posted
Just checkin in Killy. I'm looking forward to the rest when you are settled and ready to speak of it all. Loved the cold night lean-to story from years ago.
-------------------- Pronghorn Longbows Compton Traditional Bowhunters Professional Bowhunters Society Member Posts: 1231 | From: Northeastern CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Are you ready to pick up where you left off?
-------------------- Ishi was a Californian Surfboards were invented to prevent the truly gifted from ruling the earth... Posts: 2632 | From: CA ... where the turf meets the surf | Registered: May 2004
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Man, I had to go back and see where I left off!
This isn't really fair to you real hunters out there, as you know very well that no animals are harmed in the recording of my hunts. So, unlike Curt or Charlie, RC or Stone Knife, I really have no business drawing out a story.
I packed the truck on Friday, full of too much stuff as usual. I doubt that a stick of gum could have found a safe place to spend the night in there. And I am trying to minimize. Saturday, the 23rd of October found me at the grocery store, filling the cooler. I always take meat. I know me. Saturday evening, as it grew dark, my camp was set up. Palatial tent, and a new cook shack, new sleeping bag and lanterns set up just in time. After the drive, and all the work getting set up, I was too tired to eat more than a few pretzels and some water. A pair of barred owls shattered the cool night air with a sunset serenade. I couldn't find my alarm clock, had not brought a pocket watch, so I was offline with a vengeance.
Killy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time.
I fell asleep listening to the ringing in my ears, dreaming of the eagles that I had seen on the way up. The moon rose big and full, shining through the walls of my tent. I awoke some time later, as there was a deer blowing mightily in the woods behind me. She must have been astonished at finding my small city where she normally sauntered through on her rounds. She blew and blew, and still my house stood. I almost felt guilty.
Morning broke, a glorious Sunday. A Chamber of Commerce-type day, post-cardy blue skies, warm sun, cool breeze. Where in the heck was I? This is not the Monster Mansion that I have always traveled long to see! The next day was warmer still. I may have tanned a bit in my jeans and T-shirt. This was SO wrong!
Killdeer
Back tomorrow.
-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15027 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
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-------------------- Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.- Ben Franklin Posts: 2390 | From: New Albany, MS | Registered: Jul 2008
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-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15027 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
There commenced a series of days of warm temperatures, decompressions of the spirit, a shedding of stress. In contrast, aches and pains cramped my excursions. The heel spur that has dogged me for a couple of years now, plus a new hitch in a hip, made each mile hard-won. The only deer that I saw were at dark, and the ones that taunted me as I exited the outhouse were most indiscreet in their comments. Evidently, my hunting prowess had become the stuff of common talk amongst them, and their assessments were unnervingly honest.
In an attempt to put the fear of the Hunter in them, I broke out a package of bear meat from last year, wrapped the medallions with bacon, and built a fearsome fire.
(\/ Click to see video of fearsome fire. \/)
Made ME feel better, anyway. There was a good, solid, soaking rain that night, and I slept as soundly as I ever had in my life.
Next morning, I headed to the outhouse. There was a deer next to it. I did not have my bow with me. My reputation stood intact, and I wondered if the outhouse would be accepted as a blind by my TradGang buddies.
Not to waste good footing, I stillhunted that day. Saw the belly of a deer go past, up the hill from me as it snuck out from where I had been stealthily breaking sticks.
About ten that night, somebody drove in and around with a truckload of hounds.
Still better than a day at work.
Killdeer
-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15027 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
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As Charlie says "you get it!' and it's evident in your relating your version of the world away from the rat race.
I think we are reaching an age where the losses of others hit home far more frequently than when we were in our 20's.
Not intended to hijack but your tale helps me deal with the loss of a dear brother that was closer to me than my biological brothers.
I was hit and hit hard.
I thank God for folks like you Kathy. You help get me through the day.
Wonderful photos!!!! Thank you for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
-------------------- Trying to make a difference Psalm 37:4 God's grace and love! Roy L "Mudd" Williams TGMM- Family Of The Bow Archery isn't something I do, it's who I am! Posts: 9814 | From: Mid-Missouri | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
The wind came up during the night. I wondered how the cookshack would do, it being the untried member of the enclave. The awning was up, and I was curious how it would handle the gusts. I figured if it got real noisy than I would have to go out and fix something.
Now, there is something of a coward in me. Wind brings that out. The trees, with the wind blasting about their limbs, put the fear of God in me. Their crashings and gnashings, with the wood coming down, well, I would rather be in the relative safety of a semi-open area. I pitch my tent with a wary eye toward an old friend, an aged maple that has drawn me to it for 25 years. It is likely at least 77 years old, and even likelier to be older. It is hollow, so, like an old-fashioned woman, will never reveal its true age.
This spring it lost a major upright trunk, which came down on an oak picnic table and destroyed it. I respect wood!
So, all that to say this, in the case of high winds, and these were moderate, at 35-40 mph, I stay out of the forest. What a grand excuse for a big breakfast! I ate, did the dishes, packed a lunch, and waited for the wind to die down. Brushed my hair, cleaned and organized the tent, read a book. Still windy.Broke out another book, there in front of the cookshack. The day was cool and clear, the sky a deep, intense blue.Four trainer jets played overhead, then left. I gave up on hunting. Broke out a growler of ale, read some more, dozed in the sun, daydreaming. Had some hot tea.
Then it happened. I heard footsteps. Four-legged footfalls in the leaves near the shack. It's not a squirrel. AH!
Bambi delivers! (No matter how old we get, there is a naive child inside who believes in the kindness of the Fates.)
I set down my tea, and arose from the chair. Hanging from the center of the shack was my bow, quiver of arrows attached. Soundlessly, I took it down and nocked an arrow. I eased my nose outside, hoping to see the deer before it saw me.
Yes, I would slay any bambi in a heartbeat, even under such decadent conditions. Buck, doe, or ol' milk-lip, I have not killed one in so long, and straps is straps!
Well, I couldn't see it. I listened through my ringing ears into the silence...
A step. Another. I popped an eyeball out of the socket and cast it around the corner. It was not a deer. Broadside and oblivious, a black bear snuffled in the leaves ten yards away.
Cub. Would it make the weight? Remember, Kat, black is slimming. It took a couple of steps, looking just like the targets I have shot all summer. Tasty!! Hate to shoot it and have it come up five pounds short. (tasty!) Not a real hunt. (tasty!) Couple more steps, now it is twelve yards or so. It notices me as I lower the bow. I stare at it, it squints at me. It decides to angle off to its right, at a 45 degree angle to its original course, and it carefully moseys up the Shelter Ridge. It was then that I thought of my camera. DOH! It always seems that I have the wrong instrument in my hands when the opportunity arises to collect a specimen.
I had never seen a bear in camp (here) before, at least not of its own accord. It occurred to me that I should have scared it some, to keep it and future campers safe. But it did not seem to be the thing to do when it was happening, my spirit did not move in that direction.
No glory, no meat, but a good amount of diversion for an afternoon spent in camp. And I SO want to take a bear!
Killdeer
-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15027 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
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-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15027 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
When I started watching the video, I thought "but where's the meat?" Silly me. Still working on that patience thing...
-------------------- "One day I slipped my arm into the sleeve of my jacket and my father's hand came out the other side." -- from The New Father, by A. Brott Posts: 161 | From: Mount Juliet, TN | Registered: May 2004
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