Over the past three years my older brother, Boner, has came up to my place around my birthday to celebrate with me by shooting some clay pigeons and sighting in our deer rifles. This year was a blast as usual.
We talked earlier in the week, finalizing our plan. He hinted around that he had been looking at new shotguns and couldn’t believe how much they were, he’s kinda tight. I knew what he meant as I had bought one last year, used though and I am kinda tight also. So, imagine my surprise when he showed up at my place to unveil a new Franchi, Italian, semi-auto shotgun. What a nice gun and off we went to break it in.
We arrived at our normal shooting gravel pit in a MN state forest and got set up. A beautiful September day, partly sunny with a slight south breeze and around 70 degrees. We started with sighting in our deer rifles. Our shots were consistent and he beat me in our final shoot off by a 1/8″. On to the fun stuff, clay pigeons. I thought it would be appropriate to have him shoot and me throw first, give this Italian stallion shotgun a chance to prove itself. Sure as (you know), first clay he smoked it. After that he had a drought for awhile. We alternated shooting and throwing. He was still in his drought when we talked about switching shotguns to see how they each shot. He grabbed my Remington, American, shotgun and stepped up by taking three out of five clays. I didn’t do as well with the Italian gun by only going one out of five. We were down to only four clays after starting with a case of ninety. In our final clay pigeon shoot off I redeemed myself from the deer rifle final shoot off and took him down. After nearly four hours of being there, it was time to leave.
We went back to my house and had some burgers and beers, talking about the day and the hunting trips coming up. What a way to spend a day, Thanks Boner!

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One fine fall day in mid-season we decided it was time to leave the cabin and make an attempt at a deer drive. Standers were assigned their spots and four of “the brothers” started down the field road to get to the other end of the woods and start the drive. We had only gone a short distance when brother Tom whispered, “deer!”. Sure enough, 120 yards down, a nice doe was eating acorns under an oak tree right on the side of the road. We were caught in the open with nowhere to hide, but the deer seemed totally unaware of our presence. After a quickly convened family meeting it was decided that brother Glen, the youngest, should do the shooting. Glen took careful aim and let fly with a round from his .308. The dirt kicked up at the deer’s feet,but it continued to eat, oblivious to the commotion down the road. “Higher” someone whispered. Glen fired another round and managed to trim a branch right over the deer’s head. “Lower” was the unanimous verdict on that shot. And so it continued, brothers offering advice and Glen spraying lead to all points of the compass. Eventually he ran out of ammo so Tom offered his gun and the circus continued. Through all this commotion the deer was totally unconcerned, obviously word of the Virnig gang’s marksmanship had previously reached the wildlife community. After approximately 15 non-lethal shots the doe appeared perturbed at the interruption of it’s lunch hour and wandered off. Later in the day we ran into a neighboring party. They asked us how many deer were in the herd we were shooting at around noon. We just cast a knowing glance at each other and kept silent. Family honor was at stake.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Mike and RoseAnn

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One of the things I have always been told about deer hunting is to make sure your not giving off any scent. People say deer can smell any odor and when they do, you have no chance of seeing a deer let alone getting one.

It was the Sunday on the last weekend of deer hunting for my family. My brother Steve (Crusty) had gotten a doe in the moring and it was getting about that time to start dragging. My dad and oldest brother Tony had walked past my stand towards the van to get the rope and drop off a few things before we started dragging. I knew I had about only about 20-30min left in my stand for the year and was thinking, that all I saw in 2 weekends of hunting was a few squirrels. To hell with it I thought, I’m gonna have a cigarette. I put my rifle down and lit up. As I was enjoying my smoke, when I heard some leaves crunching behind me. It couldn’t be my dad and bro, that would have been to quick. It’s one of those damn squirrels and this one just might get it! I turned around and saw this doe walking like she didn’t have a care in the world. I couldn’t believe it, slowly I reached for my gun. Started to bring my gun up, that’s when it dawned on me, I still had a cig in my mouth. Well let’s see how this works and I brought my rifle all the way up. Not a good idea Rob, I got an eye full of smoke. Now what, can’t put it out, not enough time. If she goes on the other side of that ridge I’ll lose her. So I let it drop out of my mouth to the forest floor. I pulled my rifle back up and took my shot. She drops! Right at the top of the ridge and takes a few tumbles down the other side. My heart is racing and I start laughing. Climbing down my stand I see my smoke still going, I pick it and start walking to my doe. A few moments after getting to my deer, my dad and brother show up, coming back from the van and as they are coming towards me I’m putting my cig out. My dad looks at me “Dang Rob, what did you do? Shoot and lite up?” All I could do was laugh and say it was the other way around.

