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A Day at the Museum

November 7, 2011 by larrysmailart

     I had the opportunity to spend the day at the Armstrong County Historical and Genealogy Museum in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Valerie Jack brought her 8th grade classes to the Native American Room at the museum. The teacher is just completing her educational lessons concerning the French & Indian War and the events of that war in our local area of Kittanning and some surrounding sites.

My task at hand is to further enhance some of the events that occurred. I, also, spend time discussing weaponry, war tactics of the time, cultural living and apparel.  I, of course, was dressed as an 18th century longhunter/militia member of those times.

The Native American Room features various native items throughout the small room including paintings of petroglyphs (rock carvings) from north of Kittanning along the Allegheny River. The classes seemed intrigued with the possible descriptions as to what each carving may have represented.

Close-up of Eastern native knife sheath/ knife

I wish to thank Valerie  Jack and her students patience with me despite my nervousness. They are a tough audience. They can see through any attempts to be non-factual on my part!

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a  chance to take photos of the class members for this site.

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Victorian Tea Party

November 5, 2011 by larrysmailart

    Saturday I attended a Victorian Tea Party. Not to drink tea but to display the painting, “THE WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH.” The event was held at the Trinity United Methodist Church at Indiana, Pennsylvania. The hosts for the event were members of the Sons of the Union Veterans; John T. Crawford Camp #43 and the Sara A. Crawford Auxiliary. This event was being held as a fund-raising effort for the project of erecting a memorial entitled “REST ON ARMS.”           

The Rest On Arms Memorial idea was actually formulated shortly after the Civil War ended by the vets of that time. Several attempts to raise funds early on failed. The Crawford Camp intend to finish the dreams! The proposed statue/memorial will be erected in the Indiana community.

You can read more on this important project by visiting:  www.restonarms.wordpress.com

Terry Greene-master fiddler!

  Approximately 80 tea-drinkers attended the two-hour event. Lots of cookies were created by the ladies of the auxiliary.(Some of which entered my internal parts.)

   A Civil War era fashion show completed the event as many of the ladies spotlighted their varied 19th century apparel.

Unfortunately, the painting was far from the interests of most of those in attendance. Also, I lost my watch. Despite these setbacks I enjoyed the event too. Seeing friends  and learning more of the times of the Civil War! 

Tea anyone?

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State Game Lands 137

November 4, 2011 by larrysmailart

     Early Friday morning, I made the decision to head to state Game Lands 137 near New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I needed to walk some game land roads and take some photos; look for bear sign and maybe get a ringneck pheasant

Ringneck track and .410 shotshell for comparison

or a couple of squirrels. As often is the case, the hunt becomes secondary on my excursions.  

I spent half a day traveling roads; high walls and some woodland areas. I didn’t see any bear sign, but I did see a number of deer and a couple of grouse. I met up with a well-tender and we had a great conversation about, you guessed it…hunting!

     The fall foliage, although past peak, is still very beautiful to me. In fact, I think I enjoy the past peek woodlands better. The stark contrasts between the fall color and leafless trees is beautiful.               

Since I walked roads a lot I didn’t see nearly the ticks I have while staying entirely in the woods. However, I still removed about 20 of them throughout the morning. Todays’ experiment consisted of placing them in rubbing alcohol. This killed the little pests rather quickly! Another interesting sighting I have known about for a number of years is a great-blue heron rookery located on a high ridge.  The heron is a wetland bird standing rather tall on long legs. This nesting site is not near any water! Why the birds have chosen this site puzzles me. I have seen many nests and herons at times. The high winds of recent months may have removed some nests.  

Heron nests

 

The shotgun

  The firearm of choice this morning was an old Harrington and Richardson (H&R) .410 single shot shotgun. My father purchased this gun for me for $15.00 for my second year of hunting. The previous year I had used my Uncle Carl Smail’s .410 and my dad dcided I needed my own. The family had removed the firing pin from the gun sice a family member had been talking sucidal thoughts. They failed to mention that to my dad on the Friday he received it. The following morning I missed an easy shot on a grouse when a “click” was all that was heard. (Unfortunately the person managed to complete the deed at a later time.)  

   I used this gun for a number of years until my growth and a sear issue causwed me to lay it aside. A few years back my cousin, Donnie Smail repaired the gun and the first shot from it bagged a grouse.

Partridge berry

  Like I said the woods are beautiful and the great weatherfurther enhanced the day afield.  

Deer bed

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Turkey Hunting

November 2, 2011 by larrysmailart

 

Not sure if Bob knows what a turkey looks like!

