Hello Everyone! Another season is about to begin.

For those of you who are new to the site Welcome to my deer hunting diary!

For the last 2 seasons I have logged my daily outings with my fellow tradgangers and once again I plan on sharing my hunts good or bad with you all.

If you have not seen the prior years hunts, here is a little background for you.

I live, play and work out of a 100 year old farm stead in a little valley hidden in SE Minnesota known as the drift less area. This is an area the  glaciers did not drift ( hence the name Drift less). So the area is filled with wooded steep bluffs, deep ravines and fast moving streams.



The farm consists of 295 acres made up of mostly hard woods. There are some old pastures below the timbered ridges filled with wild apples. I have carved out food plots in the woods by cutting down trees and bull dozing stumps. Some of the old hayfields have been plowed and planted in various types of deer food plots as well.

Working for myself I have the ability to hunt every day . Because our season runs about 100 days long I created a hunting camp a short walk from the house for both myself and my hunting friends who come to chase the whitetails with me.

I believe my wife appreciates the fact she isn't woken at 5 am each day from 9/13 to 12/31! A comfy 24 foot yurt is where I lay my head each night.

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The camp has everything I need both outside and in. You will note there is a practice ladder stand and also a camp meat pole close by. An adequate amount of wood has been split and stacked. A new cedar railing on the deck has been installed.

Inside the yurt is all my man cave stuff.
 
 

That Yurt is darn cool!

My entire life revolves around this bit of land.

Each day when I hang up the computer and phone, I then head into the woods or fields and spend another 4 to 6 hours working. I am always doing some form of timber stand improvement work.

Having ten acres of food plots entails constant spraying and disking and mowing and planting and more spraying and mowing!. But I love every minute of it and the rewards, well the rewards are simply amazing.

here are some of the plots I have for this year.

Apple Alley


The old Upper hay field has four plots. Forage beans, clover and a green mix of clover , birds foot trefoil and chickory and turnips.

Looking forward to this years logs!

Behind the farm house is a 2 acre field. I was having some erosion issues since over 90 acres drains down into this field. A quick snow melt reeks havoc here. So to combat that, I planted that same green mix of clover, trefoil and chickory in the middle of the field to hold the soil better.

I call this stuff " deer crack" as there are numerous deer in it each night all summer long.

On The right of that is another Turnip plot and on the left a mix of left over brassicas from last year.

I'll post the pictures of the other two micro plots as I hunt them.

Despite the poor deer populations in the rest of the state and the decrease of tags to just one deer statewide, my little corner of the state has had an increase of deer. I can legally shoot 5 deer here this year. I am hoping that between my self and my friends, we can take about 15 does off the farm and maybe a good buck or two!

Opening day is next Saturday. But both professional and personal obligations are going to take me away from the farm until late Sunday afternoon. I may get out then . If not then, my opener will be Monday morn the 15th.

But after that, I'll be out nearly every morning and evening. Hopefully I can describe my trips afield and post photos so that you will enjoy my hunt as well.

I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite flower. This is an English Aster , but I call it the bow hunter's flower since it doesn't bloom until right around opening day each fall.

Good hunting to everyone this fall. See you soon.

Yes, this will be fun to follow!

Does the yurt stay up all year long?

Stunning countryside, and a wonderful hunting camp! Thank you for sharing, and I wish you all the very best for your season!

I enjoyed the past two seasons you logged and will keep an eye out on this years also..I like how you give us a tour of the property and stand locations...Love the yurt also...      

WooHoo one of my favorite read alongs!!

Looking forward to it as always.

Nice to see you back, Jim.

"My entire life revolves around this piece of land."

"Make a life, not a living."

Boy, you sure inspire me, Jim. I need a boot every now and then and this is one right now. Thanks.
Looking forward to your posts.

QuoteOriginally posted by Big Ed:
WooHoo one of my favorite read alongs!!

YOU ARENT KIDDING BIG ED!! Hands down the best thread always something good to read  and look at each and every day...looking forward to it!

I always enjoy this thread.  

Great pics Jim.

Jim, thanks for taking us along for another year!

Your place is amazing! I love seeing the pictures every year. Best of luck to you, hunt hard and be safe.

The for plots are looking great this year.
So glad to see this thread started up again. It's a Trad Gang highlight each and every day!