And So It Begins

slow motion

Senior Member
Finally had to get out and move around to warm up a little. Knew there was a green field on the neighbors property and had assumed the deer were feeding on it. Decided to scout this bottom. Covered in trails most down to dirt. Plenty of manure. Some was clearly from gorging on young plants as it was greenish and a mix of pellets and watery stuff. Thought this frozen track was interesting. 20240113_111609.jpg20240113_111622.jpg

I had hunted the edges but hadn't really wandered in since it was season before I had much chance to be here and didn't want to disturb it but it was now almost over. Still tried to be as unintrusive as possible. Stayed in the bottom and scanned with binos on the ridges. There is an area that was across a ditch from me. It appears to be riddled with ditches and small ridges between them. Only looked from the little flat and compared it to a map on my phone. Covered with hardwoods and brush. Looks like great bedding. Found a few spots to set up on the edges. Lots of rubs along there. Made it back to the truck and visited the little store to help the local economy.20240113_123808.jpg
Still not looking forward to the cold that was to come I rode around a little. 20240113_120030.jpg
Finally talked myself into going back out for the evening hunt. It was still windy and it had started snowing again. Don't remember the high for that day but it started in single digits and would be sub zero the next morning. Mighty cold for an old son of the South. Hunted an oak ridge between a creek and a cut bean field. Just a dusting of snow in the stand seat and almost none on the ground at first.20240113_154228.jpg
The snowflakes were small but with the wind they cut down visibility some across the field.20240113_154558.jpg
I know it looks like im about to make a video demanding ransom for a kidnapping but the wind was in my face and I'm not sure if I could have stayed without the ski mask. You can start to see the snow on it and of course the joy in my eyes along with the snow that was bouncing off my eyeballs.
20240113_154634.jpg
Couldn't take the gloves off for long the snow would melt on em and with the wind it was bad. Snow was building up on my arm and leg too.20240113_160542.jpg20240113_164026.jpg

Just a plum shameful plug for the Dawgs.
GO DAWGS. 20240113_110946.jpg
 

slow motion

Senior Member
Noticed what I thought was foam going past in the creek. Confused me as there aren't really any rapids. Finally realized it was ice. Have a video but don't know how to load it. Got a video of a pretty 8 point walking the creekbed in November too.
20240113_170308.jpg
Back at the truck. Couldn't notice snow in the field on the way in.
20240113_172639.jpg20240113_172608.jpg
Decided to call it that evening. The forecast for Sunday morning was -8°. Got up and walked out to start the truck to let it warm up. Had been drinking coffee. My beard is a bit unruly. Stash is over the upper lip. On the way back into the motel my face felt tight. Reached up to touch it and my mustache was crunchy. It had frozen. So I headed home. My little store opens late on Sunday so I hit Casey's for breakfast pizza and a fried tater.
20240114_071724.jpg
Just before I got on the interstate the truck read -9°. Stopped and took a pic.
Screenshot_20240123-065345_Gallery.jpg

Got home and a few days later unloading the truck. Bought these at Academy on the way up and forgot about them. Would have been nice to have.
Screenshot_20240123-082727_Gallery.jpg
This is what happens to mayo when it freezes. Though I could just shake it back up. Nope it stays as a liquid. Never knew that.20240118_112226.jpg
 

slow motion

Senior Member
So the quest is still alive and well. It has changed somewhat. Lord willing I'll try again this fall. Still having a blast. Here's a few trail cam pics. Some are early some are definitely after the firearm season so a good chance they survived. 20240123_062251.jpgScreenshot_20240105-211418_Reveal.jpgScreenshot_20240107-184150_Reveal.jpgScreenshot_20231121-172841_Tactacam REVEAL.jpgScreenshot_20231120-214843_Tactacam REVEAL.jpgScreenshot_20231222-120217_Reveal.jpgScreenshot_20231105-185246_Tactacam REVEAL.jpgScreenshot_20231103-195509_Tactacam REVEAL.jpg
Next year this farm will be planted in corn. Talked to the farmer about purchasing some of the standing corn and leaving it unharvested. Kinda excited about that.
 

Jim Thompson

Live From The Tree
Keep this stuff up and you're gonna end up in some clothing and gear to help the cause. Be careful though its a rabbit hole and of course the naysayers will tell you how they do just fine with what they have. Course folks used to not need a thermos either :)

Glad to be along for the ride Dale.
 

slow motion

Senior Member
Keep this stuff up and you're gonna end up in some clothing and gear to help the cause. Be careful though its a rabbit hole and of course the naysayers will tell you how they do just fine with what they have. Course folks used to not need a thermos either :)

Glad to be along for the ride Dale.
Thanks brother. Still living the dream. Lesson to folks. Sweet Thang words not mine and her prodding to get me here but she keeps telling me,"Dont keep putting off the good stuff. Never know when its too late to to do it." Speaking of gear you know I've been wanting one of them LFTT cups for awhile now. ::ke: I'm thinking they might displace the Stanley as the new must have.:rockon:.
 

slow motion

Senior Member
If you follow LFTT then you may have seen my latest trip up scouting. Last week I had a Thursday and Friday where I could go up. 9.5 hours each way so pretty tough run but I left around 5 Thursday and rolled back into home early early Saturday morning. If you've read through this whole thing (thanks but goodness it's long) you saw I lost that buck last November. While you agonize over what could/should have been it doesn't change what actually happens. I found him this trip but most likely because things are only beginning to green up and the fierce winds that rip across those open fields have knocked down the 6 to 8 feet high weeds that grow along the edges. A clean miss can be heartbreaking but to know you hit and can't find is gut wrenching. Had to have walked past him too. He had crossed the creek and circled back downstream. At least I now know.20240321_155047.jpg20240321_155057.jpg20240321_155213.jpg20240321_155328.jpgBitter sweet.
 

slow motion

Senior Member
Old bones been there awhile.
20240321_172601.jpg
My trusty steed. Was sitting astride and said well your old, banged up, and quirky. Perhaps it's time for an upgrade. Then I heard a whisper "I could say the same about you" Good point.
20240321_175625.jpg

What can I say.
20240321_181131.jpg

Setting sun made the field glow pink.20240321_184411.jpg

Always beauty in nature

20240322_102019.jpg
And trash
20240322_121911.jpg
Little secluded duck pond
20240322_123608.jpg

And a good cookie20240322_135236.jpg
 

Jim Boyd

Senior Member
Inspiring, as always Dale.

Thank you for the ride.

With your permission, when I go up at Memorial Day - I will likely piggy back off of you.

Or we will make a 2024 thread!
 

slow motion

Senior Member
Inspiring, as always Dale.

Thank you for the ride.

With your permission, when I go up at Memorial Day - I will likely piggy back off of you.

Or we will make a 2024 thread!
Any way you want to do it brother. You are always wellcome at my campfire but I can and probably will post in your thread too.
 

Jim Boyd

Senior Member
Sounds like a plan brother.. Will that put me in the time slot to meet the Boyd Trio?

If things go as planned, Ron will be winding down his week with me and Chuck will be arriving for his.

Bring the asparagus, goes great with steak!!!!!

Bet if we wrap it in bacon and grill it, he will stop with the gay comments!

Don’t know the schedule yet but maybe the Dawgs will be on that afternoon…..
 
Top