’12 Deer Hunt….The deer hunting season is one of memories made, whether successful in a harvest or not, being with the people in your life is the most important part of the hunt Read More of the Story…
Fall.. The Nostalgic SeasonAnyone who loves the outdoors could announce the arrival of fall without ever consulting a calendar. Just think about it for a moment. Don’t the winds and cool evenings of early September have a certain briskness that brings visions of trees in a riot of colors and flocks of birds hording in groups in preparation of a long flight.
Fall is a time for reminiscing. Now, more than ever, you will find folks sitting in a sun warmed spot, Read More of the Story…
Preparing for Fall Hunting SeasonI have discovered, the last few weeks, hunting catalogs in my mail box. Yes, if you look down the road, fall will be rounding the corner, walking at a brisk pace that will bring it quicker than you think.
If there never was a calendar to tell the date, I would know fall is getting closer. I seem to suddenly find more interest in the circling flocks of ducks or geese than the walleyes I’m fishing for. I usually dig out my duck call and see if I can still make it sound like a mallard. Read More of the Story…
2010 MN Deer Harvest…The time of year has come and gone for most, some still enjoying it though, the 2010 MN Deer Firearm season. The weather was incredible here in MN on that opening weekend. Some would say too warm for deer movement. The strategy for some was to get out into the woods, fields & groves and stir the deer up in order to have some success. The MN DNR is reporting a increase in deer harvested this year in comparisonto last years totals. That’s great for the Rag community of deer hunters in MN. Read More of the Story…
2010 MN Deer Hunting Opener…The boyz here at Davis J. Hennes, the parent company of the Rod and Rifle Rag, would like to extend a handshake to all Deer Hunters in MN this weekend. The handshake represents friendship, conducting a safe hunt, enjoying the outdoors and wishes for a successful harvest. The time in the stand, posting on a drive, or any other time you may have on your hands this weekend are ones of reflection and thought. This time of year always open that conversation Read More of the Story…
Nice One!While perusing through this wonderful site many different stories come to mind. Thoughts of hours stranded in a boat with no juice in the battery to start the motor, stumbling through the woods to find a deer right in front of me, or even shooting a deer three times with a muzzleloader! But, even some of the less frustrating/exciting stories are worth noting. The entire approach that has been taken by the founders of this site is amazing and should be used to humble everyone taking part in the story telling process. “Grandpa, I thought you said it was a thirty point buck? This thing looks like it has 8 with a couple nubbins on it.” “Nah those nubbins are over an inch which makes them ‘Legal’.” While it is nice to stretch stories past it is also nice just to relive the stories.
With the changing of the season I am anxiously awaiting ice time. I am sure I will share some more stories with every one of the interesting excursions had by the Spencer family!
The Deer is Two Miles From HereOpening 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!
