FIRST SNOWSHOE HARE HUNT OF 2011

Following an extremely mild period of winter weather with temperatures reaching the 50’s, this week is back down in the area of 24 degrees and spitting snow again.
Decided to go out snowshoe hare hunting for a couple of hours. This particular time, I left the beagle at home. He is older and hasn’t been out running for awhile so I wanted to get him back walking and exercising a bit more before letting him loose.

(First snowshoe hare of 2011)

I was carrying one of my .22 caliber rifles, scoped with a 2-7 power variable scope. I was just slowly hunting through some cedar swamps looking for sitting hares. The first hare spotted wasn’t exactly sitting still. I had just walked around an uprooted clump of cedars and the snowshoe shot out from under the brush and was in other cover before I could get the scope on him.
I continued hunting with the light snow sifting down around me. I finally found another hare not very far from the first one sighted. This snowshoe I saw sitting under a bush in some pretty thick grass and dead weeds. There were plenty of openings to get a shot and since the hare didn’t seem alarmed by my presence, I decided to try to get it on video. I turned on the video camera and got the shot on camera, sort of. At the distance and because I had to have it on wide angle to minimize shakiness, I got the effect of the shot on camera although you can’t really pick out the snowshoe in the framing. White on white shows very little contrast while filming. But as you can see the approach and my hand picking the hare out of the tangle of brush, I suppose that it is the best I can hope for while trying to film my own hunt.
        I forgot my sling I usually use to carry small game out of the woods. So I improvised by cutting a small stick and rigging it like the photo shows, it is a relatively easy way to carry a rabbit without it continually slipping through your grip. I never like carrying them in a vest or game bag because of warmth from both the animal and your body.

(an easy way to carry small game)

(simple hand grip)

This is the first snowshoe hare of the year, although I did miss a couple earlier in the season. This one is one of last springs young. Not a real heavy one but certainly good and healthy. It will make a great stew or stir-fry meal.
Now I am looking forward to the next snowshoe hunt.

EARLY BLACK POWDER SEASON ENDS

Here in the Northeastern part of New York, the early black powder deer hunting season ended with some mixed reviews. Many reported they were not seeing all that many deer, while others saw quite a few. I saw groups of 4 to 7 while hunting. This year, especially, I think you must find the right food source. We have had such a growing year that there is food anywhere deer want to look. The wild apple trees have been loaded with fruit and the fields remain green. In our immediate area we don’t have a lot of oak trees but we do have some beech trees.
Even though there is an abundance of food, deer will still have their favorite spots to browse. Whether it is because the food tastes better at that spot or because it is just an easier or safer place for the deer to access, there always seems to be some magnet that attracts them. Find that area and you should have greater success.
As I have already posted, my daughter got the first deer of her life on Monday of the muzzleloader season. I think I have another hunting partner. During the early seasons, although I won’t pass up shooting a buck, I am usually looking to fill my tag for the freezer. The rest of the time I can concentrate on filling out buck tags. Like many hunters today, I often end up hunting in at least two different states and many different areas. We have generous hunting seasons, with over two months of deer hunting by the time we get done with bow, muzzleloader and rifle season.
Thursday afternoon of the black powder season, I used my antlerless tag on a large doe. I then processed that for the freezer and am now looking to get back out for rifle season. Unfortunately the weather has turned against us and is so warm the past two days that deer are just not moving. I haven’t been out. I had been planning on changing scopes on my 30-06 and finally did so this year. I have a 3-9x50mm variable on the rifle and it is shooting well. We will see how it performs in the field.
One catastrophe during the black powder season was the dropping of my digital camera and ruining it. It slipped out of my jacket and landed hard on the sidewalk in front of our home. Can't even claim it fell from the tree stand! So before this season gets too old, I guess I will need to look for another point-n-shoot digital to carry. At least it wasn’t my most expensive outfit!

RAMONA TAKES HER FIRST DEER

The muzzleloader season for whitetail deer started this past Saturday. My daughter now lives in New Hampshire and has been putting much of her energy into raising a family over the past few years. It has been about six years since she has been able to hunt deer with me. This year she decided she was able to get back into hunting.

