No, Deer

Okay, the last day of deer hunting for me didn't produce a doe, but Mark and I did end up getting our limit of pheasants in just one field. Bird hunting is greatly improved now that Adam and company have finally gotten down to business and started getting the corn out of the field!

Yes, Deer

Well, here it is. My first deer taken on the first day. Saw him go into the corn from my stand in the morning and went back that afternoon to try and get him. About 20 minutes to sundown he comes out of the corn about 150 yards from where he went in. He played around in the bean stubble for a while and I didn't shoot him. He then went back into the corn for a few minutes and came back out. I figured he was giving himself up for me, so I shot.......and missed! He stood tall and I shot again and he took off running. I panicked because I only had one shot left in the clip (the only thing I don't like about my Tikka T3). I fired, he ran another 50-70 yards and made a goofy jump as he disappeared into the corn.

I called Adam and lamented that I missed my buck, but I was going to check for a blood trail in case I hit him. I found him in the first row of the corn right where he jumped. I think he was dead when he hit the ground on that jump. Oh yeah, I did launch a couple long shots at a doe before I went to check for the buck.

Anyway, that's the story of my first buck. It was a nice buck and I'm glad I got it. But looking back on it, I kinda wish I would have let him go and tried for a bigger one. There's lots of corn in up there and in a week or so there would be less cover and more of an opportunity to see bigger bucks. Oh well, it's a decent 4 X 4 and I've given myself a good chance to get a bigger one next year.

You know, looking back on that night, I kinda had the "buck fever" I've been hearing about for years. I don't think I could have passed on this guy anyway. Oh yeah, probably shot him at about 150 yards.

If you want to hear a good story, ask Adam (farmingdakota) about the doe he got that day.

Great duck hunting in Kansas—what a great day! 16 ducks- mallards and green wing teal, sausage and egg biscuits in the blind, perfect weather and no other hunters!

Just another great day of being me. Sure glad I was using my shot gun and not my rifle.

Pheasant Recipes

To all that visit this site:
I am in search of pheasant recipes. I have 8 birds in the freezer already. Posession limit in IA is 12 so I am legal. I want your favorite ways of cooking/frying or whatever.

My Sympathies to Bard

Bard,

My sincerest sympathies in the passing of a VERY close friend. We all know how "into" Tony you were. You know after so many years of taking it in the rear from the Democrats, its nice to know you were giving some payback. Stay strong brother.


Tony Dean
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Tony Dean, a nationally known outdoor enthusiast who promoted South Dakota with his radio and television shows, died Sunday. He was 67.The Hofmeister Isburg Funeral Chapel confirmed that he died Sunday morning.Dean, whose real name was Anthony DeChandt, returned to his Pierre home last week after being hospitalized for complications from appendix removal.Dean was host and producer of "Tony Dean Outdoors," a regional television show that aired across the Upper Midwest. His radio show "Dakota Backroads" was heard across the region.Dean won more than 160 regional and national awards for his programs. He also served as a press secretary for former South Dakota Gov. Frank Farrar.Dean had been criticized for backing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign.Darlene DeChandt said her husband's final work before his illness was recording commercials for Obama's campaign. She said if Obama won, Dean was to have been on his transition team.Jason Mitchell of Devil's Lake, N.D., recorded several TV shows with Dean. He said Dean had the courage to stand up to the National Rifle Association when it backed candidates who he felt did not have conservation at heart.

Pair of wet cocks

Today was the last day of my 5 day license in SD. (What a screw job) Today was windy, rainy, and cold. After ignoring common sense of wanting to stay home and dry I braved the cold and wet weather. I get to a walk in area near fairview SD and realized I forgot non toxic shot. Like an angel a truck come over the hill and put his blinker on wanting to pull in the same drive that Im in. Turns out he's checking the large pond for ducks. I bartered 10 lead shot for 6 - 3 inch -1 shot steel. Not ideal for pheasants. I walked the edges of this piece all the way around and end up walking through some burrs that stuck to my pants something awfull. I was pissed off, wet, and crabby. Walking back to my truck, busy picking the cockle burrs off my pants, a pair of wet cocks burst from cover. After almost dropping my gun from being scared half to death I manged to bang this double. On cue the third cock flew up as the 2nd one hit the ground. I fired and heard - click. SHIT! I thought I would only load three shells in case I would waste shells on frustration shots at a bird that was getting away. Needless to say a little frustrated on missing the triple I continued towards the truck to miss another cock - three times, the ironic thing was the last shot was definitely a frustration shot.

