Well, season is here. MO bowhunters, if like me, probably did not get much sleep. All the tips, all the advice, training, fine tuning equipment – down to scouting, preparation of hunting spots ready to be tested. Oh, how about food plots, application for tags and /or managed hunts? Did I forget to mention work and family “brownie” points’ grueling process? Haha. Food plots and managed hunts don’t apply to me because once again, I failed to secure hunting land, don’t own hunting paradise, and did not get drawn for an exclusive managed hunt. However – the adventure has begun and dared not to stop for me…, let the show begin - “ lights, camera, action!”
We have lots of catching up to do with the likes of fellow tweep and blogger – Rob Freyer, @BigBuckPW (click here to read his blog). He has set a high standard for all, particularly his success stemming from hard work and passion in pursuing the ever-so-mystical whitetail.
PUBLIC LAND PAINS
Opening weekend for me was not as expected. I’d planned to film a fellow tweep and good friend on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, he got called to work. That left me with little time to prepare my own gear, buy my tags, and choose where I was going to hunt.
DAY 1: I chose an area I know doesn’t get too crowded, and quite frankly, I’d be tickled pink if I, at minimum, got to see a deer. I arrived, went thru my scent ritual, set-up quietly, etc. Awesome morning, perfect wind. Saw a couple of does, fawns, and a small buck, but too early for camera. Nevertheless, a phenomenal morning. At what I consider “prime time”, the action took a turn:
I heard some twigs break, leaves rustling - the sound that makes experienced hunters’ heart skip a beat. Bow in hand, I positioned the camera to capture the shot I was going to put on “it”. Then, with my release on the loop, ready to draw – “it” STARTS WHISTLING! Whistling, I tell you. “It” was another hunter I know had to have walked a significant distance, loud, and carelessly – HUNT OVER! He stood on top of a levy, private side, whistling, and getting “tore up” by mosquitos. I recorded him on and off for what seemed 15 minutes. When I had enough, laughed a bit, and scared the shit out of him. I yelled at him that he was officially trespassing; he apologized and went his way. I wished I’d recorded that, too.
All was good. After all, I got to see wildlife and was, at one point, ready to draw my bow. I later shared the story with social media friends, and this is some of the stuff that made me laugh so much: Rudy “b” said – “Alex, you must have spent $10 on scent spray, walked in without shoes, and probably even camo painted your face as serious as you are”. He did have the camo part right. Another funny (and my favorite) was from @k_ruck83. She wrote – “did u tell him to shut up? Lol. He must never hunt. Tell him when Andy Griffith walked thru the woods whistling, THEY WERE GOING FISHING!!!” My response – LMAO!
(TO SEE A CLIP OF THE “HUNTER”, CLICK HERE)
Fun, ups & downs, excitement, laughter, sunrise & sunset, in touch with myself and nature – can’t ask for more. A kill would’ve been a bonus. (ON A SAD NOTE: I took a scouting trip to IL and found a dead buck. Respectable in size, disappointing in the way his life ended – possibly EHD or "blue tongue".
Day 2: Well, the hunter I was to film wanted to meet at 3:30. I said 4:00. He said deal. I arrived at 3:45 a.m., texted him at 3:50 a.m., called him at 4:04 a.m., I went back home at 4:50 a.m. I lost a hunt, or better yet, I lost an opportunity to wake up with my family. All along, he meant P.M., oops, a slight misunderstanding.
A lost hunting opportunity was not lost in vain - I spent an awesome day with my son Marko (favorite time, by the way). Ate a fantastic breakfast with the family, and even heard good news from my friends in Kansas that big bucks are being spotted.
Last but not least, how can I forget what day it was: 16 de Septiembre, or Mexican Independence Day. Can’t deny English is my second language, and that the beautiful USA welcomed this country boy from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MX. Good thing is, white, black, and brown, even some Asian were partying and paying their respects to the celebration. Look at it this way, ANOTHER REASON for the melting pot TO PARTY, lol!
The season has just commenced. Illinois is next, then off to Kansas, then back to IL. Happy and safe hunting to all, and may your adventures become lifetime memories. God bless!
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