(A successful season with a first deer for Ramona)

We woke on Saturday morning to rainy weather and some windy conditions. We decided that getting soaked wasn’t the best way to start out the hunting season. So we waited until the afternoon to sit on stand the first day. We saw no deer, although there were squirrels plenty and I even heard a couple of turkeys and many Canada geese in flight overhead. We ended the day without a sighting.
We were out again on Monday, October 18th, fairly early in the morning. I put Ramona on stand and I circled around the property in hopes of quietly driving any deer toward her stand. She did not see any deer, although I did sight four deer. The first three were definitely does but the third looked very much like a small buck following them. No shots taken at that time.
We went in for lunch and to see my son, her brother, off. He was on his way back down to Pennsylvania. He had gone out with us on Saturday and did some photography while we hunted. Following his departure, we headed to another location for the afternoon hunt. My friend, Gary Bombard Jr., had a ground blind that we set up and waited for the afternoon feeding to start.

(big smile for a successful hunt)

Ramona and I sat in the same blind for the afternoon. About 5:30 p.m. we saw a small deer about 100 yards out in front of us. Another, this years fawn, came out and the first one started bullying the small one around. It charged the little one and struck out at it with it’s front hoof. The small fawn ran away. Suddenly a large doe appeared. Ramona waited for a good shot and when the smoke cleared, she had harvested her first whitetail deer. Following the shot, we watched as five more deer rushed off. Ramona has hunted with me a total of 6 years before this, without taking a shot at deer. Her first shot was a good shot and she tagged a large, mature doe.
The greatest part of this is being able to be side by side with my daughter at such a moment as this. She loves the outdoors! It was exciting to see her excitement and pride at being successful during the hunt. Not only did it provide the excitement of the hunt, but this was a heavy doe that will provide her family with many meals in the months to come. I trust there will be many more hunts in the years ahead.  

TEN ESSENTIALS TO CARRY HUNTING

     Many of us only hunt close to home. We often do not give much thought to getting turned around and lost or having to spend an unexpected night outdoors. We go out, hunt and then turn around to head home for the night, usually before supper.
     There is something to be said, however, in carrying a form of a survival or bug out kit while going afield anytime. I have a number of friends who would not even think about going a half mile from home without their bug out bag. So the question is; what should be included in that bag?
    Here are ten essential items that you might want to carry:
1. A compass and a map. Know how to use them both. A GPS is fine, but you are literally betting your life on technology. I am more confident in a good compass and topographic map.
2. A knife. Pick a strong one, preferably a fixed blade with a good sheath.

(a sample of some good knives)

3. A whistle and one other signal device. A whistle is not a normal sound in the wilds. Also carry a mirror or some other type signal device.
4. Carry two forms of fire starter. This is up to you. But a word of advice. Two different cigarette lighters only counts as one form of fire starter. Try a lighter and some kind of steel striker.
5. A small flashlight. Carry extra batteries and a spare bulb.
6. A small first aid kit. Put it together yourself. The ones you might buy may not have the items necessary to your situation.
7. Sunscreen/lip balm/ insect repellent. This is self-explanatory.
8. Extra clothing to match the conditions you might face.
9. Extra food. Carry at least one days worth of food.
10. Sunglasses - winter or summer. Snow blindness is just as dangerous as overexposure during summer months.

(These cool shades should certainly do the job)

     So next time you plan on only hunting the "back forty" maybe you should consider carrying a bugout pack just in case. A bag of survival items does not weigh all that much, but it can be worth it's weight in gold if something is needed on one of your outings.

HUNTER SAFETY CONCERNS

        The hunting seasons are fast upon us for another year. We are approaching the time when we see many more sportsmen and women afield than during the rest of the year. The issue that should be foremost in all of our minds is that of safety when going into the outdoors. I believe this issue can be broken down into three areas; preparedness, visibility and state of mind.

(Successful hunt because of preparations made)

        Preparedness is that aspect of how knowledgeable and how fit you are to go into the woods in the first place. This is both cognitive and physical in nature. Cognitive or knowledge of what is stored in your mind and can be retrieved as needed. There is no one thing here, but it may include knowing the game laws so you don’t do anything questionable while afield. It may be knowing proper gun handling and hunting etiquette so that you do not endanger another or yourself.
A good example of this is in turkey hunting. Are you aware that since we hunt completely in camo that when you spot another hunter you should not try to alert them by waving your hand. Just speak aloud and they will hear and recognize you. Also you are recommended not to wear red, white or blue colors while turkey hunting. These are the colors of a gobbler during the spring mating.
The physical is self explanatory. You should be in relatively good shape physically because hunting does tax you physically. A simple daily walking program can help your aerobic health a great deal and make you fit for hunting.
Visibility is the second area of safety concern. For the most part, it is a no brainer, hunters should be wearing hunter orange while hunting most game. Deer hunting or small game hunting, anytime with the exclusion of waterfowl and turkey hunting I believe it is only sensible to wear a good amount of hunter orange. Notice I keep saying hunter orange. Hunter orange is the only color that has proven effective in low light or anytime hunting. It is seen and identified as not being natural to the outdoors. All states find that hunting related accidents decrease when hunter orange is worn. Other colors just don’t cut it!

