time farther away and at a different location. I moved further back down the ridge, to where I basically started in the dark. This time I just sat down and called. I had put myself in a position to try and see a bird coming. But, the slope of the ridge and the unusually green spring, had squashed any chance of that.

While sitting at this location, and contemplating an early morning surrender, I suddenly had a response! There was a bird, approximately 600-700 yds. away, and he seemed on fire. This wouldn’t be easy, as he was across a large beaver pond and more than likely on the bordering private property. After coaxing another response, I began to move. I had a slight advantage, as earlier in the spring, I did some shed hunting in the area and knew the terrain fairly well. I closed the gap fairly quickly, and was able to locate the bird with a few yelps from my H.S. Strut Glass Witch. Just like I thought, he would be right on the border of the private property, which I was not willing to cross. So, I was able to squeeze out the last little bit of public land, which just happened to be on the edge of a really steep bank.

I got into position and had the bird responded at 100-200 yds. Immediately, I did not like the spot I had set-up at. There was no visibility and any shot would be, literally, uphill. One quick adjustment and I was set, not my preferred set-up, but it had to do. Within less than a minute, I could hear the bird 40 yds. above me in the leaves. I couldn’t turn and he was in a bad spot. Suddenly, he popped out at 25 yds. Instinctively, I turned my head to see, and the gig was up! This is where the “Patience” part comes into play, as had I just stayed still for about 5 more seconds, he would have been in the kill zone. But, the adrenaline rush and (honestly) the thought of not seeing a bird this morning had got the best of me.

In the end, I wasn’t mad that I didn’t harvest a bird. It was the thought and sorrow that this was the last day of a fairly limited season. Each year that passes, my passion for chasing turkeys across these woods deepens. Who Knows? Maybe one day this will surpass my pursuit for attempting to harvest big, mature, whitetails!

The rest of my morning was spent climbing the ridges to set out my mineral licks. These two (2) locations had been established 3-4 years prior and have become one of my better areas for capturing big bucks on my trail cameras (other passion). This year I would, again, be using my homemade mineral powder, along with the Trophy Rocks. The Trophy Rocks are a naturally mined (Utah) mineral substance that deer seem to like. Plus, in most instances, they last for a fairly good part of the summer. Even when they dissolve/disappear, there still seems to be some remnants left in the soil. My “homemade brew” consists of three parts: Trace Mineral, Stock Salt and Dicalcium Phosphate. This is made in 100 lb. batches and will last me awhile, at a cost of less than $30.

So, stayed tuned, as we’ll see what the summer brings. And, hopefully, some big boys will be walking by!

Turkey Season/ May 13th 2012

May 13

Well, today would turn out to be a bust! After reluctantly awakening at 3:30 a.m., I convinced myself to journey south, to possibly chase some longbeards. Now to say “convince”, I am currently at about 4 weeks straight of getting up at or prior to 4:30 a.m. This, coupled with working 6 days a week, has seemed to take its toll on me as of late. This week (last couple days) have been extremely difficult, as a sore throat and flu symptoms, have really got me down. And, to top it off, I am loading my truck in the darkness, when I was welcomed by a nice light rain! Anyhow, not only did I “convince” myself to go, I had made a previous commitment to my hunting partner.

I arrived at my partner’s house a little early, 5:10 a.m. After messing around with his new puppy, for 20 min., we decided that the seemingly massive green and red on the radar, looming to the west of us, was not going to make the morning of chasing birds very pleasant. And, I had no the slightest of hint of rain protection in my truck. So, we trekked across the field to our fail safe blind location, situated on his place.  

Once at the blind location, we patiently waited in the pre-dawn for the songbirds to awaken. After sometime, we began to try a few soft calls mainly to locate any would be suitors. Well, after several feeble attempts, nothing. So, with rain off in the distance, we hunkered down for what ended up being a long sit!

