Wow - Can You Say FOUR Coyotes??

Paul is on a roll now...although I hunted with Paul on all his sets except one on Saturday...this weekend he had all the luck.  Paul hunted almost all weekend and Saturday he had 'em rollin' in and got 4 coyotes in one day for his trouble.  We had a great time getting to hear the coyotes howl back at the call and getting to see more coyotes than I think either of us have seen in our life.  I think we have a new passion (and respect) for this animal that many seldom see.  Great job Paul!

Paul's Doe with his Flintlock

I got to go out with Paul during the most recent late doe season.  We had a great time in the stand even though the weather wasn't ideal.  He connected on this beautiful 132# doe using his .54 Flintlock.  I brought the camera thinking it might be fun to get some video of one of our hunts -- but in the intensity of the moment I got nothing but these pictures afterward.  A great hunt, great shot and a great doe for a great guy!!  Congrats bud and thanks for the fun time in the timber!

Skyler's 2nd Deer for the Year

Skyler was SUPER excited to harvest her second deer of the year on opening morning of gun season.  I got to go out to the stand with Skyler this time.  We had an awesome time!!  This deer came in quite early and Skyler initially let him walk.  However, he then layed down for an hour just 40 yards away tucked behind some brush.   As we watched him during that hour, Skyler decided that once he got back up this was the deer she wanted to take.  She put it down with her muzzleloader and couldn't be happier.  Since Skyler has never gotten 2 deer in a year -- she was more than pleased to have accomplished that.  Congratulations Skyler!

Since Paul and I both "bucked out" during bow season (meaning we are not allowed to shoot any more bucks this year), we have been itching to do some other types of hunting to keep us going.  We had so much fun getting to go duck hunting twice during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  We all went on Thanksgiving morning but no one in the blind got to shoot -- no ducks came close enough.  The second day out I got a beautiful Mallard and Shoveler which I already cooked up for one of our suppers.  What a great time in the blind -- super fun and totally different from the kind of hunting we are used to.

Lots O' Deer!!

Paul and I have been so blessed this season.  In addition to the animals we have harvested earlier in the year, Paul recently shot this beautiful doe...then not many days later he went on to shoot this beautiful 9 pointer...

and the very next night (I didn't want to be left out)   :)  I was able to put this beautiful 9 pointer down.  This means that Paul and I have shot the maximum number of bucks allowed and are "bucked out" until next October...now our main goal is to help Skyler fill her tags.  Hope you all are having a wonderful season as well!

Paul's First Deer of the Season - A Beautiful 9 Pointer

Paul shot this 192# bruiser on November 2nd...the day that has become his most successful "deer killing anniversary date" through the years.  I know I begin to sound like a broken record but Paul puts in more sweat labor and man hours than any hunter I have ever met...I am always EXTREMELY happy when I get a call from Paul indicating he's got another big buck down -- couldn't happen to a better man!  Way to go bud and keep 'em comin'!

Deer #1 Down on Day 2 of the Season

I haven't been blogging -- been so busy I have barely touched the internet at all lately.  But I wanted to do a quick post as I plan on continuing to update about our hunting expeditions.  I was able to connect on a beautiful doe on day 2 of the Illinois Archery Season -- my earliest deer ever.  So excited!!  This doe was another one that was taking advantage of one of our food plots that we spent many hours working on this summer.  She weighed in at 116 pounds and Paul, Skyler and I already have her meat in the freezer.  Both Paul and I have had many close encounters with many deer already...this is our time of year!  Hope you are enjoying your deer season as well...

Happy Turkey Hunting...

