2025 Deer Hunt Days 5 & 6 - Heartache and Home

Brad and Denzil ended up sleeping in the main room of the lodge so I (oddly) had the room to myself.  I was up with a cup of coffee and a shower ready to go out for my last morning of hunting.

It rained as one last insult as we got ready to leave.  But the day was an entirely new one.  Temperatures were cool and it was a bit breezy.  Compared to the heat and humidity, it was splendid.

I was dropped off again on the Powell farm.  Having sat in the blind several times, it was easy to get comfortably situated while being mouse-like quiet.  In the dark I could just make out a large deer pop out in front of me and make its way down the lane.

As it got light, deer were filtering in and out of the area.  At one point a pretty decent 8-point came in.  I tried to figure out if it was the large deer Rick had told me to take if I could.  But just about any deer would look large next to the very small doe it was with.  And I just wasn't sure if the antlers would meet his minimum requirements.

I had the crosshairs on him twice, but just didn't think it was the right deer.  I was brought back to my bear hunt only a few weeks previous when I waited to shoot until the bear started to leave.  This time, I held off and watched the deer leave.  As its butt disappeared behind some trees, my phone buzzed.  Rick texted, "That's Him"

We chatted a bit and there were some expletives.  I can't shoot something once it is gone just as I can't suck the bullet back in once it has left the barrel.  I was hoping it would come back, but I also knew that was very unlikely.  Rick "kindly" sent me a cell trail cam picture, pouring lemon juice on a growing open wound.

I did see several more deer through the morning.  Most were small bucks.  One more decent one came in which I oddly liked as it was kind of goofy with a long cow-tine on his right side.  I thought this was the "busted off" deer Rick said not to shoot so I just watched it.  Turns out, Rick would have been OK with this one as well based on body size...

I was beating myself up about not shooting and Rick didn't make it any easier - Rick likes to pour lemon juice on open wounds.  So it goes (with apologies to Kurt Vonnegut).  Other guys in camp were non-committal about whether they would have shot or not.  This did make me feel just a tiny bit better.  Maybe.

 After another good breakfast, I had a bit of down time at the lodge.  Then it was time to head out for my last hunt of the trip.

Rick dropped myself and Bradley and Denzil off and I went to the stand where he had seen the big deer while feeding two days previous.  I know I've sat at this stand before, but looking back through past deer hunts, I couldn't find when.

Temperatures were nice, but it was really hot in the sun.  I was glad when it clouded up a bit as the sun sank in the afternoon.

Time past slowly at first, not much was moving for me.  I farted around on my phone a bit to pass the time.  But I also kept a watchful eye on what was happening, seeing a small 4-point shoot across the lane at one point.

The late day presented, as I recall from the previous sit at this location, in a very similar manner.  Late in the afternoon, three does came out.  They fed for a bit until another deer popped out - possibly the same 4-point I had seen earlier.  Two does left, but one remained, seemingly unconcerned.

As it started to get dark, the doe left and the buck walked directly toward me (I definitely recall this same behavior at this stand) as I started to pack up.  It got quite close and I was curious if I could still shoot if he was close.  Affirmative...

Another deer came out, but I couldn't see it well down at the corn.  It followed the first buck giving me a chance to see antler, but very small antlers as it got close.

I finished packing up, my 2025 South Carolina deer hunt coming to an end.

Nobody had shot that night, but everyone had seen deer - and a few of them were just a nickel short.  Dinner was the most excellent taco pie.

___________________

I woke up really early and was able to sort of sleep a bit more before deciding I'd rather be on the road.  A quick shower and I was out the door, early by even my standards.

I came exceedingly close to smacking a deer about an hour away from the lodge - and he was a big shooter of a deer too.  I'm glad I didn't, but I'm not even sure how we didn't collide.  Grow big and strong my friend!  (and stay away from cars)

I started off listening to the book Who Ate the First Oyster.  It was interesting, but I struggled at first since I really wanted a story.  After I almost hit the deer, I turned it off for a few minutes to mentally put perspective on the week and going home without anything.  I'll be second guessing this for a while, and while hindsight should be 20/20 (it isn't always), I can't say I'd do anything differently in the stand.  And to be perfectly honest, my freezer has quite a bit of animal protein, so it isn't like I'm desperate for wild animal meat.  Maybe that is just sour grapes...

After the pause, I really liked the Oyster book.  It covered many "firsts" from before recorded history.  While a bit of it was a little corny, it was overall written in a very entertaining style.  I didn't realize it at the time, but the second book I had was written by the same author (Cody Cassidy) and it was even better.  And Then You're Dead was about what really happens during very improbably ways to die - some theoretical, some not.  It was just sciencey enough to keep me thinking, but also entertaining; a few parts were very funny.  Some of the anecdotal and factoids were really interesting.

I ended up doing the entire drive with one and only one stop for fuel and coffee.  Getting an early start meant little traffic by Columbia or Asheville.  Even the I-40 construction went very smoothly and relatively quickly.  Sometimes the drive home can be painful, but I guess I was in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.

Soon enough, I was home.  S/O was gone helping her Mom, so I had the house to myself with two dogs who were very happy to see me.

2025 SC Deer Hunt Day 4 - Rain and Muggy

Evan and Don were "no" for hunting for various reasons, so it was just Aaron and me.  Rick dropped me off at a stand looking down a timber road.  It was easy to get settled and comfortable.

Sitting waiting for daylight, the morning air was heavy and unbelievably still.  The very bright moon made it almost light enough to shoot.  Almost ... but not.  I did watch a very large deer walk across the road, closer to me than the corn.  I never could see it well enough to know if it had antlers, but it was too dark (and too early) anyway.  I did hope that was a good omen.

