Another Beautiful Day

What a gorgeous morning for the start of the second shotgun season...I was up before sunrise and outside as the eastern sky was still trying to draw forth the rays of the sun from its night of slumber. The moon was still trying to escape being chased ever so slowly by the light of day. My intention was to find some unsuspecting deer to bring back to the house but each time I could have possibly had a chance there was always an excuse why the shot wouldn't have worked. I have heard a multitude of gunshots very close by but not sure who was doing the shooting or what they had found worth the volley of slugs. They must have had more selection than I this fine morning. Maybe an animal or animals they could put in their freezer to put on the table when the winter finally becomes so cold out they aren't able to get to the store. It continues to be my full intent to be successful at bringing home at least one animal or bird from the hunting licenses I have purchased again this year. Every time I see the pheasants, turkey, or deer I get into an anxious mental and physical state. I head for the 20 gauge Remington shotgun on loan from a neighbor who has been hunting these woods ever since he was old enough to handle a gun. Most often times the creature has moved on beyond range before I am able to gather the gun and get my shoes on. (I don't like wearing shoes in the house) There is still time today for me to get my deer. I will try again this afternoon and evening if I don't have any visitors drop in. Updates to come...

The Day After

You are wondering what I mean by "The Day After". I say with a wink ...Here in Iowa it is the day after the first shotgun season for White- tail Deer. As a middle-aged woman I have taken up the pass time of hunting on my home farm / timber property. I have yet to be able to say that "I have brought home the "buck" ". Last night at this time I was standing outside waiting for the deer to return after I had scared them away when I opened the back door to checkout the doe and her young from this springs fawning. As is the usual case in my further exploration the rest of the group was just over the edge of the hill. The group was made up of an eight point buck with does and a big bunch of young. They disappeared across the ravine to the other side of the property , a refuge when someone isn't standing over there waiting for them. As it were no-one was was available to chase them back. The deer had experienced an abrupt change in their daily habits when the shotguns started going off a half hour before sunrise Saturday, December 2nd. It has been 24 hours since the last gunshots were heard around here. The deer have resumed their evening feeding habits . They arrived at 4:00 p.m. and by 4:35 p.m. have now gone to graze further and prepare for the cold night ahead....