This location historically is a travel route for the birds, coming from the roost, up to the field. This was just a waiting game and a way to stay dry. Well, the morning crept on and no birds were to be heard. Eventually, several lone hens traveled through, with no other birds in sight. Later, a Jake had made his way up the logging road. He approached our decoy setup and suddenly became wary, possibly of the other Jake (decoy) in his territory. After 5 min. or so, he wandered off. The morning would continue with much of the same. Several more groups of Jakes would pass by, but nothing we were wanting to harvest. After a pretty lengthy lull in the action and a constant rain setting in, we decided to call it quits after 4. hours in the blind.

The season is quickly coming to an end, with only having one more Sunday to hunt! This upcoming weekend will test my dedication to Turkey hunting. As the lack of birds this year, along with another painstakingly (pre) 4 a.m. wake-up, will have me (once again) trying to “Convince” myself to go!    

Turkey Season 2012/ May 6th

Sunday/May 6^th

Well, 3:30 a.m. sure comes early on a Sunday morning, especially when you’re getting up at 4:30 a.m. every day, working 6 days a week! Sometimes I question my own sanity and wonder what keeps me motivated? Anyhow, I loaded up on some Red Bull and headed south for the 60 mile trek to some meager public land turkey hunting.  This trip was not necessarily quick, as much as it was void of action. At least I was there in plenty of time to take care of the usual pre-hunt rituals!

I decided to start at a location that has had birds in the past and where I saw a nice bird off the road last weekend. This area is called the “dump”, because of the fact that there used to be a mound of old tires and other junk the fine people of Perry County would rid themselves of. As the morning songbirds started their chatter, a couple of owls began to call back and forth across the ridge tops. At first I thought it was other hunters, but quickly realized that it was indeed the real thing. Well, that kept me from attempting a locate call, as there was no response. After hanging at the truck for a few minutes, I started to head back into the timber. Not wanting to get too far from my vehicle, in case I head to beeline to another location, I reluctantly meandered through the darkness of a trail I knew all too well.

I stopped about 200-300 yds. inside the woods. I tried an owl hoot, with no success. I then tried some soft yelps from my double glass slate (H.S. Strut Glass Witch), this is my go to call, so far, this season. After no responses to the soft calls, I tried to reach out a little further. Bingo! There he was, an off the wall, estimate of 300-400 yds. The early spring leaves has made judging the birds difficult this year (as if it wasn’t already hard enough). He gobbled just one time, but already being real familiar with this area, I knew right where to go. Making a pre-dawn jet trek through a trail I had cut last summer, put me in place within 2-3 minutes. I stopped, let out a few yelps, and he was even close than I thought! I began to close the distance. This is where the morning took a turn for the worse!

I was trying to slip, silently off the ridge top. Well, that did not go as plan. While I was, delicately, sliding down the side of the ridge, I got to my feet and (you guessed it) I busted a bird off the roost! Instantly, I thought this hunt was over. So, not hearing the bird gobble for a few minutes, I sat down and hoped that there was another bird in the area. I started to call after a minute of resting and, low and behold, he was probably 100-150 yds. away (I thought). He gobbled on the roost for the next 15-20 minutes. It sounded like he was already on the ground, but the calls were isolated to one area, telling me he was not yet mobile.  

Now, for people that have never turkey hunted, this is a pretty exhilarating moment. And, going back to the beginning of my post, this is why and what keeps me motivated! A lot of thoughts race through your head at this moment and (at least for me) is a pure adrenaline rush.

I was able to reach into my vest pocket and pull out a small push pin call. This would allow me to, one-handed, softly call to him. I wanted to make sure he knew I was there, being that I probably already bumped his hen form the roost. After some back and forth, a bird (not sure it was him) pitched from the roost and landed, where the first bird fly to. One more gobble and the morning came to an end! I spent another 20-25 min. calling from that location to no avail.