Daylight came and I got a better lay of the land.  The corn was farther than I thought.  

A little after sunrise, I caught movement as two does and a small spike came out.  They didn't stay long before they were replaced with another small group of deer.  It was hard to tell which ones were out, but for a little over an hour, deer were in and out.

By 9:30 things had quieted down.  I packed up my stuff to meet back up with Rick.  Aaron had passed up a decent deer and seen a whopper that he couldn't get a shot off.  It was his last hunt so I was a bit surprised he passed the one up.

After a quick breakfast, Rick and I fed stands.  Forecasts for the afternoon were all over the place for both wind and rain; deciding what to do wasn't easy.  

For me this also made deciding what to wear challenging.  I didn't want to wear my rain suit in the stifling heat, but I also didn't want to get soaking wet.

It poured rain at the lodge for a little while.  This was followed by thick, heavy air.  It was painfully muggy.  There was no way I could see wearing my rainsuit.  I ended up going out in shorts; if I got wet, long pants would be far worse than shorts.  I was able to fit a lightweight rain coat in my pack.  Ultimately, I think the shorts were the right decision, even if a bit unconventional for hunting.

Doug had come into camp and he was hunting as well.  Rick took both of us out.

There was a doe on the corn when I got to my stand.  She stayed for a bit and I just watched.  Once she left, it took a bit to get comfortably situated.

Deer were running into and out of the area for quite a while.  None of them were too impressive, but there was lots of activity.

It was actually somewhat stressful for a while.  I knew Rick could see what I saw on the cellular trail camera.  It felt a little like the sword of Damacles hanging over my head by thin thread as it robbed me of my human capacity for denial.

The deer activity abruptly stopped around 5:30.

I did see a few more deer much later.  Right at sunset an 8-point came out.  I field-judged as best I could and just didn't think it would make the cut.  I let it walk.  It got dark.  It started to rain again.

Back in the truck, Rick agreed that the last deer was not big enough.

Back in camp, Brandon, Denzil and Brad had gotten in.  We ate pork chops with a healthy dosing of banter.  I was tired and turned in early.

2025 SC Deer Hunt Day 3 - Moon Unit

I was up for deer hunting and my headache had finally fully subsided.  And it wasn't raining.  Things were looking up.

I was dropped off at the same stand I had sat at the previous morning.  But it was an entirely different day.  It wasn't raining, so it was much quieter.  I was, however, surprised how much road noise was evident inside the stand.

Temperatures were mild and it was humid.  It was a really nice morning.

As it started to get light, a few does sauntered out onto the corn.  They stayed for a bit until most of them left.  One buck came in from the left and another from the right; the does fled except for one.  It was a bit of an odd mix.  Both bucks appeared to be 6-points.  They definitely weren't huge, but for a six - the one was relatively wide.

They stayed until a little before 8:00.  Then it was deathly quiet.  I was hoping for more activity, but it wasn't to be.

Rick picked me up and we made our way to get everyone else.  After breakfast, Rick and I went to feed stands.  It's always fun to see how the various stands look.

Rick texted me a picture of a nice 8-point on the stand I was at in the morning.  Having minimal deer movement in the AM followed by mid-day movement isn't unheard of, but isn't exactly common either.  It can be frustrating.

I had a bit of down time at the lodge before heading out again in the early afternoon.

I was dropped off on the Craw field in a box blind about four feet above the ground.  It was easy to get situated although I had to move around a bit to find the best spot.  Thankfully the box blind was pretty roomy.

Temperatures were hot and humid.  It was between breezy and windy which was nice.

Not many animals were moving.  It was  s l o w .  The only thing that was moving was this reptile, but it didn't stay long enough to keep me company.

As the afternoon wore on, the wind died down until it basically stopped completely - this made it stiflingly muggy.

About an hour before dark, I saw movement as a couple deer hopped out into the 2-track.  They didn't stay long; it did start deer going into and out of the 2-track for most of the rest of the afternoon.  I kept hoping something interesting would join them, but it was just does with maybe two spikes.  

One of the deer had something white on its ear.  At first I thought it was a tag, but Rick later said it was just a deer with some odd fluffballs on its ears.  Whatever it was, I hadn't seen something like that before.

The deer left as it got dark.  I was then treated with an amazing sight as the moon rose hugely directly over the 2-track.  I waited to pack up to try to get some pictures; I don't think they do the actual scene justice.

It was a pretty special way to end the day.

2025 SC Deer Hunt Day 2 - Does and Spikes

I was up in plenty of time to get ready for deer hunting, but not feeling 100%.  After coffee and a quick shower, I was better but still not good.  

As we were getting ready, Evan said something about rain, "Well, it's just wet."  Looking at the radar, rain was coming in from the east.  It didn't look terrible but didn't look good either.  I grabbed my rain suit before heading out on the porch.  Soon enough we piled into Rick's truck.  I guess a 10% chance of rain really doesn't mean 0% chance.

I was the last to be dropped off on the 48 acre Powell farm.  I found my blind easily enough and got set up.  I was glad for the covered blind since it was raining pretty hard at times.  The rain on the metal roof was quite noisy, but that was a small price to pay.  The chair was also quite comfortable.

The clouds and rain make daylight slow to make its appearance.  About an hour after daylight I saw movement as a group of four deer came in, two does and two spikes.  They milled around, in and out of the area.  They were a bit nervous, but only a bit.

Two more deer came in through the morning - another doe and another spike.  It was still a nice enough morning to start the week.

Aaron had seen one legal buck, but didn't shoot since it was too thin.  Evan and Don had seen deer, but no shooters.  Aaron had also seen hogs, but didn't shoot since they were in a direction where he wasn't sure where it was relative to the house.

