2015 Deer Hunt Part II

Indiana's firearm season runs two weeks, three weekends.  As Thanksgiving approached, I saw two things on the horizon:  unbelievably nice weather and cabin fever.
Rather than sitting around the house, smelling turkey and wondering what I was going to do for the four-day weekend, I loaded all my hunting paraphernalia into the truck and headed out Thanksgiving afternoon.  This was, of course, after prepping the turkey for SO to take care of.

Pulling into Mike's property, temperatures were around 60F with light winds and moderate clouds.  It really doesn't get better than this in late November.  With rain forecast for the late weekend, hunting felt like a must.
Rather than sit in old reliable, I decided to try a new spot I had wanted to sit in but hadn't ever done it.  I'm sure old reliable had "reset" after the deer opening morning, but the new spot was a superfunnel nearer the ravine with a well worn deer trail.  The spot is a little risky since it is in the ravine, and any disruption can affect major deer travel.  Plus, I think it is not too far from where Mike's neighbor often sits.

I chose a tree, set up the climber and get settled for the afternoon.  Sitting there, I was very thankful that I can spend Thanksgiving this way:  No crazy pre-black-Friday lines, no football, and no cabin fever!

It was a fairly quiet afternoon with low to, at times, moderate wind.  Fat squirrels were running around.  There are several creeks in near the area all of which were trickling.  It is amazing how "loud" a creek can be after a while spent sitting quietly.  With the warm temperatures, it was hunting nirvana.
As it started to get dark, I heard light scrunching behind me.  It didn't quite sound like squirrels, and as I turned around, I saw an anterless deer about 20 yards behind me.  Since I already shot a buck, a doe was what I was after.  I slowly shifted to be able to get a shot as the deer continued to move, behind me toward the left.  Either she smelled or heard me, or both, and bounded away, taking a second slightly larger deer that had been in the thicker brush away.  I watched them for a while as they hadn't ran that far.
As the light faded more, about 15 minutes later I heard something run towards me and saw the same two deer running back towards me.  This time, they seemed quite unconcerned, but in the last bit of twilight, there was not enough light to be able to shoot, especially given the brush they were walking through.
I had to sit on the stand well past dark so let them meander away.  I was planning on coming back in the morning and didn't want to spook them getting out of the treestand.
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Friday morning came very early as I got up and quickly got ready.  Temperatures had only dropped into the mid 50's, but with rain forecast for the afternoon and continuing through the weekend, this would likely be my last hunt for Indiana's general firearm season.
At Mike's, I found my climber in the darkness, which wasn't guaranteed given the new location.  I was settled in the stand about 45 minutes before shooting light.  Sitting in the darkness in the woods is something non-hunters will never experience in the same way.
It sprinkled/rained a little, but the precipitation was so brief as to be inconsequential.  It was a sign of the change to come.

After light, I heard noises behind me that was definitely not coming from squirrels.  Turning around carefully, I saw two coyotes in one of the creek beds behind me.  They stayed in the area for quite a while as I saw them running in another direction some time later.

I did see one deer around mid-morning, a doe running through the edge of the grass finger that runs down the steep hill off in the distance.  The distance was moderate, but with so many trees a shot was impossible.

After a very peaceful Thanksgiving evening and Friday morning, I was ready to call it quits around 10:00.  Compared to all the shooting around opening day, late season is almost serene.
I slowly walked the property, noting my usual stand and even the remnants of where I field dressed my deer opening morning (basically just some fur left).  I was a bit surprised I didn't jump any deer, but late season usually has them holed up tight.

Deer sign around Old Reliable was quite good and I probably should have sat there.  But with a deer in the freezer, it was the right time to try the super funnel, even if it was a bit riskier.

Indiana still has the muzzle loader and late doe-only season so my hunting doesn't have to be done yet.  If we get a few more unseasonably warm days like Thanksgiving, I may have to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the woods.