 I allowed Bob to wait high on the hill-top while I drifted low in anticipation with hearing turkeys. He does well at 77 years of age, but I try to be conscious of reality and be thoughtful. I heard some birds around a point on the hill and quietly moved in. NO BIRDS!  I scanned the tree tops through the foliage and zigzagged trying to find them. Nothing!                    

Cedar Waxwing & song sparrow

I went farther down slope when I heard turkeys across the hollow. I debated to attempt getting over and breaking or getting Bob first. I decided I would bring Bob down and then try to locate the birds.   

Surprisingly, After I circled around I heard a bird off in the distance, or so I thought. I actually walked about 40 yards below the tree and the birds were still on their roost well into daylight. They flushed behind me and flew towards where Bob was. he said one turkey landed behind him and ran. Bob and I headed where the turkey was last spotted and walked into, at least, three turkeys. One bird called below us but wouldn’t budge to walk up and over the hill’s crest.

    Later I kicked out more turkeys and as we were heading out of the woods we heard some yelping and set up. I spotted the turkey about 80 yards out. This turkey walked away. Maybe this woods was open enough that the bird looked and after not seeing a calling turk decided to amble off. We quit around 1:00 and Bob and I went to Elderton, Pennsylvania for lunch.

I saw about 12-13 deer sightings, including two buck. I saw squirrels and grouse too. I tried putting ticks into a bottle with peroxide this day Peroxide won’t kill them. Next time out I think I will try rubbing alcohol.                        

   The day was a beautiful autumn day.

 

Posted in Fall Turkey Hunting | Leave a Comment »

Great Day Afield

October 31, 2011 by larrysmailart

     I was hoping to get my step-father, Bob in place for a fall turkey this day. One obstacle we encountered early was the left over snow from Saturday. The remaining snow patches were iced and very crunchy. We tried to stay in the areas melted off when possible. I stopped higher on the hill to listen because of the noise. Within a short time I heard something walking when a buck walked by at about 18 yards. I believe it was a 6-point. 

As dawn lightened the area we proceeded farther down. I heard a little bit of turkey talk and moved in for a break. Apparently I failed for Bob and I set and called for over an hour and did not hear any lost turkey calling. However, we saw two more small buck. I took over 30 photos of the one with most photos being acceptable.          

Big problem was keeping glass fog-free

Small buck

Later we began searching for other turks when I saw one sneaking out ahead. I circled and saw more. I tried for a break and one bird broke away. Later I called this bird in but Bob’s movement while trying to manuever the shotgun spooked the turkey. We remained for a while when a buck was observed coming through the trees. This buck came within 10 yards of us. He was a legal eight point. I didn’t have my camera out of the case due to falling snow from the limbs. The buck when upon us yielded some sad information. He was blind in his left eye. I went for the camera and managed a few shots but the best opportunities had been lost!                          

     We quit hunting a little after 1:00.  I came home and did some yard work. All in all, we saw about 12 turkeys; some squirrels; 4 buck and some doe. We are planning a Wednesday hunt. I removed over 40 ticks again this day. I placed them in a container with Chlorox. However, one was later found beginning to dig into my back after I was home. He, like the others didn’t survive.

Posted in Fall Turkey Hunting, Wildlife | Leave a Comment »

THE “WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH”-ORDERS

October 30, 2011 by larrysmailart

Well friends my painting entitled, “THE WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH” is now ready for purchase. This labor of love is a painting of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Gettysburg fighting at the area of Gettysburg known as the “Wheatfield”. (Painting can be viewed on my August 25th Blog at www.larrysmailart.com)

If you would like to purchase a print you can contact Robert J. Bowser at:   100yrs2L8@windstream.net or call at: 724-545-1330 or me (Larry Smail) at: lasmail@windstream.net or call at: 724-548-2042.

Options available are:

150th anniversary edition  (signed and numbered) for $150.00. This edition has a hand-drawn Maltese Cross on the margins. The 62nd PVI had the cross on kepies (hats) and/or uniforms.

Regular edition of signed and numbered 450 prints at: $100.00

Artist proof edition of 45 signed and numbered print for $120.00.

Checks can be mailed to: Robert J. Bowser at 144 Presston lane;  Kittanning, PA 16201

Thank you for your support of this project. Proceeds benefit in part: Company D, 62nd PVI Living History Unit;  Sons of Union veterans of the Civil war Camp #43 and the “Rest on Arms” Indiana County Civil war memorial project.

Posted in Historical, My Art | 5 Comments »

Wintry Day Afield

October 29, 2011 by larrysmailart

    The grassy areas were already white as I drove through the early pre-dawn time heading to pick up Bob and try for turkeys. This first day of the fall turkey season was to be a white one. The woods were draped in snow by the time we entered the woods. We received a good three inches of snow where we hunted.