Back at the lodge we had breakfast.  Still not feeling great, I tried to nap.  A walk down to the river also helped a bit.  I don't think I've ever seen the river this low.

Soon enough it was time to roll out for afternoon deer.

I was dropped off on the same stand Aaron was on in the morning.  The weather was hot and humid and the chair wasn't too comfortable - so it took a few minutes to get situated.  As I was sitting down, I saw a yearling right outside the blind.  It stayed in the area and came within a few feet of me.  It was so small that I could still faintly see spots.

The yearling left and came back a few times, but it never went near the corn which seemed a little odd.

It was a hot and breezy afternoon which did not help deer movement.  In the confines of the blind, it was almost uncomfortable with the humidity.

The afternoon progressed slowly.  Late afternoon a tall spike (maybe a 4-point) came out.  It rubbed antlers on a tree to my left, then milled around for a while.  A doe also made an appearance, but again, most of the deer showed little interest in the corn.

At one point I could hear pigs way off in the distance.  They were fighting and carrying on.  I hoped they would come in, but they didn't seem to be moving anywhere.

With time to kill, I asked Google Gemini to add a big dear to a picture from the blind.  I was surprised it did a reasonably good job - even making the deer a bit blurry fitting in with the lower light image.  I didn't dare send it to Rick, but did show him later.  I could see the steam rising for a few seconds before he realized it wasn't real.

As it got dark a group of 4-5 does came out to my left.  At last light, I saw them working toward the corn (finally).

It had been a slow night all around.  I had seen more deer than anyone, but not the right deer.

Dinner was rice and field peas, which I really like before calling it a day.

2025 SC Deer Hunt Day 1 - Ford Maverick Junked

Things are complicated as I get in my vehicle and head out.  Every time I think I'm caught up with the monstrosity of middle age, a new fiend pops it head out.  In hindsight, my 20s were all about drinking beer.  My 30s were all about wondering if I should sell everything and travel on the cheap for the next 30 years.  My 40s were all about scratching my head and both saying and asking, "This is it?"  My 50s are starting to look like lurching from one issue to the next.  But in all fairness, I won't really know what they are about until they are almost over.

S/O's Mom isn't doing too well, so we are scrambling to keep things going while her family is dealing with that; I have empathy.  I almost thought I should cancel this trip, but it sounds like things are under control (enough, for now).  I became an orphan last year.  I'm not afraid of dying, but I am terrified of the season before it.

I struggle not to drown at work.  A Quality audit coming up brings mountains of busy work and too many reminders that what is important for the audit is the Appearance of quality - the actual thing????  And yet another special project means something is rolling down hill to me.  I know I have a lot going for me.  My job is pretty good and I get to work with some phenomenal people.  And the reality is that I generally get along with my management quite well.  Having accepted that my career is over makes it easier to look at what I do as a job - all while counting down indeterminately.

I was on the road a little after 4:00 for the drive.  The early part of the trip was easy enough.  I made my way south into Kentucky.  There was unease, but I was mostly looking forward to the hunting and the trip in general.

I was listening to The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben.  I suppose it kept me entertained enough, but I can't say I liked the book.  The "what" of animals was interesting enough and I learned a few things.  They "why" started out ok, but then got progressively weirder as the book went on.  It read more like a mix of opinion, editorializing with just enough supportable facts to keep things going.  I was glad when I hit the return button on the Libby App.

I had another beautiful sunrise nearing the KY-TN border.  Sunrise over the Cumberlands is pretty amazing.  As I was making my way towards the Cumberland Gap, my Ford Maverick became junk as I crossed 36,000 miles of the factory warranty.  It would have by time in a few weeks - so good enough.  The trucklette is now junk?  Definitely not, and anyways, the powertrain warranty still exists; I also just got a letter that my truck's half shafts are warrantied for another 100,000 miles.

About half of the miles on the Maverick are from my road trips to outdoor adventures.  No question every mile was 100% worth it.

The previous year I had to take a different route due to Hurricane Helene's impact to the Asheville area.  Interstate-40 is open now, but down to one lane.  It was interesting to see the enormous scope of the construction.  Thankfully, the slowdown wasn't too bad.

Traffic got oddly worse once onto I-26.  But I wasn't in any hurry.  I continued making my way south and east, even if the drive seemed more painful than usual.  Perhaps it was just my mood.

I finally got to Rick's.  There were two guys getting ready to head home in the morning.  We talked for a bit before Rick showed up after dropping other hunters off.  The lodge would be a bit crowded, but so it goes.  

But then the two guys decided to leave to get a head start on the drive home.  I blessedly had the lodge to myself.  It also meant I had a room to myself.

Dinner was a late cowboy stew and cornbread before calling it for the early morning.

2025 Bear Hunt Days 10,11 - Post Hunt Scramble

I was up early and with almost everything, especially my now frozen bear, packed up, it was a quick shower and I was ready to go.

I walked down to the bay to say goodbye and was struck with an absolutely astonishing moonlit goodbye.

But all things really, really must come to an end.  I jumped in the Maverick and headed out.

There was some fog as I made my way through Manitoba, but it was never bad enough that I had to slow down very much.  In a few spots the temperatures had dropped to well below freezing.

I stuck to paved roads and made my way through the two towns, before the final stretch toward the border.  Traffic was light and the final goodbye to Canada was once again stunning.

The border took a few minutes to fill out the form to import my bear.  The form was different from the example they gave me to follow, but I did my best.  The rather bored-looking border guard said, "Perfect!" and I was on my way.

I was listening to Cormac McCarthy's The Road.  I don't read much fiction, but I've heard several references to this book recently to the point I felt I had to listen to it.  It was good, but only good - brutal, dark.  The end was predictable.  It was worth listening to.