I had a blast this past weekend as I was privileged enough to get to attempt to call in turkeys for my friend Megan Klauer on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings.  Saturday was awesome as we heard and saw a lot of turkeys.  One huge turkey came in very close -- but as turkeys sometimes do -- he came in fast and hard without any warning and Megan wasn't able to get a shot.  We later had two jakes who were just a smidgin out of Megan's comfortable shooting range.  We saw several more but none of those wanted to play.  Sunday morning (Mother's Day) pretty much sucked as far as getting a turkey goes.  Nothing was gobbling all morning and we only saw one in the distance.  Also, in our transfer of hunting items between vehicles I dropped my facemask so had to turn my hoodie backwards and use it as my facemask for the morning -- incredibly stifling and uncomfortable -- plus a little tough to get my coat off with the zipper in the back!  Megan and I decided to give it a go one more time Monday morning before work and it turned out to be a better day again as the turkeys were gobblin' again (and I remembered my facemask - woohoo).  We had one huge tom and 4 hens come in about 75 yards out...but as luck would have it, the hens didn't want to give up their big Tom, so they led him away.  At least we got to watch the show for a while before he took off following his girls -- strutting all the way.  We had several birds talkin' but our time was so limited (we both had to get to work that morning) that we weren't able to work 'em like we would have liked so, unfortunately, Megan didn't get to fill her tag -- but not for lack of trying.  Thanks for letting me go out and try to call a bird in Megan!!  I had a super time and now I will go hang my head in shame for not being able to get the job done.  But I know Megan agrees with our philosophy that a hunt is about much more than the kill.  Although harvesting is our ultimate goal...enjoying time spent in the timber (and with friends) is what makes it all worth it!

Friday night we had a fun family get together with Paul's family to celebrate Skyler's birthday.  Since her birthday is never all done in one day -- she enjoys how the celebration gets spread out over more like a couple of weeks...

Saturday Paul and I decided to take part in the QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) bow shooting competition in Aledo.  We had a fun time out in the timber taking shots at thirty 3-D archery targets.  I placed second in the women's division (Megan Klauer got 1st -- woohoo!) and received a QDMA t-shirt as well as some beautiful wildlife photographs.

Sunday (Mother's Day), after turking hunting, we kept busy as a family working in the gardens, hauling firewood, clearing paths in the timber, mushroom hunting and just generally enjoying being together outside -- absolutely my favorite way to spend my Mother's Day!  Skyler made me a pretty necklace and sweet card...can't beat the gifts from the heart!

Monday after work Skyler had another 4-H meeting.  Since each 4-H'r was to bring a small animal to talk about, Skyler decided to load up one of her chickens.  All of the kids enjoyed seeing the chicken and learning everything that Skyler knows about raising them.  While she was at her class I got to run for an hour with my friend Renee so it was a win-win situation!

Tuesday morning Paul called turkeys for his dad and Karen.  They heard some gobbles and two hens came near, but no males responded so they were unable to fill their turkey tags this year.

Last night was so stinkin' hot...so we had a family water fight.  Because of the viciousness of our family -- hoses and buckets are used to drown the "enemy" and not everyone walks away happy...but within a few minutes all is forgiven and we try it all again as the cycle continues.  After the water fight I grabbed a bucket and sponges and washed my truck again.  Lastly we went out to one of our hunting properties for a food plot check until dark.

Hope you all have been enjoying the "get outside weather" we have been having!

Happy Birthday Skyler!

Friday night found us staying at another cabin before turkey hunting Sat am.  What a fun night!!  Just as I was falling asleep I heard a mouse scavenging around.  The mouse which I named "Fievel" (the adorable mouse on An American Tail") was struggling with all he had to emerge from a garbage can which he had fallen into.  Paul was kind enough to carry Fievel outside and release him back into the wild where he belonged.  However, it was quickly clear to us that Fievel's Mama and Papa were still bunked in the cabin with us -- which is where they stayed for the night. 

We had an awesome morning hunt with lots of belly crawling and sneakin' up close to birds (which is now my favorite way to hunt turkeys).  Between the sneaking' and Paul's callin' we had more birds in range than either of us ever had in one hunt.  We were both satisfied with the birds we have already gotten so, although I would still like to get a double with Paul, we really just got to enjoy the shows the turkeys put on that morning.

Monday was Skyler's birthday -- and it just happened to be ANOTHER day off school.  So I decided to take the day off to spend with my little girl as she turned 11.  Her best friend spent the night Sunday night and we all decided that we wanted to go to the zoo on Monday morning.  I am glad that Skyler still loves to make it out to the zoo even though I used to take her at least a dozen times a year when she was little -- she never got burned out on it.  Skyler's favorite animals are the goats at the petting zoo.  She had one favorite that she would have took home with us if she could.  Just a warning -- the pig they now have at the petting zoo is some kind of freakazoid who tries to attack you if you reach for it.  And if you think pigs are slow, I invite you to try and pet him -- he can make a vertical leap that would put most basketball players to shame.  After he tried to attack both me and Skyler we decided to leave him be (but I did get a quick pic prior to the attack).  It is hard to believe that 11 years have passed since that great day when Skyler was born...it is even harder to believe we ever lived without her.  Happy birthday Sky!

