Here in Pa. there is no Sunday hunting, at least for your big game animals. After a week of on and off rain I needed to hit the woods for a walk.
Grabbed a few arrows and my bow and headed out back.
This time of year if there is not snow on the ground you are looking at shades of gray and brown with the occasional moss green. And by the way "moss green" usually is a dead giveaway for a nice soft stump. But only if it is growing on something that is "rust" in color.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0355_zps00540a9a.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0355_zps00540a9a.jpg.html)
Stumping is a great way to improve your shooting skills. It also is a good exercise in following your arrow. Sometimes you will get a complete pass through with your arrow landing elsewhere, or a miss,which leaves you scanning the woods.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0356_zps4ba298f3.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0356_zps4ba298f3.jpg.html)
What i like the most about stumping is the ability to shoot and scout at the same time. My "Only Mine-Honey Hole" was opened up to a few others this year. I purposely have been hunting another area.
Droppings are always good to see......
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0357_zps15ed665c.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0357_zps15ed665c.jpg.html)
There were two really nice 8 pts in the area this year. Really nice rack bucks. This rub was within spitting distance of the droppings.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0358_zps90f9bae3.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0358_zps90f9bae3.jpg.html)
Here is an excellent stump target. that little hole would really give you something to concentrate on...
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0360_zps052f0308.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0360_zps052f0308.jpg.html)
Nice, thanks for taking us along
Some things you only see if you get out in the woods, I thought this was interesting. A young Black Birch growing up out of this stump.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0362_zps0615efad.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0362_zps0615efad.jpg.html)
Here in Pa. they don't get much better than this....
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0363_zps6095f46a.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0363_zps6095f46a.jpg.html)
Another angle.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0366_zpsc8558d01.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0366_zpsc8558d01.jpg.html)
Love your posts Craig, hope you are able to score this season!
It is a gradual but very steady climb up to the first bench. If you look to the 5 o'clock position of that cluster of leaves you will see a barn. I started right at the bottom of that.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0368_zps063cd33b.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0368_zps063cd33b.jpg.html)
Was you on private ground or public?i ask because even though it's sunday it's the middle of pa rifle season and your asking for a confrontation. Though you was just stumping,
if a wco or someone else seen you out bow in hand on Sunday it could get ugly. They don't understand about traditional archery and the stump shooting thing. Man I would not have taken that chance at all. glad you enjoyed yourself. That is not a chance I would be willing to take in Pennsylvania on public ground this time of year.
A lot of my hunts when I would pass this little crotch and it would be filled with water( we had a rainy season), I would often wonder how many deer were using it. The cold weather is going to slow that down.....
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0372_zpseb6f8d08.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0372_zpseb6f8d08.jpg.html)
Easy does it Red, it is private clear to the top,but thanks for the concern.
Good Shooting,
Craig
Here is looking at the big ridge, not enough hrs left in the day to make it up to there.
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0369_zps52b17e53.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0369_zps52b17e53.jpg.html)
The sun was heading down for sure and I imagine I should be too...... Thanks for looking,
Craig
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0371_zps0b18e726.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0371_zps0b18e726.jpg.html)
Thanks for the adventure, as usual love the pics.
Always enjoy our walks, mainly cuz you do the walking and I get to sit here and enjoy. Looks like you get a workout with the distance, uphills and downhills. Thanx for incl. us...
Thanks for taking us along! Those are some massive rubs!
Nice........as always!
Looks like a nice day in the woods, for sure!
Bisch
Anyone who posts a thread like this, is welcome at my fire... That's good stuff...
Thanks for sharing... :campfire:
Thanks!
Nice pictures. That is a man sized rub, that is for sure.
Thanks for tanking us along I really enjoyed it.
Great Picture Craig. as usual. That's a heck of a rub>
:thumbsup: :campfire: :archer:
Wow, some great pics and looks like a great day to be in the woods! :thumbsup:
Awesome!,
Looks peaceful
Looks like a great day to be in the woods. Thanks for posting.
Nice walk, How on earth did you leave the whip at home?
Looks like a great way to spend the day!
Nice country. Not a single cactus in sight.
Thanks for taking us along for the walk!
Great pictures as usual! I really enjoy your "walks in the woods".
Bernie
Nice stuff as always Craig.
QuoteOriginally posted by monkeyball:
Here is an excellent stump target. that little hole would really give you something to concentrate on...
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/DSCF0360_zps052f0308.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/DSCF0360_zps052f0308.jpg.html)
NOw that you got all the warm fuzzy kudos, Craig, did you hit that tiny hole in the stump or...NOT!?! :goldtooth: :dunno:
Nope, first shot was a little high, had to take a second which was just to the left.
Thanks for all the nice comments guys. That rub was the biggest I have come across this year.
Good Shooting,
Craig
Nice pics. Sure brings a soothing feeling to a person when you get out like that.