I made my way to my sister's in Wisconsin.  It was a long 12 hour drive to get there.  Because I left early, we had quite a bit of time to catch up.  It was great to see her for a bit.  Around dark we called it a night.

______________________

After coffee with my sister, I was back on the road for the final leg home.  I was out of books, so I was just listening to podcasts.  Hidden Brain was oddly refusing to hold my attention.

I have planted several paw paw trees as well as given away seedlings.  I knew there was a Paw Paw in Michigan, but I did not know (more realistically did not remember) that there is one in Illinois as well.  I didn't stop...

Traffic was tolerable most of the day.  I timed Indianapolis well.  Working my way toward and down the familiar roads near home, I was looking forward to the familiar.

Once home it was a scramble to take care of the bear and get it in the freezer.  It was a late night (by my standards) and there was still much to do.  But work starts in the morning.

As I went to sleep, I relived many of the past week's amazing moments.  I thought back to bears and fish and the people I hung out with.  I am truly fortunate to be able to pursue my outdoor interests.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 9 - Fantasy Camp Ends

With nearly the full week in the rear view mirror, things moved slowly in the morning.  There may have been a bit too much lollygagging.  But there were fish to catch!

Drew took Sam, Bill and me out for fishing after breakfast.  He put us on current near the Haliday stand.  There were a few good pockets of walleye for Bill and Sam, who were jigging.  I was casting and brought in a couple nice smallmouth bass.

I looked longingly at a small weedy bay which looked like it would be promising for pike.  The current and rocky channel gave too many snags to the jigs, so we all switched to bottom bouncers.  I had used these once on Lake Erie, and I was wondering if they used them up in this area as well.  Tactic is a little different between the lake and the river system, but still effective.  This made things much better for snags and I participated as well.  I was able to bring in one eater walleye.

It spit rain a bit through the morning and we had one significant squall for most of the way back.

Lunch was burgers back at the lodge.  Then it was out for a last round of fishing.

Both Bill and I wanted to cast for pike so Drew acquiesced.  We started out going primarily after big pike in the channel.  We caught fish, but the big ones were elusive.

We moved then into the bays to finish out the day.  Numbers were pretty good for pike, but nothing too large was brought in.  There was one casualty as a spinnerbait was destroyed by one of the pike I brought in.  The spinnerbait gave its all (and I'm due to get some new ones anyway).

The weather as the day ended had turned to a perfect early fall day.

The final dinner that night was really good pork ribs and local wild rice as I said goodbye to my fellow hunters and guides.  But only for a year...

2025 Bear Hunt Day 8 - One Fish Bay

With everyone tagged out, the day was different from the previous.  

After breakfast, a few of us went out for fishing, but the weather was cold, and very windy.  It was just a snotty day.

I went upriver with Lockler to fish for pike.  We went above the rapids and tried several bays.  I brought in a good number of pike, but size was overall small.  

Weather deteriorated as we went through the morning.  Winds remained abusive which created a lot of chop in the open-water areas.  It spit rain most of the morning and with cold temperatures it was not easy conditions.  I'm not yet cold tolerant and my hands went numb from the cold.

But it was still a fun day fishing.

We went back to the lodge for lunch which I was glad about since trying to do a shore lunch at the actual shore would have been difficult.

Lockler took myself and Bill out after lunch.  We fished the islands near camp and went into Blind Bay.  I caught the one and only (small) fish brought into the boat.

Back at the lodge at a more reasonable time than bear hunting provides, dinner was steaks on the grill.

A few people had already left camp, but those of us that remained sat around talking about hunting, fishing and just about a little of everything.  This was fun, but I was ready to have a few extra hours of sleep.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 7 - 10 Years Later

I woke up definitely feeling like I could have slept in.  The late nights and early mornings can be challenging.  But there is absolutely nothing, zero, nada to complain about.

After breakfast Thomas took Waylon and me out for fishing.  We went upriver above the rapids (not sure the term is correct since there are no "rapids" this year), and hit several bays.  It was a phenomenal day of fishing.  We hooked into pods of pike through the morning with enough slow sections to keep us slightly humble.

I think Waylon caught about three fish to my one, but I remained stubborn to my spinnerbait when I probably should have switched to a spoon like Waylon was using.  I did not really like the movie A River Runs Through It, but I find myself overthinking that pike are supposed to be caught on spinnerbaits, much like how one fly-fishes plays a role in the movie - probably a symptom of getting older...

I did hook into the largest pike I've caught in a few years, bringing in a fat 37" pike.  Watching it hit right near the boat was quite exciting.

Dave had taken tagged-out hunters upriver, so there were only a few of us for lunch.  Then a nap and it was out for bears.

Weather was cool and cloudy.  Forecast was for some rain, but it looked like we would be just outside of it as it drifted south.  I loved the cool weather and decided to chance it and not bring rain gear.

I felt oddly optimistic as Drew took Rebecca and I upriver.  The scenery was stunning.  The cool temperatures got my blood going.  Wind was non-existent.  Even the cloudiness seemed right.

Rebecca was dropped off at Greer Lake.  I was sitting in the boat waiting; the loons were wailing and laughing in the distance.  It was a rare, beautiful, magical moment.

With low water we had a longish walk to Gas Can from where Drew beached the boat.  The bait had been hit since being filled previously in the morning.  I got easily situated as Drew left me alone for the afternoon.  A grouse was loudly drumming and this continued through the early afternoon; I had not previously heard this in the fall.

I was dozing a little bit when I was brought back to alertness by movement to my left.  A bear was nosing through the woods, headed into the bait.  It got to the small clearing, looked in my direction and did a 180, turning back into the trees.

I watched it for several minutes as it wandered a bit, then lost sight for a short time.  It returned, and made its way once again to the bait.  After walking it, it took a quick bit of spilled popcorn before nervously high-tailing it out to the right.