Monday night we went on a family mushroom hunt and were rewarded with quite a loot of mushrooms.  I was having fun taking pictures of different flowers and mushrooms along the way.

On Wednesday morning Paul and I wanted one last morning hunt in the timber together.  Although temps that morning dropped to a very chilly 30 degrees -- we could not be swayed to stay home.  So, with having fun being our only goal, we set out in the dark and propped ourselves up next to a dead fall.  We heard some turkeys and Paul had fun talkin' to 'em with his calls.  It was a short hunt because again we needed to make it into work on time -- but it was fun all the same.  Just a great morning to be alive.

We have been busy with Skyler's softball practices.  She is now beginning to pitch and has caught on incredibly fast.  We have been practicing with her in the back yard and her accuracy and speed are increasing daily.  I really think it may end up being her niche.  And although they like her to play first base because of her great ball handling and quick thinking -- we also are in need of some good backup pitching and Skyler is more than excited about it.  We will have to see how things work out cuz she is up against girls who have been pitching for a couple years now -- rather than her couple of weeks.  Hope you all are enjoying as much outdoor time as we have...spring is one of my favorite times of year -- if only I could deer hunt in the spring it would be my all time favorite time of year, hands down!

Skyler's Turkey #2 for the Year!! {BTD #4 for Team Grissom}

In addition to Skyler's field picture above, Skyler wanted a picture with Shadow and one of her outdoor kittens.

Skyler and Paul had their first "Daddy Daughter" turkey hunt yesterday morning (I wish I could take EVERY single day off of work to hunt -- but sometimes I can't).  I got to hear all about how much more comfortable the blind is when there are only 2 people inside instead of 3 and how much quieter it is w/o me in there talking to everyone...blah, blah blah  :)

They had a great time -- even though I am sure they missed me.  :)  They were in the blind that we set up this weekend and there were bunches of birds gobblin' from very first light.  One in particular couldn't resist Paul's calls and came in front of the blind after much "hen talking" from Paul.  Little did this tom know - our little girl can shoot!!  Skyler put him down in his tracks and was super excited!!  I grabbed a good portion of one of the turkey breasts and we had "turkey noodle soup" for supper last night which tasted great -- with leftovers for later.  Thanks for helping fill our bellies Skyler...

Turkey #3 for the Grissoms!!

Yesterday morning was Paul's turn.  Paul had a new property that he had been wanting to hunt and since it was practically on his way to work, he decided it would be a great place to go.  If he didn't get a bird he would just be on his way to work.  However, as luck would have it -- Paul was in a terrific spot.  All of our prior hunts have been made more difficult as there have been an ABUNDANCE of hens and only one tom to each large flock.  This was not the case this morning.  Paul got set up right where he needed to be -- and was able to call turkeys across the Edwards River...almost unheard of for a turkey to cross such a large barrier (sometimes even a fence is more than a turkey is willing to cross -- they will walk for hours on one side of a fence).  After quite an exciting morning, Paul made a great shot on this well-deserved 21# bird.  Now that we have all filled our tags for this season we will have a couple of days to sleep to a normal hour!  Paul is gonna do some calling for friends during the upcoming season and then we all have tags again for 4th season so we will be chasin' once again. Other than the ticks that we have been pickin' off our bodies -- it has been great to get out to the timbers we feel so comfortable in.  Congrats bud!

BTD...{Big Turkey Down}

Stats: 21.5 pounds, 1 and 3/4" spurs, 10" beard

This season for Paul and myself opened on Saturday morning.  As you know, we hunted for Skyler until she got her bird on Sunday morning.  Since then, Paul and I have hunted every day but one. This season has been the CRAPPIEST weather for turkey hunting.  We have had LOTS of wind, LOTS of rain, snow and cold temps.  Not really a nice day in the bunch.  This morning was the nicest of them all.  Paul and I went to a spot we have hunted in past years.  We know where they typically like to roost so we set up accordingly.  Paul and I tucked down beside a tree (whew, love bein' outta that blind!) and at first light we began to hear hens in the trees around us.  There was one gobbler who talked some, but not a bunch.  When they flew down we had one hen come directly to our decoys (a jake and a hen) but the rest all flew to an adjacent grassy hillside out of sight.  The tom was responding to Paul's calls, but he would not leave his group of hens -- can ya blame him?

