Saturday I got the chance to escape for some much needed hunting.  About noon after finishing up taxes and planning for the coming year, I was happy to pull in my parents drive, string my bow and lace up the hunting boots.

As my son waved bye to Dada out the window as I started hiking through the fields of my childhood.  I could feel the layers of stress and everyday cares peeling away.  As I nocked an arrow and found my predator mode, stalking through and around thickets for bunnies...my mind started to wander back to days i roamed the same fields, fence rows and wood lots as a kid. The same fields I rode on the fender of a John Deere, or pressed against the front glass of the combine mostly have remained the same for the most part.

The fresh air felt great and so did stretching my legs, I found tons of rabbit tracks, managed to kick out one bunny who stopped in some brush after a short 15 yard dash...I then missed him by a hair shooting just under him.  I had to laugh as he came straight up out of the snow and kicked it into high gear to the nearest hole. I soon was following coyote tracks wandering through a small woods of spruce.

Out of the maze of spruce I walked fence rows, and was kicking up pheasants left right...oh how my English setter would be mad at me right now. All the work we had done during bird season, and we only saw a handful of birds and put a couple roosters in the game vest.  I had put up 40 pheasants in a few hundred yards of fence row.  I was just glad to see as many birds as I did, and there were more to come.

I found a interesting spot to me, a tree had been cut and left and when I found the end I saw the dead bees laying in the snow and the honey combs inside. I don't know anything about bees..and didn't know if I should come back and cover the hole or leave it? I do know the tree has been cut for over a year or two.

Still wandering I aquired a hunting partner along one fencerow..a rusty spotted young bull calf followed me along the fencerow, curious to what I was doing.  He wasn't much for talking, but he did say so long when we he ran out of pasture at the woods.

I awoke a small doe and she left her bed, and not very happy. She circled me, and I lost her in the thick brush.  

I wondered why i had only bumped one deer on my trip as I would soon find out.
As I was running out of light, and land I figured it was time to turn back towards my parents and my legs told me enough breaking trails walk the lanes up.  I soon found why I hadn't seen any deer...they were grouped up in the corn stubble.  The dark dots are deer (sorry my old camera doesn't zoom) and there had to be over 80 deer in the field.




As I walked in the door of my parents, i could smell dinner and my son was more than happy to see me. It felt good to be tired, and recharged from a long walk and getting some practice at one rabbit and several stumps, weeds clumps and leaves along the way.

As we were getting ready to leave, my dad gave me old Bear Kodiak Magnum. 52" 35#@28" perfect shape and just what I was looking for my wife to shoot, and to pass on to my son.
 


The journey was a good one, and much needed....now I know why coyotes wander as much as they do.  Most of the time its hunting, but sometimes its just what you need.

Yes, nice i could see every fence row and the rabbit high steppen to her hole.... yes, nice

Sounds like you had a great hunt! Congrats!

Definitley a day well spent!  

Beautiful, you made my day and my mind went wandering along with you. Thanks

Looks like a great time Drew!!  Good to see your getting out some!!

thanks for the pics bud.

Sounds like a dream come true.

Good stuff Drew, great pictures!

  Good Stuff...

Drew, I didn't know they let John Deer tractors out of Iowa.  Great story.  Keep 'em comming!    

-Brett

That's just the "Chicken Soup" I needed today...Thank you very much.

Keith

Thanks for takin us along Drew! Great pics and well told!

Nice pics drew,, What kinda bow is that,, kinda looks like the little river a bit,,LOL,,except longer,, and a bit mor R/D but nice lookin bow,,

Thanks Drew! Makes me think of my winters groing up in MO. You have made my day!

All those deer and pheasants have me ready to move up to Michigan    .  No wonder Ron LaClair lives up in dem woods.

That was just what I needed, thanks!!
Very nice K-Mag, by the way!

Killdeer  

QuoteOriginally posted by Drew:
The journey was a good one, and much needed....now I know why coyotes wander as much as they do.  Most of the time its hunting, but sometimes its just what you need.

that says it all my friend!! What a great story and wonderful pics!!!

Brett...they do let them out of Iowa, but we have to keep them barned up so they don't escape! I thought I grew up around big fields...until I saw Iowa, wow!  

JB, that's my new Horne Brushbow "redtail" she's from Leroy's warehouse.

Seeking, the pheasants are coming back strong...of course my local Pheasants Forever and all the filter strips, nesting cover, and crp we've planted has helped.  Ron lives in town, and has a Mickey D's drive through in his backyard...but his hunting camp Shrew Haven is in the sticks in a beautiful area!
 

Killy, I'll be sure to send ya a pic of my wife shooting that Kmag once I get it set up.

Gotta do some research on those Bees, anyone got a honey press??

You just took me home.  Great story i feel the same way when i go back up there to my grandfathers farm.  Thanks for sharing.