Hunting Season Opens
by Bob Warden
As the saying goes: “So much to do, but so little time to do it” or something like that anyway, but you get the point. Well, that sums up my off-season to a tee. The older I get, the less time it seems that I have to get things done for the upcoming hunting seasons, even though I should now have more time to do “recreational-type things.”
I always have good intentions after spring turkey to get food plots reseeded or start new ones. Oh, by the way, I did get a chance at a gobbler on Pennsylvania opening day but, somehow, I got turkey fever (if there is such a thing) and missed. But this year, much-needed elbow surgery took center stage, right in the middle of turkey season. The surgery was very successful and enables me to shoot my compound another year. I thought I was going to have to buy a crossbow, but that is not the case, thanks to the doctors and the removal of arthritis and bone spurs.
As I write this, Maryland archery is under way and Pennsylvania opens on October 1. I hope by October 1, the weather will be better, with cooler temps to make it feel more like hunting season. We have checked our Moultrie trail cams for the last time a couple of weeks ago and have some dandy bucks showing up. Hope their patterns won’t change for the opener. Tree stands have been checked or moved to new locations, with the help of the trail cam pics. This year, I have a new Field and Stream Outpost XL ladder stand, which was a bear to place, but once up, it seems to be the most comfortable stand I have had. Just hope it’s in a good location. All limbs are cleared for good shooting lanes, but not too much, as to allow the deer to see me before I see them. The only thing left to do is shoot the old Bowtech some more and wash and hang my Mossy Oak camo.
Also, when it’s closer to the rut, I am going to try to make some mock scapes. I hear and read about them, but have never tried it. This year I am going to try some Antler Ice’s Buck Lure; they are out of New York, but it is sold in some local sporting goods stores. Check them out on the Pursuit channel; the show is called Antler Ice Bone Cold Hunting. The owner, Shawn, assures me it will work and others have told me that their products live up to their reputation. I will let you know what happens!
Even though its been a hectic off-season, I am looking forward to sitting in the stand and just relaxing, as nature and the world goes by. Hopefully, I will be able to pull the string on a nice buck or a fat doe. Maybe in my next article, I will have some good hunting news. Time will tell.
If you hunt in Maryland, I hope your season is going well; if you hunt in Pennsylvania, I wish you good luck.
As always, follow all game laws, be safe, and know your target!