Incredible Trophy Room

These are pictures of a rancher's trophy room just into Montana. These aren't all the animals in the room, and the pictures don't do justice to what it was like actually being there. The guy has traveled the world to get these animals. It was simply amazing! What is not pictured is a full bar and a TV area along with other mounts. From the outside, the place looks like a rundown old farmplace. But inside, there must be over $200,000 in wildlife mounts. We got put on to this guy because Mark's brother dealt with him on some cattle a few years ago. His son-in-law actually showed us the room because the rancher was breaking a horse a few weeks ago, was bucked off and trampled. Pray for him as he in intensive care in Rapid City. He has had 4 surgeries and really needs another one, but they don't know if he can take it. Meanwhile the kids are running the ranch.

Oh yeah, Mark and I are thinking of becoming ranchers so we can travel the world, go hunting, and have a trophy room like this. Enjoy!

Antelope Hunting in Harding County

Here's a picture of the doe antelope I shot this weekend. Mark and I went the northwestern most county of South Dakota. Hunting was tough because it was the second weekend of the season and the goats really knew where they were safe and where they weren't.

I had a shot at another doe at about 120 yards, but passed it up. I had another doe tag, but really wanted a buck, so I didn't fire. I won't do that again! A guy really gets only a few chances a year to shoot his rifle at game and he should make the most of every opportunity. Mark really made me realize that. By the way, Mark had a tough year. Missed a decent buck because he couldn't "hold steady" while leaning on a fence post. He also missed a doe twice that didn't even startle at the gunshot! Why did he only shoot twice you ask? He only brought two bullets with him on the stalk. Hilarious!

Okay, the story on the doe above. We were driving down a blacktop with public hunting on both sides. About 5 or 6 does were running to the fenceline and I dropped Mark in the ditch to the west of them. I sped east and got on that side of them and dropped into the fenceline. A doe came within 10 yards of me, but I was not ready and it spooked. It ran the other way and crossed the road. I ran over to the other side of the road, but saw only a white butt running away fast. I started walking back to the truck in the ditch and suddenly saw a doe walking straight for me about 50 yards away, coming over a rise. I sat down, turned down the scope to 4 power and sited her in. She was walking quickly. I grunted and she stopped. I squeezed the trigger when she was probably only 40 yards away.

Mark talked me through the field dressing process (first time for me) and I appreciated it greatly.

Mark and I hunted hard for two full days. We walked miles and miles. We drove miles and miles. We stalked, belly crawled and ran for many hours each day after these "ghosts of the prairie". I'm tired, I'm sore, my knee is killing me, and I only shot my gun four times in two days. But it was awesome! The country was beautiful, the sky majestic, the ranchers quirky, and the companionship memorable. Mark, I had a great time! Thanks for another hunt that was successful in ways other than bagging a trophy.

The Smurf and Tony Dean

I can't believe I let Mark and Brad have my boat one day at Selkirk. Mark is the Smurf, of course. And we all know what Brad is doing with Tony Dean.

Selkirk 2008 Pictures

Here's a few pictures from this year's Selkirk fishing trip. It's the only picture of Adam that I have. He did catch a few walleyes, but seemed to specialize in bullheads. How far he has fallen. Oh, well. The weather was rainy early in the week, and off and on rain the last part of the week. Not terribly cold up there yet, so we may have been a little early this year. Enjoy the pictures and be jealous.

The Two Biggest at Selkirk 2008

Here are the two biggies caught this year on our Selkirk fishing trip. Mine was 30" and Brad's was 30.75". Brad did win the fishing contest, but actually caught the fish that put him over the top after the usual stopping time of 6:00pm. Granted, that wasn't written in the rules of the tournament, so I didn't complain too much. But don't you think there's a trend with Brad. Remember his first turkey hunt victory, when he shot his bird on the wrong property to get the win, and now pushing the limit on quitting time during the walleye tournament. Brad, gotta let go of this "win at all costs" attitude. Anyway, it was a tougher year, but we still had a lot of fun and are looking forward to next year.

A Gander ole Day!

Jeff and I had a good morning on the 30th of September.......... Jeff had been out the previous evening and set out the decoys....... and took 5 teal! But the morning hunt brought some excitement! The ducks weren't flying like they were on the opener, but with Jeff's two goose decoys and his excellent job of calling we were able to persuade four Canadians to the decoys! The first two came in over the corn and locked in on the decoys, we actually waited for the first goose to land so the 2nd could get into range before we opened fire! The final bag was the four Geese, a hen bufflehead, and a drake and hen wood duck........ If you ask Jeff we had some good luck too!

