Well, I have been back several days now, but things have finally started settling down for me here. I left for Idaho and my wife left for minnesota leaving my secretary to fend for herself. She did very well by the way.

Now that I'm home, I wanted to share with ya'll some of the fun I had in Idaho:

The idea came about several months ago as John Turner of American Leathers and I discussed me joining him on an early mule deer hunt at his home near Twin Falls Idaho.
Now I'm up for a hunt anywhere, anytime, for anything, but mule deer were high on my to due list. Little did I know how high they really were    

Now I had never met John or his wife Laurie in person but had spoke with them many times on the phone (most of you know them from the fantastic gloves -BigShot- and other leather goods they make). They were  just as gracious in person as they took me into there home and fed me for a week (i'm sure they will have to sell a lot of gloves for what it cost to feed me).

One of the first things I noticed as I neared Johns house was how everthing around it was UP and I mean way UP at least for a fat man such as me, but I wasn't afraid at least not yet. I figured John has some small mountains hidden away just for him and I to hunt in.

Anyway, the sights were beautiful, and the adventure was grand. We glassed many mule deer and I made the most perfect stalk on a huge rock. The rock never heard me coming (A buck was supposed to be below the rock). I did have a couple of opportunites for shots. One buck and one doe but it wasn't in the cards and then it was back to the airport. I must say I did a lot better in the mountains than I thought I would. I knew that If I gave up, or fell out that they would just leave me there anyway so I just stayed persistant.

It was my first time to really relax since February, and I'll never forget it. I don't know that I could live out there as it was way too peaceful but the company was great. I hated to leave. I had made friends with Tiger and Scout (They are the turners Lion dogs) and Sparky the German Shorthair. They were ever pressent after the hunt to help one forget about the stresses of the day.
Anyway, I am now home and have no regrets. As anybody who has hunted Mule deer with a bow knows, they are no sure thing.

My thanks to John and Laurie Turner (American Leathers) for there hospitality and to Manny who will post pictures for me shortly.

BigJim

Sounds like a great time Jim. I have talked with John a few times and he does seem like a very nice guy. Glad you had some down time,and made to and from safe.
Chuck

Sounds like a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying life. We should all try to do it more often.

Thanks for sharing Jim.

Any time away from work is well worth it when you get the chance.

Idaho, sounds like a great time in the mountains chasing muleys with such wonderful folks.  I am sure that the hunt was a welcome break from your workload!  Looking forward to the photos!

Jim,

I hear you on the Up and Down thing.  I had lived in Montanna almost 20 years ago, working and hunting.  I was in much better shape... I went back this summer for a work trip, and driving through that country, it was an eye opener for me.  I realized unless I got in much better shape, all I could chase would be pronghorns or river bottom whitetails....

Having not been back for so long, it was amazing how fantastic it is out there.  What a great place to go hunt/visit/camp....

Sounds like a good trip....

 

Jim, Glad to hear you had a great time. Yes the ups and downs can be hard on a flat lander. Can't wait for the pics.

Jim, isn'y it funny that UP time can be Down time? Sounds a great adventure to retune your mind. Looking forward to see what you do with those redwood burl veneers you bought at Compton's.

A dream hunt for me, cant wait to see pics!

Sounds like a great hunt Big Jim. Taking an animal doesn't determine wether a hunt was successful or not. You got some much needed down time, and that alone was worth a million bucks.

Thanks for sharing the experience.

Even Big Jim needs to put it all down once in a while and escape.Man dont live by epoxy resine and fiberglass dust alone.

This explains the recent rash of Sasquatch sightings in Idaho.  :D

Goes to show you dont have to kill a critter to have fun,but it really makes it a lot more fun

Glad you got a break and enjoyed yourself, now get back to building gorgeous, great shooting bows!

Good stuff Jim.

Leaving Sumter County Georgia and hunting out west the first time was an eye opener to me as well.

Good stuff.  Sounds like we need to get you out here to California to chase some hogs.  A spring hunt in the mountains for piggies is a great warm up for fall mountain hunting...

Hopefully your batteries are refreshed!

Glad that you could get away for a while. That clean mountain air is refreshing to body and soul.

That was the first trip of a big year for me. Up until several years ago, my wife and I traveled 3-4 times a year to hunt but that was cut short by lack of work. We live to hunt and I'm excited about getting in a little more this year. Next up is Illinois and then Kansas all thanks to friends.
I will have to keep my mind on the grindstone ...or sander I guess in order to get caught up.
Pigs in California.....Hmmmm. That sounds quite relaxing.
Question, is there something wrong with me if I think putting an arrow through something can be relaxing?  
BigJim

Jim
Per your question, I don't think its wrong to relax ventilating meat!

"Gotta kill it to eat it, be it carrot or a cow" my buddy used to say!

Sounds pretty clear that your motive is the hunt, but from your story here, you don't need the kill to have had a great time. That is a measure of a true sportsman, so a tip of the hat, my good man!

Big Jim sent me the pictures to post: