Happy Halloween ??!!??

No hunting today . Spent the day at home with my family , workin in the yard . I am planning on going to "church" tomorow , services start at shooting light in the morning and last until the 'mystical flight of the arrow' has spoken . Should be about as nice as it was today , mid 50's to low 60's , slight breeze , sunny .

Ok , so I spent the morning on stand . Never had any good size shooters within archery range . I did however get quite the show from these 2 playin under my stand .

Its been wet and windy here all day . I woke up early thinking of hunting . The wind has blown all day and the rain blew in before daybreak . We have had alot of thunder and lightning today as well . Im keepin an eye on the weather map to see what tomorow may bring . Looking forward to our rifle season opening soon (Nov. 14th)

Funny stuff ...

Roping A Deer------- ( Names have been removed to protect the Stupid )

I had this idea that I was going to rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it.The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope.The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it.After about 20 minutes, my deer showed up -- 3 of them. I picked out.. .. A likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw.. My rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me.I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold. The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation.I took a step towards it...it took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope and then received an education.The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope.That deer EXPLODED.The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity.A deer-- no chance.That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I had originally imagined.The only up side is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals.A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head. At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison. I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope.I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slow and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual.Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in, so I didn't want the deer to have to suffer a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set before hand...kind of like a squeeze chute.I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist..Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head --almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts.The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective. It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds.I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now), tricked it.While I kept it busy tearing the tendons out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose. That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day.Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprisingly sharp. I learned a long time ago that, when an animal -- like a horse --strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape.This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy. I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run.The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down.Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a little girl and covering your head.I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away.So now I know why when people go deer hunting they bring a rifle with a scope to sort of even the odds.

Spent the morning in a tree , crystal clear sky this morning , stars abundant , calm wind , gorgeous sunrise , trees turning fall colors and falling everywhere . It was something to witness first hand , too bad no deer moving . Right after shooting light , the wind picked up (still blowing @ 20-30mph) , a thick fog rolled in and blanketed my ridgeline . The clouds and fog are gone but they have left the wind behind with us to deal with . Supposed to have strong rains coming in the next 48 hours . Not sure how much hunting Ill be getting in .

Well , I made it out to the property today . Didnt do any hunting , just wanted to look around and check for sign and tracks . Seen alot of both . I guess the weather here has been kind of damp since Ive been out of town . Today it is kind of dreary out , raining this morning . The weather man is calling for stronger rain towards thursday this week . I did see alot of fresh tracks and scat , deer and bobcat . Ill be making plans to get out this week to do some hunting .

Home sweet home ... took a layoff this morning after work and have made it home . Now to do my laundry and get some rest . Hopefully Ill have a chance to get out hunting in the next few days . Should be home for about a week before heading out to work again .

Job is winding down . Made it this far through the layoffs , hopefully mine will be coming soon . Looks like possibly tonite or tomorow . Be good to travel home and spend some time with the family . Then it will be - 'off to the woods' . Try to get some hunting in before I head off to work again . Not sure where the next job will be yet . I plan on staying home for about a week . Good luck in the woods for those of you out this weekend hunting .

Snow ....

Had temps in the low 30's lastnite , even had a few snow flurries ... ahh . Im glad my tour here in Kansas is coming to an end. We are looking at the last round of layoffs this weekend . Then its home to the family and in the woods to get some groceries .

NWTF Convention

Morning all , just a short note bfore I lay down to get some rest . Wanted to let everyone know , I have heard from the almighty Mossy Oak Pro Staff Regional Manager, Looks like yours truly will possibly be working the Mossy Oak booth at the convention . Be sure to stop by and say 'hello' if you attend . It is in Nashville, Tn., in February . I look forward to meeting everyone .

The weather has been nice the last few days here in Kansas . Sunny skies and warmer temps . I do believe we have rain heading our way for a couple days . Also looks like I will be heading to the house soon , possibly this weekend . Will be nice to get home and get out into the woods . Would like to put some groceries in the freezer with my bow before rifle season opens in November . Also need some time to start sorting through my gear and getting ready for my December bear hunt in North Carolina .

Two sunny days in a row... NICE . It sure beats the 30 degree temps we have at night . Only about a week left until I head home and hit the woods again . Cant wait to see the fall leaves on the ground .

Sunshine atlast ..

The sunshine has arrived... It appeared like the rain was gone , we had a sunny day in Kansas on Friday . We did get a brief downpour overnite while at work with some lightning , however it was short lived and had moved out by this morning . The temps have warmed up as well . We have been seeing alot of deer movement here in the early morning , about an hour before shooting light . Atleast I know there moving . Good luck to everyone

Good morning ...

How is everybody doin ?? Any good deer stories to share ?? I am still in Kansas . Seems like the weather has broke here and the rain has gone away for a few days . Warmer temps comin in for a few days . Been busy with work and tryin to line out family vacation , hunting , work , future plans . I wish everybody the best in your travels and outings. It will be a couple weeks before I am able to get back in the woods .

Sorry...

Im sorry I haven made an update to the post's in a couple days . I had to motor my way up to Wichita , Kansas for work Monday . Since then it has been mayhem . Im ack now though . I hope eyone is having good luck in he woods . Im lookin forward to getting home and getting back out in the stand . Been making plans for Spring turkey hunts , as well as plans tottend the February NWTF Convention in Nashville . Hopefully it wont be another 3 days before I post again . Send pics of our successful hunts . Good luck ...

Should have went to the woods ...

Would have been a good morning to be out in the woods . Mid 40's temp , light breeze , cloudy sky's . I woke up early with a runny nose and a sore throat . Figured I had enough on my plate for the day since I am packin up to head for Wichita , Kansas for a couple weeks . Ill be up there working . Good luck to everyone hunting . Dont forget to get you rifles sighted in . Rifle season is comin up quick . Pay attention to the website over the next few days . Have some changes in mind and some more links to be added .