South Dakota 2008 Duck Opener

South Dakota Duck opener........ Mark and I enjoyed a successful limit out opener this year. The slew by Wentworth proved a good place to be yet again! Mark made it out and had the decoys set up by 6:50, I on the other hand overslept and didn't make it until 7:35, Mark had already slayed 4 by that time...... However Ducks kept flying in and Mark and I were able to fill our limit. Had another hunter been there whose name I will not say, (lakefly) we most likely would have had 15 ducks! Mark did a good job at retrieving said ducks! Ducks shot were mallards, wood ducks, pintail, red head, canvasback, and the coveted teal! A nice mixed bag! Weather was cloudy and quite foggy until about 9:00 when it cleared off, ducks were mostly flying in pairs, but did have a fewer bigger groups fly by as Mark was clearing off the decoys! Also saw a good number of Canadian Geese flyin by just out of range!

Would you shoot it?

Okay, we got this picture by the deer stand we put up last week. If you had never shot a buck before and saw this one on the first day, would you shoot it or wait for something better??

I don't know for sure, but I think I'd wait and see if something better came along. Am I being too greedy?

South Dakota Doves

Well guys, looks like we need to start a new tradition. Dove hunting in SD! Orlan, Mark and I were expertly guided to a dove hot spot by Adam VanZanten on Wednesday night. Things started a little slowly, but really picked up around 7:00pm.

We shot fairly well (except for Mark, but that's no news flash) and got 21 doves. Not bad for it only being about 65 degrees or so. Babe and Mandy did a great job retrieving for us, even though Mandy developed a taste for the birds as the night went on.

The best part of the hunt was when Orlan decided to take all the doves home and clean them for us. A swallow did give his life for the hunt early on. You can guess who did the honors on that one. And Mark managed to flock shoot some blackbirds. Orlan didn't want to clean any of those. Mandy wouldn't even eat those.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know how hunting was up here in South Dakota. We plan on going again some night next week.

Doves 08

Could defintely have used some shooters this year..shots fired to kill ratio i would say ran about 18 to one for most of th egents and young boys in this photo. I didnt do that bad but only fired my weapon baout 1/10 as much as most here LOL.

Northern Pays Back

I caught this northern a couple weeks ago on a shallow running shad colored rap in about 3.5 feet of water trolling into the inlet on Shetek. Decent fish at about 3 lbs, but as you can see in the picture, it had another lure hooked in its jaw when I pulled him out of the water. Under the gill was a shallow running perch colored rap that looked brand new. Don't know how long he had the lure in him, but it sure didn't affect his appetite. So, while I normally hate the slimey snakes and would never put one in my livewell, it was nice to get a useable $5 lure from this guy.

Chellie and I were in a small fishing tournament (only about 8-10 boats) on Shetek July 5th. We had a few small fish, but this guy won the tournament with a 7lb 9oz walleye. Pretty windy that day and the bite was slow, but most boats came back with at least one keeper to weigh. All the fish were caught up in the inlet to Shetek which is where we've caught most of our walleyes. Been talking to a few more fishermen lately though and I gotta fish a couple new spots they say produce fish.

Dock Fishing at the Lake

Here are some pictures of fishing from our dock at the lake. Walleyes from the dock have been small, but last week we fished a local tournament on the lake and one of the guys caught a 7lb 9oz walleye pulling plugs. We pulled plugs too and caught several walleye but only one keeper. I'm still learning the whole plug pulling thing. Apparently I need planer boards now because that's what everyone else was using. Kinda funny because the other guys had no idea how to jig fish. Anyway, we caught all kinds of other species too. Northern, catfish, bullhead, and crappie. Trolled between 2 and 3 mph. Seemed pretty fast but was the most effective at about 2.5 mph. By the way, the big walleye was released in our bay, so I'll be fishing for him soon!

The bullhead pictured is from Memorial Day when the family was up to visit for the day. Don't know how Jacob caught him with his dad helping him. The kid must just have natural ability.

It was really windy that day, but the fish were biting (carp and bullheads) on the Smith Lake public dock and the kids had a great time. We're headed up to the cabin again tomorrow and will be trolling the inlet where we caught 'em last weekend. Hopefully we have some nicer walleye pictures to post next week.

