Friday afternoon I decided to put the bow in the truck just in case I had a couple hours. At 3pm I decided to turn my phone off and cut out of the office for the rest of daylight. I am fortunate enough to have 120 acres of woods in Upper Montgomery County all to myself (many thanks to the landowner!)
After sitting around and talking with the landowner for a half our or so, I put on my old style camo jumpsuit (found in my dads closet circa 1970), sanuk sidewalk sufers and slowly walk through the woods. Mind you, I typically race through the woods with a climber on my back. But this year is different...I am slowing things down. Heck I wore a pair of incredibly flexible beach shoes because that is just what I happened to have on.
It was painfully slow at first. How can I "walk" for 30 minutes and still see the truck? Then...there are 8 does passing 30 yards in front of me! Oh this stuff really works! I crouched down and watched what I never thougth I would see. They passed and were never the wiser.
I skipped over a logging trail and started again. Two more does! Then they turned around and came back. Somehow I actually laid on my back as they passed. Oh this still hunting is crazy!!!!!!!
I kept going exploring the woods I never bothered to look at in the past. I crouched by a tree for a bit, then two does appeared and started walking to me. Heart is beating, legs are burning from crouching. They stop dead at 20 yards and start bobbing their heads. Then stamp their feet. And then the snorts and blowing begin. Oh this is good stuff but my legs are killing me! They decide to bound away, but then stop. What?
They begin walking back to me snorting, blowing, stamping, bobbing to 15 yards. Pace back and forth...stare...snort...paces...bound away...
They walk back again. I am thinking they are convinced I am not a human. They walk back to 15 yards blowing, snorting, stamping. I can do nothing but crouch in agony as this is now going on 20 minutes and I haven't been able to move. They walk all the way around me just out of range. I can hear them behind me blowing but I cannot see them...Please just make night come so I can move my legs!!!!
For 30 or more minutes I crouched motionless as these deer eyed me up and down. Darkness is coming and shooting light ends. I hear one last blow and snap of twigs...I could crouch no longer.
Oh still hunting is good stuff...
Mike
Nice job!
It is may favorite type of hunting.
Still hunting works great. Good story.
Now you know what you've been missing all these years...while we have been having all the fun...
Neat story... :thumbsup:
Ain't it great, last year I was stalking and got to within 25-30 yds. and they decide it's time to run, only problem is they are running right towards me. They stop about 6 yds from me and then just calmly walk around me. I do carry light climbing sticks and a light fixed stand with me just in case I feel like going into a tree, but I don't go very high anymore just about 8-12 feet. Just high enough to get myself at or above the canopy.
Good job keep enjoying it.
Squirrel hunting is alot like that except I move a little faster than you did, and it's good practice.
Wait till it snows and get yourself some real good snow camo and see what happens. That's the most fun for me is that first snow, stalking, and bow hunting.....it just makes me feel so glad to be alive and at the top of the food chain.
I have literally walked right up to within 5 yards of bedded deer only to have them stand up, stare a hole through me, and cautiously walk away without ever spooking. They just can't make out what you are when dressed head to toe in snow camo when everything around them is white and black. Best thing is the deer and turkey stick out like a sore thumb. :thumbsup:
Now you know what a true predator feels like.
Yep - still hunting is my favorite by far. Still manage to get plenty of time sitting in hides but stillhunting is way more productive for me. It's warmer too, once those winter winds blow.
Wait till they get close enough to touch without knowing your even there. Talk about a rush! Good story and enjoy the journey.
Magnus