Deer management

I kind of started managing our property when we first bought it a few years back . Ive read articles and talked with profesionals , but pretty much just took a straight forward approach and did what I thought was right . From a couple scattered feeders , a few spaced out small food plots , mineral licks , water , right of ways , select hunting . This buck is 1 of 3 that I know I have on the property as of now on camera . I have seen bigger but believe they could just be pass'n through . Ive got this tight basket 8 , a forked horn 4 and 1 spike for sure . The does have been thinned out with several 2 year olds and atleast 3 yearlings . I do have 1 older doe that needs to be taken out of the mix yet . They are not record class deer , however they are all product of my work .

Rain , rain , and more rain ....

The rain is starting to let up a little as well as move out of the area . the cold front is pushing in along with a little wind . Should make for a good evening hunt in the woods .
The meeting went well lastnite with the Rogersville Strutters . They have a full plate already with up-n-coming events and participation , and already makin plans for next year .
I also ran into an old friend today , Al Baird . Ive known Al for several years now since we have been around the area . Al is the owner of a local gun / pawn in Rogersville . You can find him behind the counter of Silver Creek Gun & Pawn ( 417-753-GUNS and WWW.SILVERCREEKPAWN.COM ) Be sure to tell him I sent yah in . He's got a good supply of ammo , along with long guns and hand guns alike .

Events of the day ...

Rain , rain , wind , more rain , oh yeah - lets not forget the infrequent lightning strike and an occasional rumble of thunder . The day didnt start out too bad , cloudy with a slight breeze . Just before lunch , the weather went south . By mid afternoon there has been reports of several areas in Missouri that had already logged several inches of rain , with more to come . There was no hunting today , not sure yet what tomorow will bring . The weather is calling for rain all through the night continuing into morning . If all holds true , Ill try to get out tomorow evening , maybe take out my son with me .
Tonite is the monthly stated meeting for the Rogersville Strutters (local chapter of the NWTF) . Meeting starts @ 7pm . Hope to see you there .

Good evening to everybody , I would like to ask everyone to thank my IT Guy , Clay . He has gone out of his way to help me in setting up the website , makin constant changes at my beckin call , as well as guiding me in the Blog set-up and helping me with other computer issues . 'Thank You Clay' . I ask this of everyone for a couple reasons , 1) You read this post in which he helped create and maintain 2) You enjoy the site in which he created and again ... maintains 3) Clay is a special person who as of the last 72 hours , has become sick and been confirmed to have the 'Swine Flu' - aka H1N1 . Aside from all we enjoy , and the things we love , take a minute to think of 'Clay' . He has been , is , and will continue to be ... part of what you enjoy (Every time you view the BLOG , check the Website , visit the Online Store , or simply think of what it all stands for and who it becomes)

Made it too the woods today . Was out for around 4 hours this morning . Strong storms blew in early (around 5am) , the rain / wind started to taper off around 8am or so . I didnt see anything moving after the storms , however I did manage to scout alot of my property . With the dampness , made it easy to get around quitely . Did see alot of tracks as well as some well defined trails up on the ridgeline . Spotted a couple rubs as well . Still haulin wood off trying to clean up the place .

For those of you getting out to hunt - Good luck and keep after'em . I was in the woods today , but again cutting firewood . Tryin to clean out the building site and make it easier on my dozer . Didnt have any descent pics on the trail cam . I did move it towards the backside of the property today . Seen alot of fresh tracks though . The sky has clouded up here this evening , they are calling for rain late tonite and tomorow . If its wet in the morning Im gonna try to get out and do some spot-stalk . Not much else goin on .

Here is a pic of my buddy Cody Rosier and his daughter Dana . I was lucky enought o catch this show in Galveston a couple weeks ago at a little bar in West Beach called WOODYS , love the place . You can find him on Facebook under 'Cody Rosier Band' . He is from College Station , Texas , does alot of shows around the area , just opened up for David Allen Coe . Look him and the band up , good stuff .

Sunday , Sunday , Sunday

No hunting for me this weekend . My wife is busy with the guard so I am home with both the kids , catchin up on my 'Honey do' list . Makin plans for the upcoming week . We had another cold front come through , you could see the cloud cover blow in as I was BBQ'n yesterday evening . Temps dropped down in the mid 40's overnite . Only going to warm up to the mid 50's today . Hopefully the wind will stay down . Im going to try to mow the yard today . Plan on cutting wood again tomorow on the property . Sorry no blog post yesterday , I was updating some of the bio stuff on my blog page and discussing changes to the website . Should have a few things added/changed on the site soon . Dont forget to check out the store , use the search engine to look for your goodies . Big discounts and large inventory of items . (blinds , calls , cases , knives , treestands , targets , etc.)

More Congrats in order ...

I meant to post this earlier . My buddy Paul up @ SUNRIZE SAFARI'S dropped this bear rescently with his bow . I should have this pic up-n-posted soon on my website under his info/link on the Friends/Outfitters page .

No hunting for me today . I spent the majority of the day out yesterday . Storms blew in early afternoon and the wind hasnt let up yet (20-30mph) . Im gonna give it a break for a couple days and hit it again the first part of the week . Good luck to all who venture out .

No luck yet ...

Spent daybreak on stand , to see nothing . It started raining by 8am and wind was kick'n pretty good out of the east . Hope to make it out again this evening for awhile . May try another hunting location . Dont forget all you archery fans , today is opening day for fall turkey in Missouri (shotgun) . Dont be suprised if your hunting state land and you run across another hunter or have another hunter stroll past your stand . Be safe , Be successful .