For the short time I had a good view of it, my impression was of a good bear, but still thin and young.  I didn't want to overthink at this point.

About an hour passed before another bear came in from the right.  This bear was not the same bear as the first one, and was confidently bold.  It scrambled around the barrel before making short work of the logs and started eating.

I watched the bear while my mind fought for what to do.  I knew it was not a monster, but everything about the bear screamed 'pretty good.'  It was not real long, but it was very fat for its size.  It was tall enough to see over the barrel, even  when it was in the depression the barrel was in.  It had to struggle to get its head into the barrel.

But every time I looked at it through the scope, it shrunk...

And then there were the rationalizations - both positive and negative.  I'm 100% good with a good bear.  I'm not sure the freezer has room for a whopper?  But with good weather, no reason not to hunt more?  I think I really do want to go home with a bear?  My mind went back and forth at least 87 times.

I went on my first bear hunt in 2009.  That hunt ended on the exact stand I was on.  I thought about how excited I was then ... how excited the 2009 me would have been to see a bear like this ... of the infinite lessons since that 2009 kid was sitting on this spot in Manitoba, one of the best lessons is cooling down while hunting; one of the worst curses is overthinking.

After about an hour the bear turned to leave toward the right.  I saw the bear fully in broadside.  Decision made.  Good enough won out.

After the shot, the bear ran a few steps and I heard it crash.  I knew it was over.  I waited as long as I could and got down out of the treestand.  I easily found my bear.  It was a beautiful, stout black bear; I was happy.

After grabbing a couple pictures, I put out my orange on a tree and got back in the treestand.  I knew it would be a long wait.  But temperatures were nice and there was a bear on the ground, so even if it was a bit tiresome, it was also almost spiritual.

I spent quite a bit more time thinking about 2009 vs. the current day.  I was so fortunate to be able to go on a bear hunt in 2009, and that is still true today.  I found it serendipitous that my first and 10th bear were taken from the same stand; that may have been a very small reason (of many) in my decision to shoot.  I'm not the same person I was in 2009 ... at all.  But I still am me.

Right around sunset I heard a boat come in.  Chris and Drew came in to get me.  We took some pictures before loading my bear into the sled and making our way to the boat.

Coming around that last bend before camp, the moon was peering eerily through the clouds as the lights of the dam glinted in the distance; I let myself have one more bit of nostalgia as I thought back to the same journey in the freezing cold temperatures in 2009.

Back at camp Rebecca had taken a near carbon copy of my bear with a beautiful white tie.  Waylon had taken a pretty good bear as well.  As my bear was almost done and in the freezer, Bill came in with a whopper of a boar.  Everyone had tagged out.  The guides were happy so many bears were taken with light left, and very little tracking was needed overall.

Everyone else had eaten so Bill and I ate dinner while talking with Chad.

We all still had two full days to fish.

I went to bed filled with memories ... and much gratitude.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 6 - But Not For Us

"There is hope.  Hope enough.  Infinite hope.  But not for us." - Franz Kafka

After an egg bake breakfast, Bill, Sam and I went out fishing with Dave.  We all casted for pike, trying a few bays up and around the rapids.  Fish numbers were pretty good.  And both Bill (33 inch) and Sam (30 inch) caught pretty decent pike.

Bear camp is falling into a rhythm, and it is an easy rhythm to get used to.

After a shore lunch (at camp), Lockler took myself and Neil out for the afternoon.  I was dropped off at the Perdushney (I've given up trying to learn how to spell that) bay stand.

After the single stand the previous afternoon, it was really easy to get comfortable.  Once alone on the hillside, something just felt right.

I've previously wondered whether a deer stand can have good feng shui, and came to the conclusion that it can.  I think this is also true for bear stands - or bear situations.  I was on the river, instead of a road bait.  I was back in a double ladder stand.  I was using my rifle again, instead of my shotgun.  Weather was cool and temperate - if a bit windy with a hint of a few sprinkles.  Things just felt right.

At least they felt right until I looked back and saw that as best my ability to search, I've never seen a bear while in this stand.  There is hope...

But not for us.  It was a quiet sit all afternoon.

Back in camp after getting picked up, five bears were down.  I won't remember them all (there are still a few people who I really haven't met), but Faith shot a decent one and Neil shot a bear while heading into the stand.  This leaves four of us (I think) with tags, including Bill and Rebecca.

Pork pot roast ended the night before turning in to hope for the second half of the week.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 5 - Four Well-Behaved Cubs

I woke up to steely, grey, cool morning.  I thought about trying to sleep more, but coffee was calling my name.

After pancakes for breakfast, Carter took Sam, Bill and I out for fishing.  We spent the morning casting for pike.  Fishing for me was a bit slower than the previous day, but I think the boat overall did better.  Both Bill and Sam caught quite a few pike.  I caught my first smally for the trip, even if it was rather small.  In one of the most miraculous fishing saves I've seen, I watched Carter grab Bill's snapped fishing line and hand-bring in a decent size pike.

Weather stayed cool and misty.  Forecasts were for the afternoon to get better, which was good since the mist was almost worse than rain.

After lunch, Carter took myself and Rebecca to road baits for bears.  I was dropped off on Duck Pond, where I had sat the previous year.  It is a single ladder stand, which I don't mind - although it does make the afternoon nap a near-impossibility.

Carter baited the barrel and also dumped a load of green apples.  He had not even walked out of the area before I saw a flash of black to the right.  Two cubs came in as Carter left.

One of the cubs was absolutely the smallest cub I had ever seen while hunting.  It looked like a small house-cat compared to the other cub, which was still one of this year's.

