Trad Gang

Just a short note this morning to get this story rolling. Everyone is home and recovering according to their own needs,ages and degree of beaten upness due to stupidity.

As always the hunt was great, the accomodations super, the food excellent and of course the hospitality of our host Kenny McKennzie above and beyond. I've come to think of Kenny as more than a friend. More like family. He's just one of the best ever.

Here's the crew in front of the cabin.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/4infrontofcabin.jpg)

 Counter clockwise from top right... Charlie, Charlie, Charlie and Tom.
   :D

:campfire:

:campfire:

:campfire:     :coffee:

Weellll then, shall I call ye Dad or Bro?

Feeling is mutual buddy!!

This is going to be good.

 :campfire:     :coffee:

:campfire:

:campfire:    :coffee:    :coffee:

:coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:

Where's the popcorn

I'm looking forward to some hunting stories!  Sounds like a great place to hunt and a very gracious host.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Kenny... Bro or Dad are fine, just don't call me honey or late for supper!    :D

All right let's go.

I picked up Charlie Jansen the younger at the airport. Pulled up to the curb, waited a few minutes and here he came. Pinstripe bibs and all.

I'd originally planned to me him inside the terminal and told him to look for the only guy in the place wearing bibs. His sense of humor was showing.

With the fair weather we were having, Charlie threw all his gear into the back of my Tundra and we hit the highway exit west at the speed limit and climbing.

Ever wonder what you're going to talk about with someone you've never met before? Well, that's where my head was at when the trip started, but it seemed to have only begun when we found ourself pulling up to the cabin outside of Linneus. As usual my fears were totally unfounded and we enjoyed continuous conversation the whole time.

Cyclic-Rivers talk......say it isn't so....   :biglaugh:

I should tell you right now that we had a big surprise planned for my young companion. Living in New York state with your family living in Wisconsin means you don't get to spend very much time with family.
Charlie's Dad was supposed to walk out on the porch as we pulled up but that didn't happen. I kept my my mouth shut in keeping with the plan and we went about getting outdoors on the lease showing Charlie around.

Without any delay I pointed the truck toward the north farm. I had a couple of spots I wanted to look at while doing the familiarization tour.

As we pulled around the corner and into the bean field there sat a truck with Wisconsin plates. We cruised past while I played dumb... not that difficult for me.

Charlie was visibly suspicious and made that fact known. I was determined to keep the secret unless water-boarded. We drove on.

As we swept past the corner where I'd spent so much time last year and where I'd killed two small deer I swung the truck around toward the far corner to check that spot out.
A camo clad figure sat perched in the stand just inside the woods. I knew who it had to be and felt bad that I'd disturbed his hunt.

Circling the truck around we wheeled through the "Rock Gap" and toward the back of the property.
All the crops had been removed and the fields hard packed and dry. We were able to drive everywhere we wanted.

Soon we turned our attentions toward the south farm. Last year that farm was hard to access due to the beans that were growing wall to wall across the ridge top.
This year not only were the crops out, but a very cooperative farmer had agreed to Kenny's request to leave and access road down the middle of the ridge.
We did a quick tour of that farm as well. Back at the cabin we'd make our plans for the morning hunt and wait for surprise Charlie had waiting. I suspected that surprise had lost it's edge but played my role to the hilt.

               (cont. in the A.M.)

that's, way too many charlies to have in one spot.

Tom was the only one confused!   ;)

Hey, is beaten upness a word? Or 2 words?  :bigsmyl:

Or 3?

This is awesome!

Todd

It may be one word, but spell check was of no use whatsoever.   :D

As dark descended on our little cabin in the wood a truck pulled slowly into the drive. Guess who?
Yep! The surprise was sprung. Or at least what was left of it.

It was a touching moment anyway as father and son's love for each other was demonstrated in a long embrace. Hell, I wanted to jump in and make it a pig pile but thought better of it. It was a private moment.

Soon we were all gabbing like three old friends, making plans for the morning and reliving old hunts.
Charlie the elder had a special plan.
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013doeinheatbeer.JPG)
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013doeinheatbeer2.JPG)

AWESOME what a great surprise!!!!!! good on you Mr. Lamb!!!!!

Tyler & I were hunting last sat morning(26th) when my cell phone buzzed..... It was Charlie!

"Would u guys believe,these guys snuck my father down here to share camp with me?"

Coming from this bunch of folks??? It didn't suprize me at all!!!!!   :notworthy:

Amazing, but not surprising!

  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    

F-Manny

:thumbsup:    :clapper:    :clapper:   Fantastic!

awesome!

Hmmm, Betcha Charlie's Dad doesn't think twice about peeing out of a treestand.....   :rolleyes:

I have a friend of mine that has a personal rule that he will not drink a beer with an animal name on it...After seeing Doe in Heat, it might be a good idea to follow it myself.

Great story so far < delete that.   Good start to a story and looking forward to more...

:banghead:    :campfire:

I guess since my wife left home the chores which have piled a mile high can be done a little slower.

Before I get rolling I want to thank Trad Gang and everyone who played a role in getting my Dad dopwn to the Lease!  Of course I know no one will fess up to it but THANK YOU!  

This was a hunt of a lifetime.  The company was incredible the Hunting opportunities even better!

Kenny M. It was a pleasure meeting you!  You are with out a doubt a class act and hope we meet again soon.

My journey started Months Back.  When Terry Green announced I had won the Trip to Kenny M's lease through being a Trad Gang Contributer for 2013 I wasn't home.  

Immediately my phone started buzzing with all the congratulations from friends who received wind before I did.  Of course I had to Race home to see for myself.

There in Perfect flashing letters across my screen was 1 new private message from Terry Green.  :readit:    :bigsmyl:  

There I was about to Open the Chocolate bar with the Golden wrapper. Oh wait thats another story.... but Similar!

:campfire:     :archer2:

that's awesome

When Kenny showed up that evening, we'd all had a bite to eat and settled in to playing twenty questions with our host.

Always congenial kenny patiently answered each question as we pried him for information that would put us in the very best spot the next morning.
The trouble with the two farms involved is that there is no one best spot. There are a lot of best spots.
Until we had boots on the ground we take our best guess and go with it.

The next morning with a light snack in my belly and an even lighter heart I gently closed the door of my truck shut and eased off into the gray light of morning. I was headed for a stand we'd named the "Gap stand" from the first hunt several years ago.

I spend the several months getting ready for the Trip of a life time. Tuning arrows and shooting my heaviest bow with my largest broadheads.  The idea was to put a big hole in Critters and ideally leave the shortes blood trail.  

I started with the Million questions to Kenny, Charlie and Terry.

As already stated, Charlie Volunteered to pick me up from the Airport, Plane tickets booked and suddenly, this trip was becoming a reality.

Next thing I knew, I was getting off the plane in St. Louis, quickly found Charlie and as he mentioned, it seemed as if good conversation was natural.

Getting to the lease I saw my fathers truck and immediately tried to get Charlie, my Ftaher and my litttle brother to confirm what my eyes were already telling me.  My Dad was to share camp with us this week!

Bear with me, My computer is slow and loading pictures is taking forever.

After the quick drive around the Farm, we came up with some Ideas of where we could sit in the morning!

It was apparent the crops had been harvested and this would play a big role in how we hunted.  We knew if food was a goal, we would have to find Oak trees.  It had been quite dry so water was also a target.  

The first morning I would situate myself in a small gap between a finger of woods and a larger peice of woods. It seemed to be a good Funnel for deer travelling to cover.

I backed myself under a giant Oak.  the spot just screamed at me.  "SIT HERE".

It would need just some minor adjustment to have several shooting lanes, all providing me with a 10-15 yard shot.

I'd barely settled in when I was hit with the realization that my tab and armguard were no where to be found.
Usually I put them on my bowquiver, but they weren't there or anywhere else in my gear.

No armguard was not a problem. The tab did present some issues. I might be able to make a decent shot without finger protection. I didn't want to chance it.

After a few moments beating myself up for being so absent minded I came up with a solution. Digging through my wallet I came up with a couple of old business cards. I was sure I could fabricate something suitable from them.

With a little pocket knife work I ended up with what I figured would suffice for finger protection and a clean release at least one time.
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/papertab1.JPG)
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/papertab2.JPG)

Charlie

You should market those

  :thumbsup:

Here is a view of the cabin on the first night.

  (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607639.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607639.jpg.html)

After I reached the first spot I was to sit for the week, I cleaned out an area to put myself.  This was next to a large oak at the end of a long Finger of woods that juts out into a cut Soy Field.  

FYI, My Dad will not be adding to this as he is still hunting. He is at the Family Farm in SW wisconsin for the rest of the week.  Must be terrible  :rolleyes:  

I chose this spot because there was a westerly wind.  As I was cutting a shooting Lane, a Flock of turkeys landed in the field in front of me between 10 and 30 yards.  I slowly eased back to my chair (and bow) undetected and put on my Guillie suit. The turkeys were still in the feild slowly feeding away.

Like a dummy, I was still undetected and chose to sit down.  5 minutes later more birds flew down and landed 15 yards in the feild. It would have been a 30 yard shot from my current position, not something I wanted to do this early in my hunt.

I should have snuck back to the edge of the feild to see what would happen, worst case scenario, I would have busted them out.  Long Story short, I listened to them for 20-25 minutes as they fed off.