The rest of the morning was spent vising a few, historically, known locations. But, the action for the morning was over. I then turned my attention to deer scouting and setting up a few of my mineral licks. I am kind of excited, as I am going to try a few different spots this year. This summer I will try and update my spots and any good trial camera pictures I get.    

Turkey Season/Spring 2012 April 28-29th

Saturday/April 28^th

Well, I was able to get an extra Saturday off of work. We are planning on working straight thru, until Memorial Day. Anyhow, my good friend Ron called me Friday and said to come to his place. He has been seeing plenty of birds, even missed a few during the youth season. So, opener of Spring Gobbler 2012 was under way!

First thing Saturday we headed out to the blind that was already in place. The birds usually travel up one of several roads, from the bottom, to the field, where the blind is located. Shortly after daylight, several birds began to gobble at multiple locations. None sounded very close, but with the earl y spring we were having, it was difficult to judge. Eventually, several birds could be heard headed our way. They usually gobble and mess around in the bottoms before heading up to the field.

At about 7:00 a.m., three jakes came out in the dim rod, about 80 yds. from the blind. They began to work our way, when three longbeards joined them. These were definitely good birds! They began to strut and run the jakes around a little bit. Some soft calling (from the blind) and the birds responded. Easy enough, right? Well, the first of the jakes fed off from the road, short of our location. The other birds seemed to follow suit and soon disappeared from sight. Hope was not lost and we hung in for another 1-1.5 hours.

The gobblers could be heard sporadically, as they worked their way across the adjacent ridge tops. Some coaxing calls could not bring them back, as they had already covered a fair distance from our position. Then it became difficult to hear form, of all things, a random spring sleet storm! The sleet was ricocheting from the top of the blind, hindering our ability to hear or judge the whereabouts of the birds. After sometime and mother nature cutting us a break, we exited out of the blind and began to maneuver farther into the timber.

We were 100-150 yds. form the blind, when several birds responded to some loud calling. We quickly got situated and with several more persuasive calls, they appeared ot heading our way. I was situated 10-20 yds. away from Ron, on this sit. These birds were responsive and did not require much calling to convince them of a good time. I saw the first bird work through brush. the 2^nd was close behind. Both appeared to be longbeards and would be worthy of an opening day rid eint eh back of my vest. The first bird to arrive hung up about 60-65 yds. away, as he steadily scanned the area for this deceptive hen. The other bird just wanted to strut his stuff. My partner soon began to call softly, unbeknownst of the close proximity of the approaching birds. Well, the already weary bird got wise to the game, especially because there was no hen in sight (no decoys). And, off he went, carrying his companion with him.  

The rest of the morning was spent riding several locations, with no other birds to be heard.

Sunday/April 29^th

Sunday’s results were not much better. This was to be a solo hunt, as my partner had a golf outing to attend to. I started the pre-dawn trek up to one of my favorite spots. All of my hunting today would be conducted on public lands, which have been hunted since Monday’s opener.  Early on, I got into a position of the ridge where I would be able to quickly relocate if needed. After daylight, 6:10 a.m., a distant bird began to gobble. And gobble. And gobble. He was an easy 600-700 yds. away and on some adjoining private land. I figured I would wait a little while and then try to call him back to me, after putting down some boot leather, of course. So, I waited with the hopes that a closer bird would be heard. I put out some early owl hoots with no response. Later, I began to call softly. Nothing! then I got a little more aggressive. And still, nothing! All I could hear is that distant bird, gobble like a madman. At about 6:22 a.m., I decided it was time to cut the distance, when……..boom! Just like must places, especially SE Ohio, if you can hear a bird, someone else likely hears him as well!

So, I hiked it back to the truck and was on the way to another spot by 6:50 a.m.

The rest of the morning would be no better, as I went to a tried and true location, but was greeted with the sound of silence. So, with the morning beginning to fade, I quickly turned it into a deer scouting trip. While, working my way through a group of young pines and finding some really good deer sign, I hear a distant gobble, obviously brought on by some irritating crows.  I quickly cut the distance, past the truck and across the road. After catching my breath, I let out some soft calls, and you guessed it, nothing!

