Would have, could have,should have, maybe............

[Winelover]

Had no intentions of going out hunting in the rain. Woke up usual time 4:30 AM, was raining, put in my computer time. Had the radar up, looked as though it would stop for a couple hours. Decided at 7, I would go out and sit in the tent blind, and see what would come by to investigate the new ground scrape by the "sign post" tree. Earlier in the week, I hunted my favorite tree stand and noticed a large ground scrape, 10 yards in front of it.

Was well into shooting light, by the time I got in tent blind. Wasn't there 10 minutes when I noticed some movement.

Would have: If it hadn't been raining.

Could have: If I picked up the X-bow, instead of the camera.

Should have: Was a question of whether I wanted to take a chance, possibly having the bloodtrail get washed away.

Maybe: Next time, when it dry out.................and I didn't already have a eight point at the processor.




Broadside shot out of the front window of the tent blind. Just before this photo was taken, he went near the "sign post" scrape. Shook like a dog does, when it's soaked.




On his way to check the ground scrape, in front of my favorite tree stand.

 

[fiver]

he needs another year anyway... LOL
did he really have big tall eye guards like it looks in the first pic?

 

[Hawk]

He'll be bigger next year.
Besides, he wouldn't be legal in our County. We have a "Quality Deer Restriction". Must have a 13" inside spread before he's legal. Gerenally, outside the tips of the ears. Seen a lot of bastards that can't be shot because of that rule.

 

[Winelover]

No spread restrictions here.................just the three point rule. Three points on either side. Two bucks per year and up to four does. Within any combination of bow, muzzleloader or modern gun seasons.

 

[Winelover]

Had Cindy blow up the picture on her computer. Those are, in fact, tall eye guards...........couldn't get an accurate point count based on angle of the shot.

 

[Winelover]

Hawk.....................would he qualify?

 

[dale2242]

Do you take a ruler with you to measure the 13" spread?
That really seems like a SWAG estimate for most people.
Here in Oregon they state points per side.
Fork, 3 point, 4 point, etc.
Unlike you easterners, we only count one side.
If it is a 3X4 we call it a 4 point not a 7 point....dale

 

[JWFilips]

Just had this duo in my yard:

Don't even want to talk about rifle turkey season! My yard was full

Asked the wife "should I take one?" and She said But they are our friends!

 

[fiver]

there'd still be 7 of them out there.

 

[Ian]

Feeding is a give and take thing, way I see it. I feed and water local wildlife and periodically expect them to reurn the courtesy.

We made our annual pilgrimage to the wild game dinner that one of our remote, one-room schoolhouses puts on and this year someone made up some wild turkey that I maintain is the best turkey I ever put in my face. I'm sure it was brined, but somehow was less gamey than domestic turkey.

 

[smokeywolf]

I'm sure it was brined, but somehow was less gamey than domestic turkey.

I actually prefer my wild game to taste a bit "gamey". Wild game should not smell or taste like it came out of a supermarket cooler.

 

[Ian]

I like gamey too, just not that domestic turkey "whang". This was different, it had a delicate flavor, obviously turkey, but without the heavy, oily, armpit odor that domestic bird has. Makes a person stop and think how much of the supermarket meat flavor is from the crap the animals are fed and how unhealthy most of them are. We are fortunate to have a big chain grocery store which specializes in sourcing local, farm-raised, certified organic meats and fresh produce. Availability is inconsistent and seasonal as one would expect, but excellent when you get it. I'll bet if you get a chance to smoke a wild, 150-200 lb. sow, you'd throw rocks at storebought pork.

 

[Brad]

This guy has been hanging around a lot lately. We have seen a few others too.
I caught him eating from the bird feeder hanging from the eaves.