This is the lane they were through:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607695.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607695.jpg.html)

Here is my other shooting lane where I was expecting a shot:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607699.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383607699.jpg.html)

Here is my hide. This is what I expected the deer to see.  I like getting pictures of myself to help me hide better in the future.

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609645.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609645.jpg.html)

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609653.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609653.jpg.html)

Dang, Brother!!! Ya look like a baby Bigfoot!!!!!

:campfire:

Charlie, a month earlier tucked in there you'd be bringing back a few "souvenirs". It's been a month and I still have a couple of "bleeders" on my ankles. Them turkeys in that neck of woods sure made a racket going to bed every night. Keep it coming.

   :campfire:

Michael,  No Chiggars or Ticks.  Until I get home, 40 degrees and had well over 50 ticks on me and the dog with a small walk around the feild. Those Missouri ticks must be gone for warmer weather.

Hunting with Charlie and Charlie, how cool is that. Thanks guys for sharing this with us.

Just visiting with C N C is cool, they both have a sense of humor that won't quit!  :biglaugh:

(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Papertab3.JPG)

It shouldn't be long and I'd find out if the homemade on the spot tab would help or not.

Sitting this stand was like seeing an old friend after a being apart a long time. It felt natural and familiar as I scanned the area. I can't say it felt like it had been two years since I'd been in this location.

Looking to my right I scanned the fields to my right looking for a glimpse of something new in the field while in my subconscious seeing the small dark spot which had turned into a buck the first time I'd come here.
    (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013gapstand2.JPG)

To my left front I constantly focused on the small point of timber uphill from me where I'd seen other deer appear on past hunts. (D)
Does seemed to always come straight down the hill and past me out of range while the bucks I'd seen always angled toward me and with only a few yards until they could come around the end of the fence line they had chosen to jump the fence in a small gap in the brush. (F)
      (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013gapstand1.jpg)

It was no more than 45 minutes after I'd climbed up that saw movement at the timber spot. It was just a flicker and then a fat doe stepped into the open at the spot marked "D". She stood only a few seconds before loping down the hill toward the fence line. Her tail was clamped tightly against her rear.

No sooner had she come into sight on my side of the fence line than I was drawn to movement where she'd come from.

A buck stood looking after her studying his options as he looked toward the doe and then toward the fence gap.

I wasn't at all surprised when he trotted down to the fence, stood for a moment and then hopped over the obstruction.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013buckjumpR.jpg)

Without hesitation he swerved to his right and loped off after the doe.

   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013runningbuckR.jpg)
 
In moments she and her would be suitor were going down the field at warp speed. The buck matching the doe stride for stride.

:campfire:

:bigsmyl:  


 :coffee:

Good pictures, Charlie, or is it Charlie ?

Yes!

Every bowhunter knows the excitement I was feeling over this little encounter. Call it an omen or call it just cool, I had a feeling things were going to be better than good this week.

I'm not really sure what time it was when I looked up and saw my next visitors but it would be a show I'd likely not forget soon.

Striding down from the north along finger of trees my stand was in was a female bobcat. That became obvious very quickly as she was joined by three little bundles of fur and energy walking single file behind her. Way too cool!!

I slowly started reaching for my camera which was securely hung from a limb near my right hand. I new that any sudden movements would mean buggering the whole show so my movements were almost imperceptible.  
As my fingers closed on the camera strap the cat saw the movement and froze.

There must have been some sound that triggered the departure of the kits but it was lost to me. My hearing aids were in Denver being repaired. Without them my hearing was less than sterling so the warning got by me. I wondered if I'd have even heard it with them in place.
I doubted it.

It only took a couple of hops for the youngsters to disappear and I somehow knew I'd never see them again.

I continued trying to lift the camera from the limb which now seemed to be playing tug of war with me. Try as I might the strap wouldn't come loose.

Finally momma was through with my antics. Turning on noiseless pads she returned in the direction she had come.
I renewed my efforts to free the camera and as she disappeared from view it came free.

There seemed little chance that I would see her again but I held the camera at the ready regardless.
A moment passed and to my surprise and great pleasure the spotted beauty reappeared and retraced her steps toward me.

With the camera preset and zoomed to it's fullest I began snapping pictures. Finally I guess she tired of modeling and turned to leave and with a glance left me to my thoughts.

     (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013bobcatR.jpg)

That's a great picture!    :thumbsup:    :campfire:

Beautiful pictures there Charlie!

Charlie...glad to see you putting Veneta's business card to such good use!

Great stories and awesome pic Charlie!

:banghead:    :coffee:    :goldtooth:

After the morning Sit, I wanted to check an area that Peaked my interest on a map.  It appeared to be 2 creek beds merging into one.  My Father had Joined me and we were on a quick scouting Mission.

We no sooner took 2 steps in the woods and I knew I had found a great spot.  The deer Trail just inside the wood line was HEAVY.  it was clear some recent activity had stirred some leaves and I needed to think about hunting here.

This Trail was one you could tell had been used for many years due to its size. It split into multiple trails that Traversed the wood line and Creek bank.  Each one just as substantial as the next.

We retreated and headed back for Camp.  I wanted to return with Charlie and Charlie to place a stand and also get their opinion on placement.  

My largest goal from this trip was to learn how to become a better hunter from the Masters.  

I would soak up every word, story and advice and try to lock it away in my noggin for future reference.

ok got the house primed and 2 coats of paint ready to read more.....

As first mornings go this one was above average. We retired to the cabin to grab some grub and compare notes.

I had a place I wanted to check out mid day as did Charlie and Charlie.After dining on fine Wisconsin cheeses and some fantastic bear summer sausage made by the many talented Charlie the elder (hence forth known as Chuck).

Tom had brought about 20 pounds of his own recipe cookies and those served us for desert. They also served as a distraction sitting there on the cabinet every time I walked by.  

After pouring over the aerial maps which seemed to always cover the kitchen table we found our way to the woods for some light scouting.

I wanted to check an area Terry Green had found a couple of years ago. We'd pulled right up to the bottle neck area I was interested in and watched a buck dart from the open into the handy cover of a nearby ditch. The ditches are always where the heavy cover and timber are around these farms.
It's just not practical to crowd them very closely with farm equipment so they grow untouched.

We were looking for evidence of feeding. Whether beans or acorns or in some cases a trail leading to a neighboring corn field.
What we found was that acorns weren't as scarce as we'd feared. They seemed drawn to the tiny, striped Pin Oak acorn with occasional white oaks drawing some interest.

Along the edge of the trees just north of an equipment track I found a very promising situation.
A scrape had been pawed in the dry dirt of the field edge. Along that same section a Pin Oak dropped it's bounty and the presence of droppings in the middle of it all gave me hope.
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013deersign.JPG)

I'd put a ladder stand up right there in the very tree that was dropping it's acorns.
Soon the deed was done. The stand was up and a minimum of trimming had been done for shooting opportunities.
That's the way I like them. Minimalist trimming and right over the food source. I'd deal with shooting situations as they presented themselves and the close proximity of tree to food would help with the wind situation.

We pulled out of there as quickly as possible so the others could get set up.

I was back later that afternoon for my set. I quickly hauled my gear up and strapped into the tree. I'd just run another deer out of there with my approach and I thought about that a lot.
Was it all too much for the local deer in these small wood lots. I thought not.

Nothing much stirred that afternoon until about half an hour before dark. As so often happens I turned to look south and when I turned my head back to the north a small buck was standing at the head of the field.

His travel route wasn't going to be good if he kept on and even though I was going to have to shoot does only I didn't want to bugger the area with another spooked deer.

Taking camera in hand I snapped a photo of the little guy just before he crossed my scent stream.
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013darkbuck.JPG)

Things slowed down a lot after that first evening. I'd had some real high hopes for the spot but it wasn't proving to be that great.

My trail cam set up nearby in the gap between fields showed only one blurred image coming through late at night and nothing more.

I saw a single squirrel on Sunday morning and a lone black possum that evening.
Just before dark I began hearing turkeys talking and knew they were about to fly up.

With my hearing being what it is when unaided it was hard to tell just exactly where they were. There was a good chance that they'd fly down into the field the next morning and I'd have a call in my haversack so I could mess with them a little.

I don't consider myself a great turkey caller by any means but turkeys are very gregarious and if I used a few lost calls when I heard the first fly downs there was a chance they'd wander over my way.

That wasn't to be. I heard the first fly down at 7:20 the next morning and did some soft yelps and then a stronger series of lost calls. I could hear them talking as they moved along the timber to my south moving directly away from me.

With the lack of activity at my "hot spot" a change of scene seemed appropriate. I'd fix up a new stand and be in it come the afternoon.

I'm not sure what Charlie Lamb is better at... bowhunting, photography, or telling stories!

looking forward to the next chapter.   :campfire:

The first place I scouted simply could not be denied. A small pond in the edge of the woods showed the signs of being heavily used as a watering place.
I also suspected regular doe use given that a long narrow scrape took up most of one side of the pond.
It was nearly 10 ft. long and a couple wide. There were at least 4 or 5 licking branches above it along it's length.
At the field end was a small Pin Oak a few inches in diameter that showed signs of several years use. Most of that was on the side coming from the thick cover toward the field and I guessed it indicated more evening use even though Tom had seen does come from there into the open one morning.

