Well been awhile since Ive posted or even been on the site. Haven't been hunting much either. Didn't hunt hardly at all after the gun seasons came and went. Dunno if it was work or what but I just quit shooting my bow and didn't hunt. About a week ago I knew something wasn't right. All stressed out at work and at home. I got to thinking about shooting my bow and realized it had been almost 5 weeks since I had loosed an arrow.
Archery is my golf. Its my Saturday night HBO fight nights. Its my Sunday afternoon football games. Ive tried and enjoyed just about all typical guy stuff and a few non typical hobbies but archery has taked root. Its not just a hobby for me its a spiritual connection with a power greater than myself. SO when I say I hadn't loosed an arrow in 5 weeks thats saying something for me. I'm sure itd being saying something for most on this site.
So with stress levels starting to manifest into physical aliments I decided some back yard arrows were just what the doctor ordered. Literally. When your blessed to have a good friend in the medical field and their advice tells you to get your bow back in your hands and relieve some stress.... you gotta do what the doc says. (Thanks Mike)
After a 5 week break I stepped out in the drive way picked a spot on my black bear target and next thing I know my arrow is sticking out of that exact spot. Only a traditional man knows what that does for your soul. I shot quite a bit more that afternoon and all my shots felt oh so good.
Work kept me away from the woods for a few days but it wasn't long before I found myself perched atop one of my favorite hides. First afternoon out was one of the best hunts I had all year. Within an hour of being on stand I had a nice large bobcat stalk around my tree. Wishing all the while it was legal to take one in IL all I could do is tip my hat to the other predator of the field that day and watch him walk on by.
All I had was my camera on my phone. Awesome animals. His coat blends in so well with the woods.
Not long after my feline friends departure I had a nice lone mature doe come in from the upwind side. She worked her way behind me to the field edge. Stopped perfectly broadside at 25 yards. I dres anchored and released all before I actually knew what happened. My arrow sailed harmlessly over her back perfectly inline with her lungs and heart. As soon as I released I felt something in my follow thru that didn't feel normal. The top limb of my bow had hit an unforseen branch. Dang the bad luck. Either way it was an awesome hunt.
The next morning found me in the same hide. It was cold and I didn't see any deer but did have a couple of grey squirrels come in for a shot. I would probably kill more deer if I could resist dropping the string on these critters but man they make fine targets.
Tonight was it. The last day of a long season. At least for whitetail. I had an exceptional season early. I took 5 whitetail total. Plenty of meat in the freezer. I have said many prayer of thanks for the harvest and the opportunity to enjoy Gods great outdoors. I grabbed my bow after work and headed to the woods. On my way in a grey squirrel was cutting a nut on a limb about 20 feet up a white oak and didn't seem to pay me much mind. I stalked within about 15 yards of the tree and loosed an arrow.
I heard a very familiar thump and he fell from his perch. I thought that the squirrel fell dead but by time I got over there it had made it into a dead log. I peered into the log and seen only the tail. I poked the squirrel with an arrow and it retreated deeper into the log. I gave it up to a lost cause and went on to my tree.
I hunted for a couple of hours and had 4 more shots on squirrels.....no deer. After emptying my quiver and having no meat to show for it I decided to get down. I was only able to recover 2 of the 4 arrows. Have to go back later with pliers to get the broadheads out of those tree trunks!
As I headed back to the truck after a small stalk around the property the squirrel in the log just wouldn't leave my mind. So I headed that way. I got back to the log and shined my flash light inside. I could see the tail in there and figured the squirrel for dead. I started working on that old half rotten log like a black bear on a bait barrel. Id roll it one direction and then try and stand it up. Id pick it up as high as I could and drop it. Eventually I saw a small crack in the log and started stomping/ jumping up and down on each side of the crack. Eventually the rotten old log gave way and my prize was awaiting me...
No hero shots of this guy and me but man I was proud. Glad I made it back out to enjoy the end of a great season. I froze this squirrel whole and plan on taking him to the taxidermist. Had a beautiful red color to his grey coat.
Happy Hunting my Friends,
SheltonCreeker
Topic: Late Season Squirrels (Read 293 times)