(Hunter orange really shows up)

Third, the state of mind, is extremely important. By this I am referring to the very basics as to why you hunt in the first place. Because of its nature, the hunt should be all that is on your mind at the time. Do not let your mind wander while you are hunting. That is one way that accidents happen. Also, do not try hunting while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is just plain foolish. We have encountered those in the woods that were very much under the influence of alcohol at times and immediately removed ourselves from their vicinity.

(It is nice for father and son to tag bucks on the same hunt, just don't compete)

Above all, do not let yourself be pulled into that whole competition scheme that some hunters have going. You know what I mean, “Joe got a nice buck last weekend and now the pressures on for me to get one or the rest will think less of me!” There is no place for that kind of competition in hunting. Chances are taken under those conditions that should never be taken. Remember one thing, once you pull the trigger on either shotgun or rifle, there is no calling back the shot. It is on it’s way!
I hope you have many excellent hunts this fall, but hunt smart and hunt safely.

DEER HUNTING PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LAND

The deer hunting seasons are fast approaching. One of the biggest issues for hunters today is finding properties to hunt. Some are fortunate enough to have their own acreage to hunt or to have access to certain private acres. Others have a mixture of private lands and public lands to hunt and still others may only have public lands to hunt.
I fall in that second category. I hunt both private lands and public lands. I also hunt in at least two different states each year. I find that my success doesn’t really depend a lot on whether it is public or private land I am on at the time of the hunt. You still have to scout the area and have a strategy ready to hunt any particular property.

(This buck was taken on public hunting land)

No matter if you hunt public or private land, you will often find yourself hunting the hunters. By that, you will set up and hunt an area according to the hunting pressure around you. Often on public lands, there is heavy traffic and hunting pressure and your best opportunity is to hunt a funnel area and sit tight most of the day. Allow the deer to be pushed toward your stand. If you move around very much you stand a good chance of driving deer to other hunters.
On private land it is much the same, with a slight twist. You often know the other hunters around you and you often know their individual hunting patterns. You know how long this one or that one can stay on stand and when they head out for lunch. You again can set up a stand in a funnel area or a travel area, watching for the deer bumped by other hunters.

(This buck was taken just a few miles away on private land)

The one thing to remember is that no matter what, unless you own the land yourself, you are a guest on that property and should at all times be courteous and thoughtful of others around you. Once land owners find that you are an ethical and careful hunter, you are often given other opportunities. This can be quite valuable in finding areas to hunt. I often hunt private lands that are not open to other hunters because of previous bad experiences for the land owner with slob hunters of the past. Many times, with courteous respect toward the landowner, I have seen those properties opened up to me for hunting purposes.
Never forget that our hunting is a privilege, not necessarily a right. We need to earn that privilege over and over again. That goes for use of public lands as well. More and more of these acres could be made into wildlife preserves if we, as hunters, abuse our privileges while hunting.

FALL HUNTING PREPARATIONS NEED DOING NOW

(Author's Dad out on a hunt)