The little guy was feisty and really, really wanted popcorn.  Despite its size, it found a way to get the logs out of the barrel and munch away.  A third cub showed up, but only for a few seconds before it left.

Weather stayed cool and the mist dissipated, but it was somewhat windy at times, making it hard to hear.  I kept my eyes open for momma bear, but never saw her.  I did hear a bear making the contented "ungd" sounds so I originally thought she may have been in the area.

In one of the cutest things I've seen cubs do, the little cub eventually just scrambled inside the barrel to eat popcorn.

What I was most surprised about is that the two cubs did not wrestle and fight at all.  They seemed oddly patient for a couple animals which usually behave like unruly children.

After about 45 minutes the cubs left.  It was quiet, leaving me alone with my thoughts until I saw a dark shadow out of the corner of my eye.  

The cubs came back, and this time I saw there were four cubs walking in almost underneath me to my right.  The cubs varied in demeaner, but they eventually made their way to the barrel.

Again, I was shocked at how the cubs behaved.  There was no wrestling, growling for fighting.  The cubs seemed to take turns at the barrel.  Once the cubs figured out what the apples were, they seemed to enjoy those as well.  One of the more timid cubs would grab an apple, run to the bush and eat it before coming back in to repeat.  Smart girl...

The cubs stayed until around 5:00.  That left a llloooonnnggg stretch where not much was happening.  

Since I couldn't doze on the single stand, I let my mind run wild.  The more I thought about the cubs, the more curious I was about the situation.  Given that I never saw or heard mom (I'm 99% sure the "ungd" I previously heard was another cub since they were doing it when they showed up the second time), I wonder if these were a group of abandoned cubs?  Or maybe mom was nearby, but that wouldn't explain the one very small one?  Or???  If nothing else, I was rooting for that littlest guy to make it.

Whatever was going on, they would be easy prey for wolves if not in the protection of a big sow.

Weather stayed cool and windy.  I was comfortable in my wind-proof fleece.  It started to get darker and I was hopeful something big would pop out, but it wasn't to be.  Carter picked up Rebecca first, so I had some time in the dark.

Back in camp, one bear had been taken (by Dave?).  Several other bears were seen, but it was a bit slower overall than the first night.  Temperatures were supposed to stay cool for the rest of the week, so hopefully that gets them moving again.

I was desperate for bed after a bit too much lasagna for dinner.  I fell asleep, writing a story in my head about the cubs I had seen.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 4 - Reservoir Bears

Coffee calling my name got me out of bed.  And while it was still dark then, when the sun came up I was treated to an amazing sunrise while throwing the lure off the dock.

After a larger breakfast than I normally eat, Drew took Bill, Sam and myself out for fishing.  The day was temperate with a bit of wind - good for fishing.

We started by jigging for walleye which I don't find a very engaging way to fish.  Drew knew this (my reputation for wanting pike is well known here), but I made a serious go of it.  It wasn't productive, so Drew suggested I cast for pike as we got closer to some island weed beds.  I brought in a bunch of pike.  They were all small(ish), but it was still fun to bring them in.

We moved to another spot and again tried a mix of jigging and casting.  At one point I had a fish on the line which felt oddly non-pike-ish.  Bringing it in, I had caught a decent walleye ... on a spinnerbait.

We fished that area for a while longer; jigging brought in a few more walleye while I caught a couple more pike.  Overall a decent morning for fishing.

After a nice lunch, it was time to go out for bears.  Vance took Sam and me to the road baits.  Sam was dropped off first while I waited.  It was hot with some humidity.  I was wearing my rain suit since rain and thunderstorms were expected.  I was not very comfortable.

Then it was on to Joyce Trail where I saw the meanest sow in the woods the previous year.  I got situated while Vance baited both the normal barrel and a roll barrel.  As Vance left, I dropped a shotgun slug.  I briefly thought about just ignoring it, but I knew I would overthink it, so I got down and did quickly find it.  Once back in the stand, I was uncomfortably hot and felt drenched in sweat.  Ugh.

I did what I could to settle down and get situated.  The first bit of time passed slowly.  It always takes me some time to settle into the rhythm of bear hunting.  Around the time I was cooling down I saw a bear nosing towards the bait from far trees.  It meandered around and finally came in to the roll barrel first.  It was a smaller young bear, but nice to see so early (4:40).

It stayed around nervously for quite some time.  When it left another slightly bigger bear started to come in.  I was starting to wonder if these could be the bear cubs I had seen the previous year - one year older and bigger?  Unlikely, but at least remotely possible.  It never came all the way in, but just sat down and watched from a short distance away.

This bear hung around for a while and a third bear came in.  This was definitely a new bear and was much bolder than the first two.  It almost scared me how fast it came in.  It stayed for quite some time, munching on popcorn.  There was enough wind that it was hard to hear much, but I was, once in a while, clearly hearing some of that very characteristic light walking sounds that suggests other bears were nearby.

Around this time, bears were definitely working the area while I sat there trying to keep track of what was going on.  One bear was a decent size bear - maybe six feet?  But that might be optimistic due to most of the other bears being smaller.

While I could tell some of the bears apart based on demeaner, I had a hard time keeping track of all the bears.  The bears were charging each other from areas I could not see - sometimes almost right next to me, sometimes farther away.  

At one point there was a bear directly to my right and bear at the barrel when I heard a big ruckus to my left.  It reminded me of the movie Reservoir Dogs, where all the criminals are trying to be one-up each other in how tough they are, more so since they don't know each other.  And also like the movie, I think there were a total of 7-8 reservoir bears total for the afternoon.