2015 Deer Hunt

For the last hour or so before I had to get up to get ready for hunting, I was lying in bed looking at the clock every few minutes.  About one minute before the alarm was supposed to go off, I got up, and started to get ready.  Thankfully the dogs cooperated, and this allowed me some time to sit before heading out the door to go to Mike's.

The SO is sick.  And on Friday I was starting to feel the beginnings of illness come on - or I was just really tired; I couldn't be sure.  As I got out of my truck at Mike's house in the cold morning, my throat and head were still telling me that some virus or bacteria had invaded, and my white blood cells were likely in a heated war to keep me healthy.  This could affect my deer hunting...
The temperature was in the mid 20's as I walked down the small trail into Mike's woods.  The sky was nearly cloudless, showing lots of stars, but there was almost no moon so it was dark enough that I needed a light this year to find my way to my stand.  Looking around as I got near the "2-tree" that marks the turn to where my usual stand location is, I couldn't find my white flagging cloth I put up just before heading up to Wisconsin.  I still find it surprising that only two weeks before deer hunting I was on a motorcycle trip north.  Later in the day I found remnants of the flagging cloth, partially eaten by something.  Perhaps I should find something less tasty than cotton next year.

I had my tree stand set up and was comfortably sitting about 45 minutes before shooting light.  I was able to get up without sweating too much, but it was cold, still and, very quiet - exactly how I like early hunting mornings to be.  I had heard one deer wheeze and bolt as I was walking to my stand, but the deer here are relatively used to people walking around so I wasn't too worried about this.  As I sat there in the dark, I heard something walking west to east.  It was far too dark to see, even though it was only a couple tens of yards away.  It stopped for quite a while near the main trail and continued in front of me.  I'm completely sure this was a deer, only a few moments after I was quietly in my stand.

As it started to get light, the shooting also started.  Some was relatively close, other shooting was in the distance.  A doe came from the west and went behind me.  I didn't hear or see her until she was already to my right, and she was moving pretty fast, so I just watched her head off to the northeast.
She was followed by a really nice buck.  Probably an eight point which didn't look real wide, but his rack stretched far forward.  I tried to get the scope on him and might have been able to take an ethical shot, but he was to my right and with his speed and the painful angle, I let him walk which was the right thing to do.  He followed the doe's trail for only a little bit before heading more northward toward where Mike's neighbor usually sits.  I heard shooting a short time later, and I couldn't help wonder if that was the end of that buck.

As it got lighter and warmer, I heard and saw at least two turkeys come off their roost in the deep ravine in front of me.  I am encouraged that turkeys seem to becoming more prevalent in this area.  Maybe in a couple more years I can justify the cost of the out of state Indiana turkey license.

I saw another doe sneaking through the ravine a short time after the turkeys.  She was too far away through too much brush to even think about shooting, but the deer were moving on this opening morning.

As it got later, the squirrels started coming out and making all the crazy noise that they do.  This often means the end of consistent deer movement for the morning, but the plan was to sit in the stand all day.  On opening day, anything can happen.

At some point, my spidey sense was telling me the noise behind me was not a squirrel.  Looking behind me to my right, I saw a buck walking almost directly north.  He was not as big as the earlier buck.  But with memories of years where deer dried up shortly after opening morning and with sickness potentially closing in, 2015 was not a year to be picky (even with lots of vacation time to hunt).
The shot was awkward, to my right when I'm right handed, but I was able to get turned and get the cross hairs on him.  Pulling the trigger, he ran ahead and towards my left as I stood and reloaded my single shot Thompson Pro Hunter.  I saw a tuft of fur on his side which suggested a hit, but when he stopped, he wasn't acting like he was hit hard.  After a follow-up shot, he dropped shortly.
I got out of my treestand, and walked over to him.  He was an average sized deer with a moderate 7-point rack, with the three point side stretched out much farther than the 4 point side.  I only saw one bullet entrance and exit so one of my shots missed.  My first shot was deliberate, but from and awkward angle; my second was offhand and somewhat rushed.  I'm a little curious about which was the miss?  But there will be 2015 venison in the freezer shortly.