Given the wind situation I chose a Pin Oak with two trunks at the field edge of the pond. The rub (and several other smaller ones) was a few yards away. Two very distinct trails converged right below it. It was a spot. Of that I was certain.
Charlie did all the climbing while Chuck and I removed limbs as needed for shooting lanes. Once again it was an easy does it endeavor.

Soon the task was completed and we headed back to the cabin to make preparations for the evening. I needed to shoot a few arrows to keep limber and the Charlies and Tom wanted to find other options for stands.
For the most part we were hunting the edges of cover and staying out of the thick timber, trying to limit our impact on the deer.

The events of this afternoon would have an impact on how I hunted for the rest of my hunt and beyond.

I always think safety when I'm using tree stands. The previous year I'd finally bought a safety harness that was easy to keep untangled and comfortable to wear.

I had also been using a safety line to cover me from ground to stand and back. I took the line back with me when I returned to hunt.

It wasn't until I'd climbed into the stand and tied off the safety rope that I realized I'd forgotten to put my harness in the truck.

I was very disappointed in myself about then but figured that since I was already in the tree and that most accidents happened getting into and off of the stand's platform I was kind of committed I would do without the harness this one time.

I guess I had sat there for an hour and felt that the witching hour was approaching fast. I couldn't see well into the field directly behind me without standing and I didn't want a deer sneaking in from that direction.

I slowly stood,turned in the stand and looked the field edge over. The wind was out of the east and that was almost perfect for my location... and a bit of an oddity.

It came without warning. One minute I was standing peacefully looking out over the field and the next I was falling through space. I was aware of limbs breaking around me and a sense of falling in slow motion prevailed. Then with a sudden jolt I was on the ground face down.

The steel cables that attached the platform to the back of the stand had both snapped. They had weakened where loss of protective covering had let moisture enter and had rusted the cables to the point they would no longer sustain my weight.

As I lay there on the ground face down I slowly regained my wits. I was in shock and thinking straight was difficult at first.

Laying there I slowly got my breath back and my head cleared. I wasn't really sure what had happened.
Deciding that nothing seemed to be broken, that I could tell, I tried to push up. It seemed like I was weighed down by tree branches. I just couldn't push up under the weight.

Instead I did a slow low crawl to try and get clear of what was holding me down. I was successful in the attempt and managed to get a knee up under me.

My back hurt bad but I was finally able to stand. Emediately I started the slow painful walk to my truck. I want badly to sit down but felt like I needed to be in my truck to do that.
If I happened to black out I'd be easier to find.

The truck wasn't very far off, but the walk seemed to go on forever. Finally I made it and opening the drivers door I found a way to bend and contort to fit in the seat without too much pain.

I texted Charlie to let him know I'd fallen, but encouraged him to stay on stand until dark. There was nothing he could do for me and sundown wasn't far away now.
I tilted the seat back and tried to relax. There was a lot of relief from my pain. I knew I'd be fine.

:campfire:

Somebody was watchin out for you Charlie!  Im glad it seems to have turned out ok, could have easily turned out much much worse.

Thank God you were luckier than a 32 year old man in Northeastern Indiana that was paralyzed and chose to end life support this weekend because he knew he would never hold his young wife or their new, yet to be born, baby.  can you imagine being one of the 75 friends and family waiting for him to die for 5 hours?  Breaks my heart.

http://www.wnem.com/story/23883281/paralyzed-deer-hunter-chooses-to-end-life-support

Please be careful my friends.

Man that is scary!  And crazy that the one time you forget your harness is the time the stand breaks!  I forgot mine just the other day and I came to the same conclusion... "I'm already here, might as well hunt... I'm sure it will be fine."    You just never know.   I'm glad your ok and here to write about the experience.  Thanks for sharing all the details.

Glad your ok bud !

thank God you are ok!

I was sure glad to see Charlie sittin at the table at the cabin that nite. Terry had posted "something fell ,but no blood trail at big C's stand, and I was guessin something had happened!  :scared:    :scared:  

He was hurtin a bit I could tell!

I wanted to hug him, but didn't think it would be proper.....  :biglaugh:

All I can say is WOW and thank God!!!  :pray:    :pray:

That has got to be scary as hell! Thank God you're okay.    :pray:

Glad you're Ok, Charlie!!!!!!!!!!

Us "Old Folks" don't bounce like we used to...

I wasn't expecting THAT!
Glad you're OK. Be harder to forget the harness now.

Mr. Lamb.......you are a very lucky fella   :eek:

Man! Charlie I'm super elated that was no apparent serious physical damage.

I will be sure to Thank God for your complete healing without much residual soreness.

Take care Charlie, at our age we don't bounce or bounce back the same way we did 40 or 50 years ago.

God bless,Mudd

Enjoy following this thread and I`m glad you are ok Charlie. Its a blessing to have that happen and walk away. after a near fall a few years ago I almost gave up the tree stands for good. Things such as this makes me think about that often. keep it coming .RC

Charlie, I know what you mean about the falls! They are not as much fun as they are cracked up to be! Thanks God you didn't get hurt bad. Stay safe buddy.

After Our morning hunt and checking out the new area, we headed back to the cabin to meet Charlie and Camp Mate Tom Porter who arrived while we were enjoying the aforementioned Cheese and Bear Sausage.

Tom is a great guy and I felt lucky to share camp with such proven hunters.  I would share camp with Tom in a heart beat. His humor was much appreciated.

A quick trip after lunch to the feild to hang the ladder stand for Charlie and a lock on stand for me. We then drove around the South Farm to help Tom find a spot. It didnt take long and we were set to go back to the woods.

I headed back to the North Farm to sit in my new Found tree stand.  Tom couldnt have picked a better tree for it.  I would sit in this stand undetected by deer all week.  Immediately after setting the stand, we found what was left of a shed antler immediately below it.  I was thinking, "Good Omen".  When I showed Charlie L.  He said, "Good Omen".

At approximately 4 pm I saw a good young 8 point buck.  I ma not great at estimateing antler size but would put him at about 100 inches.  A deer I would be satisfied with any day.

He was about 60 yards and had no interest in my grunting. I was hoping he would venture over for a snack under a large dropping white oak situated 23 yards from me.  Deer sign below this tree was pretty heavy.

To no avail, after about 10 minutes he browsed off.  This would not be the last time we cross paths.....

After another hour or so, a Covey of quail came in on the wing.  I heard the flutter and saw one bird land. after a few minutes, it was evident there was about 8-10 birds.

If you can look close you can see a bird here:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609657.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609657.jpg.html)

While I was focussed on the Quail, I heard a deer 20 yards behind me on the origional trail I dicovered.  It was directly Downwind from me.  I am not sure if it was spooked by the Camera Flash or my scent but it didnt like something.

This young Fork Horn circled me several times trying to find me before venturing off.  He was within 15 yards the whole time but never could find the source of his disdain.  I texted Charlie to tell him the news and he simply replied, "KILL SOMETHING".

The next morning it was a beautiful 30 Degrees but would warm up to 60.

I sat all morning, entertained by Squirrels.

I told Charlie L. (my ride) I would meet him at the truck at 10:00 unless deer came through.  at 9:57 am, a doe and Fawn walked 15 yards down the same trail the fork horn was travelling.  I let them go, the fawn probably would have been OK but It was really early in the week and I was seeing deer, so they would get the pass.

I arrived at Charlie's Truck at 10:30 where he was patiently waiting for me.

At Lunch I decided to go with my Dad, Charlie J Sr. to go and find  a new spot.  The stand he had been sitting in, called the bobcat stand was producing but we wanted to see the farm.

We headed up to the South lease and Immediately were into sign.

1 gound blind was built and his tree stand was hung in a great spot.  

His stand was in an area that was next to what Kenny Called "Wooly".  It was thick and we figured deer were bedding in there.  It was 100 yards off the feild and deer were funneling through this area and munchng on Acorns.

There was a couple Bur oaks dropping and also a lot of Pin Oaks.  This area had no shortage of sign including a Sign post rub and the ground was tore up.

It was amazing the difference in Acorns.

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610038.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610038.jpg.html)

Here is the sign post rub:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610037.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610037.jpg.html)

and next to a larger Cedar tree:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610033.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610033.jpg.html)

You can see how the ground is Tore up from recent activity.

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609660.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609660.jpg.html)

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609659.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609659.jpg.html)

Here is the Stand in a pin oak. Catching them as they would follow around a drainage.

I told My dad 2 deer would die from this stand.  I was almost right!

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609658.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383609658.jpg.html)

He was into Turkeys almost every sit as well.

Glad to hear you were not seriously hurt, you are very lucky.

Charlie, Thank the Good Lord you were not hurt other than pride and soreness!  Please be careful   :pray:

This is a great thread.

I am enjoying the scenery and great pics.

Glad you landed in a soft spot Charlie L.!

Todd

That afternoon, I went back to the Omen stand.  approximately 3 PM a yearling deer came crashing past me.  There was no slowing it down.  It was moving out of a cut corn feild from the north and headed to the double draw I was watching to the south.  Honestly I cant even tell you where it went, I looked at its back trail to see what the fuss was about.  

I was hoping a buck would be coming but no luck.

I think after talking with the Deer Master Kenny M. It was a Button buck that had just been chased off by Momma.

I had seen 2 more does browsing around at about 60 Yards but neither wanted anything to do with me.

Just before Dark,  I caught movement off to my right.  It was headed my way.

I was sitting on a  flat inbetween the 2 draws that connected to the south.  This place had so much sign it seemed as if there wasnt much of a pattern.  Deer went where they felt.  If any deer was on the flat with me, I had a good Chance for a shot.