The thunderstorms that were predicted had materialized through the afternoon.  I had gotten out my waterproof cloth to keep my stuff dry, but most of the rain dissipated and went north and south of where I was.  I was glad about this, but the extra layer on my lap made the hot afternoon even less comfortable.  When one of the bolder bears was at the barrel, I was able to at least set things aside (and even stood up at one point since my leg was cramping).  

As it got dark, there were at least three bears near me.  One of the bears had scrambled up the tree to my right.  I was worried about a repeat of the previous year where I had to get out of the stand with bears in that same tree, but it got down - yet remained in the area.

Eventually Vance came to get me.  I'm quite sure not all the bears left as we made our exit.  It was a very exciting night, even if I didn't shoot.  

Sam had shot a decent bear - his first, so he was happy.

Back in camp as people rolled and boated in, lots of people had seen bears, and a few had almost-opportunities on big bears.  But Sam's was the only shot.

After a salmon dinner I headed to bed.  It was late by my standards. Stealers Wheel song Stuck in the Middle with you played in my head as I thought of those reservoir bears.   I, of course, started overthinking the afternoon.  Maybe that bigger one was even bigger than I thought?  Maybe they were all bigger than I thought?  Maybe I won't see any more bears this week?  Maybe...

2025 Bear Hunt Day 3 - In Camp (Finally)

I futzed around the hotel room for a while.  Given my book choices were only adequate for the drive so far, I was desperate to find something else.  It was not to be.  I found several books that looked promising, but none of them were available.  There are, of course, lots available, but many of them looked like a questionable commitment.  I have a couple on hold, so maybe they'll come available in the next week.  I dearly miss when I could download books ahead of time, but I also understand the reality here...

For the final leg of the trip ... podcasts.

When I couldn't stand it anymore, I packed up and hit the road.  It was a wonderful and quiet Sunday morning.  I made my way to the border.  The very pleasant border guard asked a few questions, followed by informing me that there was a new gun form.  I parked and went inside and hand-filled the new form.  Other than that, I breezed through and I was in Canada.

Shortly after crossing the border, a small group of deer crossed the road right in front of me.  Much like my Friday drive to work, I saw it as a good sign.

I decided to avoid the hour plus of gravel road and stayed on pavement.  This added about 15 miles, but was at least parity on time and might have been better.  I enjoyed the drive.  I was sort of listening to podcasts, but also let my mind wander.

As I got nearer to camp, I thought back to that first bear hunt so many years previous - in my mind, I was just a kid then.  At one point I looked at myself in the rear view mirror and barely recognized the old man staring back at me.  Time brutally moves in one direction.

My spirits were high - even after seeing the saddest field of sunflowers I'd ever seen.

Once into camp, Maureen was in the lodge.  She moved me into a new cabin that was ready since I was early.  I threw a lure into the water for a bit, but never got a bite.  I accompanied Rylan (sp?) to bait some of the sites.  It felt right to be in the woods.

But Dave had already baited several of the stands, so it was a short trip and we returned to camp.

I had a bit of down time in my room.  At great risk to my life, I did nap a bit - I can only hope it doesn't kill my ability to sleep later.

This article also crossed my screen.  While not French, I did feel a kinship with much of what the author expresses.  I almost never walk into the field and not feel some amount of cognitive dissonance.  This seems especially true for bears.  I spring from a thicket of tangents.  I was still looking forward to the first day in the stand coming up.

With still some time to kill, I chucked a blue spinnerbait in the water for a bit.  I had one follower, and a short time after that caught my first fish on my new rod and reel.

My equipment choice comes with some nostalgia since one of my first fishing poles was a Mitchell.

Dinner was a Thanksgiving feast (that couldn't be beat).  By the time it started to get dark, I was more than ready to sleep.  Unfortunately my cabin was really warm so sleep came slowly.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 2 - Embrace The Miles

I was up and on the road just a few minutes after 5:00.  This felt late by my internal home clock, yet still early.  But the gas station that was supposed to be open 24 hours was closed, so the only coffee I had was the small pod in the hotel room.  No reason not to hit the road.

Predictably traffic was non-existent.  I contentedly motored north in the dark morning.

I finished listening to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed.  My opinion of the book was unchanged.  It was worth listening to, but not one I intend to come back to.  The last essay was by Tim Kreider and it was by far one of the best.  I was glad (and a little relieved) since I've struggled to like some of his newer writing.

I thought about listening to some podcasts, but jumped right into The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohllben.  It was at least mostly about the interconnectedness of the natural world.  It took me a bit to get into the book since so much of it was condescending.  There were several times it said things like:  This probably surprises you...  Or:  ...but it's more complicated than that.  Or the worst:  You might think ... but you would be wrong.  

If I would have had another book that I wanted to start, I definitely would have killed it.  But I soldiered on.  The book did get better - or maybe I got numb to the condescension?  I liked some of the facts and comparisons he gave, even if a few might have been whitewashed to show a point of view.  I did enjoy the basic premise of the book about how interconnected things can be. 

I thought the solutions he gave were far too simplistic and tailored to how he could live his life - a great frustration of mine when anyone gives simple solutions to complex problems.  While humans are doing at least some terrible things, we ARE part of the world; we can't live in a cocoon.  He did acknowledge

 this complication near the end of the book.  Tying it in with the previous book - he never gave the difficult solution of population reduction.  I know this will never happen, but trying to fix global issues with addressing the ever-increasing scourge that a growing population brings is akin to choosing immobility as your mode of transportation.

While the book was a bit of a downer, I was comforted by the book I read the previous year (almost to the day) and its conclusion that on the geologic time scale, humans do not matter.

Ultimately, I give the book a C+.  I had another of his books on hold with Libby, but I got rid of it since I was concerned it would be too similar (and condescending).

