The Hunting Times

So last night I thawed out some deer loins.  I seasoned them and pounded them.  Then I put some Teriyaki sauce on them and wrapped them in bacon before throwing them on the grill.  There were eight total in the package.  I ate six, and it took everything I had to save two for Dad.  No need for utensils, I ate them with my fingers.  Not only were they that tender, they were also pretty darn delicious.  Here they are coming off the grill. Grilled deer loins fresh off the grill! So then it was off to watch football and do some house chores since Mama was working.  And wouldn't you know, the phone rings - it's Davey.  He said that it's the last hour of the last day of muzzle loading season, so we should go sit in the truck and drink some beer while the sun goes down.  And if a deer happens to come out, we'll stalk it and take a shot.  Sounds like a good plan.  I load up a cooler and pick up Dave.  It's cold outsi...

We decided to try something different this morning since our normal hunting routines are not being all too successful.  I picked up Davey at 7:30 am and we headed for the golf course.  It was brutally cold.  It was 17 F outside with a 5 mph wind, making it feel like it was 11.  And once the wind picked up, it felt even colder than that. Davey walked down Hole #1 and across to #4 to try and get out of the wind.  I walked down Hole #18, down #14, and then into #15's bowl.  Our objective was to get some meat for the freezer without freezing ourselves.  We stayed out for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and that was about 1 hour and 45 minutes too long.  We saw nothing but a fox.  And we are not allowed to take a shot at Ken's foxes. Fox tracks, squirrel tracks, and human tracks crossing the bridge on Hole #15 at Deer Track on 16 DEC 2016 My view looking back W down in the bowl on Hole #15 We left the course and drove into Frankfort to h...

So Simpson's called me Wednesday morning and said the doe I shot on Thanksgiving was done and ready to be picked up.  I made plans with Dad to leave about 2 pm and deliver half to Uncle DC at 3.  We rolled into Frank's place and picked up the deer.  We were the only people present.  Frank said that he is down to processing one day per week, as he only had 15 deer turned in during muzzle loading season so far.  Ouch. We paid  Frank and then headed to DC's in Flora.  He was out getting groceries, but made it back in less than ten minutes.  We split up the haul, and then, of course, we cut open a fresh tube of salami. Then what happened?  We go thirsty, so we opened a brand new bottle of Buffalo Trace whiskey - that was going to be a Christmas present for Shane! So then I had to text my Cuz this picture and told him thanks for the drink: Buffalo Trace whiskey and fresh deer salami! Shane's reply?  "Now you are pissing me off!" ...

So Alex and I go out about 4 pm Sunday evening.  It's 32 F and raining.  We had some snow earlier, but it's melting pretty fast. Alex walked out to the E stand on Neal - which happened to be flooded, like it always seems to do about this time each year.  Fortunately, it was FROZEN right up to the last step.  See photo below. Looking down at the ground from the top of the E stand on Neal. That water nearly came over the top of Alex's boot! I walked the road down to Marshall's bottoms.  I slowly walked N and then up to the top when I was N of Bailey's.  Here was my view: Marshall's bottom ground, looking back SE. Some snow, but it's melting quickly in the rain. Alex's view from the E stand on Neal, looking W.   I saw nothing but tracks:  deer, rabbit, and turkey.  And that's about all Alex saw too.  We ended up being wet and chilly with nothing to show for it.  But, we are sure to have a better oppor...

Multiple years ago, for my birthday, I bought a Hornady Lock-n-Load AP progressive reloading press.  It feels like it's been about four years, so it has probably been 7.  Don't really recall.  What I do know is that I broke the drive hub - the bit that moves the shell plate from stage to stage. Hornady's Lock-n-Load AP progressive reloading press So, I did some research on YouTube to figure out how to get the dang thing apart.  There are some really good videos out there on how to disassemble these units.  Thank you to whomever authored those - they are awesome.  While watching, one guy noted that you are supposed to lubricate the drive hub about every 800 to 1,000 rounds.  What???  I have over 8,000 rounds through and I have NEVER lubed the hub.  Wonder why it broke? Now, that being said, the two screws that hold the sub plate to the ram assembly - those little bastards are installed with about ten trillion foot pounds of force. ...

So I was out on vacation for 9 days which means I missed opening week-end for muzzle loading season.  And then I played 'catch-up' with activities every evening this past week.  I finally had a chance to go out with the Smoke Pole on Saturday. Me and Davey and Alex went out to the golf course.  Davey sat overwatch on 5.  I hunkered down on 17.  Alex went to the bowl on 15.  And there was nothing to be seen except a few squirrels. We arrived at dark about 7:00 am.  We waited until first light, 7:20, to walk in.  We sat until about 9 with zero activity as far as shots go.  We didn't hear anything.  The wind was a bit brutal, but the temps hung around the 20 degree mark.  No too unbearable. But, alas, we knew what awaited us in the truck - Dunkel and deer salami.  We bailed about 9 and called it a morning. My view from Hole 17 on Saturday, 11 DEC 2016 No Deer?  No Problem! Celebration feast of Warsteiner Du...

It was a gloomy - fully overcast Friday afternoon, DEC 10, 2016.  The temperatures were hovering around 20 degrees F ( -7 C).  And what is that sound coming from the sky?  Hundreds of Sandhill Cranes making their way South to warmer climes.  I do not blame you, brother birds.  In fact, I totally understand! Here is just ONE of the multitude of flocks that flew over.  In the 'full size' version, I count close to 200 birds int this frame. Sandhill Cranes making their way South on Friday, 10 DEC 2016