Neither of us had much time as we were planning on making it in to work for our normal schedules so instead of waiting it out, we decided to sneak our way out toward the truck (and the direction the birds went) and see if we could find the birds.  I was sticking close behind Paul to make us likely to be spotted when he spotted this tom strutting across a gully about 100 yards away.  We dropped to our knees but really had no cover or any way to get to cover w/o being seen.  We had no way of making a better set-up so Paul began to call to the tom.  He would respond with gobbles but never left full strut or his hens.  We watched this show while he wore a path in an area about 10 square feet for about an hour before I decided that I needed to make something happen.  (This is about the same time that I called into work and whispered that I would be late...they know me well enough to know that I was hunting something -- sorry Jan -- still trying to come up with my code word  :-).

Paul agreed that I could try to sneak up on the birds (there was only one tom and Paul was adamant that if there was only one bird -- I got the shot as he has a bit more opportunities to get out hunting than I do).  There were about 15 birds total in the bunch (mostly hens) and turkeys are known for their incredible vision -- so I figured this was probably a long shot.  I began to belly crawl.  I had to crawl up and over 2 deadfalls on the way which isn't easy in a belly-crawl position with a gun.  Any time I broke a twig Paul would cover for me with some hen calls.  Finally, when I had made it to within about 50-60 yards, I knew I had pushed my luck far enough and should try to pick a shot if possible.

I steadied myself -- waited for a small opening in the brush and squeezed the trigger.  That was the end of my hunt, but a memory that will last a lifetime!  Thanks Paul -- it would have been tough to try and call while I was belly crawling -- plus it is always the best time hunting with ya!

Turkey Season...2nd try and our past week

Skyler's favorite hunting is turkey hunting.  Here she is with her turkey from Sunday morning.

After four days of waking up WELL prior to the crack of dawn...we finally had a turkey to cooperate and Skyler connected on this 21# bird with an 8.5 inch beard and 1 inch spurs.  We got really CLOSE to the turkeys by sneaking in underneath their roosts and quietly slipping into the blind while it was still dark (although this morning it was clear and we had a full moon to light our way).  After what seemed like forever, the gobblers woke up and started putting on a show while still in the trees.  We had four gobblers up in the trees, one of which was strutting up in the branches.  They were all gobbling to the hens roosted above us as well.  We had a hen and tom decoy (thanks Klauers) placed only about 10 yards from our stand.  Once they decided to come down they ALL came down at once.  Skyler just had to decide which turkey to take aim at -- but she had to hurry because they were all so close, one wrong move would send them to the next county.  Skyler took aim and made a perfect shot -- just about severing the turkey's head off.  Paul and I both also had tags so as soon as she shot I thought I would set up on any bird who hung around -- but the thrashing of Skyler's turkey, which tipped the decoy over, was a bit too much for their nerves and they were all gone in a flash.

So proud of Skyler once again!!  I took this picture of Paul with Skyler because he puts in so much work to make sure we all have great places to hunt and that we all have a great time.  The work he puts forth prior to this hunt makes this bird just as much his as hers -- which Skyler is very appreciative for.  What a fun way to spend time as a family.  We love it that we were all able to be a part of this hunt...some day soon she is going to have to graduate up from the blind and we will most likely have to hunt with her in groups of 2...but for now we still try to limp around with the blind.  The advantage at this point is that it keeps it fun for Skyler.  She gets to read, lay around and we can all move and whisper inside the blind -- where if we were out of the box (blind) -- the stakes suddenly will become much higher.

Sunday Paul and I hunted until exactly 1:00 p.m. when we unloaded our guns and headed for home.  I don't know if we exercised any turkeys -- but we were both exhausted from hiking up and down hills for hours -- our feet were on fire and our legs were burnin' too.  What a great feeling!

This morning we got up at 3:00 so we could drive to Mercer County for another hunt.  However, neither Paul nor I were able to fill our tags.  We had a great time trying and still made it home in time for all of us to go to work and Skyler to make it school on time too.

