Olevern
11-10-2012, 09:57 AM
Took a boy I mentor (Zack) squirrel hunting yesterday, got him out in the woods early and in a grove that always holds squirrel. Had to walk in about a half a mile, discovered I am in better shape that said 11 year old, he complaining about being tired before we got halfway there (they don't make them like they usta).
Anyway, set up under a large tree with our bun warmers under us (woods was still a bit damp from several days rain)and whispered a reminder to be quiet and not move.
About fifteen minutes into the stand, I began to hear some movement in the leaves behind us (and behind the tree we were leaning against). I put my hand on the boys knee to get his attention and motioned quiet with my finger, pointing around the tree to his left.
The noise continued, coming our way and around the tree, not ten feet away from us, came a large bodied, eight point buck. He walked around the tree and stared right at us, approaching even a bit closer.
The whole while the buck was moving his head from side to side as if trying to discover what we were. Then, the buck snorted (we didn't move). He then stamped the ground with his feet and advanced. (we still didn't move)
By this time I was getting somewhat concerned and wondering if I could get to my handgun in time if this buck got aggressive (I had handed the .410 pump to the boy for the stand)
Then the wind shifted from behind the buck to where he caught a whiff of our scent and he bolted, however, he only ran about fifteen feet then turned and stared at us again. This time he was far enough away that I eased my hand over to my holster and put my hand on my model 27 Smith, just in case he came back in.
But, he turned casually away and began slowing picking his way down a deer trail away from us.
Zack was very excited. He babbled on and on about "did you see that?" and "did you see how close we were to him", etc. I didn't tell him that the buck probably was in rut and was possibly about to defend his territory against invaders (us).
It could have gotten ugly quick. The buck caught me unprepared because I was focused on squirrel and thought the noise was probably a squirrel (until the buck came around the tree and was already too close)
I think an experience that Zack will not forget. He couldn't wait to get home to tell his dad and friends.
Unfortunately, the grove was devoid of squirrels this year. Very poor mast crop and they probably moved over to a nearby woods adjacent to a corn field (on posted property)
Gotta head down to NJ again to help out with my daughter's care and relieve my wife to come up for a spell, so won't get to hunt with Zack again for several weeks. Have promised him the first day of rifle deer which is the monday after Thanksgiving and he wants to be right there in that same spot.
Anyway, set up under a large tree with our bun warmers under us (woods was still a bit damp from several days rain)and whispered a reminder to be quiet and not move.
About fifteen minutes into the stand, I began to hear some movement in the leaves behind us (and behind the tree we were leaning against). I put my hand on the boys knee to get his attention and motioned quiet with my finger, pointing around the tree to his left.
The noise continued, coming our way and around the tree, not ten feet away from us, came a large bodied, eight point buck. He walked around the tree and stared right at us, approaching even a bit closer.
The whole while the buck was moving his head from side to side as if trying to discover what we were. Then, the buck snorted (we didn't move). He then stamped the ground with his feet and advanced. (we still didn't move)
By this time I was getting somewhat concerned and wondering if I could get to my handgun in time if this buck got aggressive (I had handed the .410 pump to the boy for the stand)
Then the wind shifted from behind the buck to where he caught a whiff of our scent and he bolted, however, he only ran about fifteen feet then turned and stared at us again. This time he was far enough away that I eased my hand over to my holster and put my hand on my model 27 Smith, just in case he came back in.
But, he turned casually away and began slowing picking his way down a deer trail away from us.
Zack was very excited. He babbled on and on about "did you see that?" and "did you see how close we were to him", etc. I didn't tell him that the buck probably was in rut and was possibly about to defend his territory against invaders (us).
It could have gotten ugly quick. The buck caught me unprepared because I was focused on squirrel and thought the noise was probably a squirrel (until the buck came around the tree and was already too close)
I think an experience that Zack will not forget. He couldn't wait to get home to tell his dad and friends.
Unfortunately, the grove was devoid of squirrels this year. Very poor mast crop and they probably moved over to a nearby woods adjacent to a corn field (on posted property)
Gotta head down to NJ again to help out with my daughter's care and relieve my wife to come up for a spell, so won't get to hunt with Zack again for several weeks. Have promised him the first day of rifle deer which is the monday after Thanksgiving and he wants to be right there in that same spot.