I drove down a ways and spotted a nice longbeard on a moved road, adjacent to some public land. I went past several hundred yards and parked. I made big loop and attempted to cut the bird off. Once I was in position I settled in and began to call. Again no response after a 20 min. sit. As I just started to get up, what appeared to be two jakes, took flight 50 yds. from where I was seated. Fair enough, I thought. Off I went.

The rest of the morning I spent on a long ridge doing some calling, but mostly looking for deer sign. I did manage to find some areas of interest for the 2012 Archery Season, but no more birds.

Although, the opening weekend was unsuccessful, it is always an enjoyment just to be outdoors testing my wits, with the game that is provided to us! (And, getting a fair amount of exercise in the meantime)

2009-2010 Review

In September I headed out to Alberta, Canada for a hunt I had been planning (and saving for) for two years. Well, it was all that I had expected. I opted to drive out anticipating transportation of supplied and hopefully some meat and a cape! I left Ohio in the morning and drove, for the first 10 hour leg, to Antigo, Wisconsin. There, I met up with Jesse my hunting partner for the week.

Upon arrival, I got to witness the black bear his wife had shot the night prior. Man what a pig! This bear, tipping the scales at over 400 lbs., was by far the biggest I had ever been that close to. It latterly consumed the bed of his F-350 truck.

Well, after a restless night in Antigo, we departed for the 2nd leg of my journey (approx. 16 hours) to somewhere in Montana. There we would stay the night before crossing the border in the a.m., again, another restless night. I could blame the lack of sleep on the close game Ohio State lost to USC and the ever looming mule deer I would pursue across the SE Alberta Plains. After some needed rest, we trekked across the border and headed north towards Cypress Hills Provincial Park. After meeting with Graham (outfitter) we headed back south to meet up with Blaine (the most awesome mule deer guide on the planet)!

The first night we stayed close to the house and spotted some potential shooters. Little did I realize that we had around 100,000 acres we would be hunting!

The accommodations were modest. The bunk house consisted of an old house boat that had been dry-docked.




The bathroom was an authentic outhouse (thank god it was not cold out). The showers were from a portable propane heater and 5 gal. bucket filled from a water tank on the back of an old flat bed. These humble amenities made the trip that much more memorable.

The first day of hunting I let Jesse stalk the first deer. After about an hour he was able to make a shot but was unfortunately high in the shoulder. I watched the deer from the truck and was able to spot some blood. I followed the deer until he crossed over a hill. We later went back on that deer only to have him run off, presumably unscathed. We saw plenty of deer the first day and covered a lot of ground in the process.



The 2nd day, we attempted some more stalks, with a miss (maybe me, I don’t remember) and some close encounters. We were experiencing some problems with the wind, as there was none! As anyone who had stalked game before knows, wind is vital when trying to sneak up on critters.






The 3rd day was more of the same, lots of riding and glassing in the a.m. followed by long hikes in 100deg. weather. Oh yeah, Alberta was experiencing some of the hottest temperatures in about 100 years. Unbelievable! Well, after another long day and a little discouragement setting in, a home cooked meal and a few rye (whiskey) drinks later there was no problem falling asleep!

On the 4th day it proved a little more eventful. After spotting a giant world class mule deer in the morning. We were able to watch him bed with another potential 170+ class deer in a valley. I again, let Jesse take this one, as I envisioned a long hike to get in position and an almost impossible access to the deer. I was able to stay back about 300-400 yds. and watch the bedded bucks. Man what a sight! These deer had no idea I was there, even though I was afraid to move thinking they would see me. Anyways, after a long hike to get downwind of the deer, a slight swirl carried their scent into the bottom and away they went.

After watching where the deer ran, Blaine and I decided to look for them. After about 30 minutes of hiking in near 100 deg. temps. We located a group of about five bucks located on the side of a bank. They were mostly smaller, with one decent one in view. We decided to make a stalk!