After shooting, the real work begins with field dressing, and dragging the animal down into and across the ravine before going up the long steep hill behind Mike's house.  By the time he was in my truck, I was sore and nearly drenched in sweat.

I got him home and let Fairbanks smell the deer.  For as much as she gets excited about deer, she doesn't seem to really care once they are dead - no chase.  Before hanging him for the day, I cut off his antlers.  Cursing myself later, I'm not sure why I didn't get a picture first.  No he isn't a whopper of a deer, but I enjoy deer hunting for deer hunting.  And regardless of antler size, or even if it has antlers, I'm happy to have the opportunity to deer hunt and put meat in the freezer.
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Sunday came with more feelings of sickness.  Hunting wasn't on the agenda though as there was a deer to be cut up and frozen - temperatures were forecast to be in the middle to upper 60's with sun, so it was best not to wait any longer.

I skinned the deer which gave me a chance to see the bullet path(s) more clearly.  I'm even more baffled as to what happened.  The entry wound(s) was huge.  There was an exit hole, BUT I recovered nearly a full slug (68% weight retention) from the deer as well.  I can't be sure what happened, if I missed one shot, or if both bullets entered near the same spot (hence the large entry), with one exiting and the other remaining inside.  The animal was down quickly - it is best not to over analyze these things.

Even with two shots, there was almost no meat ruined.  The deer was completely deboned, with the loins and backstraps frozen for steaks, and the entire rest of the deer ground into burger.  It takes a long time to grind up an entire deer, but I am very thankful for the electric meat grinder my dad gave me several years ago.  For an inexpensive grinder, it does a fantastic job.

It still remains to be seen whether I'll go out again.  I can't tell if my sickness is getting better, worse, or just lingering.  It doesn't make sense to sit in a treestand while hacking out a lung.
I have several vacation days, so I guess I have time to decide before indecision makes the decision for me.

Short Trip to WI Day 3

Cambridge, WI to Home, total trip mileage:  906.3 miles

Between the time zone difference from home to central time, and the day light savings time change, I was somewhat oblivious to what the actual time was on Sunday morning.  Regardless, after an excellent breakfast of omelets, potatoes and toast, I was on the road headed home, anticipating being home well before dark.

The initial part of the trip was slightly traffic intense, more so than I would have expected on a Sunday morning.  I'm sure it was better than if it had been a Monday morning.

Once south of the main highways headed towards Chicago, traffic thinned considerably, and it thinned even more so as I made my way onto I-74.
Temperatures started out in the mid 50's, but with bright blue skies and intense sunshine, it felt much warmer.
The sun stayed shining all day and temperatures rose to around 70, with vents opened on my motorcycle coat and a switch to lighter weight gloves at a gas stop.

I thought about getting off of the interstate to take 2-lane roads, but figuring road timing in my head, I realized that it was actually tight to be able to get home before dark.  Knowing the last hour plus was on deer-infested roads, I wanted as much light as possible.  I stayed on the interstate as the fastest route.  With low traffic and perfect weather, it was still a great day on the bike.

After many miles with lots of time to think, I arrived at home.  It was still light out, but the shadows were getting very long as I neared home.  Despite one scare of heavy gravel very near home, I made it home safely.
This time of year can be a bit dicey to try to travel by motorcycle, especially north.  But even with the wet weather on Saturday, it was a wonderful trip, if a bit short.  This was especially a great trip as likely soon, winter weather may force the bike to remain parked for a while.

Short Trip to WI Day 2

Beloit, Wi, to Cambridge, Wi:  About 55 miles

Halloween woke early to a very rainy day.  After a fairly decent night's sleep, I got up early and watched TV while very slowly getting ready.  I wanted to go to Historic Auto Attractions and they did not open until 10:00.  I was also hoping that maybe the bulk of the rain would pass before I had to leave; it did not.

