Just sharing.....I've had a hellava year...one of the best ever.. Best turkey season in the spring. I called in several gobblers even though they were following live hens. And they said it can't be done. I'm still eating the turkey. I quit shooting because didn't want to be greedy. Still eating rock bass fillets from a great Minnesota fishing trip in August. Perhaps my favorite prairie dog shoot happened this year in September because I had great fun introducing a young friend to the sport...he is now hooked. His excitement was the best reward.
Early October "antlerless" season here in Kansas allowed me and a buddy to bag 2 fat doe for the freezer and we found a new processor that does terrific work. Eating fine venison frequently. Along came December and my good fortune continued with the taking of the biggest buck ever taken from my niece's ranch...Holy Moly....he was big and yielded 100 lbs of prime venison along with a heavy 10 point rack.
But, today may have been my favorite. Decided to go on one final squirrel hunt to bid 2019 farewell. It was chilly and overcast today; everything looked brown, gray, and sad. The woods were quiet, very quiet, and barren of wildlife. So I sat in my car and fell asleep. I was stirred from my slumber when my car moved. Huh?? A large black angus heifer was scratching her butt on my car. But, maybe she was wisely waking me up so I could see the ten deer trotting past about 50 yards away or the many geese flying overhead. The woods had sprung to life during my snooze. Thus energized I grabbed my Marlin 39A lever .22 and headed to the woods. After walking for about 15-20 minutes I stepped out of the woods into one of my favorite meadows. On the opposite side of the meadow, maybe 150 yards away, stood a young buck staring at me...maybe 4 points. Our staring contest went on for several minutes, neither of us twitching. His youthful curiosity finally pushed him forward and he approached me one step at a time until he cut the distance in half. Now at 75 yds he began to stomp and snort along with swaying his head back and forth, up and down. Thus challenged, I took a few steps too and imitated his stomps and snorts. This dance went on for maybe 5 minutes; probably the longest 5 minutes of my life. I savored every second of it. At that point he probably caught my scent and slowly bounced away into the trees and disappeared, leaving me hypnotized.
And if this was not enough, I walked back to the car and drove through the pasture to another favorite spot for squirrels; this as hundreds of geese, forming those perfect V patterns, guided me to 5 squirrels chasing about. I bagged one with my 17 HMR, but wanted to take one with the Marlin as it is new to me and I've never killed a squirrel with it. So, I grabbed it and lined up a shot maybe 50 yards, not a real long shot, but with 73 year old eyes and open sights, I had to try. I ended the season with a perfect head shot. My cup indeed runneth over. I'll alway remember 2019 as one of the best years I've ever had. Please forgive my long post, buit wanted to share this with guys who I know will appreciate the experience. So, if you ever think the good old days are gone, there's another waiting for you.
Early October "antlerless" season here in Kansas allowed me and a buddy to bag 2 fat doe for the freezer and we found a new processor that does terrific work. Eating fine venison frequently. Along came December and my good fortune continued with the taking of the biggest buck ever taken from my niece's ranch...Holy Moly....he was big and yielded 100 lbs of prime venison along with a heavy 10 point rack.
But, today may have been my favorite. Decided to go on one final squirrel hunt to bid 2019 farewell. It was chilly and overcast today; everything looked brown, gray, and sad. The woods were quiet, very quiet, and barren of wildlife. So I sat in my car and fell asleep. I was stirred from my slumber when my car moved. Huh?? A large black angus heifer was scratching her butt on my car. But, maybe she was wisely waking me up so I could see the ten deer trotting past about 50 yards away or the many geese flying overhead. The woods had sprung to life during my snooze. Thus energized I grabbed my Marlin 39A lever .22 and headed to the woods. After walking for about 15-20 minutes I stepped out of the woods into one of my favorite meadows. On the opposite side of the meadow, maybe 150 yards away, stood a young buck staring at me...maybe 4 points. Our staring contest went on for several minutes, neither of us twitching. His youthful curiosity finally pushed him forward and he approached me one step at a time until he cut the distance in half. Now at 75 yds he began to stomp and snort along with swaying his head back and forth, up and down. Thus challenged, I took a few steps too and imitated his stomps and snorts. This dance went on for maybe 5 minutes; probably the longest 5 minutes of my life. I savored every second of it. At that point he probably caught my scent and slowly bounced away into the trees and disappeared, leaving me hypnotized.
And if this was not enough, I walked back to the car and drove through the pasture to another favorite spot for squirrels; this as hundreds of geese, forming those perfect V patterns, guided me to 5 squirrels chasing about. I bagged one with my 17 HMR, but wanted to take one with the Marlin as it is new to me and I've never killed a squirrel with it. So, I grabbed it and lined up a shot maybe 50 yards, not a real long shot, but with 73 year old eyes and open sights, I had to try. I ended the season with a perfect head shot. My cup indeed runneth over. I'll alway remember 2019 as one of the best years I've ever had. Please forgive my long post, buit wanted to share this with guys who I know will appreciate the experience. So, if you ever think the good old days are gone, there's another waiting for you.
