Year 2000 PA Hunting Season Log

11/24/00 – 12/01/00

Sorry – but I type faster than I write and since I had this blasted computer with me (for doing work of course – hah), I figured I would put it to use. I also decided to begin keeping a separate log of my hunting trials and tribulations. I figured it would be comical to review down the road…

Friday, Nov 24^th

Turkey day was wonderful. Pam and I stayed home instead of traveling and really set well with us. I packed up the truck for the start of the hunting season and was on the road around 3:45pm. Little or no traffic on the way up was a nice change to the normal commute. Arrived around 6:30 and began the unpacking process. This of course was a larger choir than most times for a few reasons. For one, Pam wasn’t around to help and secondly, the truck was packed to the hilt including the new ATV.

Arrived to find the pipes a bit frozen (even though I cleared the lines the last time up). Between getting the fire going, the trusty water line heater and a blow-torch on some specific area’s, things started flowing again. After getting things heated up, time for some leftover turkey for dinner (of course). Finished the night with a movie (rented some DVD’s to watch on the computer)

Sat, Nov 25^th

Woke up to a chilly morning (about 19 degree’s out). You know when your nose gets cold around 4am its time to get up and stoke the fire!

After some breakfast and getting a bit more organized, was off to site the rifle in. An ATV ride down to the other side of Don’s was expected to be a quick trip. However, after trying out some new ammo recommended by Dimitry (at the local gun shop), had nothing but problems. Couldn’t site the blasted gun in. After moving the picnic table back to 100 yards and trying a few different things, I was about ready to declare an official problem with the scope. Decided to use the old ammo and everything was fine. So much for fixing things that weren’t broke! Went down to the gun shop to pickup some more of the older ammo. Afterwards, stopped for a quick beer at the bar.

After the official “gun sighting in” ordeal, took a ride up to the top of the mountain and decided to survey the area and check out the activity at my feed pot. Dropped some old apples around just to make sure my Buck was well fed… Based on the way the hole was opened up in the can, I would bet the bear were reaching in and helping themselves from time to time.

Ann and Steve (Tyler and Emily) came up for the day. Helen was over as well. Proceeded to have open face turkey sandwiches at Tina’s (Turkey again) and a few drinks with the crew. Afterwards, the natives became restless and demanded a campfire. Although it was in the 30’s I built a typical blazer and we proceeded to party around yet another campfire for the season. A few hours later, Dave and Renee (owners of the Bridge) came by and joined us. Dave is not the typical outdoorsy guy based on the full leather coat and sheepskin hat he was wearing. But I have to tell you, he was very amusing and easy to spot as a bar owner (lots of story’s and jokes)

Sun, Nov 26^th

Woke up to a bit warmer weather but raining steadily. The weather forecast threatened the same for Monday. It was a very uneventful day. Did some reading, sleeping, eating and watched another movie. Guess I had to degauss a bit.

Off to Tina’s for the traditional Hunters Dinner. Old man Bob Holbert, Bob Jr., Matt, Eric (Sues brother), Dave, Bill (Edith’s brother), Don , Wayne and myself. Gore was the topic of the night…

Dad checked in at Tina’s to see how things were going. Wish he was here – sounded like he did too…

Mon, 27^th

Opening day finally here! Its funny how you wait a whole year for this and it goes faster than one can imagine. The day started off with the wacky travel alarm clock that has been here since the turn of time. Seemed to work until I got up and realized it was running about 30 minutes fast within 6 hours! Up at 4:45 (not intentional)…. Since this clock is all I got, I’ll have to learn how to gauge it a bit better tomorrow.

Although it was raining around 3am, I lucked out and had overcast day with no rain – Temp in the 40’s. Actually not a bad day as far as weather for hunting. Although colder would have been better since the deer move around a bit more.

I was in the woods and at my spot by 6am (thanks to the alarm clock – it doesn’t get light out until about 6:40. but that’s okay). Found a place to post until sunrise and enjoyed listening to the woods come alive.

Saw lots of deer (about 9)… No horns though. A lot of shots all around. A busy day I the woods…

Only one deer pulled off the mountain and what a beauty – a 10 pointer! Matt (the guy with the fireworks) got him from the top of Turkey ledge. It was a long shot by the sounds of it. The shot was taken around 8am.

Although I had tones of food with me, decided to have dinner at the Bridge and make some calls home. Man that place was dead. I was the only one in there…

Well no deer for the day – but if it was any consolation, I did catch a mouse in the bunkroom.

Tuesday, Nov 28^th

Decided to head the top of the mountain this morning. From the top of the grass field down to the start of the quarry took me three hours to walk (about ~1000 yards). I was on eggshells all the way. What a great hunt... Who says you can’t walk up on deer! 5 Does cruised by me from what I figured was the start of the Holbert drive. Had my sights on a spike, what would have been an easy down. But I figured I would abide by the no spike rule Hooper requested this year. Oh well – there are a few more days…

Ran into Bob Holbert in the woods who proceeded to tell me about all the deer everyone saw (and the exact points of each). It’s amazing how in the blink of an eye one could take the time to count all the points… I find that Eric (Sues brother) got a three pointer.

Before lunch – the Holbert group went to drive the swamp. Although this typically yields results, I was kind of enjoying the hunt without the driving technique. With that, I decided to peruse the Rock Oak Knoll and the Wood Pile on the lower section of the mountain. Not much going on…

After lunch, went to my spot at the lower section of the swamp. After scoping the area out, decided to setup camp within some Thickets about 200 yards off of Hooper’s line. What a great spot. The swamp to my left, my feed pot in front, and a well traveled run heading from the ledge into Hooper’s property to my right – all with clear views. This will be the place next year to setup a tree stand.