AND HERE IS HOW OUR WEEK STARTED PRIOR TO THE SUCCESSFUL HUNT ON SUNDAY:
I haven't had my camera out for a while but we have still been crazy busy.  I can't remember much about the prior weekend but...
*Saturday night we went to a Veteran's fundraiser supper with Paul's family.  Skyler decided she wanted to spend the night with Papa and Karen and ended up going home with them after supper.  So where do Paul and I almost always go when Skyler is not with us?  Yep, Paul and I went to the timbers to listen for turkeys for 2nd season.  Paul was using an owl hoot call to make the turkeys shock gobble, which worked.  It also brought an owl in VERY close who apparently thought he had found a friend...very cool.  After dark we met up with some friends for a night out.
*Sunday morning we helped a friend plant trees all morning (I found a partial arrowhead, woo hoo!) until we picked Skyler up at about noon.  We then went to work seeding a yard in the afternoon.  I got a quick run in before we had a fish fry using some of the Bluegills we caught while ice fishing this winter -- yum!
*After work Monday we mowed our in-town yards for the first time this year.  We then played basketball until dark.
*Tuesday after work Skyler had her first official softball practice so I got some jogging in when I ran up to the school to meet Paul and Skyler for practice.  Paul is helping out coaching the girls again this year which he enjoys doing and is so great at!  I have fun catching up with the other moms while we watch the girls play.
*Wednesday after work Skyler and I got to hang out with my friend from down the road and her twins until it was time to leave for Skyler's student-led conference at school.  Skyler did a great job showcasing what she has been busy doing at school.  Last week she brought home her 3rd report card for the year with straight A's again...2 A+'s.  She does such a great job!  Skyler's current teacher, Gina Rowe, received the "My Favorite Teacher" award which was presented from WQAD (she was one of only five teachers selected).  Skyler and her entire class were on the news (click here to see the clip) just prior to her conference tonight (from when the award was presented) -- which Skyler was very excited about.  I am so glad that Skyler has been fortunate enough to have many great teachers throughout grade school -- one of the many reasons we moved was so that Skyler could have a better schooling experience than many kids receive.  We haven't been disappointed.
*Thurs night we were busy getting groceries, mowing and getting packed for hunting and staying at the cabin on Friday night.  Gotta pack lots of warm blankets and clothes since the temps are taking a dive and the winds are supposed to be pretty strong.  I wrote $160 in checks for our deer permit applications tonight (and we aren't done yet -- will be buying more deer permits later).   We spent $105 on turkey permits so we could hunt this month, and $54 for all our hunting licenses -- proof that hunters contribute the largest portion of state funds used to help preserve the animals we love to hunt.
*Friday night we stayed out at the cabin again on the property where we hoped Skyler could get a big turkey on Saturday.
*Saturday.  Up at 3:45 because the spot we have chosen to hunt requires us to walk directly underneath roosting turkeys and we need it to be DARK.  Well, it was.  We couldn't see our hands in front of our faces.  It was cloudy so not one little star was out to light our path.  Well Saturday came and went without a turkey -- but Paul and I reevaluated, moved the blind and were ready for Sunday...the day Skyler took her big Tom down.  After Saturday morning's hunt -- I got to help my friend Megan photograph another wedding.  It was a fun day but I must say it was a pretty long day by the time my head finally hit the pillow in the cabin at about 10:30.

Youth Turkey Season

Day 1 turkey hunting photo

Saturday and Sunday made up the Illinois Youth Turkey season.  We knew of two young boys as well as our Skyler who partook in the fun.  Our family was up bright and early both days but were unfortunately skunked!  These pictures show that Skyler isn't much of a "morning girl" (which drives Paul and I crazy at times) -- but as soon as the action begins to heat up -- she is up and ready.

Day 2 turkey hunting photo -- look familiar?

We know exactly where the turkeys are and where we need to be to hunt them, but we unfortunately do not have permission to cross that fence -- so Skyler's tag was left unfilled.  We would rather it be left unfilled than to teach her an unethical way to harvest an animal -- which would have made the hunt easy, but less than respectful.  She wasn't too disappointed as we did at least get to see some turkeys as well as hear a bunch.

