Category: Hunting

Hunting

Who’s deer hunting this year? Got any stories or tips, or anything at all to share about deer hunting?

I’m not an expert hunter, but I like to say, when you go hunting, just relax, don’t try so hard to make nature obey your will. If you use a shack or blind, bring your phone and read an ebook while you wait for deer. I often read a whole chapter before I look out the window, and when I look out, many times there is… something there.

Hunting

Hunting

Hunted for six hours. I saw one turkey. It was right in front of me, but I was being too careful about making big movements when picking up my gun, and I took too long. It walked out of my view.

Hunting

I haven’t been turkey hunting yet, but today I got the blind up. I decided to set up base in the Pine Tree Corridor, way across the field from the Bat Shack and my hunting ground. From inside the blind, I would have a nice wide view of the hill.

Other news. Recently my dad was on my hunting ground, where the Bat Shack is, and he found this broken arrow. He showed it to me today and I confirmed that it is the arrow that killed Deer #2. It’s a four-blade broadhead. I remember that it went through the deer and got stuck in the ground behind it. That was October 2016.

I’m getting anxious for deer season.

Hunting

Turkey license ordered. Should have it in a few days. I’m cleared to hunt from May 14 to May 31.

Hunting

Seems like I’m blogging about hunting lately. The other day I blogged about my frustration with the DNR and their regulations. Yesterday I blogged about coyotes near my hunting ground. Today I’m combining those two topics to give you an example of how the DNR does not make sense.

One rule is, at sundown, when most hunting hours end, you’re supposed to unload your weapon. Most hunters call it a day at sundown and will unload their weapons before they head in. If a DNR agent happens along and finds them with a loaded weapon, he’ll fine them and take their weapon as a prize.

You with me so far?

Okay, now coyote hunting is legal year-round, because coyote have been a problem. There have been reports of them chasing people, killing pets and livestock, and causing all sorts of damage. But not only is coyote hunting legal year-round, you can also hunt coyote at night, you just can’t use centerfire rifles when you do.

In order to hunt coyote legally, you need a Base/Small Game license. Every hunter has a Base/Small Game license, because you can’t purchase a Deer, Turkey or any other hunting license unless you first purchase a Base/Small Game license.

I’m not really interested in hunting coyote. I would only shoot a coyote if it was going to attack me or if it was causing some damage. But then, that’s why coyote hunting is legal year-round and why you can hunt coyote at night. Damage control.

So, when I finish hunting, I’d prefer to have my weapon loaded as I walk back to the house. I don’t want to  encounter a coyote pack and not have a loaded weapon.

According to the DNR, that is not legal. But according to the Base/Small Game license, it is legal. When I finish deer hunting, I could be coyote hunting, and therefore have my weapon loaded and ready.

I don’t see how a DNR agent would have grounds to fine me and take my weapon if I have a Base/Small Game license that allows me to hunt coyote at night.

Hunting

I was just reading the comments on a Field & Stream survival article. Several hunters are saying they’ve been stalked by coyotes while making their way back to their trucks at sundown.

I know a lone coyote ain’t nothin’ to be afraid of. But a pack is another thing. There are coyotes in my woods, a lot of them. I never see them, but I hear them all the time when I’m hunting.

Sometimes when I’m on my way back to the house, I hear something rushing through the tall grass, or sometimes I’ll glance to the side and see something moving. It could be a deer, or it could be a coyote or even a cougar.

It scares the crap out of me. I’ll often yell a series of foul words in hopes of scaring it off, whatever the hell it is. But if it’s with a pack, I reckon it will not scare easily.

I’m always a little jumpy when walking back to the house at sundown. It’s creepy out there.

Hunting

I’ve made it no secret how frustrated I get with the Department of Natural Resources. It’s probably just me being feebleminded. I’ll bet the rest of you don’t have the hissy fits that I do when trying to make sense of the laws and regulations the DNR stirred up for the hunting season I’m interested in.

I still haven’t gotten my turkey license. Although the Spring Turkey season runs from April 23 to May 31, it looks like you can’t really hunt for the entire season. There are several different license and they’re good for six-day periods. Except for, it looks like, the last option which allows you to hunt from May 14 to May 31.  Think I’ll get the last one.

The question on my mind is “Why?” I’m pretty sure there’s not as many people turkey hunting as there will be deer hunting. I don’t think there’s a shortage of wild turkey. I know how hard it is to hunt turkey. They don’t have the sense of smell that deer do, but they see everything.

I don’t want to complain, but sure wish I could have a whole month to hunt turkey. The more time I have in the field, the better my chances.

Hunting