It is that time of year again. The time when I abandon my wife and find comfort in the cold woods with a rifle or bow. The next three weekends will be spent chasing Bambi (the deer, not the stripper).

I cannnot help but get excited in the days leading up to hunting season. It is always a great time with great people.

Anyone else among this refined crowd willing to admit to an affinity for blood sports?

Expect the usual tofu farting lefties to chime in here.........

Nothing is as good as a covey rise over pointers in the fall.

In HS and college I managed to hunt every available opportunity. Since I married and became responsible(?), I haven't done much other than the occasional rabbit/quail outing at my inlaws farm in southern IL. I've got an 8 yr. old springer that is a natural hunter, and we don't get out enough.

I agree w/GA on the covey rise thing. I loved hunting grouse in the thickets and blow downs in central KY. I've only deer hunted a couple of times, took an 8-pointer w/a Dan Wesson 8" 44 mag. from about 20 yds.; very exciting. I'd love to get my son involved in the sport someday.

I used to hunt deer and small game in New Jersey. It was a great tradition and great fun to get out in the woods with family and friends. It really taught me respect for my elders, respect for my family, respect for nature, and respect for guns. I was and still am amazed at the ignorance of some anti-hunters who seem(ed) to know none of this.

I also used to deer hunt in eastern Washington, around the Okanogan area. Some of the best times of my life were had there. Haven't gone the last few years, as most of the fun was being with old friends around the campfire. Unfortunately, all of my hunting buddies were my dad's age or older, and all have either died or given it up. I don't own an RV, and I'm getting too old to tent in below freezing temperatures anymore.

Damn...........I thought this was about Nick having an offline.... Nevermind...

PH

"How do you like your muskrats cooked? Fallin' off the bones, or with a little fight left in 'em?"

(Granny to Mr. Drysdale, on the Beverly Hillbillies, circa 1965)

Wish me luck. I leave early in the morning for 3 days of roughing it in the woods. My cousin has chastised me for suggesting that I will be bringing wine this year (we are by tradition a beer and whiskey swilling bunch). Wine is too civilized for the circumstance, but I've become such a wino and so lost my taste for domestic beer that I am forced to suffer the ridicule.

I will go and make my selection to pair with fresh venison loin. It is still "on the hoof".

Wow, Gigond Ass, a preemtive strike right out of the gate!

It always seems to amaze people when I tell them (because I grew up near some pretty great hunting country, and becuase it was the norm for most), but I've never hunted. I guess I've shot a duck or two, but I'll leave it to the people who are really passionate about it. Honestly, I think I'd feel bad shooting larger game, even if I meant to eat it. I'll let others do the dirty work!

Now, FISHING, on the other hand...

Spent 12 days chasing elk around the woods with a bow in August and September before I finally connected on a bull. Then tried to wade through the deer to find a cow elk during the second rifle season, but just couldn't get close to them.

So, with my big game seasons over, now I'll turn to the birds. Mmmmmmmm pheasant.

In the early days of my marriage, I was talked into going 'bow hunting' in Nevada with my new husband and his best man. I drove the jeep while my husband and his best man hung off the back end of the jeep looking for deer....

quote:

Originally posted by Darlene:
I drove the jeep while my husband and his best man hung off the back end of the jeep looking for deer....

Lots of road hunters in Colorado as well, but they usually aren't very successful, unless it's at night and they're using their truck as the weapon.

All this talk of killing innocent animals sickens me. Now, what should I have with my Ribeyes tonight?

quote:

Originally posted by Spiral:
All this talk of killing innocent animals sickens me. Now, what should I have with my Ribeyes tonight?

If it helps, I only shoot the guilty ones. Of course they're all guilty.

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Damn...........I thought this was about Nick having an offline.... Nevermind...

PH

Nick and I were talking about this thread, and it was just too easy for too many jokes! I'm glad that someone did it, at least.

Update: The archery hunt was a success only insofar as I got to relax and enjoy the peace of the woods (except Saturday night when I turned on the radio to listen to the Mizzou Tigers CRUSH Colorado!). I did get to enjoy some fresh venison provided by my nephew. Grilled over smoldering oak from the campfire and seasoned with dry rub that I use on ribs, it was by far the best venison I've ever eaten. It paired well with the Gustavo Thrace - "The Third Bottle" that I took along.

Very young button buck. Backstraps rubbed, wrapped in bacon and smoked over hickory. From hoof to table in less than 30 hours.

I don't hunt. Not that I'm opposed to it, I just never had a mentor, and the last thing I need right now is another time-consuming hobby. I'm all in favor of hunting, though, as it keeps the crowds away from my November Steelhead. Of course, if anyone has a pair of tenderloins to bring over, I have some good bottles....

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk:
I don't hunt. Not that I'm opposed to it, I just never had a mentor, and the last thing I need right now is another time-consuming hobby. I'm all in favor of hunting, though, as it keeps the crowds away from my November Steelhead. Of course, if anyone has a pair of tenderloins to bring over, I have some good bottles....

I wish I was closer. I would gladly share choice cuts in exchange for choice juice.

I've been hunting for the past 10 years, primarily deer. Grilling tenderloins with mushrooms and a nice Cab or pinot is fantastic! A friend of mine has been hunting for the past 50 years, and finally talked his wife into hunting with him. They just came back from Missouri yesterday and she shoots a buck of a life time. 14 pointer, 233LBS great mass just a hog of a deer. She showed him how to hunt!

November 15. Opening day for rifle season in Michigan. Unofficial state holiday (actually offficial in some school districts). I saw an aweful lot of pickups parked off the road on my way to work today. Might even get a little snow this afternoon. I'm wearing orange today, and I don't even hunt!

IL. gun season opens tomorrrow, I'm looking forward to little or no cell phone nor computer. The smell of earthy forest floor for the next few days!

iam like redhawk!
heard one shot at 7:25 this morning!
but it doe'snot need to be the tender loin , i make a great Ragu!

I'm going back out to "Chigger Ridge" tomorrow afternoon. My father came down so it will be more drinking by the campfire and less hunting. Since I already have plenty of tender meat, I'll only shoot if it's a trophy.