The view from the cabin

We were lucky enough to get to stay at an awesome cabin on the property which we hunted tucked back in the woods both Friday and Saturday night.  It was our first time staying at this particular cabin and we LOVED it!!  We all agreed that this weekend was one of the best we have had for a long time (and that is sayin' something since we find ways to have fun every day together!).  The cabin is all knotty pine with huge windows overlooking their own personal lake.  There was a goose tending to her nest on a little island right outside and bluebill ducks scattered around.  There is no electricity in the cabin and although there may be running water -- we were too afraid to try it out.  Without electricity we filled our time in the following ways:

1.  Fishing at the pond.  2.  Taking long walks in the evening.  3.  Laying on our backs under the stars, looking for satellites, shooting stars and constellations - my favorite activity.  4.  Listening to the coyotes howling and screaming nearby which made the turkeys gobble like mad.  5.  Playing card games by flashlight.  6.  Reminiscing.  7.  Skyler and I had extra time to continue reading the book that I read to her every night.  The simple joys are the inner glue that holds our family together so we love it when our fast-paced lives get to slow down a bit so we can have an even bigger dose than usual of those simple joys in our simple lives.

After sunset, we got to watch the little-known bird called the Woodcock -- they were everywhere -- the most we have ever seen at one time.  Woodcocks are a small woodland bird who is often only seen if flushed from cover or in early spring when they perform their sky dance courtship display.  Ever since we discovered them about 20 years ago we have looked forward to March and early April when we head out to timbered properties edged with grassy fields to watch the dance.  This is what happens:


You hear nasal "Peents" in the grasses (Skyler thinks the sound resembles a short cicada (locust) song).  Soon the peculiar calls come faster and faster. Suddenly the calls stop abruptly and the bird jumps into the sky. He ascends in an ever-widening spiral flight to a height of 250-300 feet. He hovers momentarily, then descends in zig-zag fashion, almost like a quickly falling leaf accompanied by a whistling sound and vocal twitter. Upon landing, the male fans his tail and wings and struts about boldly, hoping that at least one hen will find his dance irresistible. If a female succumbs to the charm of the dance, the birds mate. If there are no takers, the dance continues even after all light has left the sky.

Unfortunately, I ended up missing my little nephew's birthday party this weekend (and other fun events) because of turkey hunting.  I think our family and close friends understand that hunting is very important to us  -- and sometimes we can't make it to even very special events... we will make it up to little Drew.  Happy 1st birthday buddy!

Wile E.-Coyote

This is a picture of me and my friend Megan from our coyote hunt on Saturday afternoon.  You might be thinking, "Where is your coyote?"  Well, we decided to sit in front of the coyote so that the feint of heart would not be bothered...

Yeah right!  Ok, so we didn't get a coyote -- again -- and if we did, you can bet we would NOT sit in front of it for the picture (after all, the feint of heart need not read this blog)!!  But we had a great time NOT getting one!  In fact, I would be up for it again...but maybe give me a few days.  We are persistent if nothing else -- and that should count for something, right?!?!  Our only consolation is that the guys went out hunting all morning and didn't get a coyote either, WOO HOO!! sorry guys.  But if hunting and NOT getting your prey is always this much fun -- I am IN!!  We even got to see a friendly face in the timbers, a squirrel from days past...Thanks Megan for more great hunting memories!

Closing Down Squirrel Season for the Year

Last night after work and school we all went out into the timber as a family for the final day of squirrel season.  We had a great time exploring and hiking.  Skyler was able to make a great shot on both of these little guys pictured above.  We are so proud of her!  I read an article the other day in a major hunting magazine which talked about how hunting of small game like squirrels and rabbits used to be the right of passage for new hunters.  It went on to say that "in the day" you had to show your hunting abilities and respect through the ethical harvesting of many small game for years before "earning" the right to hunting the likes of a white-tailed deer.  The article summed up by saying that unfortunately, in today's society, most people don't want to take the time or make the efforts to hunt rabbits and squirrels to earn their way in, but jump right to the prize of larger game where accolades are many...

The choice is obviously the hunter's alone, but we are glad that Skyler began hunting just as Paul and I both did.  Skyler has a desire to hunt game of any kind and to enjoy it fully -- whether the world pats her on the back or not.  In that learning Skyler is respectful of each creature no matter how small or large they might be.  Congrats on a great season Skyler!

