Midnight Visitor

Midnight visitor at the world headquarters of the Save the Acorns Foundation camp site.  You might want to think twice before you go wondering out into the dark from camp.

Story - (STAF) SPRING TURKEY SEASON 2014

 

 

If your wondering what STAF stands for, it is short for Save The Acorns Foundation.  It was that highly anticipated time of year again for the annual spring turkey camp.  As usual Jason, Robert and I put the opening date on our calendars, and adjusted our work schedules so we could arrive early enough to do a little scouting.  However, this year our trip would be a little shorter than usual due to our different family schedules and opening weekend being on Easter this year.  What that meant for us was we would arrive at camp the day before season, and only have time to hunt for about half a day before we would have to head home.

This year we were fortunate enough to have an honorary Save the Acorns Foundation member in camp with us.  It was none other than Hershel who is the father to Robert.  He lives over 5 hours away so this was a special treat for us.  As much as we like hunting, these hunting trips are more about the comradery, spending time with friends, and getting away from the stresses of city life.  Works like a reset button for sanity.

We arrived at camp Friday afternoon.  We split into two groups of two to do some scouting.  Robert and Hershel went together and Jason and I went together. 

Jason and I decided to circle the hill on foot to see if we could drum up any sign.  It was about a 2-3 mile hike.  About a quarter of the way through we hadn’t seen much sign, but decided to take a short rest and sound off some calls to see if we could get a response.  Nothing answered us, but after a few minutes a tom snuck in on us to see what the noise was about.  We were surprised to say the least.  Now we were excited.  After the bird left the area we continued on, and about half way around the hill we found a lot of sign.  About three quarters around the mountain the sign appeared to be not as fresh, and just as soon as I spoke those words we walked up on a hen.   This was probably our most productive scouting trip ever.  We were confident that we knew where we needed to be for opening morning.

Hershel and Robert used a different method of scouting.  They drove to different areas trying to locate birds by calling.  Robert may not agree, but he speaks turkey better than anyone I know.  When we meet back at camp they told us about all of the different birds they heard.  We all were excited with the amount of sign and number of birds we found and heard.

I don’t think any of us slept much.  I’m not sure if it was the excitement, the coyotes, or the whippoorwills.  Maybe a little bit of everything.

Opening morning arrives and Jason and I are in the woods before daylight to set up.  Jason lets out a hoot and the gobbling starts.  We set up as close as we dare get without risking getting busted.  The sun comes up and the birds gobble mostly unprovoked for an hour.  We could tell there was more than one.  We decided to split up and try to surround them because we didn’t think they were going to come to us.  Jason went down the hill just a few yards and started around the hill.  I slowly started moving toward the birds.  I made it about 40 yards and caught some movement.  It was a Tom and a Jake.  I hit my call quickly and they turned my direction.  As soon as the long beard was clear I took a shoot.  The bird rolled over and I took off running.  To my surprise the long beard took off running also.  I blasted two more times at it and continued to chase it.  Then I tripped and fell.  When I fell I heard something to my right.  It was another long beard.  It took to flight and flew directly over me.  Coincidently, Jason was directly below us and the bird was flying low straight to him.  Jason took aim, said "I hope he's legal". He buckled and Plinkoed through the trees and crashed about 30 yards from him. The woods rained hevi-shot and feathers for about 10 seconds.  Talk about an exciting chain of events.  After waiting all morning it all happened so fast.  Unfortunately, we were not able to find the bird I shot, and after a recap it might have been just a little out of range.  But that didn’t take away from the excitement and memory we will have for the rest of our lives.  We will always remember the day when Jason shot a long beard out of the sky.  I can’t wait until next year.  Who knows what will happen?  Whatever it is I bet it will be another unforgettable memory and that is what this is all about. 

DOGWOOD

Hope you had a great Easter.  As my family and I went to leave for church on Easter Sunday I noticed that we have a dogwood tree in our front yard.  We just moved into our house early last fall and I didn’t realize what type of tree we had until now.  But ironically on Easter Sunday our dogwood tree was in full bloom.  It was a beautiful sight to see.  The tree along with the Easter holiday was a loud reminder of the reason for Easter.  There are legends about these trees, and how they are symbolic to the Christian community.  Some believe the cross was constructed with dogwood.  The blooms with their white interior and crimson red edges denote the suffering that Jesus Christ endured over two thousand years ago on the cross, and specifically the blood that was spilled from Him during his crucifixion.  Also, the flowers are shaped somewhat like a cross.  Anyway you look at it, it reminded me of what Jesus Christ went through just for you and me.  He not only died for us, but on the third day he arose!  Symbolism or not you cannot change that fact.  I hope that every time you see a dogwood tree it is reminder of the reason for Easter just like it is for me.  I will try to remember the reason for Easter all year by just appreciating the beauty of nature that I take for granted way too often.  After all, God created all of it and without it we wouldn’t exist, be able to live and love life.  Take time to read the crucifixion of Jesus in the Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John) just as a reminder.  I promise you will not regret it.

Story - Fishing Report 04/06/14

Part 1
Lake: Beaver
Location: Monte Ne
Time: 12:00PM-2:00PM
Air temp: 55 degrees
Water temp: 55 degrees
Clarity: Muddy with debris.
Visibility: 6"
Wind: SE 15
Sky: Overcast
Winning tactic: Slow roll jigs 5' deep in 10' of water down wind of a secondary point.
Catch: 3 crappie

Robert, Andrew, and I went out to fix the railing on his boat trailer and fished a little while since we were out there. We started figuring it out, but then it started raining and the radar looked pretty severe, so we decided to head out. After running a couple errands, the rain let up so Andrew and I went back out.

Part 2
Lake: Beaver
Location: Monte Ne
Time: 4:00PM-7:00PM
Air temp: 50 degrees
Water temp: 55 degrees
Clarity: Muddy with debris.
Visibility: 6"
Wind: SE 5
Sky: Light rain
Winning tactic: Jigging laydowns 10' deep in 15' of water.
Catch: 4 crappie, 2 black bass, 1 striper

We started off trolling chartreuse crankbaits 7'-10' deep in about 15' of water. We picked up a few small ones. We tried jigging the buck brush but didn't get anything. We made a pass with the crankbaits over a couple laydowns that we had marked on the GPS. I picked up a crappie so we went back, threw out a marker,  and started vertical jigging. We caught 3 more and moved on to other known piles. No luck, so we went back to try again. No luck so we tried trolling again. I was getting a little too cold and wet to be on the water not catching fish so we headed out.

Sorry, no pics. I had way to many clothes on to try to get my phone out in the rain.

Bacon Wrapped Deer

Ingredients:

-       Deer meat cut into chunks similar to kabob size

-       Brown sugar

-       Garlic powder

-       Seasoned salt

-       Bacon

Preparation:

I don’t really measure the ingredients when I make these and they will vary depending on how much you are making.  I usually use about a pound of deer meat.  Put about (2) cups of brown sugar in a small to medium size bowl.  Add a thin layer of garlic powder to the brown sugar.  Add a little bit of seasoned salt.  Mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, and seasoned salt.  Batter the deer chunks in the brown sugar mixture, wrap it with half a piece of bacon, and stick a toothpick through it to hold it together.  You can grill or bake these until the deer meat is done.  I prefer to grill them.

This is a good recipe to introduce friends and family to deer meat with.  This is my favorite deer dish and a lot of people who think they don’t like deer meat will probably like this.