What a great day to be in the woods. Friday evening produced approximately one and a half inches of fresh snow. The trees had the snow on their branches and the results were something to behold!
This was my second day to hunt bucks. The weather was perfect to hunt the white-tail. I had viewed 32 deer by noon including one small buck. Most were antlerless and some could not be identified due to brush, etc. 
The antlerless deer season began this morning as well. I elected to hunt only buck and wait until next week to pursue my passion of hunting deer with the flintlock rifle. I imagine few hunters will be out allowing me to sneak around. I will take a doe next week if the opportunity arises. I could have taken 9 doe easily this day. Instead I counted “coup”. The western Indians would try to touch an enemy rather than kill an enemy to receive “big medicine.” They believed it took more bravery to touch an enemy over killing. In my weird way, I count the positive deer kills as coup although I never fire a shot. The deer appreciate it!
In all probability I only stayed within a couple of hundred yards all day. I walked only a little at times, but would return to the same area to watch. My step-father, Bob was above me on the top of the hill.
Swans directing overhead!
The noon hour passed me when I could hear the distinct sound of deer walking behind me. I managed to turn and see five deer. They came to about 18 yards. They were all bald having no head ornaments. One saw me move to grab my camera. I failed to get any shots. In fact the only photos of deer I managed to take were blurry. I might need new glasses.
Prior to one, I heard Bob shoot. I communicated and found he had, indeed, shot a deer, but couldn’t find it yet. (Lots of green briars here.) I arrived a few minutes later to see him standing over the deer. The drag was a long one, but the snow allowed for ease in dragging. 
All told, I had 39 deer sightings; one squirrel and a flock of swans. It was a great day!
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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