Coyotes and Snowballs on a Saturday and an early Valentine's Day

 

Paul and his friend Aaron went coyote hunting today after meeting up with another buddy down in Mercer County.  They were able to get two coyotes right off the bat (1 for Paul and 1 for Aaron) lucky bums and then hunted a good portion of the rest of the day without even seeing one more coyote.  Unfortunately I have definitely found that is the way coyote hunting goes -- except for me I skip the whole getting one to begin the day. Congrats guys!

While Paul was gone Skyler and I got to spend the day together.  We got a bunch done that we had been putting off (got the chicken coop cleaned out for one and completely rearranged my bedroom as well), but we also got to have a vicious snowball fight -- I think I might have lost.  Skyler was holed up in her snowball fort and I was running out in the open...not a good place to be when you are up against a girl with an arm and an aim like Skyler has.  I hadn't put in my contacts yet and one snowball hit me and lodged behind my glasses -- so I only had one visible eye -- Skyler thought this was hilariously funny...I actually would have liked to see it happen in slow motion...  Skyler also got another snowman made in the front yard -- but his head already fell off...a sign the snow was melting quickly today.

Skyler tucked down in her fort attacking me!

We were both soaked by the time we decided to go in and then we made some homemade hot cocoa.  I haven't made hot cocoa from scratch for a LONG time -- so it was fun to sip on together.

Skyler wanted to give me my Valentine's Day present early -- and since I love getting presents I quickly obliged.  Skyler came in with this beautiful pillow that she had made all by herself.  [The other night I had to go grocery shopping and she decided to stay home -- now I know why.]  She cut out the material, stuffed and sewed it on the sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch.  She also made me a sweet little card...a present I will always treasure -- one from the heart.  Thanks Sweet Pea!

Here's wishin' you all an early Happy Valentine's Day!

#22 - 30 Days of Thankfulness

#22 (yep, I skipped a few) of 30 - ok, I am starting to lose steam on this 30 days of thankfulness, so this will be my last post.  I could post about so many things such as my chickens who lay the eggs we eat, our outdoor cats who have NEVER allowed a mouse in our house, food in general since I love it so much (Paul knows that from the minute I wake up I am thinking about what I get to eat today), my heritage, my contacts that help me see, my garden which provided us with the carrots and onions in my wild turkey and noodle soup I have in the slow cooker today, etc...I have had fun thinking upon all that I am blessed with and now I am moving on...
So anyway, on to today's last thankfulness post, above is a picture I took on Saturday afternoon while Skyler and I were on stand together.  You can see Skyler is reading her book while her rifle lays on my lap waiting for an unsuspecting deer to walk by.  So I am thankful for the countless pages Skyler was able to read to help her pass the time when the timber was movin' a little slow.  But in between those pages Skyler was able to take in many sights that so many children today will never expeience.  Those pages helped her to sit for approximately 17 hours this weekend and she was able to see countless deer, squirrels, turkeys and birds for her patience.  And although we weren't able to get a deer to come close enough and stop where she had a clear shot -- we know that each hour in the timber she is growing and learning what hunting is all about -- and that is that hunting most of the time isn't actually "hunting" at all.  Hunting to us is learning how the deer move, to watch the little signals they give which allow us to know when they are calm, when they are nervous, when they will continue to feed or when they are tricking you into thinking they are feeding but they are actually about to snap their head up to try to catch a hint of movement.  We learn the signals they give which indicate they are not alone and it might be worth waiting for a buck to come sneaking up behind them.  We get to hear the way they communicate, anything from a stomp of the foot which sends vibrations of trouble through the ground, to a contented soft grunt which sounds more like a purr, to the flicking of their tails which on this occasion might be the "it's all okay sign" but a bit different flick signals that "something is not as it should be here and we have got to go."  To have the deer so close to you that you can hear them breathe and you worry that they will be able to hear your heart pounding from the adrenaline rush that closeness brings.  To the contentedness you feel when you are able to see a deer, allow it to come into range, know that a shot would have been easy but allow the deer to walk because today just wasn't it's day to die.  These are all things that cannot be learned from hunting videos or from hearing other's stories -- they are something that must be experienced and we are so fortunate that Skyler loves to experience all of those things with us.  So I'm thankful for Skyler's books, but on a deeper level I am really just thankful for what those pages in the books allow us to let Skyler experience -- and that is a good life  :)

