Boys of Fall

I know when some of you read the title of this post you are expecting to see football. Not on this one! This post is devoted to my "Boys of Fall." Chris and Parker love fall for one single reason, deer hunting. If we aren't tied up with some other activity you can be sure to find them in the woods at any given moment.

Salt Plains Deer Hunting Trip

November 5th-7th, 2010

        

Every year the state of Oklahoma has a special drawing for areas in the Wildlife Management Areas that are only hunted if you are drawn in.  Chris and his buddies put their names in the drawing and just wait to see if they get a chance to go.  There are several details that I don't understand about all of the draw.  They gain preference points and have better odds the more times they put in for the draw.  Blah, blah, blah.....  Anyway, they were drawn this year for a hunt in the north part of the state close to Jay, Oklahoma.  Chris said that the Salt Plains is a very interesting area.  A must see for all in the state.   I'm hoping that he takes the kids and I there this spring to dig for salt crystals.  He and Corey both got their deer quota, a doe and buck.  

Their aren't too many areas for them to stay near the Salt Plains so they decided to camp.  Roughing it for three whole days.  Not really my thing for full weekend but something happens to my husband when deer season opens. 

          

I call it deer fever.  He absolutely looses his mind.  All logical thought process is disturbed by the though to antlers. They get all pumped up and crazy.  The words of a TV hunter...BBD....Big Buck Down, Baby. This must be said in a low, growling voice with just the right enthusiasm.  If you haven't ever heard this, let me just say that I am sure that your missing out!  LOL All in all they had a really good time and enjoyed the male bonding time together!

First Buck of the Season

Chris and Parker went out bow hunting tonight.  Tonight was the first night that they had a chance to go.  Parker is so excited to get one!  They had a wonderful evening in the woods which turned out with a great reward.  They checked it in at the Fire Dept. and finally made it home at about 9:45.  Parker was so hungry and so hyper!  He loves hunting.  It must have been a young deer, only weighing in at 128lbs. dressed out.  But it was a 10 point!  His rack looks strange.  Some of the points stick out of the back.  Not a trophy buck for most, but a definite trophy in our house.   Parker wouldn't care if it only had 2 points!  He was pumped that they got a buck.  

Reminiscing

All this talking about deer hunting made me go back through all my old photos and pull out some of my favorite shots of Parker and Chris's deer hunting adventures.The first picture was taken on December 4th, 2004. This is Parker's very first time to go hunting with Chris. He just couldn't wait. Chris ended up carrying him most of the way. Just the beginning of their time hunting together. It really makes me sad to look back and reminisce. He was so little. Yet, he thought that he was so big. The second photo was shot October 4th, 2005. This was the first archery hunt for the two of them. and the last shot is from November 26, 2006. This picture has a story to tell. Parker was growing weary. He thought that they were never going to get a deer. This was the last night of black powder gun season and they had not seen many deer that night. Right

before dark one started moving in the distance. When Parker saw it, he said to Chris, please dad shot him. So Chris decided to keep him happy he would. This is the first deer that the two harvested together. Parker though that this was a monster buck. He was so excited. He wanted to have this one mounted. You know the old saying, Like father, like son. In this case it does apply. The two of them are definitely from the same mold. Hope you all have enjoyed these pictures from the past just as much as I did!

Cara's Deer ?

For all of the ladies out there, my sister has crossed the line. She has taken up deer hunting and putting me to shame. I'm sure the rest of you feel the same way. She has crossed a line I feel no woman should. This is a man sport. I think seriously, we should keep it that way. I am in the process of seeking her some professional counseling. I think we should all take a minute and pray for her. I'm certain she was feverish and ill at the time. Or maybe she was forced, held at gun point. Something, there has to be some excuse. LOL. No, in all seriousness she has decided to take up hunting. As you can see my nephew loves it. Since everyone else made the blog, I posted a pic of my brother-in-law's deer also.

Correction: He did get a BIG ONE!

I have to redeem myself and duly note the correction to my previous blog. Oh, how quickly I was corrected and ridiculed because I had made a mistake. Chris let me know right away after reading my previous blog that he was able to get one with his bow during archery season. I was wrong in thinking this one wasn't an important deer. This one is a big one because it was taken with a bow. I guess I'll have to work more on knowing the importance of game scoring.

Deer Season

My husband is so very excited this week because, the rut is here! Some of you may be asking what is that. Well as the wife of an avid deer hunter I confess I did have to learn a few things about this. The rut is the time of mating for deer. I know your next question is what's that got to do with hunting them. Well, it causes the deer to move around more increasing the chance for shooting a monster buck.
I know, I know, it really is too much for me too. I don't like hunting. I have tried to get involved some. It is something that only the male gender of my family are interested in at the time. My son is as crazy about it as Chris. I just don't enjoy something that requires me to
#1. get up early, #2. be cold, and most importantly, #3. be extremely quiet. I find that most difficult at times. I am a talker. Or as I would say, I was born to communicate with others.
Chris has taken us all out in the deer blind once. I stopped to think about it and no, its twice. And I must admit that both times were uneventful. No deer is what I mean by that. Because getting two children out in a tent asking them to sit still and be quiet is truly an event. I think the whole idea for Chris is for it to be a family thing but I don't think that it's going to happen. Madi is alot like me. She doesn't see any reason hunt. We both have other things that we would rather do. I love family time, but I don't want to mix that with hunting.
This weekend seems to be a really big deal. Gun season opens, maybe I should say rifle. Not sure, oh well, its all just hunting to me but I'll keep you posted if Chris "gets a big one!"

Trip to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge

Saturday after soccer, Chris and I went to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge with Mike and Cindy. We signed up for a Bugleing Elk tour. But just as my luck would have it, no Elk within camera distance. It never fails, every time I go with Chris hunting the same thing happens. The wind picks up and we see nothing. We did see a few elk with binoculars but nothing up close. The wind was howling and it had the elk on high alert. The refuge, however, was beautiful. We had a wonderful time in the outdoors. The highlight of the trip for me was the trees in the photo. This group of trees was planted in perfect rows. No matter which way you look they line up. Growing up close to the refuge I've been by this tree group too many times to count but today I actually walked out in them. It was awe inspiring.

We did see buffalo. They were out and about, roaming all over the place. Such an odd looking animal. Not a care in the world. The bus didn't even bother them much. We actually had to stop and wait for them to move. The four of us really enjoyed our time there and plan on doing it again sometime. I am just hoping for less wind the next time around.