Iowa Shotgun Deer Season Comes to a Close

This past week brought a couple of excursions out to sit and take in the cold late afternoon temperatures waiting for deer. The wind was almost nothing,so a couple of hours outside wasn't to bad. Keeping in mind that having the wind in your face to keep the deer from identifying your presence was an upper most concern. Late Wednesday afternoon, I took refuge with my back in the cleft of a standing tree, with a fallen one laying in a south to north direction to my left, in front. The location was five feet from heavily traveled deer trails to my right along either side of a fence line. I always try to get to the location an hour before known activity. The first deer to come along was a young doe running the trail on the other side of the fence. Taking the route on my mentor/neighbor's property to a waterway ditch, jumped the fence, ran up the hill and looked back. I was busted because I had stood up to try to change locations. She turned and watched me for the longest time before she went a short distance,hopped another fence to the cornfield. I moved to a location that was backed on the east by a fence with heavy rosebrush cover. I sat in between two paths that were heavily traveled, usually. Expecting the deer to come over the fence within feet from behind. After I moved, the deer were seen at a distance and didn't come over the usual route until I had been in the house for ten minutes. Thursday, the last day spent actively hunting in the late afternoon took me to the timber of my neighbor on the other side of the fence. He had put up a makeshift partial blind that would deflect wind and hide your presence if you remained relatively still. It sat just a short distance from the trail I spoke of previously. Deer were starting to arrive as daylight was beginning to leave me. They passed to the south of me going from east to west. The closest deer I had within what might have been a good shot was a spike buck. He was on the other side of the fence wouldn't you know. Thinking my opportunities for the day were finished I had just started to pickup my chair to head back to the house. I hadn't checked behind me before I made the commotion. Bless them! The deer had started down the very path I was waiting on,due to my comedy of errors I wouldn't be having one chance to shoot. They saw me and headed southeast, back to places out of sight. My season ended with family obligations and frigid weather. Oh yes, no deer, but a lot of interesting experiences. ;)

In My Dreams

Today everywhere I looked seemed to have a deer of one shape or another occupying the space. I am wondering if it is because they feel safe here after the bow season has been going on for so long and the anterless season which ran over the weekend finished up last night. People have been using the south side of our property for their personal use without permission. Most evident on our return from the Thanksgiving holiday when we had time to survey things Saturday morning. Caught someone leaving after dark when I was returning from a grocery run Saturday evening. They were intending to come down the hill from the other side but I was blocking the way. As I started their direction the exit through the cornfield was the escape of choice. Will continue to make more runs down that direction to keep them on guessing. My mail excursion happened shortly before 3:00 today. What was unexpected were the 2 bucks and 2 does feasting west of Hubby's runway . Later,working on putting a few Christmas decorations up I glanced outside. My eyes grew wide as saucers, not unlike those of a child in awe of new sights. Feast your eyes on what I saw and know what will be in my dreams,to focus on , in order to get ready for the shotgun seasons beginning at the end of the week.

Learning Curve

Today has been another day of learning. Maybe, I will get closer to the goal of getting my first deer. I learned that when the gun fires my aim isn't true. It will be to my benefit to find a tree to lean against or get another means of support to help steady my arm. Having a strong wind can be a problem in making an exact target hit as well. A few things that I need to keep in mind to make a difference in my hunting skill. To the seasoned hunter my woes probably seem elementary. Each year I learn a little more but have not made the commitment to stay outside ALL day to wait for my prey to saunter across my path. My attitude is changing. Earlier this morning I was tempted again by the multitude of deer I stirred from their hiding place. Oh YES! You have heard about the "Trophy Buck" ? I wish I had been close enough and had the camera at hand. The vision of that majestic animal bounding away is etched in my minds eye. He was among a large group of mixed aged kin. His antler rack stood high above the crown of his head. What a sight!

The picture of this majestic Iowa Buck was donated by a friend who saw him in a very unlikely setting....What a sight ! To repeat my self again. Important Points to Remember

1. Temperatures are dropping, the wind is picking up. Ah, guess I need to be in the opposite direction from the prevailing wind so scent won't carry.
2. Hide! That is another point that needs work on my part, be invisible.
3. Be patient . Stop thinking about everything else that I could be doing.( I know you never have anything else to do...)

Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer . Soon this deer season will be over and I will have gained more knowledge. Just need to learn to put it to beneficial use ...