My Buck for the Weekend

This weekend was shotgun season.  During this season we get to take our flintlocks out to the timber.  I was able to make my one shot count on this 9 point buck by pulling off a tough, quick shot behind me at about 70 yards.  For those of you familiar with a flintlock, the charge in the pan needs to ignite so that its heat can set off the main charge in the barrell.  Because I was in a tight spot my mitten was too close to the charge in the pan and when I shot it actually started my mitten on fire!!  I now have a hole clean through my favorite pair of mittens, but it was worth it!  Paul always keeps track of our stats and apparently this is a landmark deer for me -- my 25th deer of my life.  So now I am on the road to 50...

I had a great time on stand with Skyler at different times during the weekend as Paul and I traded off putting our rifles down and sitting with her.  Skyler loves to watch the Nuthatches and all of the antics of the local squirrel population.  After hearing them bounce around in the leaves for hours Skyler decided someone needs to invent a "squirrel bomb" to kill all of the squirrels so that we will be able to hear the deer coming easier.  I think I agree with her  :)

And finally Sunday afternoon Paul and I got to just hang out in a stand together.  It was one of our first opportunities to be alone the entire weekend and we had a great time watching deer and getting to reminisce about this weekend's happenings.  We always get to laugh a lot while we are jammed into this 2-person stand which is actually a better fit for one.  Good thing both of us are on the slim side -- I can't imagine being any bigger and fitting us up there.  Paul, I am still pretty sure you weren't scooted all the way to your edge...  :)  We had deer we could have shot but we were both just happy to get to watch the deer.  All but one of the deer we saw were actually calm and acting like deer when they came through which is uncommon this time of year.  Since both of us seem to enjoy "watching" and enjoying the deer more than just the shooting part that topped off my weekend and made it absolutely perfect. 

#19 - 30 Days of Thankfulness (Deerstand, Perch)

#19 of 30 - Today I am thankful for our deerstands (I was gonna take a picture when I was out hunting Thursday morning but my batteries were dead on the camera, so I have attached a picture that is similar to what we have) -- the little perch in the air we spend so much time sitting upon this time of year.  Although they aren't too comfy or warm and for this girl with a fear of heights they aren't close enough to the ground and although these perches are sometimes all too exposed to all of the weather most people stay inside because of (heat in the early season, wind, rain, snow, hail) -- they are always the grandest seat in the house.  From this perch we get to see things that many have to watch a Marty Stouffer special to see.  It is kind of like getting to be a "fly on the wall" and each scene that plays out is special.  Even on those days when no deer appear, we get to see countless numbers of birds up close and personal.  I have even had birds land on me as I sit motionless to watch them.  We get to watch squirrels and their antics as they perform their tight wire acts many tens of feet above ground or as they peer around tree trunks trying to figure out why we are sitting on their "highway."  We get to see the occasional coyote (yep, I still need to shoot one of those wily guys).  We get to see turkeys (usually more than I want to see) as they scream and scratch their way through my quiet spot in the timber. 

From this seat we get to reminisce on past hunts, happy times and fond memories.  We also get to dream of deer yet to come -- possibly just down the ridge from us now.  From this perch we get to slow down -- we get to step back and time has no meaning.  From this seat the real hunting happens -- the passionate, I don't want to leave the timber until the last streak of light has left the sky hunting.  For those of you who know that EVERY day is deer season because it doesn't only happen during those 7 days a year that many people scamper out or even during these 3 1/2 months dedicated to bow hunting -- For those of you who spill the blood, sweat and tears that our family does -- you know this seat is worth more than its weight in gold!  So yep, I am more thankful for this seat than even I knew  :)

#10 - 30 Days of Thankfulness (Landowners)

Today I am thankful for all of the hunting opportunities our family has.  So much of our hunting is dependent upon the generosity of landowners allowing us onto their property.  Because of one such generous landowner, I was able to shoot this buck last Friday morning.  This summer I decided it was time to upgrade my bow from a Martin to a Mathews so this is my first deer using my new Mathews Passion bow.