Eric's Graduation

Yeah, I know it's a little late getting this up here, and it's not about hunting or fishing, but I wanted to get this picture up here so those of you who haven't seen Eric for a while can at least see what he looks like. He's going to Winona State University in the fall and majoring in Composite Materials Engineering (geek). And no, I don't know what that is exactly.

Anyway, been doing some fishing at the cabin and will try to get those pictures up soon.

"Working" turkeys

It was another stressfull work day. I was sitting in my office working on account plans. I figured I could be doing the same thing while sitting in a turkey blind. I packed my computer and headed out to the blind. After a few yelps and 20 minutes of working on account plans I noticed a turkey behind a cedar tree about 45 yards away. All I saw was a beard and got very excited. Made a few more calls and it came right for me. It got about 30 yards away and dinner was served. Turned out what I thought was a young jake turned out to be a bearded hen. That would be my second hen turkey taken in IA. The first, was a strutting hen(video proof), the second shown here. I finished up account plans and headed home. Maybe next year I'll do the same, if Im still employed.

Really Late Season KS Turkey

Shot this nice and soon to be yummy tasting jake this morning. No dekes, no blind, no calling (well maybe a little calling but not at the birds). Hunted last night watched the birds go into the treeline. Came back in the morning and set up against a tree to wait. Now since turkey camp I havent fired my weapon and I must say that I have probably logged at least 70 hours in the bush since then. Turkeys were gobbling everywhere but AGAIN none stepped out into the field. I moved into a bunch of fall downs and and of course fall promptly into nice little nappy. I woke up to find a group of 4 jakes and 2 hens just entering the field about 50 yards to my left. They began to move across the filed and were maybe 45 yards away when desperation got the best of me. I wish I could tell you that I killed him that far away but after I shot the "stupid" birds didnt know what to do. They spread out all over the field and this moron runs about 30 yards to my left. If I have to say I did anything spectacular its that I shot him on a dead run at that distance. I am thinking maybe the good lord was feeling a bit sorry for me this morning.

Late Sesason Ks Turkey

Heres a pic of a friend of mine Brian from work who shot this respectable Tom about 4 miles from where Brain and I shot the jakes earlier this year ( 10 inch beard 1 inch spurs). We gambled on some new spots and he walked off but couldnt find a good area so he was walking back along a road and saw a large group of jakes and a few toms fighting in a field. He set up on the edge no blind, no dekes, no calling. 2 hours later one of the toms came close enough. I on the other hand struck out completely and have pretty much ever since turkey camp. I have enjoyed a great amount of time in the woods this spring though and I still got a few days left to bag another and truly have become a turkey hunting junky going 2-3 times a week much to the chagrin of my wife. Fortunately this is one bird my wife loves to eat so I have that on my side!!!!

My first 300 lb pig

Where to begin. I hunted my butt off (hundreds of hours at night) for 2years in Deutschland to get this pig. My friends in Baudenbach werekind enough to let me hunt on their property every full moon for years(pig hunting in Deutschland is mostly done at night). After a hardymeal and a few drinks with Eberhard, Rudy, and "Big" George at the jagdcabin, I took George's advice on stand selection. Rudy was kind enoughto show me where it was. On this particular night, 8 Nov 03, there wasan eclipse scheduled at about 11:00 PM. My friend Shawn and I werestaying late, and he said he wanted to hunt thru the eclipse. So wecrawled into our stands at about 7:00 PM. I remember thinking theeclipse could maybe last an hour. It was a very still night, no snow onthe ground. At about 11:00, the eclipse started. I saw a fox anddebated shooting it, but feared the rifle fire would scare any pigsaway. Hours later, the eclipse was still going, I was quite frustratedafter sitting so many days. My rifle was pointed to the left in myseat. After hearing nothing for 7 hours, I heard one twig snap to myright. I picked up my rifle and pointed it out the right window.Looking thru my binoculars, I saw a shadowy shape moving at a brisk walkfrom front right to rear right. I quickly identified it as a hog, hadenough time to pick up the rifle, swing, sight, and shoot. It was aperfect heart shot. I went to my friend Eberhards house for help, Itold him I had shot a pig and he said "where is it?" I told him we needthe trailer- he said- "oh." We got back to the pig, Eberhard wasexcited as well, he blew the "Sau is Dead" song thru his horn, it echoedthru the spruce forest, it was beautiful. Truly my favorite memory fromDeutschland, and the hardest trophy I ever earned. It's weight was 266lbs field dressed, and had a very fine set of teeth.