The day had started out wonderfully cool.  Going through Wisconsin I did hit a bit of mist/rain.  Then it stayed really nice for the rest of the day.  It was, quite frankly, a wonderful day on the road.  I did get a bit wistful every time I saw people on motorcycles who were obviously touring.

I ended up stopping more often than I usually do for drinks or snacks - odd since I had a whole buffet of food with me.  I'm embarrassed to admit I gorged on too much trail mix so I had to buy some more.

US2 was a bit annoying with convoys of pokey drivers.  But once I turned on to MN46, traffic almost instantly disappeared.  It was quite glorious.  

I motored on to my hotel in Baudette.  The owner was painting, but we talked for a few minutes as she checked me in.  I really do want to come back to fish for sturgeon - still a bucket-list fish for me.

After getting settled, I walked around the dock a bit.  The afternoon was spectacular.  I thought about how fortunate I am to be able to go on these adventures.  I stared across the river at Canada.  I thought about bears, about how special it is to have this enormous friendly border.  I thought back to the book I had listened to and while there may be problems, we are still fortunate in North America to be able to easily go places that are a salve to the soul.

Despite being a good day, it was also a tiring day.  I knew I'd be up too early but turned in early anyway.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 1 - On The Road

Given the amount of people I've talked to over the years about going bear hunting with me, I was surprised when Doug said "yes" and followed through.  We talked some logistics a few weeks previous which gave me an opportunity to really start planning.  This helps the mental state as the days counted down.  Prep for an audit at work, months in advance, is growing in pain.  The redundant (often dumb) requests demonstrate a house of cards.  A break is needed.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't know Doug that well, but he's organized a few fishing trips.  After we talked logistics, he gave me a heads up that some family issues were brewing.  This was followed a short time later by notice he was not going to be able to go.  I felt really bad for him.  He dealt with it well, by letting me know when he could and also letting Vance know.  It is still a bit frustrating; I'm sure it isn't the first time this has happened.  For all involved, including myself I suppose, I hope the best.

So I'm solo for yet another grand adventure.  I'm good with this too.

Prep for the trip progressed as the days counted down.  I wasn't going to subject Doug to my audiobooks, so I had to scramble to find some since I would be by myself.  I tried using ChatGPT for book suggestions, but as that effort progressed, it started hallucinating like crazy and suggested books which I do not believe exist.  Good job ChatGPT - I guess you can write those books or something.

I packed up everything on Thursday in preparation for a Friday departure after work.

Friday finally came; I saw a few deer on my way into work.  This isn't unusual, but it can feel like a positive omen when heading out on an adventure.

Being a day before a long weekend, work was relatively quiet.  I left after a sufficient amount of time and effort.  Leaving from work meant a quick jump onto the freeway and I started to head north and west.  Traffic was tolerable.  Indianapolis was hairy, but at least predictable.  There were only a few traffic slow downs after Indy, and they were pretty short.

I was listening to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed - a collection by writers on the decision not to have kids.  It was good but not great.  A few of them I related to, but most sort of fell into not having kids.  It kept me entertained for the afternoon.

Soon enough I was at a Days Inn hotel.  I didn't like parking right next to a gas station, but it should be OK.  The hotel smelled like curry, so I didn't feel too bad about eating a noddle bowl for dinner.  I resisted the urge to buy junk food at the gas station.  

I waited for dark - actually looking forward to a long day on the road.

2025 Lake Ontario Fishing Day 4 - Home

After getting up, I was ready to head home.  I spent a few minutes choosing my route.  Since I was leaving early, I decided I would risk the 401 to avoid the tolls on the 407.  I also had a quick couple cups of coffee, hopefully giving me just the right amount of caffeination for the trip.

As promised, Denis was up around 4:00.  We loaded up my fish and a few Coho salmon for me to try.  The amount of fish was truly shocking - I've had hunting trips with less (but then again, I've had hunting trips with nothing in the cooler).  I tied down the cooler and I was on the road by 4:15.

I followed the GPS to the 401 and it was the right decision.  It was a bit busy nearer Toronto, but there were no slow downs.  I did have to pay attention - mostly because I was on unfamiliar roads.

I listened to the end of The Secret Life of Groceries.  The end of the book was probably the best part - if also a bit sad.  It got into the psychology of buying, which was interesting.  It also got into the food supply chain - specifically a lot about the seafood supply chain; every time I read about seafood and all that goes into it - I'm appalled at humanity.  The world is doomed and humanity might deserve this.

I guess I did feel a bit better that the fish in my cooler were obtained ethically and in a conscious manner.

After finishing Groceries I listened to Ologies podcasts for the rest of the day.  I almost gave up after the first one - which wasn't very good.  But I was in a hairy spot so I just started another one as the easiest thing to do, rather than find one of my other podcasts.  I was glad I did, since most of the rest of them were good - which just enough humor to get me to laugh a few times in each one.

I avoided buying fuel for the Maverick in Canada, but the level was lower than I was comfortable with.  I did get absolutely fantastic mileage the whole time I was there - even more surprising since my speeds wouldn't suggest it should be this good, but I'll take it.

I crossed the border back into the US at Windsor since this would put me mostly south of Detroit.  The line was moderate, but it was still the right decision.  It was mildly infuriating when a dude forced his way in two cars ahead of me.  But we already know that a small percentage of the population has no redeeming qualities (the internet has reinforced this...).  The border itself took 30 seconds to get through.

I continued my way towards home.  Traffic was actually worse in places than near Toronto.  

Soon enough I was home with enough time to unpack and take the dogs on a quick walk.  Fish were still frozen so it was just a matter of transferring them to the freezer.

I know I'm very fortunate to have friends like Denis and now Julie.  Fishing for big salmon is something I've always wanted to do.  I hope to be able to do this again.

And barring anything unforeseen, I'll be back in Canada in a few weeks!