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While hunting in a MN state forest with Crusty (my brother), my father & mother and youngest brother, Rob, we would go to the campground in the state forest after each day of hunting to see how many deer were hanging. At times there were nice bucks and other times just does. It was also a way for us to show everyone what we got too.
Well, about 7-8 yrs ago we saw a very impressive 10pt buck hanging. So we stopped there and started talking to a kid (13 – 14yrs old) as he was the only person at this campsite. After asking “who got this buck? at what time?” etc… this kid told us the guy that shot it was in town, and he said “I got one too!” As we all turned our heads to look at his deer hanging from the tree, all we saw was a deer the size of a German Shepard! I mean honestly, how could anyone even see that small of a deer, yet alone shoot it?? The only thing anyone said was “yep.”
We just killed this kids dream hunt in a matter of 5 seconds.
All we could do after that was say “Well, good luck tomorrow.” We got back in the truck and realized what we had done. Poor kid must have thought that those hunters are real (use your imagination).
To this day we feel bad for that kid , but it was funny at the time when he said “I got one too” and our response was priceless.

P.S. Never saw that kid again….

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Opening day of the deer hunt is always filled with excitement and anticipation, even more so when it’s your first hunt.
I had already hunted for some years with my husband before our oldest son joined us. This season would be the first hunt for our second son, Steven. Since we hunt in a MN state forest, we are a little apprehensive on opening morning if some other hunter will be in the area we’ve scouted.
All is well as we approach our stands this November morning. We wish each other success and a safe hunt as we disband, each to our own stands.
It’s an overcast morning with average MN November temperatures (cold). The darkness slowly subsides and the dawn breaks. I take in my surroundings and am thankful to be in the woods on this calm, peaceful morning.
There are occasional shots in the distance but none close enough to be one of my fellow hunters. It is late morning and I’m cold and stiff when I’m suddenly jolted by a single nearby shot. YES!!! It’s from Steve’s direction. I calm my excitement to sit quietly, watchful in case a deer heads my way.
After a time, I make my way down from my stand and head in Steve’s direction. His stand is a distance from my area, on a very wooded, slight hilltop with the ground covered in moss…hence the nickname we use, Moss Ridge. As I approach, Steve is standing in his deer stand with his rifle casually laying across his arm.
“Where’s your deer?” I ask.
He replies “I figure about 2 miles from here by now” in a very disappointed tone. He relates the story. Four does, on a nice trot, passed right in front of his stand, quiet on the mossy hillside. He got a shot off at the last one as it passed him. I chuckle silently to myself at the visual of his story.
“Well, come down Steve and we’ll check it out”. When we get to the area where he thought the deer was when he fired, sure enough, sign of a hit.
As we follow the faint blood trail, I’m hopeful my son has bagged his first deer. Suddenly, the deer jumps up in front of us. Steve confidently brings up his rifle and fires as the deer is bounding away from us. The shot drops her in her tracks.
The thrill and excitement of my son’s first hunt culminates in his bagging a nice doe. He has since taken many deer, including a couple of nice bucks. But nothing can match the memory of being a part of his first deer, standing alongside of him as he takes down that doe.
Posted in honor of Steven’s birthday…Happy Birthday, Steve!

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August has come and gone and thanks to some loyal posters we have some more stories to read and judge!

What has me most excited, however, is that nights are getting cooler, the days a little shorter and hunting season is just around the corner.  Not to mention that September is a great month for Walleye!  I feel like it has been a long summer and am itching for fall in the outdoors.  I’ve read how many hunters are setting up their deer stands, checking their field cameras and getting everything ready for another great season.

We want to encourage all to hunt and fish safely.  Remember that coming home is important, but not as important as coming home with some great stories!  Think about your experience in the field while you are out there this season.  Take an extra look around.  Breath deeply.  Be thankful for the world God has given us and the freedoms we have to enjoy it.  Be open to the inspiration that comes with isolation and communion with nature.  We encourage all of you to take a pencil and some paper and write down your thoughts.  Not only for yourself, but for your posterity.

Those of us who have parents and grandparents who enjoyed the outdoors knows what it’s like to sit around and swap the tails of the trail and hear about hunting in times gone by.  Now is a good time to start preserving your own memories!

Good & Safe Hunting
The Partners at Rod and Rifle Rag

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