I heard a few soft yelps around 7:30 and hurried towards the sound. Some of the birds were already on the ground others were still in the trees. I drove them off and a decent break was the result. It wouldn’t be long before  turkey talk was heard down the hill.

I set Bob up and moved to his right  10 yards or so. I expected the action to be fast and it was. The turkeys were sounding with kee-kee and whistles and they were coming in towards me. I held the shotgun ready as the birds closed in. Suddenly, I could hear the yelps of the hen turkey.  As often can happen while calling turkeys the birds were getting together only about 35 yards from me but terrain issues were keeping them from being seen. They moved the other way after the hen came to them.

I backtracked and circled around and walked into the birds. I could have easily shot but I charged them to break up again. I went back and brought Bob up and we settled in. However, the heavy wet snow was beginning to soak in and long waits were not going to happen. I was getting wetter by the minute and colder too. BUT MY FEET WERE DRY AND WARM…no more Gore-Tex and their problems.

Bob and I circled around in the direction where the turkeys seemed to have flown. I saw some scratchings and shortly walked into the gobbler flock of five birds. I charged but couldn’t get a break. I knew waiting to chance these birds would be futile under the circumstances. Wet snow was falling  and wet snow was coming off the trees. Limbs were falling all around too. I thought back of my sister’s first husband who died by a limb striking him in 1987. There was snow and wind on that day too.

      Bob and I went back to the original plan of circling where the flock may have gone. We set up after I was answered by a distant kee-kee. Less than five minutes later a silent turkey came from my right and the 24 yard shot was perfect. 

Bob and I continued on and watched a small buck walk through the pines and later we spooked two birds out of the trees. We decided to circle around where we were at dawn and try to cut tracks. We arrived at car shortly after noon soaked through out.

Once the snow quit falling the snow on the trees and ground melted fast. I avoided carrying my camera this day while in the woods. That was a good decision. All our calls would not work correctly due to moisture. A camera would not have been a good idea. (The photos shown here were taken after the snow had melted quite a bit.)

I will try for a turkey next week with Bob. Wish us luck!       

What a difference in a couple of days!

Posted in Fall Turkey Hunting | 1 Comment »

Another Fine Autumn Day

October 23, 2011 by larrysmailart

     Bob and I walked up the hill in the pre-dawn grays. Recent rains had ceased but the cloud cover still darkened the sky. This changed as the sun came through around midmorning.

Bob, using a .44 magnum elected to watch a field until about 9:30 when he had to leave. He saw 5 deer. My smoothbore “Jeremiah” and I still hadn’t prioritized a desire to connect on a deer. Turkeys and photos were more important.

I listened for turkeys and was blessed to hear a Screech Owl and a Barred Owl too. Always enjoy their eerie wavering call. I had seen various deer by noon including two different buck. Around 11:00 I noticed a deer in the multiflora rose and autumn olive patches. I under estimated the range by, at least, twenty yards.  The deer was about 75 yards. I try to limit my shots with the smoothbore .62 caliber flintlock to 40 yards or less. Anyway, I missed! I spent an hour zigzagging around to ensure my hopes of a miss.      

Small buck at 5 yards

  I crossed a road where I saw other deer including a nicer white-racked buck and turkeys. However, the highlight of the day was while sneaking through a timbered area. I saw a black mass about 40 yards away and knew I was seeing a bear in its bed.  Shortly, the bear caught my scent and got up and soon began walking away. I couldn’t get a photo through the dense brush.

I was debating leaving for the day close to 5:00 was the time and I was tired and hungry. Within sight of my vehicle I could see a feeding deer. The stalk began. I passed up a couple of 50 yard shots waiting for a better one. The one deer became three. When I was about 40 yards from them a fourth deer spotted me and reacted. I hurried a shot from an uncomfortable position and after much searching realized a miss was indeed.                                                            

Groundhog

     I again, began heading towards the vehicle when a deer  stepped out in front of me. I cocked the hammer and lowered the gun. I was chancing this 50 yards shot the way the shooting was going for me this day. The deer back tracked and my exit continued.  Suddenly, that same deer was spotted about 35 yards away in the goldenrods. I instinctively raised and fired. the deer dropped immediately.

I had the deer home and skinned before 7:30. This deer will become steak and burger.

I saw the first juncos (commonly called the snowbirds) this day. Many robins were enjoying eating the grapes and dogwood berries.

Posted in Early Flintlock, Wildlife | Leave a Comment »

Beautiful Autumn Day

October 20, 2011 by larrysmailart

Jeremiah and my "stuff"

Dogwood berries

   Last Monday, October 17th, I spent the day completing various tasks. My step-father, Bob and I hauled a new refrigerator to my basement. Earlier this year our fridge went “kaput”. Laurie and I decided a new one would be of benefit since deer season was upon us and meat storage would be of necessity since I do my on processing.