This one was on a course toward the white oak tree at 23 yards.  It wasnt in a rush which gave my heart a chance to calm back down a bit.

I was standing, Bow in hand, at the ready for the perfect opportunity....

I'm just sitting here watching Charlie's tale unfold and enjoying every word.
I'll jump back in after an hour or so. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of activity. Some good and some not so good.

I really appreciate the concern and good wishes from my brothers and sisters here. It's powerful stuff!

Went to the Dr. Monday and had Xrays done of my lower back. Nothing real serious. Mostly just bruising and no fractures.
I praise God for His continued protection. There have been times in my life when I think I have been a full time job for Him.

I'm on rest, inactivity, ice packs, steroids, muscle relaxers and pain killers. So my ambition for writing (and having a clear thought) comes and goes.

I hope this section of the story proves to be a lesson for everyone out there who climbs a tree to hunt.
I was serious when I said I don't hunt without a fall restraint. Can't remember the last time I didn't use one.

So this one time I chose to not worry about it and what happened? I don't know what the odds are on this event. Probably like winning the lottery.
Take it from an old bowhunter. HOOK UP! I was just lucky!  

Now get on with the story Charlie.

I've sat on the ground due to forgetting my harness more times than I can recall.I won't let my sons near a tree without a harness, I even have schooled them to look up for widow makers when sitting on the ground. Glad you are the OK Charlie. Had a couple falls from wooden stands as a lad and learned good from the second.

well Mr. Lamb i for one KNOW i have been pushing my luck as i have a dozen or so tree stands that those exact cables are rusted/frayed and it takes something like this to really hit home! i will be taking ALL stands down after season and will only use TWO now that i know are safe.

Charlie,  

Keep resting and taking your meds.  The Lord's hand was upon you and I pray He will continue to provde healing.  Our old bodies can hardly handle a stubbing of the toe, let alone a fall from 16' up a tree and landing face down!     :scared:    Actually, the limbs you felt hitting you on the way down slowed you down a bit and lessoned the force of your impact.  Praise the Lord!

Bill

I know EXACTLY how you feel Charilie!!!!!  :(

Years ago when I fell,I was about 25,fresh out of the Marines, Solid as steel & twice as tough!!! So I thought.....

When the old wooden platform gave out from under me,my instincts kicked in to when the Corp sent me up to Fort Bragg to the Army Ranger's Jump School... "Hit & Roll!!!"

Well, I HIT!!!!! Feet... Knees..... FACE!!!!

I lay there in the swamp with my face in the mud, for a LONG TIME!!!!! My knees were KILLING me, and I was SURE I had broke something besides my nose!!! After awhile,I rolled over..... Everything moved, and things were looking better. After a couple,few hours, I was able to stand. With some work,and alot of PAIN, I was able to walk. It was a LONG and PAINFULL walk out of the woods!!!!!

You're a VERY Lucky Man, Charlie!!!!!!!!!!

Somebody,(besides us!) Loves you VERY MUCH!!!!!  :pray:

So this Mature doe is working her way toward me.  She is at 20 yards.  I waited and waited for a closer shot and perfect shot angle.

She appeared to have the fur on her back ruffled a bit and I pondered whether this was the doe I seen a day earlier with the fawn and if the deer that came crashing past a few hours earlier was her fawn she chased off.

She wasnt eating much just slowly walking and assessing the area. She was smelling every twig and tree she passed.

After what seemed like hours but probably 20 minutes she gave me as good of a chance I would get.

I eased the bow into Position. There she was Perfectly Broadside and 18 Yards.  I slowly drew back and held at Anchor.

In my mind I was picking a spot.  I focussed hard behind her shoulder.  I just remember Hearing a loud Crack and never seeing my arrow.  

I watched her bound a few times and then circled safely out around 35-40 Yards.  I could not see blood on her side and she seemed to be fine.  She desperately was looking to find the source of Disruption.  eventually she walked off and it was much too dark to see.

After climbing Down I retreived my arrow.  It was laying 3 feet in front of where she was standing. It was clean minus the Missouri Mud on the broadhead.  I not only missed, I wasnt even Close.

The only thing I could figure was that the string hit my Safety harness. I was wearing it somewhat incorrectly and had a strap I usually tucked in accross my chest.  Sometime during the evening it had worked loose and was hangu=ing there. At the end of teh day, It was me failing to check equipment and failing to make the shot.

It was my Fault and the Doe thanks me for it!

The next Morning I went back to the same stand.  

Even though we had not figured a general pattern for deer in this spot, we felt it was only a matter of time before something would get killed here.

Every time the wind blew, I had an Osage tree behind me dropping Hedge Balls. They would land with a Thump and every single time, I would turn thinking a deer stomped, busting me.  It didnt matter how many fell, I was tricked every time.  We just dont have these things where I am from.

The wind was out of the west again and this spot was great for that wind direction.

Just as it was getting light, I watched a doe filter out of the cut corn feild.  She doubled back and went up the draw on neighboring property.  This stand was about 60 yards from the feild but I could see well into it.

I was watching that direction hoping to see a buck working the edge of the feild in this secluded corner.

I watched another young deer in the gully to the west of me feeding on acorns that had accumulated in the bottom of the ditch.  She eventually browsed off.

After a little while I watched a small buck feeding on my flat, but he never came closer than 40 yards. He, like the rest was not interested in my grunt tube. Eventually he would feed off the same direction as the yound doe.

About an hour before I climbed down, I watched parts of a deer moving along the brushy edge of the corn feild back up another brush draw.

This was the end of Deer sightings.

I need to add, every morning and afternoon, I was gifted with the serenade of Owls hooting to each other.  They were close, and it was something you could not only hear but close enough to feel.

I would catch a ride after this Hunt with Charlie L and head back for lunch.

After a quick bit we helped Charlie place his stand over the water hole that showed so much promise.  There was no Doubt deer had been using this spot with regularity.

The stand was hung rather quickly and we went back to camp to get ready for the afternoon hunt.

That afternoon I opted for a  change of scenery.  The wind had shifted to out of the east.  It wasnt exactly perfect for where I would be but It could be great depending on where the deer came from.

I love sitting new spots and anticipating deer from every direction.

I headed to the Birds nest blind I had built with my Dad the day before.  There are 3 Giant oaks just set in from a feild corner and on the edgeof the "Wooly Stuff".  When we built the blind there were several small rubs on the feild edge. In the feild it was cut Milo.

The are 2 fence lines that meet inside the corner of the woods, although these trees were not dropping acorns, it was evident the heavy trails were still being used.

When I arrived at this blind, I was happy to see 2 fresh new rubs not 10 yards from our blind that appeared overnight or at least since we built the blind at lunch the day before.

The closest rub had been tracked up all around it.  you could clearly see how hard the deer had been pushing into the tree.

Furthermore there was a pile of shavings on the ground at least 3 inches deep.  The tree was carved deep.  I hoped to get a look at the Infant Tree Bully!

Rub # 1 at 12 yards

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610314.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610314.jpg.html)

Rub # 2 at 10 yards

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610097.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610097.jpg.html)

:campfire:

Thank God you're alright Charlie!

Looks like the story is going to heat up!

I wasn't much good to anyone the morning after the fall. My alarm went off and I just laid there. Soon I could here the guys stirring around and I knew they were getting ready for the morning hunt.

I couldn't stand not being up and my back hurt like hell when I first tried to get out of bed. I got up on the second try and struggled to straighten up.

I'd at least have coffee with the gang and listen in on the routine map perusal.
Once they were out the door I went back to bed. I had a few pain meds in my shaving kit and I took a  couple. They helped me get some rest as I slept the morning away.

Tom and I went into town and I bought some anti inflammatory meds. Those coupled with the pain meds had me feeling a little better by the afternoon and pain or no I wanted to get back out and sit in the woods.

With the wind just right for the "rock gap" I gave Charlie a ride in and parking the truck out of sight along the field edge I hobbled down to my spot.

A little work with my ratchet pruners I quickly had a nice enough blind a mere 40 yards from the place where I'd' taken two deer the year before.

Fixing my Millinium Tree Seat to the tree I'd built my blind around I settled down for a somewhat comfortable evening.

It was a slow evening and if my memory serves, it started to rain. By the time it was dark I was pretty wet and that never does my spirits any good.

At one point a pair of fox squirrels were racing around my little hiding place. Up one tree and down the next and never more than a few feet away.
Finally one of them lost his footing and dropped like a wet rag to the leaves and sticks just to my left.
He never missed a beat and quickly climbed back up the nearest tree to resume the chase.

These north Missouri fox squirrels are big by anybodies standards and I was reminded of the one Chuck had brought in after the first nights hunt.

That was the biggest dang squirrel I think I've ever seen. It gave him quite a rodeo before he settled the matter with a second broadhead.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013chuckjansensquirrel.JPG)

With the light fading fast I was planning my exit when I twisted around and looked way to my left across the rock gap.
A lone doe stood feeding well out of bow range.

The wind was great, I was in great cover and a handy tree blocked my outline almost completely. Add to that the fact I was Ghillied up and you'll understand why I was shocked when the deer jerked her head up and looked hard in my direction.

She finally put her head back down and went back to feeding. A minute later she repeated her maneuver.
I just couldn't figure what she was seeing. At one point she started and then trotted out of sight in the direction I knew she had come from.

