While our season here in MN is two weeks away yet, I thought I'd get a head start on this year's blog as I am heading out the door in the am to do a little elk hunting in Utah.

For those who didn't follow last year's blog or a new to this forum. Let me introduce myself. I am 57 years old and reside in the rugged bluffs of SE Minnesota. My first bow hunting fall was in 1976. I have hunted with nothing other than trad gear since 1985.

I live and work out of a 100 year old farmhouse in a secluded valley. here is just one small sample of the views.
 

That is absolutely gorgeous Jim,you are extremely fortunate!

Oh yeah, here we go again!    

Thanks for doing this! Awesome place you have.

I spend almost all of my free time working in the timber doing forest improvement work or working on food plots that I have created in old hay fields , abandoned pastures, and hidden deep in the timber where I have cleared out spots little by little.

I am self employed and once the seasons starts I hunt nearly every day.

I also share my good fortune with friends. Some are trad hunters and you will get to meet them here. Others are still using training wheels, when they are here, I might mention that I have "visitors" here but that will be all.

here is the Yurt which is my secluded little camp 100 yards from the farm house door.
 

the yurt gives me room to spread out my stuff, keeps my dirty boots out of the house and allows my wife to sleep in despite my early rising for the next 3 month. After opening day I sleep each night here.

the inside is filled with my treasures
 

I've made a few changes with some stands being removed, moved slightly , added and some have had the portable swapped out for more comfortable ladders.

here is one we moved about 500 yards. We call it the "sapling stand". The 8 foot ratchet strap barely made it around the tree. It is a two person stand.


and this is a new one up above Inspiration point. Very very steep here.

I really enjoyed this last year.......I love the Zebra back quiver  

up in apple alley the old clover plot is rape and turnips this year. A view from the ladder off  the upper left corner


this was planted on August 1st. We have had scant rain all month. While it still looks green, the earth is like powder and without moisture soon my hard work on this spot might be wasted this season

every man(s) well at least this mans dream, but I have had to accommodate my wife and daughter regarding our residence.  good on you.

I am trying forage beans in the lower valley and also up in old hay field

This was one of my favorite threads last year, bet this year will be good too!  Good luck on the elk, looking forward to following your season...    

this is a brand new turnip patch next to last years turnip patch which this year is clover

as you can see this plot is much closer to the tree line and hopefully will produce shot opportunities.
Up in the Bhudda plot I have planted Rape.  Needs rain badly. drier up there.

I have one buck I am targeting this year. I am calling him Mr. X. Here is his picture from 2 nights ago.



I believe he is the buck I picked up the very heavy sheds to last January near the turnips behind the house. He has been in this clover field on and off all summer. But in the last 30 days he has just exploded in antler growth.

lots of deer here this year. The trapping of over 2 dozen coyotes by my neighbor has had a dramatic effect on this years fawn survival.

We also have some very large does again this year.


here is one of my favorite pictures this summer



So there is my preview for 2013. I don't know if I will be back for the opener on the 14th. A real rarity for me but the Utah season closes the 13th and it took me nine years to draw that tag so until later guys and gals........

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to blog again this season.

see you in 2 weeks or sooner.

Glad to see you bring this one back Jim.  I know just how much work it is to keep up, but rest assured, your efforts are appreciated!

Good luck in Utah.  Clear the road for me please - I'm following in the afternoon   :D

Right on!! I really enjoyed your thread last year and i'm psyched to be following along in 2013!

Jim,  This is definitely a favorite thread of mine.  Your efforts are quite appreciated.  They remind me of home. Looking forward to sharing a cup of coffee in your Yurt sometime.

Best of luck in Utah.  Leave a few critters fr Joe.

Glad you're doing the thread again this year.  One of my favorite threads from the last several years.  Tuned in and sending prayers for rain your way!

I really enjoyed your thread last year and plan on following again this year! Good luck in Utah!

loved reading this last season