 

    The nice warm weather, also, forced me to change the oil in the car. Yard work is always present. I mowed, trim some rhododendron and cut some spent flowers back. Monday evening, however, I decided to take “Jeremiah” for a walk  and a turkey scouting venture come morning. Jeremiah is my .62 caliber smoothbore French Fusil. The flintlock was a custom-made piece and is flawless. The firearm is very dependable.

 

    

Pretty colors of autumn

   Tuesday morning began very cloudy and later became sunny, warm and breezy. A saw a number of deer throughout the morning. At one point I found my front sight almost aligned on a deer. Two seconds more and the shot would have been completed. Of course, the deer’s curiosity soon became a concern and two steps placed it’s form among much foliage.

Turkeys seemed everywhere. I heard a little morning chatter followed by the sounds of many feet scratching the leaf litter in search of mast. Two different times I heard the sounds of feeding birds. Several other times I saw birds including gobblers.     

I was edging along crab apples and dogwood trees when a red fox jumped up. The beautifully primed fox went about 25 yards and looked back at me occasionally scratching itself.

My earliest memory of this area was when I was about five or six years old. My father and I searched a ridge for morel mushrooms one spring. The trees, at that time. were huge. Remnants of those monsters are still present here and there. Some of the stumps are around 6 feet across. Of course, they are now badly decayed and a handful of years from now they too will be gone. I, also, remember hearing my first great-horned owl that evening.

I located a chestnut tree growing. Some time ago I would carry chestnuts, hawthorns, etc and plant in places where the sun light could reach the ground. This tree is about three feet high. Few seem to make it when planted like this.

       I saw a lot of squirrels and I hope to take a few more for a fried squirrel meal. I saw a curious groundhog along a trial too.

Rain was being forecasted so I promised Laurie we would go to Butler shopping on Wednesday. Of course, the day was mostly dry but later breezy.

I may try to get out with Bob on Friday and Saturday for some deer hunting. Weather will play a part in that decision for Friday.

******************************************************************************

I was having an issue with a young raccoon eating my bird seed from my back deck. On several occasions I would peak out to see that critter laying on the deck rail sleeping. After a few “banjee-style” war whoops and chases failed I decided to try a more aggressive approach. The ‘coon would run behind some flowers on the deck. This time I armed myself with a pole and chased and pushed on him. He leaped backwards the 12 feet or so from the deck. I haven’t seen him since!

Posted in Early Flintlock, Misc. Nature, Wildlife | 2 Comments »

Squirrel Season

October 16, 2011 by larrysmailart

  

Witch Hazel

  I woke up to winds on the first day of squirrel, grouse and even ethe early muzzleloading season for deer. There wasn’t any rain so I decided to head out to the woods and witness some nature.           

Aspen leaf

I carried a Remington.22 rifle sling across my shoulder as I worked through the darkness of the pre-morning. I walked about a quarter of a mile into the woods to set down and listen and watch.

The morning proved to be gloomy as I listened for turkey sounds. the winds would definitely be a deterrent to hearing this day. I watched two gray squirrels as they silhouetted themselves against the gray sky.               

Sassafras leaf

   

Buck

  I had several primary reasons to be in the woods this day and squirrel hunting was not one of them. First and foremost I hoped to hear turkeys. I was seeking information as to any possible roosting areas. This reason was realized shortly after 7:00 A.M. when I heard a couple of cuts and later soft yelps.

The second reason to be out was, of course, to witness the colors of the woodlands and see how well the trees and grapes produced fruit. This reason was completed all morning long. The leaves are peaked and quite beautiful despite often heavy cloud cover.

The third reason was to try to get some good photos of deer, etc. This reason didn’t do very well for me.

    I walked about all morning and had 10 squirrel sightings. I was not into a hunting mode yet. Eventually, my hunter instinct took over and a bagged one. After the shot i wished I hadn’t done it, but I cleaned it in Cherry Run and look forward to some fried squirrel soon. I missed two earlier while the dismal grays interfered with my visuals. i just don’t see well in gray days…old age!

I did see 4 deer. One was a buck for sure. I managed several photos, but the blowing leaves often interfered with the subject causing blurriness. Later while traveling home I watched a flock of turkeys fly across a hollow. This is always a great site to see.

     I am not sure if I will hunt deer this week or not. If I can get into the hunter mode I may. Monday, I am getting a new fridge for the basement. Ours had blown up last spring. I know I need to get one to hold deer meat while I butcher and process.

Posted in Misc. Nature | Leave a Comment »

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