A minute or two later she was back in the same place happy as a clam. It was perplexing to say the least.

I knew that eventually she would cross the rock gap but it was quite apparent that she wasn't going to do that before it was totally dark.

I sure didn't want to blow her out as I figured I'd be back in that spot the next day and was positive she'd be back if I was careful.

I did my best Lassie imitation and she bounced away into the darkness. I made my way up to the truck to meet with Charlie.

This Afternoon sit was quiet.  I sat for several hours and had only seen one squirrel.  This was a polar opposite from my previous stand sites.

Yet I was Convinced a Buck would show up at any minute. After a few hours I doubted my blind selection. I had turned My head and saw a deer standing 20 yards from me in the Milo Feild.  This made me question how many deer had slipped past behind me.

He was  a Handsome Young 8 point Buck.  He had about a 16 inch spread and he was looking the other direction.  

This is where I think I messed up..

He looked the other way for what seemed like eternity.  If I had just convinced myself I wanted to kill him, I could have simply stood up, turned around and shot at him.  It couldn't have been any more perfect.

Instead I watched him, Part in disbeleif and a lot in awe.  I watched, and watched and watched.

Finally he looked into the woods where I was.  He turned and was headed my way.  I decided I would be more than happy to shoot this deer. At one point he looked right through me before continueing closer.  Ghillie suit worked  :readit:  )

You should have cut the strap before I got in it. LOL

Quote(BTW Charlie I think they sell those at Bass Pro Shops  )

For cheap....

Great reading you all..

Todd

QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
You should have cut the strap before I got in it. LOL

:campfire:

I'll let you catch up a little so we are in sync a little better. Don't want to confuse anyone.
   :campfire:

And we need to remember that another group is finishing up there hunt on the lease today. They want to tell their tales as well.

Charlie glad you're ok - kind of..

I also had a bad fall when I was in my early 20's, man, it hurt !!  I suffered from that for years and years.  

Otherwise it sounds like a fine hunt !

Keep it going guys.

Its all on you Charlie-s . Don't think this group is on Trad Gang. They have killed one small 8 pt tho....

Really enjoying this thread so far, except the part about Charlie Lamb falling. Glad you're okay, brother! Hope the recovery goes quick and you are pain free soon!

:campfire:

The Next Morning we are experiencing a bit of Precipitation. The forecast is for it to get worse so the conscensus is to stay in.

We all had breakfast and then went back to bed.

By Mid Day it let up a bit, I wss gettting a tinge of Cabin fever and was pracyticing off the porch.  

Charlie Had been nursing his injuries and I decided it was time to do something.  I didnt care what, just needed to stretch the legs.

I had been looking at a section of woods off teh "wooly" stuff that just screamed at me.  

Dad and I decided it was time to go in and take a look.  

On the way in it was obvious this area was getting Hammered by foot traffic.  It was hard to tell any specific direction, pattern or Trail.  Pin Oaks were dropping their fruits like rain and it was apparent the deer knew where to find easy pickings while staying in cover.

We followed a Deer trail into the area I wanted to explore and discovered no less than 20 fresh rubs.

A little deeper and we flushed a Turkey.  I was already starting to get the feeling this spot was it.  I was eye balling brush and rtrees, trying to pin point an ambush site when it happened.

We Jumped a buck.  A great Buck.  I know a buck in the 130's doesnt excite some people but to me he was a trophy.

We had quickly built some blinds to accomodate 2 different wind directions, then got out.  the rain would dissipate our scent.

Sorry guys its date night with the wife....

Hmmm, It's 9:37..... Alittle "late" for a "date" LOL!!!

(catch ya tomorrow, Brother!!!!!)   ;)

:campfire:    :coffee:

:campfire:    :archer:

After a quick lunch we decided the rain would hold off long enough to get in an afternoon sit.  

The plan was to go to the same area as the tree stand I had been sitting. Onlty this time, there was an east wind.

My curiosity was getting to me so I was headed to the other side of the wood lot to sit over the gully I would see deer dissapear into.

I sat near an intersection of several fences and near a small pond that was still holding water.  It was evident, deer were still using this area frequently.

I sat on the side of the hill going down the ravine.  this hill had tarils tarversing it but I was also 20 yards upwind from the crossing at the bottom.  Any shot I would have would be 20 yards to mny left in the bottom, 20 yards in front of me below the pond or self defense if deer were on the hill side.

I sat in my guillie suit up against a nice Oak tree.  right in front of me was an osage tree that would make bowyers think about it the rest of their lives.  It was Perfect, tall and straight.  It still had hedge balls, I prayed one would not hit me.

The woods were pretty quiet except for squirells.  The Rain had made foot falls impossible to hear.

I had a covey of quail land and walk 5 yards to my right. It was quite enjoyable to watch them so close.

At this Time I had a squirrel above me who would not Shut up. He saw me move and wanted everyone to know.  I sat still and was hoping he would eventually give up.  Thats when I saw him.

The 8 point from the first afternoon. He was a beauty, not real wide but Tall. His tines were all of 12 inches and more.  He was already inside the red Zone.

As he travelled, he went exactly where i hoped.

Standing there in the Bottom, he was perfectly broadside at 22 yards.  I drew Back, hit anchor and he looked in my direction.  

It was evident the movement of me drawing caught his attention, he was looking my way for the source of his danger.  I held at full draw until I started to shake a bit.  He was stoic and still.  I focussed hard on a spot and let the string slip from my fingers.

It all happened so fast and he was wheeled out of there, tearing out with his tail tightly tucked and his front end appeared to be dogging closer  and closer to the ground.
 
After he covered about 50 yards, he was gone from veiw, as he turned behind a huge Oak blow down.


I could see my arrow lay just behind  and parallell to where he was Standing.

After waiting an hour I slipped down to the Ravine to find a Clean Arrow!  :(  

I had walked his departure route and found NO blood.

As far as I could figure, he ducked the arrow, must have turned it with his feet when he wheeled around.  Thats the first time thats happened to me.

Still happy, not to have wounded him though..

Well Brother, It happens.....

Sounds like a HEART POUNDING moment!!!!!!!!!

(How long did it take you to stop shaking???)

It happens to all of us Charlie!  You were blessed with a shot that lasted a moment and an indelible memory that will last a lifetime!  Ain't life good brother?  Now to plot revenge...    :biglaugh:

Where did everybody go!   :campfire:

Get him next time!!...errrr.. I hope you got him the next time!

Todd

The Next Morning Called For Rain.  The wind was to be from the East.

We woke up and it wasnt raining so we decided to see how long we could hunt for.

I decided to sit the Famed Gap Stand.  This is the same stand where Charlie saw the deer and Bobcats on the first day.

I saw a few distant Lightning strikes.  After getting up in the stand the lightning started getting closer and more frequent.  

My internal Barrometer said GET OUT!!!!!

I was almost back to the truck when the Bottom let out, we are not talking rain,  This is Monsoon downpour and Hail.  Visibility was inches, not feet.  

We saw Tom Porter huffing it back to his vehicle and picked him up.

At least we were able to sit until 7:30 However the deer were far smarter than we were and were well within safe cover all morning.  No one saw even a tail.

At about 3 PM the rain was letting up, the sun would frequently poke through and we decided we would try again to get to the woods.

The feilds were far too Mucky to drive in so it would be a long walk.  Wind was from the east still.

I chose to go to a gap where we had seen a decent trail heading from a tree farm into the Lease.

I should have been there a bit sooner as I kicked up 5 Deer in 3 different groups as I approached my hide.  The rain came back and it was a wet walk out, Charlie was safely dry inside his truck when I reached him.

We all hung our clothes out to dry but there was so much moisture in the air, the best you could do was Damp.

Tomorrow Morning called for Rain, Hoping to wake up to a full sky of Stars.

I think many of us get as much out of camp life as any other part of the hunt. Of course spending time alone matching wits with our intended prey is the acid test and the pudding the proof is in.

But isn't it a little like the tree falling in the woods without someone to hear it axiom. There's just a natural extension of the hunt's excitement in sharing the experience with your brothers.

I think Kenny is hooked on it. Oh sure, he comes around each night seemingly checking on our comfort and well being. He's that kind of guy. He cares!
But I suspect he craves the tales of critters and trails of shots and sign. The fellowship of the hunting story.

He listens a lot more than he talks and mostly when he does say something he's drawing out the teller of the tale to expound on his story and for a moment go back in time and relive his adventure.
Yeah, he's an enabler of the best kind.

I hate putting up substandard photos, but it seems that's all I have from our evening gatherings. One day I'll learn my camera better and ALL of my photos will be razor sharp moments in time.
Here' a couple. Out of focus, but moments just the same.
  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013cabinbull.JPG)   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/IMG_0477.JPG)   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/IMG_0478.JPG)   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/IMG_0479.JPG)

Well Charlie after that fall you, probably thought they were in focus!

Even now after I take my pain meds they seem pretty sharp.   ;)

The weather really put the kibash on hunting plans for a couple of days.
Hell, I never go out in the rain and I even got soaked a couple of times. Being wet put me in a bad mood and being wet and out in the woods brings back some very bad memories.

When I finally got back out it was the next to last evening to hunt. My tree seat had been left in my little hiding place by the rock gap and that's where I'd spend the evening.

It was a fairly dull sit until just before dark when a doe showed up at the exact spot as the previous sit there. I was very curious what the draw was right there and determined to find out the next day.

