Is it almost Deer Season ALREADY??????

Fast Food!

Just a little update…

A week ago last saturday, early EARLY in the morning, I had an hour long game of “Cat and Mouse” with my little deer herd (which isn’t so little anymore, there’s got to be 20 or 25 now, including at least 6 different Bucks).

I watched a mixture of 6 Does and Yearlings cross the Firebreak trail and browse in the Green-briars, just inside the cover, 70 yards away… Now with My Compound Bow, that’s 30 or 35 yards too far away, but with the Crossbow it’s only 10 or 15 Yards too far…

I tried calling them closer with a “Tending Grunt” call and they got a bit spooked, kind of sliding back into the shadows a bit more…

“Hmmm the Grunt call didn’t work…Let’s try a Rattle or two real quick”…

Rattling (using a set of antlers to simulate 2 Bucks fighting for dominance of the Harem) has worked for me in the past, but not often … Actually, it’s only worked twice for me… Once on an 8 Point last December and once on a 10 point in the mid ‘90s, but since it’s worked before, it’s now committed to the “Standard BOT” (Bag of Tricks)…

I picked up my “Rattlin’ Horns”, clashed and twisted twice, and a 6 Point Buck literally leapt into the clearing, head up, scenting the air at the 60 yard Marker, followed by a little trotting Doe, obviously in love… He stayed just barely out of Range for 20 minutes (probably more like 7, but the Adrenalin sure made it seem like 20)…

Once my Blood-pressure and heart rate lowered enough to think clearly again, I grabbed the rangefinder and started figuring ranges, and with the field Glasses spotted a Tree 75 yards downrange to put a second stand in, bringing that little “Deer Parade” into a 0-40 yard range…

I snuck out just before dark and put up one of my portable stands, trimmed a few branches, and took a few pictures…I could clearly see what my other stand looked like across the clearing...

My Portable up in the Tree...

What was really interesting was that this was the day after Halloween, and when I downloaded the pictures from the camera, This was one of them… Look at the shape of the trees in the upper left…

A Little enlargement of that spot should show you what I’m talking about…. Does anyone remember “Skull Mountain” from the old Marvel comic book “The Phantom”?

Doesn’t this look like a Skull peeking up over the scrub cedars? Taken the day after Halloween no less… No wonder that Buck was skittish about getting closer!

Now for the “Telestrator” version of this story, but you’ll just have to imagine the voice of John Madden!!!!

I should be 25 yards closer to them now now, and I think there will be a fresh Venison Tenderloin Roast for Thanksgiving!!!

Fab pics IC. I remember last fall when I was in NH, I'd go outside very early mornings with my coffee and the dogs to see 2 or 3 deer standing around grazing.

There was a local hunter who'd come around every few days and go into the bush tracking. He never found them

chuckles.. this so reminds me of my ex.  He would take all of my cheque every week ( he was a tad bit of a control freak) and spend it on hunting 'stuff'

Lets just say... he had ALL the toys.... but I never once... saw anything to show for it...

laughs.. just brings back funny memories..

he even fell outa the tree stand one time, and came home with a broken arm... man did I laugh...

ps.. I LOVE the pics Icarus.. thank you!

Yup... I remember The Phantom... Here's an illustration for those who aren't familiar...

Great pics and illustration. Keep us posted.

Great Comic book cover... Personal Collection? See what I mean about the resemblance to "Skull Mountain"?

Something I never understood about the Phantom was his "Wardrobe choice"...

He didn't have any Superpowers, just a couple Colt .45's and a Purple Unitard, a horse and a dog...Wasn't the Dogs name "Devil"?... I suppose that the Purple tights would work well if you were trying to be concealed in an Orchid field! Maybe he was the prototype for the "Blue Man Group", but missed the color selection by thiiiiiisssssss much!

I go a little more practical on my camo choices... I was really bored up in the portable stand last weekend, so I broke out the Camera, set the self timer, and found a good branch to set it on... This is an "Effective use" of Camoflage...

Unless I'm napping, smoking, or drinking a beer (Kids, don't try that at home... I AM a Professional...At least only take 2 beers! Remember that you're 16 feet up, standing on a 2 square foot platform, heavily armed, and you'll still have to climb back down!!!), I'll definitely see them before they see me... This pattern works pretty well against the mottled Grey moss on that Elm tree trunk... Even the Crossbow Blends in...

sort of a sexy version of being *out on a limb* IC

I do see the resemblance. I found that cover pic in the 'net. I have a cousin who collects, but I don't think he has this one.

The wardrobe is supposed to be based on tribal mythology. I think the Dog was actually a Wolf.

hey, ic...

even in your camo picture, you still manage to pull off the "wilson from 'home improvent' look", with your eyes appearing our of the bark! lol- just had to make the observation...

-m

QUOTE (mikemail2anthony @ November 19, 2008, 04:00)

ROFLMAO!!

"Hi-De-Ho Neighbor!!!!!"

Too bad that "Schtick" is taken already, or I'd use it!