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BEA'S-OUTDOOR-ADVENTURE
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2019~My Best Day

1/19/2020

4 Comments

 
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I did something last year I've never done before. I kept a diary each day on stand. It's interesting to look back on. And it's only been a few months. 
  From overnight stays accompanied by some close range coyote vocalizations. To critters walking by from feet away. Cold mornings drinking luke warm coffee. Having a heater but not lighting it for fear of noise or odor. 
  Those were the highlights. There were indeed some lows, but sitting by the window looking out at a snowstorm from the comfort of my living room, this particular addition to the growing collection of scattered thoughts found on this page, are all positive.
  Scrolling thru the unedited, hastily jotted down thoughts while on stand, one particular morning jumped out at me. I remember it well. 
  So close. So far. Excitement. Disappointment. Polar extremes, at least in relation to a hunter's time on stand. 
   I don't believe I've ever seen 4 bucks all exerting rutting behavior all at the same time while gripping a bow. 
   Ugh...I'm getting too long winded....to the point, here's the words I jotted down with cold fingers on my phone that morning. 
   
Nov 18, 930 am

Saw 4 bucks this morning. 3 good ones
I would have shot any of them tho if given the OP. The first one followed a couple does out . Not really chasing. Just following. Soon as the does stopped to feed...he bedded down
I think hes about wore out. I watched them for 30 minutes. The bedded buck seemed quite content just watching the does. Then I noticed a swollen necked buck approach the bedded one. He took a little run at him. It really wasn't a fight..but antlers collided once. The bedded buck ran off 70 yards. The bigger buck followed the feeding does. One doe slipped in and started feeding 17 yards from me . Joined by another a minute later. Off to my left I could see two more bucks. I looked back up the hill and could still see the first two. With glasses I could see 3 eight pointers and either a 4 or 6.
With 4 does and 4 bucks in front of me, i gripped the widow. I really felt like it was gonna come together. I felt that way for 45 minutes. The biggest buck wondered within 50 yards. Eventually one doe went into the woods. The biggest buck eventually followed her. The buck that had been bedded went in same trail. This left two bucks in front of me. They fed for 10 minutes . The bigger of the two walked off. The last buck hung around for 10 more minutes but he too followed the others.
It was then I let a big breath out and realized how tensed up i was.
I'm not sure what to do. Grunting had almost 0 effect. Are they purposely avoiding this blind? Have i over hunted it ? Or is it just good luck on their behalf? I may look for a spot to hang a stand on my way out.
Wow, steady buck action. Passed two more small bucks. With this much action its gotta happen soon...I think....I hope



 Well, hope and think doesn't get it done I'm sorry to say. I often think I should have been more aggressive and hung another stand or two ( I saw these bucks for about one week daily) . But I didn't. So that's kinda like the well known crying and spilled milk story.

  I've recovered from it now. I consider it a plus. My cam captured a bit of the action. While I don't need it to recall an awesome time in the blind...I find myself looking at the picture periodically. It does capture the bucks on cam. I thought for sure the closest buck would have taken an arrow that morning. 

  Next year it is ! 



4 Comments
Constant Collins Jr
1/19/2020 06:10:31 am

I enjoyed this but I have to tell ya...as good of a story teller/writer as you are....listening to the story and watching as you do a phantom grip of the Widow and stare off into the distance as as you tell it in person...is priceless. I like the diary idea....but sadly I just don't have your discipline that you obviously have.....keep it up...we all benefit from your hunting reflections!!

Reply
roger
1/19/2020 09:04:36 am

thanks....

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Trip D link
3/13/2020 08:19:28 pm

Great read. Had hoped to chat with you today at the outdoor show but after reading your daily thoughts column I guess I know why I didn’t see you there. I commend you on your great restraint in sticking with the trad gear, 95% of hunters couldn’t do it, esp with a B&C non typical in the mix!
Love your stories so please keep them coming and hey have a super duper day!
Dan

Reply
roger james lewis
3/14/2020 02:54:16 pm

Thanks Dan !

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    Roger Lewis

    Hunter. Client. Guide. Writer. Observer.

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