We were able to get within a few hundred yards and then were dealt with typical wide open prairie terrain. This seemed impossible to me. Blaine lead us through a dry creek bed where we (I am not exaggerating) belly-crawled about 200 yds. The saving grace was a large crack in this creek bed that allowed me to use my knee to push along.

After a nerve-racking approach, we were out of options. Blaine informed me that it was 53 yd. shot to the bedded buck. All I could think of was how come this buck does not see us? After I calmed down, Blaine gave me the go ahead to shoot. So I slowly rose to my knees and prepared for a shot I had practiced hundreds of times that summer. As I released I could hear a thump! Those deer ran everywhere. But, the buck I was after stumbled out of his bed and stopped at 30 yds. in front of us. I quickly nocked another arrow and in one motion sent another Slick Trick through the front shoulder and his entire body. The deer ran another 40-50 feet before expiring within 15 yds. of us.

I was ecstatic and overwhelmed with adrenaline. This spot and stalk hunting was more than I had imagined. Being that close to these animals is unbelievable. After some high fives and hand shakes we quickly field processed (cape and quartered) the deer and moved him towards the truck. Needless to say, I slept very well that night!





The 5th day was spent with me watching Jesse and Blaine stalk on a bedded buck. They sat on this deer for around 6-7 hours waiting for a shot opportunity. Well, eventually it happened and the shot was a little far back as I watched him cross the road and jump a fence. The next day five of us searched for this deer with no luck. We headed for home later that day driving straight through to Wisconsin (approx. 20 hours) and then me continuing on to Ohio. A total of 30 continuous hours in a vehicle!

All in all a great trip. One I will never forget unless I do it again soon!



Here is my 09 buck shot on Nov. 1 at 4:00 p.m. I had planned an all day sit on stand. I packed about 25 lbs. of gear on my approx. .90 mile hike to the ridge top that I have only hunted once this year. Well, I had plenty of action this morning seeing about 11 deer all the way up to about 11:30 a.m. There were a lot of little bucks cruising and even chasing a bit. I got down at 2:00 to have a bite to eat and take a little siesta! I was back on stand around 3.




At around 3:40 a small yearling started to feed around about 70 yds. out. I was assuming see was part of a group of 4 that I saw earlier. Anyway, at 3:50 a mature doe started to feed down the ridge to my stand. I have had a hard season thus far, not seeing any deer the first few weeks. So, with her in my sights I figured I would take her. Well, as she approached, I started to here some grunting from a few yards away. I figured it was one of the smaller bucks I’ve seen earlier in the day. Then, this buck came into view at about 70 yds. He was actually trying to intercept this doe, not trailing her. She stopped and squatted as he came closer. As usual, he was right behind her. She went on down the ridge as he stood there at 40 yds. I drew and held for about a minute with no shot. He began to move so I drew once more. Again, I held with no shot. Then, unexpectedly, he turned and started to work back the other way. After he took a few steps, I stopped him in a small (I mean small) opening and shot. The shot sounded good as I watched him run up the ridge. I could hear him starting to (I guess) choke and then a CRASH! The sound we all love to hear.

Well, as we are all taught NOT to do. I got down about 5 mins. later to look at my arrow still uncertain of the shot. I found the arrow and started to follow the trail trying to get an idea of the hit. As typical of a SLICK TRICK shot deer he was bleeding profusely. I continued on and there he was about 100-150 yds. from where I shot him.

As mentioned this was almost a mile hike with no access with four-wheelers, so the rest of the evening was pretty tough! 2.5 hours later he was at the truck.

Also, this was shot on public land!

The 2009-2010 Season was by far my best yet. Altogether I had taken 4 animals with archery equipment. I was able to take an additional 2 does one from stand and another from, well, my bedroom!

Also, I assisted (bird-dogged) a buck for my buddy Ron, while hunting the late muzzleloader in Ohio.