Elusive sheds & Osage score

[Lee Slikkers]

Went for a "woods walk" in search of sheds and some Red Osier arrow shafts.  We combed some pretty great looking bedding areas and there was deer sign everywhere but not a single shed to be found.

We did get a wonderful treat though with 5 Woodcock flushed at 5'-10'.  My 11 year old son about filled his trousers when the first one flushed    
It was great to see such healthy birds up close.  I imagine they are doing their sky dance at dusk as they sort out the mating thing.

Here is a pic of a really cool tree we ran across...

     
 
This morning I got up bright and early for a solo mission on cutting and hauling some free Osage.  I was out there cutting, splitting and dragging a few of the splits until just a little while ago.  Sure could have used an Osage Buddy to help with the task.  I am totally whipped and only managed to come home with 2 of the 12 splits.  I simply ran out of go-juice so I sealed the 10 remaining splits and hopefully I can be out there again tomorrow after work to get the remaining splits.

This was a very nice tree, straight with a 18" diameter trunk.  I cut up the trunk in three 74" sections and then got to the splitting.

Anyway, here are a few pics of the Osage.  I'll try to remember the camera tomorrow and snap some of this Osage tree line...probably 150 yards of the stuff but most is fairly twisted.

Thanks~

     

     

   

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Yep, that's a biggun alright. Great score Lee!
Tomorrow morning your arms will feel like spaghetti, I sure hope you don't have a strenuous job. Your whole body will feel like you've been run over by a truck unless your one of those guys who works out all the time.
The cuttin is the easy part, the splittin is a full body workout.

That's the price we pay to get the beloved Osage aka Hedge Apple.

[1oldbowguy]

Very nice osage for sure, congrats and Semo is so right about the spaghetti arms and back.  It is well worth it though.

[Lee Slikkers]

Thanks guys, I'm already "Spaghetti Man"...sheesh.
     

Stinks getting old and being out of shape.  I am just coming off a bad run in with Lymes Disease and this was probably the most physically demanding work I've done in over a year.

Unfortunately I do have a physical job, plug and mold construction and we've been sanding nonstop for 2 weeks but I'll live...well worth the days effort for sure.    

[Lee Slikkers]

Well, headed back out to the Osage row to drag the rest of the splits back to the truck...I was blessed to have my wife & two boys offer to help out.  It was still more work than they could handle but it was nice to have the company.

Here are some family shots and a few pics of the haul, safe, sound and in the garage until I rest up to split them up and remove the bark.

Enjoy~

     

     

     

     

   

[highpoint forge]

That is a haul.....

[PEARL DRUMS]

Finding osage in Michigan, thats a job in itself Lee! I have spent years looking for some to cut with no luck. Nice haul!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I'd say your set for a good long while and congrats on the recruits! Them boys are big enough to help out Daddy, glad they jumped in on it. You got enough Osage there that they will each have their own staves to build a bow out of.  

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I just noticed something in one of the pics Lee, maybe you can shed some light on it?

Is this a buck rub on the corner of this steel guard?

 

[Lee Slikkers]

Thanks guys, my boys are anxious to have at the Osage too.

Pearl Drum, I guess I'm just lucky...so far I've found 4 such tree lines of the stuff within 15 miles of me.  What part of Central MI are you from?

Chris, all our big bruiser bucks use metal poles for rubs...don't they by you?    

[PEARL DRUMS]

I live near Perrinton on Rainbow Lake. About 30 miles north of Lansing and 50 miles east of GR. He's lying Chris! Anybody from Michigan knows they aint no bruisers around these parts!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I think I found the buck that made the rub on the steel guard post??

He's sitting right here on my computer desk......I think??

 

[Lee Slikkers]

Ha, you kill me Chris!  Seen those in one of the mags but never "in the flesh"...pretty cool.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That's my little brother's handiwork with the "Iron Buck" skull plate.
I do all skull mounts now, but years ago we didn't know how so we just cut the racks off at the skull plate. I guess getting older and more mature does have it's advantages?

[Lee Slikkers]

I'm a "Euro Skull Mount" type of guy as well...all my critters get done that way.  It's hard to beat Antlers, Horns, Bone & Teeth.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Yep, I'm staring straight up at this past seasons 8pt. as I sit here typing this. I look at it everyday and remember the "Moment" as if it were yesterday. Some people just don't get that, but hunters do. Everytime I look at one of my mounts or racks it pulls me into a time warp and I go back recalling every single detail.