Another Day of Hunting

Once again I was up early before light and off to the woods. It was especially cold for this time of year but something I will have to eventually deal with over the next two months of hunting. It will only get colder.

The corn fields are still full at this time so the deer are spending most of their time there. After all, they have a place to eat, rest and hide. They have it made. In the woods there are a lot of acorns, nuts and wild grapes also this year. Old wives tales says that is a sign of a long winter to come. It is also good for bigger antlers the next year.

Hunting is such a challenge to me. People always assume they are dumb animals but as I've said before, we are in their environment. We learn their habits and watch for their signs. If you are really into the challenge you'll be watching them year round. What is all boils down to is if there is a lot of food, they are everywhere.

Today I was hunting with the muzzle loader and could only shoot a doe. Muzzle loader usually comes in during the third week of archery in PA. It's only for a week to take a few extra doe out. Pennsylvania is in the process of trying to balance out the deer population with the human population which is taking over more and more.

A few years ago they also passed a law when hunting buck. You used to be able to shoot any buck; a spike and up. The new law was that a buck had to have at least 3 points on one side of the antlers. Many people were upset about that but it has actually allowed the bucks to live longer, mature and become wiser. Makes them more a challenge also.

The reason for taking out more does and leaving more bucks is to balance out the deer herds. They were breeding too much. Therefore, you had late season fawns being born and not strong or old enough to survive a harsh winter. With the bigger deer population you also see a lot more deer hit by cars a long the road sides.

Many people don't like hunting. I do and I love venison. I also like how the PA Game Commission is working with the deer population. Many feel the doe hunting is overkill and don't see the game. I think they are surviving longer and becoming smarter. Now you have to actually hike and hunt to find the game and the challenge.

There are those that will bait the game which is illegal but that is with anything. Somehow they then feel they are what you call a good hunter.

Back to my story. In the morning I saw nothing but the sunrise. I later moved to an edge of a field and sat and warmed up.

My husband and I always go home for lunch and then go back for later in the day. Once again, I picked another area to watch and got myself situated. I sat there a couple hours watching the birds. Saw a grouse walk by and thought about different things that go on in my life. This is always my peace time. My time I spend with God also.

I finally could hear a deer coming in. Being the largest they are probably the most quiet animal when walking through the woods. I had the gun ready and watched a big brown body walk into the area. I then notice the head which was down and saw ANTLERS. Of course, it was a beautiful buck which I could not shoot.

He stayed in the area for quit awhile. There were crab apple trees plus an apple tree so he stayed and dined giving me a glance every now and then. Over the years I have learned to sit very still and cramp up to boot. With camo and a mask on, he was aware of me but not sure.

I have to say this eight point was a pleasure to watch although I would have rather seen a doe at the time. That's just how life is at time. If I were hunting for bucks, I probably would have seen a doe.

The true pleasure of hunting is watching the wildlife and hoping to see the right ones at the right times. I didn't shoot anything but I did have a beautiful day with great company.

Source: My own personal experience and research.