Decided to stay at this spot until dark. In fact I began to realize that all the action in the woods seems to happen and dawn and at dusk. Maybe next time I’ll skip the mid-afternoon hunt and stay at the cabin. Probably more productive…

At about 4:00pm (about a half hour till dark) I heard some rumbling behind me which turned out to be some of the Hooper clan. They proceeded to setup on the lower part of the swap in which I suspected was the start of a drive. Not knowing any of these cowboys and feeling uncomfortable that if the shoot started – I would be right in the middle of it, I decided to move.

I was about to head down the mountain and call it a day, but then decided to go to the top of the hill above the swamp and wait – just in case anything amounted from their drive. I no sooner was off the ATV and the war started. 4 shots in go off – then another two. I moved over to the side of the ledge where a natural swale cuts into the hill and I began to here what sounded like a freight train coming up the mountain. Before I knew what was going on – I had a 4 to 8 pointer (I didn’t have the talent to count like others) heading straight for me. I waited for a bit and let one rip. The deer fell; got back up, and ran some more… stopped… looked at me… snorted… and took off… Another blast over his backside (apparently – literally) and off I went tracking…

By this time it was pretty much pitch black – so trying to track the damn thing was near impossible (even by the ATV lights). Bang… Bang... Another two shots go off in the swamp! Man did these guys pick the right time to drive the swamp or what!

After a futile effort to locate any signs of a downed deer and realizing that I probably need some more practice shooting straight, I went back to the top to see what was up in the swamp. Hooper’s group was in the process of dragging a deer out. I called to see if they wanted help – but they couldn’t hear me. Too bad for them… They gotta drag this thing at least a ¼ of a mile in the dark to get to their vehicles! Better them than me…

After that entire ordeal, I was pretty much a bunch of nerves running at high speed and needed a drink real bad. Tina and Wayne were out so went down to the river phone booth to check in at home and let Jerothe clan know the news. And yes… I did take a roady with me! I needed it…

Weds, Nov 29th

This blasted alarm clock is gonna be the death of me yet! Oh it goes off... It just doesn’t go off when you want it too. After making a pot of coffee, I looked outside to realize that it’s a bit lighter out than it should be at this hour. Checking my wristwatch showed that I was an hour late... Damn – I hate that!

Scurried out the door after a quick breakfast. Headed up the hill on the bike only to run immediately into two deer at the Dynamite Magazine. The damn gun wasn’t accustomed to the cold yet so of course everything was fogged up. They were gone before I got a bead. Another 200 yards and two more… I think this is a conspiracy to goof on me when I’m off guard!

Anyway, I decided not to go to my spot since they just dragged deer outta there the night before and went to the top of the mountain instead. I started the same route I took before.

Due to the blight and/or Gypsy Moths, many of the trees were dead and cut down so there were a lot of open views. Even though I was there a day before – I found area’s that were just great. Proceeded to push the Doe’s I saw the other day down the ledges. They were easy to spot as the same deer since one of the does was an odd colored grey with a white snoot. While sitting tight, the spike from the other day pops out at 150 yards away broadside to me. I’m sorry – but when a deer stays in your sights for more than two minutes at a perfect broadside shot – Hopper can go screw his no spike rule! Bam!!! 8:30am (Mom wasn’t too far off of her 8:20 estimate)

After running about 300 yards, the deer dropped right in front of Dad’s favorite stand (literally). I would have loved to see the look on his face if he was in the stand and had a deer drop dead on his feet. That would have been a hell-of-a story I’m sure!!!

Well I tell ya one thing. I am sure sold on this ATV thing when it comes to hunting. Nothing like pulling up to your deer on the field, Slappin-em on the back of the bike and riding out of the woods… This is great!

Got back to camp – hung the deer for a while and had a snort or two. Decided to get it to the butcher asap. Good thing – he will process it by tomorrow... Down to VJ’s for a beer, a sandwich and to call the troops communicating my success.

Since I blew away the heart and the liver (no liver in camp tonight) I decided to splurge and have some tenderloins that I brought up with me. Our at least I thought… Wayne got home and saw the remnants of blood and invited me for a beer at Two River Junction to celebrate. After a few, we decided to go down to the Italian restaurant in NY since Tina was out late. The Tenderloins will have to wait – although I would have much rather had that then a burger…

Thurs, Nov 30^th

Got to sleep in this morning (7:30a). They called for 4 inches of snow but at 4am stoking the fire and it was still raining I figured we wouldn’t get it and we didn’t.

Spent the better half of the day cutting the rest of the wood Wayne brought down the mountain into usable sizes. Stacked what could be used without splitting, left the rest in the field for the next trip (Maybe Gerics will spilt?? Hah!). That’s okay, Dave has a splitter which we will probably borrow next time. Feels good to have a load of wood on the side of the cabin!

Finally took the old apple tree down by the shed as well. Probably a good thing cause the way it was leaning – it wouldn’t have made the winter…

Wayne got back around 5pm and invited me over for a cocktail. They were planning on going to the Bridge for dinner – but after a quick discussion we decided to do some venison steak and tenderloin on the grill instead… Good eating, especially when you know the thing was probably standing in the field the other day…

Fri, Dec 1^st

Can’t believe its December already. Uneventful morning... Packed up all the stuff (I cant believe how much I brought), cleaned up the cabin and departed in the early afternoon for home. This week went fast and although I was by myself (and missing others) it was a great trip.

Looking forward to the Georgia trip and retaining the trophy (which shouldn’t be hard!)

Got home and began vacuum packing the meat and prepping for freezer storage. Are these great looking Backstraps or what!?

Great season – great camp – great get-away…

RMJ