(Fall Hunting Preparations Need Doing Now by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in July 2010)
In just a few more weeks we will find the fall hunting seasons upon us. The question is will you be ready for those early openers of waterfowl and  bow hunting and muzzleloader season? Chances are you think you are ready and often have a hectic couple hours just before the opener looking for particular equipment or regrets concerning not getting into better shape for the season.
There are three areas of concern for the sportsman as the fall hunting comes into view. Those three areas often make or break a hunt. There is the area of physical fitness of the hunter, the area of equipment needs and of proficiency with that equipment and last there is the scouting and planning.
First, looking at the physical conditioning of the hunter. You enjoy the outings this fall much more when you are physically able to maintain the necessary pace of the hunt. Now is the time to begin conditioning for later. You can not put this off until the last week before the season opener and expect to be in good condition following a few days of walking.
This calls for a bit of weight lifting and quite a bit of aerobic exercise to increase you lung capacity and endurance over the long hunts. This is the time to be walking, bicycling or jogging on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be daily, but at least 4-5 times a week is good. If you hunt with a dog during portions of the season, it is also a great time to start conditioning the dog for the coming seasons.
I shouldn’t have to tell you this, because every hunting magazine you read is giving you a similar admonition. But still, every year we have more people die from heart attacks and other conditions due to poor physical conditioning than we do to hunting accidents. But that is enough said. Get out there and begin exercising.
The second area of concern is the equipment you will be using. Now is the time to replace broken or worn parts, purchase new additions to your gear and generally get set up for the up coming seasons. You not only want to have the new equipment ahead of time, but you also want to have it broke in so that you are well familiar with it.
That translates to getting out and using it. Whether it is firing a new rifle or a rifle with a new scope at the firing range or it is purchasing a new backpack and using it on a couple of overnighters on the trail, you want to be familiar with all equipment you use.
I have never understood hunters who do not spend a bit of time shooting their rifles long before the season opens. This is especially true for bow hunters. They really need to put more time in shooting at the range in order to ethically carry their bow in the autumn woods looking for a deer.
We owe it to the animals we hunt to have our shooting skills as honed to as sharp a degree as possible.
Third is the scouting and planning for the fall hunts. That area that held good concentrations of deer last year may not have any fresh sign this year. Of course you won’t know that until it is too late, unless you get out and scout the area ahead of time. Scouting sometimes tells us that we need to adjust our hunting just a little bit to be more successful. This is a good thing.

(Author's Dad following a successful Adirondack Hunt)

The time spent planning now will pay off later. Perhaps you go to your favorite hunting spot and find it overrun with other hunters. What do you do? If you have already planned for such a situation, then you won’t miss a beat. But if you are caught unaware you may miss out on a whole lot of hunting until you come up with a spur of the moment substitute plan.
So take time now to fit these three areas of concern into your schedule. Get out exercising and deal with those equipment needs now, as you plan for the next season coming up.
I hope your time afield and astream is pleasant this summer.

BRING THE OUTDOORS INDOORS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

(field work in photography for enjoyment or work)

Long after the actual outdoor experience is over and we have again entered the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the memories kept alive about that experience are very meaningful to each of us. That is why photography plays such a big part in many sportsmen and women’s lives.

(red efts following a rainy period)

Just viewing a snapshot of a past experience often conjures up certain details of that trip. We can even go as far as to say that it may even bring into play the other senses of the body. Have you ever looked at your photos of a camping trip and feel as though you were right there and could smell the campfire smoke or hear the water rushing over the falls? 

(Red Trillium taken on a spring trout fishing trip)

Perhaps you view a photograph of wild flowers and you recall finding the forest floor covered with Trilliums and remember just how strong their scent was on that day.

(fat little toad found along the trail)

Perhaps you have a shot of a frog or a toad that reminds you of the time one crawled into you friend’s sleeping bag and all the antics your friend went through to get it out. One summer camping trip my cousin, Steve, had just that happen. During the early morning hours a large toad crawled into his sleeping bag next to his bare leg and Steve shot out of his sleeping bag and upended the sleeping bag, to shake out the toad, in very quick order. The poor toad had no idea what the commotion was about. Once toad was out, Steve crawled back in and went back to sleep.

(bog life, the pitcher plants)

Photos can be a delightful way to share your experiences with others. Today photography is so simple anyone can be successful and have great results. Digital cameras have pretty much replaced film cameras, however some of us carry both. I have been using a Canon EOS system for a few years. I have two SLR camera bodies, one with a macro zoom lens in the 70-300 mm range on one body and the other has a 28-75 mm lens. I also have started carrying a small Canon digital camera for those quick snapshots along the trail or around camp. Eventually I will switch entirely over to digital as many others have already done.

(tree frog on a fallen leaf)

Sometimes just taking a day for a photo safari into the back country can be a very rewarding time. Make sure you take what you need, such as tripod, lens cleaner, etc. and carry your equipment in a secure and protected backpack. You would be surprised that no matter how careful you try to be, there is a certain amount of bumping and abuse to the equipment, if not properly protected. Once you finish shooting photos, then sit back and enjoy the results.