The hotel breakfast was at the same restaurant as dinner the night before.  While the choices for the free breakfast were limited, it was still good for an inexpensive hotel breakfast.

Shortly before 10:00, I checked out and headed a few miles south to the museum.  I got there a couple minutes before it opened, but there was a covered awning to stand under while I removed my already very wet motorcycle gloves and helmet.  More people showed up while I was there, but as I got there right at opening, I had the museum to myself for most of my time there.

The museum is in an industrial park and looks more like a warehouse than anything else.  What is inside is truly eclectic and fascinating.  Below are just a few of the many oddities and attractions I found noteworthy:

A Back to the Future car that was used for promos at theatres, etc.

Bonnie and Clyde's stuff including Bonnie's actual revolver (which was given to a relative of hers by the police - this seems preposterous by today's standards) and Clyde's hat worn at the scene of his death with a bullet hole in it.

Bridgestone "Rockford" Tora motorcycle still in its original shipping crate.  These were made in Northern Illinois, but this came from Michigan.

Bicentennial car covered completely in coins.  Why???

Colonel Sanders' open limo - I think it should be bright yellow or have a chicken on it somewhere.

John Dillinger's actual 1911 .45.  Nice enough gun even without the historic gangster attached to it.

The gun that fired the fatal bullet into Dillinger.  I guess this 1905 won the battle against the 1911 above.

 GhostBusters Ectomobile, unsure how or if the was used in the movie.

A pair of Elvis' glasses which he destroyed in a fit of rage.

Eva Peron's Limo, don't cry for me Roscoe, Illinois.

 A grizzly bear.  There were a few neat exhibits of taxidermy, including a huge bull elephant.

 Emperor Hirohito's Limo.  I guess he didn't hate everything about the United States.

Hitler's Mercedes G4.  The fact that they needed this sign in the area of the Axis WWII exhibit (in a museum) is a very sad commentary on political sensibilities.

Howard Hughes' Limo.  I'm surprised the recluse didn't have very darkly tinted windows.

Whips used in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.  Hey Short Round!

Not THE Kennedy convertible but a convertible that he did ride in.

A piece of the Grassy Knoll Fence.  Conspiracy Theorists take note, the truth must lie in this fence somewhere!

The actual flag draped over Kennedy's coffin.

The car that was following Kennedy's convertible when he was shot.  Maybe this is where Jackie was headed.

Manacle shackles worn by Booth conspirator after arrest and during trial.

A Naugahyde covered safari car.   What the...

I can't say I'm much into the stock car parts of the museum, but I was glad someone rescued this REAL stock car - from when stock cars were stock and kept race ready in barns and garages.

 Stalin's Limo, I guess he didn't hate everything about the United States either.

Notice the three inch thick glass in Stalin's limo.  I guess he liked safety.

One of the Family Truckster's used form the movie Vacation.  This was used for some shots in the movie, including a lot of scenes inside the car.

Since the Truckster was one of my personal favorites in the museum, another shot of it.

A mantle from the fireplace during the Truman era.  Do you think he really had a picture of an atomic bomb explosion hung above his mantel?

The list of artifacts at the museum goes on and on.  In addition to the cars and large pieces, all of the little nuggets were neat to be able to see.  Who thought to save the shoes Jack Ruby was wearing when he shot Lee Harvey Oswald?
There is always a voice in the back of my head wondering if some of these items are fakes, sold by shysters to make a buck.  But many of the items have letters explaining their history and even if a few fakes make it in, that makes the real ones that much more fascinating.

After the Historic Auto Attractions museum, I hit the very wet roads and headed up to Maria's.  While it may have made her room mates a tad unhappy, they let me park the Triumph in the garage, before I peeled of wet motorcycle layers.  I talked with Maria and Robin for a while.  Maria and I took Olive to walk in a very large multi-use area.  The rain had mostly stopped at this point, but it was still quite wet.

Take-out sushi from Fort Atkinson and stealing Trick-or-Treater's candy while watching back episodes of the TV show Fargo rounded out the night.