She never came through the gap while it was light and was joined by her youngster as the light faded.
When I left I had a plan to come back and hunt in the A.M. from my tree seat and then check out "the spot" when the morning hunt was done.
There were tall "horse weeds" along the field edge right there and I planned to build a blind back in them to hunt the last evening.

As it turned out that never happened. More rain that evening on top of what we'd already gotten was turning the field roads into treacherous quagmires.
Nobody wanted to take a chance on tearing up the fields or getting stuck far from the road.

As the last morning dawned cool and damp I went to plan B.

On past hunts and this one as well, I'd often seen deer standing in an opening along the edge of lease property near the road.
There was an old abandoned trailer house there and I suspected it was a travel corridor from the deep thick timber to the tree farm across the county road.
Kenny had mentioned that the brush between tree rows had been mowed this year and that the young oaks were bearing acorns. Hmmmm. That seemed to add up to an opportunity.

Considering that I could easily access spot without worrying about getting my truck stuck I formulated a hasty plan.
I'd go early in the morning and find a spot close to the run down building for a chair and ghillie set up.

I could drive through heavy fescue right up to the opposite side of the trailer and park the truck out of sight. The wind was perfect and there was enough junk scattered about that I'd fit right in to the landscape.

Our next morning , we woke up to the Pitter patter of a steady Rain.

The crew thought it best to sleep in, then head to the local diner and enjoy a hot breakfast prepared by someone else.

It was a cozy Cafe and the food/service was great.  It was neat to see all the farmers from this small town who were rained out of their feilds come together and talk about "stuff".

Seems to me a good place to meet people to gain access to property  :readit:

A couple of Tom's cookies and a good strong cup of coffee served as breakfast for the last morning. My spot was so close to the cabin that in a few minutes after leaving I was parking the truck and walking around the rear of the trailer.

I hadn't really looked the place over all that well before but I knew where I'd seen the deer in the past and anywhere close to the trailer would be good.

It was gray light and no hint of the rising sun on the eastern horizon as I waded through the wet  Fescue.
The first thing I saw was an old porch swing sitting on the ground next to the twin trunks of a small walnut tree. Good enough.

Opening my chair next to the swing I laid out my gear on it. Camera, haversack and my ball cap. I threw on my ghillie and it's extra bulk helped shield me from the damp coolness that laid on the land like a blanket.

From my seat I could see across the nearby county road to the tree farm where I expected the deer to come from. The progress of the morning was marked by the warm sunlight creeping down the hill toward the cold, damp, shadows that hid me.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013Trailorstand2.JPG)

35 yards in front of me a ray of light penetrated the dark forest promising warmth which was coming all too slowly.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013Trailorstand1.JPG)

I wasn't watching the time, only the slow progression of light down the ridge. How she got down that hill without my seeing her is a mystery.
But she did and the first time I saw her she was standing at the bottom on the other side of the road.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013Trailerstand4.JPG)

She grazed there for the longest time while I waited for her to move across the road and into the old driveway where the deer trail started.
It's what she was supposed to do, what I knew she would do, but it's not what she did.

Instead she slowly crossed the road farther down and entered the ditch on my side. She found plenty to satisfy her appetite there and lounged without a care in the world while I tried to will her to me. I knew that wouldn't work after all, I can't bend spoons with my mind either.

Finally she jumped the old fence in a small gap in the brush and trees that lined the road.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013Trailorstand3.JPG)

She was very comfortable in the brushy edge so tantalizingly close to me. I was tempted to take the shot. Though I couldn't have told you the exact yardage, I knew she was very close to being within my effective range. I wasn't confident given the tricky lighting and the ground falling away toward her like it was. The tip of my bow remained seated in the top of my boot.
   (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/2013shadowdoe.JPG)

After  a nice hot breakfast in town we drove around the block to see a remote entry to the one farm Tom was planning to hunt.  

On this trip we saw a Bald Eagle sitting in a Tree.

After getting back to Camp, the rain was stipll upon us.  It was nap time and hoping things would change by evening as my clothes were still damp, I would have hated to make them wet again.

As Luck would have it the Rain let off enough to make it out to the woods.  

I decided to go to the wood lot near the Wooly stuff and sit the blind where we jumped the good Buck a few days before.  

We built 2 blinds in there to accomodate an east wind or a west wind.  My favorite was the blind for the east wind but Today it wouldnt be.  The wind had shifted back out oof the west again.

I snuck in and it was drizzling.  I took it slow and was watching the woods closely.  I knew this place could hold deer. Furthermore it was the tye of place where they could be under your nose, get spooked and only go 25 yards before hiding again.

After making it 40 yards in, I saw a deer.  I couldnt make it out but watched it as it walked off.

Great story and pictures guys...  this is the kind of read that keeps me glued to TG....  

Thank you


 :campfire:

Son enough I found the blinds and quickly was settled into the blind on the edge of a ditch allowing my wind to funnel down into the ditch behind me.

I was covered up in squirrels which made acors fall like rain.  A few were dropping hickory and Walnuts from their treetop perches, landing with loud thumps.

After being nestled in for approximtely an hour, I heard the squirrelds start screaming their heads off.  They were barking and Carrying on, making an aweful commotion.  

You knew it could only mean one thing.  Predator!  

I wrapped my fingers around the string in anticipation of the guest.  The Chatter from the squirrels was getting closer, I knew the critter was closing fast.

Thats when I saw it.  A BOBCAT!!!! how cool is this?  this cat passed me at a mere 4 yards.  It travelled through the bottom of the ditch I was sitting against.  My Guillie suit performed flawlessly.

Since the bottom was to my back, I turned me head and watched him walk past me.  He was soooo close it was unreal.  Here is where he walked off:

  (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610436.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610436.jpg.html)

I turned Back around after watching the bobcat leave the premises and was listening to the Squirrels as he made his way through the "wooly".

Right in front of me at 30 yards was a deer Butt!  It wasnt moving, and as far as I could tell by body position, was looking my way.

Did it see me turn back around? was he just looking for does???? who knows but it looked towrd me for minutes.  I slowly eased my head to the side to make sure it was definitely a deer.

Yep, Sure enough!  

Eventually it must have decided the coast was clear and jumped the fence into my area, he was closing fast when I noticed a second deer behind him,  Another buck!  

Buck # 1 crossed my boot track in and became suspicious.  I never really anticipated deer to come from that direction.  He stiffened up and the hair on his back bristled up.  he wheeled out and met back with the smaller buck behind him.  

They danced for a bit in the pasture before deciding, I was harmless and definitely where they wanted to be.  

Buck #1 came back in the woods and was at 20 yards from me at this point.  Buck # 2 came into the woods and held up near the fence at 25 yards.

Buck Number 1 didnt offer me a shot and walked within feet of my other blind. I could have poked him with an arrow if the wind was right.  He was slight quartering to me.

My Bow was up and fingers on the string only 15 yards seperated me and the other blind.  He was inbetween us.  I needed for him to turn just a bit and get distracted for a second.

He turned!!!  

Unfortunately he turned right Toward me.

Storytelling ability must come with the name!!  :bigsmyl:

Here this handsome 8 Point buck is walking directly at me.  I  felt so small squinting my eyes and looking down.  My Guillie suit was being tested to the extreme today.

At any minute I was anticipating for him to turn,  I was thinking he could look back and check on his buddy, who i was oblivious of by this time.  But NO, he just continued toward me.

Stupid deer, dont you know there is  a brush pile here?  turn!  He came closer and closer, Directly at me.

This all is getting so intense, I feel like exploding. My heart is racing and Buck number 1 gets closer and closer, now closing within 10 yards, 8 yards, 5 yards.  

No way!!!! This thing is gonna Kiss me  :scared:  

I cant beleive it, It stops 3 yards on the ground, Staring into my Soul.  This is INTENSE!  Here is a beautiful young buck so close, I can poke him with an arrow.

Thats fully what I intended to do  :readit:

:thumbsup:

:help:    :help:    :help:

QuoteOriginally posted by kennym:
Storytelling ability must come with the name!!   :bigsmyl:  

He wasn't like this when he left here......I think Mr. Lamb gave him some coaching!!  :goldtooth:

On the ground - 3 yards!!! Now you talking my language!!! Intense is the ONLY proper word to describe an encounter like that!!!! Awesome!!

Well this is the  other Charlie finally jumping in. Back last night from hunting. I hope Charlie will add some pictures for me. First I want to Thank Terry Green and Charlie Lamb for making this happen. Since Charlie moved to NY there is little time together, much less quality huning time. Just sorry Terry was not able to make it. But meeting Charlie Lamb was special.
I arrived early on Friday and met up with Kenny. What a great guy. After a good visit, he showed me the lay of the land and took me to town to purchase my license. Once back some small talk and he was going back to work. The plan was to suprise the Charlie's on the porch, But Kenny sujested that I should be in the woods. Who am I to argue. I climbed into the stand suggested and started my hunt, not long this white Toyota came driving in, first thoughts were who the heck!!!!  Then I saw Charlie and waved. It was good to see him.Charlie texted how they just messed up some guys hunt from WI. Far from the fact. I saw so much wild life that night, nothing could screw  it up. Squirrels, hawks, owls, wood peckers, song birds,a flock of turkeys and a very nice 8 point buck walked right up to my ladder. To bad I was watching the turkey when he walked in on the blind side, No way for a shot and he walked back the way he came. I wanted to get down and get to the cabin,but 3 more deer came to the field right where I had to leave, so had to wait for them to exit to get back and meet my son and the other Charlie. What a great day!!!

