The Hunting Times

 I do not recall exactly what everyone else had going on, but I was the only one with nothing better to do and was relegated to take Hadley to a Disney Princess Party in Indianapolis on March 3rd. Actually, it was my honor to accompany her to the party.  We had a great time! In the truck on the way down - Road Trip! Waiting to be let into the Princess Ball Taking the Princess Pledge to protect the kingdom Being crowned a Princess by Cinderella Two princesses Meeting Ariel (the Little Mermaid) Stopping by McDonald's to get lunch on the way home and still wearing all her princess jewellery

 November 2023 found us back in Cancun, MX - but you can go to my other blog and read about that and see all the pictures. December had us busy with the Masonic Lodge meal and Past Master degree.  That and of course all the Christmas celebrations with the families. Both Will and Mallory participated in Purdue's indoor track (running) events in February.  Both did well. Mallory lined up for her race Will and Mallory after Mallory's race with the clock showing her time. Will with the clock and Daddy after Will's race

 To any of my faithful three (3) followers who even read this blog, it's been ten months since I have posted.  Why so long?  Great question.  It ain't like there hasn't been stuff going on... Two major life events happened in Q1 2024.  Sadly, we lost my father at age 83 to leukemia.  We had an awesome celebration with him prior to his passing.  What a man who will be sorely lost.  Secondly, I retired from Lilly after 33 years.  I'm now doing the things I want to do instead of the things I have to do.  Five Stars.  Highly Recommend.  Would do Retirement again! So with that, let me get you up to speed on the happenings around the Ranch in multiple posts.  Strap in, dear reader, you've got a lot of catching up to do... Jerry Don Seager March 5, 1940 - March 18, 2024

 Nick and I decided we were not going to get up 3 hours before sunrise and go sit in the dark today for the season opener.  Instead, we agreed to "sleep in" until first light and then walk in.  Good thing too as I go back to pick him up, he's still in bed as his alarm was not set properly. On the drive into Marshall's N woods, we see 9 deer in the fields - most are eating and not spooked, but they still probably got there by being pushed out of the woods as hunters walked into the woods... We park and start walking.  Eric and Denis are already there and in their stands on Neal.  It's close to 7:20 am and it's 29F (-1.5C).  Just as Nick gets 100 yds N of the truck he starts clapping his mittened hands at me.  I look around.  Nothing.  I pick up the phone and call.  He tells me there are deer in the field eating.  I could not see them due to the shift in terrain.  Ok.  Good information.  I ask if he can hit them.  ...

Nice article on the joys of dove hunting and what it means...click on the link below: Brandon Butler: Dove season provides an enjoyable challenge - Daily Journal

The day started at 6:15 am with venison biscuits & gravy.  Dad, Michael, Zach, Harrison, Hailie, Alex, Will and I partied down.  Kathy & Hadley passed.  Nick showed up later.   We split into three groups and set up along the driveway at about 7.  Nick and Zach took the pond.  Michael, Hadley, and Alex took the corner.  Kathy, Harrison, Hailie (observer, not hunter), Will and I took our driveway out front.  We all had Mojo decoys and stationary decoys to put out. And... the hunting was slow.  The kids got bored and walked just to switch places.  Not many shots were fired.  In fact, we logged 3 birds and probably 12 shots total.  Although Harrison was having fun, he didn't get many (i.e. none). About 10-ish, we grabbed the clay pigeon / trap thrower and met at the curve to shoot some clays.  This was enjoyable because we could haze each other.  And once folks figured out the pattern, we switched the flight ...

Michael had mandatory training and could not attend the annual trip down to the strip pits in Terre Haute to shoot doves.  Tony took his place this year.   Me, Davey, and RePhil left Mulberry at 4:30 am.  We drove down and met Tony before arriving at the ponds.  We set up and started hunting as the sun rose up over the water.  It was chilly, but not cold and it all too soon got hot. We hunted the early birds and then had a flurry came by about 8.  By 8:30 we were down to singles.  So we set up a tailgate breakfast and maybe consumed an adult beverage or two. We cleaned up and headed for lunch at the New Goshen Pub.  Left by 1:30 to drive home with a whopping 13 doves. Mind you, Davey & RePhil went through three boxes of shells each and tagged 5 birds.  Me and Tony?  I think we fired a total of ten rounds and bagged the remainder of the birds.  Oh well.  The more those other two missed, the more birds there were for us....