Larry A. Smail's Blog

  I promise you this is the last posting from the trip to Maine, lest you get tired of seeing the photos. I spent considerable morning time along the beach to witness sunrises, and explore.                               

Seashells, and the like were everywhere to see. The seaweed varieties were caught on the shore with low tide. The yellowish colors were attractive to see, but they were extremely slippery, especially when the many rocks were, also, wet.

  Gulls; loons; ducks; cormorants, and herons were everywhere. They   began chattering while the darkness was still upon us all. They would drift slowly past me.                   

  I only saw one boat heading out to the bay during those early minutes.

She shells by the She shore!

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I morning of fall-like conditions forced me to take a woodland hike. A rather heavy fog enveloped the area until past mid-morning.

New England Aster

The walk proved one thing to me, and that was the I was witnessing the “last hurrah” in regards to wildflowers of the 2015 year. Yes, they are winding down once again. It is very obvious which wildflower is the dominant specie…the Goldenrod! There are literally fields of bright yellow all about. here, and there, the ironweed with the deep purple contrast the yellow. Also, a lot of aster species are in bloom presently. I have these planted around my flower gardens to keep color well into the fall.

Today, I was to see something rarely viewed in Pennsylvania. I was walking up a grade when a young deer ran across my views. I immediately realized the deer could not have seen, heard, or smelled me. My initial thought was the possibility of an over-eager buck chasing the young doe. I watched and didn’t see any other deer.

   I reached the point where the deer crossed and turned to my left. I was thinking of checking some field openings for turkeys. Suddenly, I spotted movement about sixty yards to my right. In that fleeting second of time I thought I was seeing deer, but the second half of that second told the truth of my vision. Two coyotes!

I moved back, and took position where I thought they should intercept me. It worked! Both of the mammals came within easy view. One spotted that something was amiss. the second followed. I managed a couple of quick photos.

Goldenrods!

I turned and began walking back, and spotted black coming. Two more coyotes, and one was a black color phase. I quickly returned to the interception sight to witness these two coming into view. the first one reacted and dropped over the hill followed by the second coyote. I hastily took photos despite the ‘yotes being in thicker vegetation.

   I smiled for a long time to myself as I finished my trek around the area. Totally, I saw four deer on this venture, along with the coyotes.

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Clear cut state game lands

The entire morning had a sensation of gloominess. The air was still and a definite feel of snow was certain.

A small, but, legal buck.

I chose to hunt the last morning at State game Lands 137 near New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I have had a number of bear experiences at these lands.

I slowly still-hunted up a long hollow surrounded with steep sides. The area had been clear cut in recent times. Tree top and briars and young trees covered the terrain making for some good bear habitat. Next year the lands will be better for bear.

  The slow walk and watch style of hunting failed to produce any bear, but deer were common. I heard and saw a raven too. I did find two piles of past bear evidence along the brushy area. I estimated the bear had done their deed, at least, a week ago, possibly longer. The break down of the material proved that to me.                             

Acorns, beechnuts and autumn olive berries were non-existent. Every place I had been this fall while hunting bear and turkeys had this fact easily learned. The oak and olive produced blossoms. I believe the large amount of rain we had in late spring and summer may have ruined the crop locally. This, I believe, “holed up” the bear early.

My pocket Constitution and Bill of Rights copy.

Milkweed seed pod

A couple of flakes slowly drifted through the trees at 10:15 A.m. and fifteen minutes later the snow was falling fast and laying on the ground. I walked around most of the morning. However, I did stop and started to read a Constitution booklet. I have had this tradition every bear and/or deer season for  the last five or six years. I often carry other reads if the weather allows for it.

I quit hunting by around noon and headed home. The lack of bear sign and my thinking  of the critters denning up seemed highly probable to me.  A solitary hunter would need to almost tramp on a bear to move it from such cover.

Beginning of the snow.

Skunk cabbage is dormant until March!

The previous day, I dogged for a friend and landowner and another individual for half a day. They, both, have health issues that limit hunting activity. His property failed to yield the mast needed for bear as well. I did see a number of deer while chasing the brush for bear.                 

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