What a good evening first a big hug for my son and a hearty hand shake from Charlie L. Some snacks and Tom showed up. After all were settled, or host showed and more great conversation and planning over the maps. Soon was time to turn in and dream of the day to come.

:coffee:

:clapper:     :clapper:    :clapper:  Well done!!!!

I'd just taken the camera away from my eye after taking the doe's picture when a slight movement off to my left brought me back to reality.

A small doe was feeding just inside the fringe of brush a mere 20 yards away. I needed to stop the picture taking stuff and get with the hunting program.

From time to time the deer glanced over in my direction but didn't seem at all concerned over the shaggy lump by the walnut tree.
Finally she fed down toward the first doe I'd seen  and they were soon lost to sight.

From the way they were moving I knew they couldn't be far away. They just hadn't been in a hurry about anything.
After a few minutes I caught a flicker of movement  on a rise 60 yards away. Soon I could make out the outline of both deer.

What happened next was worth the whole trip. A loud grunt ripped through the still morning air and there was suddenly leaves crunching and limbs snapping.

Two youngsters suddenly appeared on the rise right next to the road. The grunting had increased in both volume and frequency and it was apparent that a buck had entered the mix and was harassing the adult doe.

I'd have to say that that buck used every plea in his repertoire, but the doe was having none of it. Off they went.

I could see them running off through the woods while the youngsters stood stock still and watched them go.

I didn't really expect to see them again, but shortly they came running back to the site of the initial contact.
Around and around they went and once more were speeding off through the woods.

This probably went on for 5 minutes or a little more. Finally I spotted a lone buck trotting off for parts unknown and the doe and her offspring were nowhere to be seen.

By now it was getting up in the morning and I figured it was about over for the day.
I hauled myself out of the lawn chair and stretched stiff muscles.
It seemed like a good idea to go and check the area where the doe and buck had run back and forth so much.
If the sign warranted I'd make a blind close by.

After just a few steps I found that there was an old fence that served as the boundary of the yard around the trailer.
Right where I'd seen the little doe there was a gap in that fence and a trail ran from it down into the woods.
Hmmmm. That made sense.

I was just easing forward a couple of steps at a time when I spotted a familiar shape protruding from behind a big oak about 40 yards down the trail.

One of the does stood feeding with half her body showing. I mapped a path to her in my mind and took a couple of steps in her direction and stopped.
I had to be sure I knew where her eyes were before making more moves.

Her head was totally hidden by the oak so I took a few more steps. The grass was soaked from the rains and made for a silent approach. All I had to do was avoid being seen or stepping on any  limbs.

It reminded me of an old Abbott and Costello routine... "ssslowly I turned, step by step...

Soon the doe stepped from behind the tree moving from my left to my right. She glanced my way, but paid no attention to me and went back to feeding.

So it went. I'd take a few steps and she'd take a few. Slowly I was closing the gap. I kept my eyes open for other deer but could see none.

At last I was within twenty yards but the doe had fed behind a screen of limbs which prevented a shot.
I could see an opening that she would soon feed through and turned my body to address that location. I'd take the shot when she got there.

Finally she fed into my window. All I had to do was raise the bow, draw and shoot. I waited until she was wide open and had turned quartering away. Her head was shielded by her body so I came to full draw and held for an extra instant.

There was hardly any way I could shoot this deer wrong from the angle I had.
I don't remember consciously releasing the arrow. The white fletch flashed toward her vitals and disappeared in a blur of movement.

I was positive the shot was good. It felt good before, during and after release. But as soon as she bolted I could see a ball of white on the hillside right behind her. My arrow sticking in the leaves.
Usually they aren't that easy to see due to blood coating the fletch. I wondered.

I almost backed out of there to give her time to expire but I was having reservations.

After a couple of minutes I eased forward. No hurry. I stalked my arrow sticking in the dirt.
Long before had the arrow in hand I knew I had somehow missed. The arrow looked clean.

When I finally took it in hand I could see that there wasn't a speck of anything on it. I even put my nose to it to confirm that way. Nothing.

All I could figure was that she had jumped the string. After two straight years with a Hill style longbow the Silvertip had seemed loud. I sure didn't think it was that loud, but apparently I was wrong.

I headed back to the cabin for lunch.

Mid day the guys went with me to a spot I'd selected for a stand while stalking the doe.
We soon had a low ladder stand set up and judicious trimming done.
I knew this spot would produce.

Well, what we think we know isn't always the way it turns out. I saw nothing that last evening.

It had been a great hunt and packing up the next morning wasn't a happy time. Sore back or not I wasn't ready for the hunt to be over.

I'd spent time with a good friend and made two new friends. The hunting was great as usual and the weather not too bad all things considered.

Charlie and I had a real good visit heading for the airport and home. As he walked through the airport door I wondered when we'd meet again.

Hopefully I will catch up  with this one.....had long weekend filled with several events.....

Yeah....I missed ya'll too....

  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/echo1.jpeg)

Sure would have been great getting to meet you Terry, hope things are slowing down for you and you are getting some woods time. Charlie tells it like it was and will never get tired of reading his story. Just finished his book. A very great read. Thank you,
I saw more deer the week on Kenny's lease than my whole last year in WI. Passed on a nubbin buck one night in the stand that Charlie proclaimed 2 deer would die. Did not know if there were rules for what size to be shot and what deer were leagel game. Soon found any deer you are comfortable with, was okay to shoot. I told them the little guy still had milk on his lips and they left me alone on that. The next night I had a very nice 9 or 10 point 2 1/2 year old buck come in the onluy place he should not have come and of course the thickest. I had just a little over a 20 yard shot at a quartering away shot at a rib cage. I would have had to shoot through a hole in the brush. I passed and now second guess myself on that thought. I know now I could have made that shot. So Charlie was right about the spot. The only 2 deer seen there could have been taken. But all I hope for is a oppertunity on any hunt and on this one I had 2 and chose to pass on both. So a succeful hunt for me. I saw deer most days out and had plenty of turkeys visit, just out of range other than 2 very noisy hens that roosted right above me. They were not happy when I climbed out of that tree that night and the whole flok scattered to a new spot to rest for the night.
In sneaking out that night I tripped on some mutifloral and reached out to catch myself. I found a tree to stop the fall. But it turned out to be a locust. Their locust there are nothing like ours. Right after dinner and a some great tasting peach cobbler Charlie L. brought, I had to spend some time digging a few thornes out of my hand. But the cobbler was outstanding.

Now here I am staring face to face with an 8 point buck, hiding behing my little bow.

Here I am standing where the deer was looking at the blind:

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610374.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610374.jpg.html)

Here I am in the blind Looking to where the deer was.  He stopped right behind the closest tree, examined me, then walked in front of the tree where he turned broadside to me.

  (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610432.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610432.jpg.html)

So this deer walks off but kept his stink eye on me and I felt I would not be able to draw while he was that close.  

As he walked past, I decided I would turn my attention to his little freind who was still back by the edge of the pasture.  I sat in anticipation.  If he came my direction, I knew I would have a 20 yard shot or less. The way the woods laid, I knew a broadside shot was inevitable.

With my nerves still racing, I sat as motionless as a shaking lump of nerves could sit.

As Usual with any time I go hunting, things dont go exactly as planned.

Curious Buck Number 1 gets right behind me. I am not sure how far but couldnt have been more than 5 yards.  He gets a whif of my scent and starts walking quickly back the way he came.

OK, No problem, shift gears.  Attention is back on the larger 8 point.

As he is walking he goes behind a cluster of trees. He is broadside at 10 yards and I start to Draw.

Lesson 2, if there is one twig that could pose a problem in your ground blind, It will be a problem.  REMOVE IT IN ADVANCE!  As  I started to draw the broadhead catches on a twig in the blind and I have to take tension off teh string and get tip loose.

At this Point the deer is moving off quickly.  Twig cleared, Bow back up, Deer passes behind another large tree Come to anchor.

He is now at 15 yards and walking quickly, broadside, he is passing my other blind now at inches.  I look ahead of him, there is a 2 foot opening, then a small sapling and another 2 foot opening.

No problem, I make this shot day in and day out at the 3d range.  Focus hard on the spot, he's in the 1st opening perfect, Focus harder, cant mess this one up.

Release the arrow, watch perfect flight.  Everything is in a fast slow motion.

Then it Happens!!!!

 (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610366.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Kenny%20M%20Lease%20Hunt/1383610366.jpg.html)

Perfect shot!  Killed a tree.  The only one I had to miss!!!!

 :knothead:

Hey .....I did that also.......   :biglaugh:

You need a single bevel!!

Charlie L said there wasn't much of a blood trail!!  :D

Ya'll are snake bit on this hunt,but not from the lack of trying.....   :dunno:    :)

Awesome hunt Charlie(s)!  The camaraderie had to be awesome!  My hats off to Kenny M and Terry for hosting the hunt!  Nothing like good friends and wonderful memories; No one can take these from us in our latter years when we stoke the fire on those frosty mornings!  I'm sure all the "Charlies" will hold special memories!  God bless you all!

:archer2:

Which Charlie J, Yellow Dog?
Would be fun to do now we kind of know the lay of the land.

