Had a grand day hunting and hiking Skull Camp Mountain, (with the blessings of the owner) which my property borders. I got to the tree stand just after sun-up. I spooked two nice does who were already there ahead of me. Oh well. Figuring it might be an hour before any other white tails come through I just relaxed and took in the sights and smells of the Appalachian woods. After some time I heard stirring from behind me and focused on where the racket was coming from. There they were, a whole slew of turkeys, led by the biggest jake I ever saw. They just kept coming and coming. I counted seventeen in all.
After two hours without much else going on (and shivering from the 18 mph gusts of wind in the 34 degree morning) I decided to head home and have some breakfast and get a few extra layers on.
Returning to the stand about 11:00 and the wind still blowing I decided to do something I had wanted to do since we moved here: Go up to the top of Skull Camp Mountain. It was a long and quite steep treck through the woods up the mountain side but taking a few breaks helped. Finally after about 45 minutes I made it to the top. It was a sight to see, the pastures and fields and forests below. I am a lucky man to be here, I thought.
I dumped my priming and started back down the slopes. It was easier going but was wary of my footing on the layers of wet and dry leaves on the ground (easy slipping stuff).
By the time I got to the bottom I was hungry and really thirsty. I went home again and had some lunch and changed into dryer clothes. Then back out I went to the tree stand at 2:45.
I was in the stand about fifteen minutes when I heard another noise from my right behind me. Sure enough a medium sized deer was strolling in my direction. I slowly took hold of my .54 Longrifle and put on my glasses. Then, as the deer got into a clear line of sight I fired and knocked him down. He got up and went into the thicket but left a clear blood trail. I called my friend who owned the land and told him the news and he got in his four wheeler and met me at the tree stand and we went on to the drop spot. I gutted the deer (a spike buck) and we dragged him bact to the farm where we got him hung-up for the night. Tomorrow is butcher day
After two hours without much else going on (and shivering from the 18 mph gusts of wind in the 34 degree morning) I decided to head home and have some breakfast and get a few extra layers on.
Returning to the stand about 11:00 and the wind still blowing I decided to do something I had wanted to do since we moved here: Go up to the top of Skull Camp Mountain. It was a long and quite steep treck through the woods up the mountain side but taking a few breaks helped. Finally after about 45 minutes I made it to the top. It was a sight to see, the pastures and fields and forests below. I am a lucky man to be here, I thought.
I dumped my priming and started back down the slopes. It was easier going but was wary of my footing on the layers of wet and dry leaves on the ground (easy slipping stuff).
By the time I got to the bottom I was hungry and really thirsty. I went home again and had some lunch and changed into dryer clothes. Then back out I went to the tree stand at 2:45.
I was in the stand about fifteen minutes when I heard another noise from my right behind me. Sure enough a medium sized deer was strolling in my direction. I slowly took hold of my .54 Longrifle and put on my glasses. Then, as the deer got into a clear line of sight I fired and knocked him down. He got up and went into the thicket but left a clear blood trail. I called my friend who owned the land and told him the news and he got in his four wheeler and met me at the tree stand and we went on to the drop spot. I gutted the deer (a spike buck) and we dragged him bact to the farm where we got him hung-up for the night. Tomorrow is butcher day
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