Larry A. Smail's Blog

  I told Laurie, and my step-father, Bob, I was only going after bucks this day. I did not expect to  deviate from that decision. I had to leave by noon, or so, to get ready for a meal at my in-laws, and I wasn’t wanting to butcher.

I saw the first deer early. I couldn’t identify the gender. The brush, and slight fog kept that from happening. I set down on a log, and decided I needed to capture some of this fog on camera. I see beauty in all things.                                                        

I walked backwards and set down on a log to watch a little. I spotted a doe standing about seventy yards. Shortly afterwards, another doe was visible eating ferns. I watched the two for about half-an-hour as they walked away.

I was entertained by two gray squirrels, and two red squirrels. I would still hunt  in the area, and walk back to this log from time to time.

  I could see a deer to my left. I began to reach for my camera when I noticed the antlers. A second late I realized the buck was legal. The scope centered on the front of the deer followed by the shot. The deer dropped before running down slope. I could hear the deer as he dropped again.

The drag was a tough one for the buck was big, and heavy. I had to cross a steep gulley, and up a slope before leveling off. There were lots of down trees, with brush, too. I eventually had to drag the deer across Cherry Run. I was beat. Bob, and I struggled loading the buck in Bob’s truck.

The buck sported seven points with a seventeen inch spread.

White Pine

The 2015 buck season in Pennsylvania began on November 30. My plan of attack was to work up, and over, a slight hill, and remain on a level area. My knee had been buckling at times, and I knew I didn’t want to chance traveling over many hills.                                                                      

I would sit for a time; walk very slowly, and stand occasionally. All of this would remain in one area. I would just travel back, and forth. The plan worked well in regards to seeing deer. Not one of the nineteen deer I saw me. Two winded me, however, but even that didn’t cause them to run. They simply turned and walked away in the direction they had come from.

I saw one illegal buck. he was a five point. I saw the yellow-glow of another buck in dense cover. A doe walked above him, and he turned to follow her up, and over.

   I was blessed to see another Fisher. I squeaked to this mammal. The animal turned towards me. I had picked my camera up from the ground, but unfortunately the strap caught on my rifle scope. This caused extra movement and allowed the Fisher to see me. This guy was about fifteen yards from me.

I left about three o’clock to visit my mother, and Bob before going home. Bob hunted today to. He saw about 6 deer, including a buck.

A bird box I had erected has seen better days.

I’ll be out again this week.