Great story telling guys!!!!  I wish I could tell a story like that.  Sounds like good times.   :clapper:

Saturday morning was aprobably the best morning of them all. A beautiful sunrise with little wind. Close to the best day of the week, Charlie if you can insert the picture? It was time to pack and say our goob byes A tearful hug to my son Charlie as no telling when we will see each other again. Then a hearty handshake and hug to Charlie and Tom. Soon we were all headed in different directions headed home.
Glad I was invited to be here to see Charlie and meet new freinds. I headed to my farm in SW WI, to spend the next week with my youngest son. We had a great week, even though the deer seemed to disappear. I only saw 2 while hunting. Unfortunatly I missed on Wednesday the biggest, oldest buck I have even seen in the wild. It was a strong and cold north wind and I had beeen sitting since 6:30. At 3:20 I caught movement at my left of the buck coming out from a area you would have a hard time walking. It was mere seconds from sighting to bow up and draw and release. My string hit my coat sleve and made aloud noise and spooked the buck. I took a few hairs off his back and he was gone. I thought at least I would have a picture as he walked right past acamera. But the chip was blank , dead batteries. so goes my luck this year. Thank you all for Trad Gang and the freindships that develope. I hope to get to know more of you and thank you my son for getting me back into traditional!!

Dad send me the pic, I will post it.

Halloween is and always will be a favorite day to Hunt.  This one was no exception. The close encounter with the deer and Bobcat are imbedded in my memory.

That night we went into town for Pizza.  I guess its a tradition.  I kept thinking everyone in town was weird but kept reminding myself it was Halloween and they dont dress like that every day.   :nono:

The next day was our last day at the Lease.

November 1st!

The Morning Hunt, I chose to go back to the tree stand that started it all for me.  Afterall I had seen deer there every single sit.  we had a West wind and the spot would be perfect.  It was a  cold morning oof 30 degrees.  I fuigured deer would move.

Worst case scenario i could remove the stand and save some work later in the day.

As I climbed my stand I saw a deer coming my way.  It was tsill pretty dark and my bow was still on the ground.

I quickly raised it and settled in as quickly as possible.  After waiting for 10 +/- minutes I figured the deer went off to the feild as I didnt see it again.  

I decided to get settled in for the rest of teh morning sit.  

After sitting another 10 minutes I heard 1 lone grunt come from the deer's direction.  After looking back that way and having a bit more light I reaized he was still standing there.  I could tell it was a buck but not much else.

I grunted one time back at him.  He looke din my direction for about 5 minutes and then walked the oither direction meanwhile wagging his tail.  I think if Charlie sat where he wa sthinking of going this moirning he would have killed this deer.

No worries though, I received updates from him.

"deer Chasing, Lots of Grunting"  Also "does in front of me, have to go gonna shoot" or something to that effect.

That was it for my morning and I removed the "omen" stand.  it was a great set, should have killed deer but didnt.  The best part is all the deer I saw, not a single one found me there.

After Charlie had come back to camp, he had a flat tire.  

We went up to Kennys to see who could fix it, while my Dad wanted to find some wood for a bow.  It seemed all too quick and we were back getting ready for what would be the final sit in the woods.

That evening, I wanted to be in the woods early, especially with the reports Charlie gave of the chasing deer.  I opted to back to the same blind as the encounter last night.

Winds were from the West and quite strong.  I knew a big buck lived cklose to here and I wanted a good look at him.

I should have added this in my last post but it slipped my mind.

The stand that was put up on the last evening belonged to Tom Porter. With only two sections used it was low but well tucked in between the trunks of matching oaks. I'll kill a deer from that location one day... I'm sure of it.

Anyway on that last morning when everyone was getting ready Tom slipped away and took down the stand for me so he could load it up.

As he walked up to the stand a doe stood just beneath it. Wouldn't you know it.

I it wouldn't have been for the guys taking care of me my hunt would have ended the evening I took the fall.
Thanks guys! Hunting partners don't get any better than you.

An awesome most memorable hunt. Charlie, glad you survived your fall. A tip for hang on stand users, strip off the cables and replace it with chain, you will never have a problem, those cables just don't last that long.

After reading all this, and enjoying the story telling and the pix....I can honestly say one thing....

I dearly miss Terry's tales of the hunt!

For the last couple years, reading this thread has been a highlight of mine, and to read all this without Terry involved has certainly given me a different feeling than previous years.    :(  

Sorry you had to miss it brother!!

Although you guys barely mentioned him(which to be honest is a little surprising) Charlie and Charlie Jr......you guys will never know how much missed out by Terry not being able to make it   :campfire:

Ah...no big deal Curt...they had stories to tell....and it just wasn't meant for me to be there.

Lots of stuff going on at work, and  with my girls, and the misplacement of my billfold was the final sign.

I wouldn't have been any good knowing, or not knowing, what all was going on back home, and not being here to help.  Plus, I would have had to get there late and leave early, as I had a big day Saturday, with 22 hours of drive time combined.  I have enough 'rat races' going on it seams.  My mind would have been torn between work, home, and then Charlie....I wouldn't have been worth squat as a hunter even if I'd been there.

My season is over....but for good reason...nother thread....

Enjoyed the read...and will continue reading till its over, cause I still know I missed a good hunt and meeting two more 'Charlies" no matter my commitments that needed tending to here.      :campfire:

Knock on wood T, there is always next year and some things are worth more than a hunt. Congrats on your daughters big win.

Curt Make no Mistake, Terry was sorely missed.

I know I didnt dance, scream and shout how much he was missed, but that's not my style.

I tend to be on the modest side.  If I said I missed him in camp. I missed him in camp! then you can Multiply that by 100, I just am not one to go overboard simply to prove a point. That is precisely why I am not in sales.

I would like to take this moment to Tell Terry how much I admire him to bypass this trip in order to be a better Father and Husband   :clapper:    I'm Glad there are a few good Dad's in this world. (Curt, your dedication to your family was also mentioned this week)

Terry, Charlie, Tom  and Kenny Thank you again for allowing me to once again be with and hunt with my Dad.  And thank you Dad for coming Down!

The last night was exceptionally windy but we would make the best of it after losing 3 days of a 6 day hunt to rain.

It was quiet, even the dozens of squirrels that frequented this place just a night before were in  hiding.

I sped 2 large Tom turkeys silently moving throug the Wooly. as hard as I tried, I just couldnt call them in my way.

A few hours passed and just before Dark a flock of turkeys came in from behind.  The flew to roost right above my head.  It was fun to watch them jump from branch to branch as they settled in.

Right at dark, from the pasture, I watched a Giant Rack above the fence line at 30 yards.

I have been patiently reading.... Now the suspense has really set in!!!!! Keep going please please please lol  ;) . Great story so far!

THANK YOU

Sound like all in all it was a great trip. Glad Mr. lamb  didn't get hurt bad.   :thumbsup:  I bet you guys will go again at some point!!

This Rack Materialized into a Beautiful Buck.  He was at 30 yards and moved into the wood lot with me.  

He was between 140 and 150 inches.  by the time he moved in close enough for a shot, it was too dark to pick a spot or shoot.

I tipped my hat to him, he saw me and stood looking at me in all his Glory perfectly Silohetted at 20 yards before he quickly turned and walked off.  Its amazing how these big bucks depart with reason but without calling attention to themselves.

He won, I admire this game.

In all what an incredible way to finish up my Missouri hunt.

The next morning, we packed up and cleaned up.

I was sad to see the hunt end.  It seemed as if I was just getting started even though we had logged an incredible trip under our belts.

A few good byes were said.  a Long embrace was shared with my Father before we parted ways.  It will be at least a year or more before we are able to share a hunt again.

The 3 Hour ride to the airport with Charlie went way to quick.  In fact I think it only took about 10 minutes.

There was no shortage of good conversation even after spending a week together and bound up in a cabin for days on end.

during our ride, we spotted some good bucks out cruising for does mid day making leaving all that much harder.

Charlie was kind enough to stop and show me what a persimmon tree looked like and I sampled the forbidden delectible fruit.

Once at the airport good bye's were said and I entered the airport knowing I had made a new freind who is more than welcome to share camp with me any time.  I felt as if I have know Charlie a long time.  

Charlie Is a guy who is usually right However, at the beginning of the trip, he said we would probably have had enough of each other by the end of the week.  I hate to be the one to point out, he was wrong, at least this time.   :readit:  

It was truly a pleasure to share camp with these guys.  Again I cant thank these Men enough for getting my Dad down.  I had learned so much and had a trip that will not be forgotten as long as I am sound of mind.

I was bummed about not Being able to meet Terry, but one day, I will.  I owe him a handshake and an in person Thank You for what he has done for me.

I will end my hunt additions to this thread as I sit here and well up yet again.

Thank you for all who made this trip what it was

  :campfire:

:thumbsup:    :clapper:    :clapper:  Great read. Thank yous for sharing.

QuoteOriginally posted by 4dogs:
 :thumbsup:      :clapper:      :clapper:   Great read. Thank yous for sharing.

X2!

Great stories guys!

I'm not so good at it, mine would be more like:

Um, I went for a week, saw a few deer , missed one , went home...  :bigsmyl:  

Thanks to all who have been here and hunted. First class hunter folks who share the same addiction as I, the trad bow!  :notworthy:

Great read...  

I truly enjoyed it...  

Thank you


 :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:      :thumbsup: