Amazingly enough, I don't think I've even taken any photos in the last 2 weeks. I think that's the longest I've gone without taking a picture since I started this blog! Between work, deer hunting and knitting, it doesn't seem like I've had time to pay much attention to other stuff going on around here. Oh, there are plenty of birds -- flocks of cedar waxwings in the backyard -- but I've been negligent about carrying the camera along with me when I'm outside.
So this afternoon, while sitting on the deer stand, I realized here was a perfect photo opportunity right in front of me! So, here's a view from the deer stand I was sitting in this afternoon. Do you see any deer? Nope, I didn't either! That's because all you can see in almost any direction is corn, corn, and more corn, and that's where the deer are hiding out.
Minnesota's firearms deer opener is this Saturday (Nov. 7th). For as many years as we've been bowhunting, we always have at least one deer in the freezer by this time. This year has been a tough one as October brought us nearly record setting moisture in the forms of rain and snow. Needless to say, the farmers are the ones most negatively affected by this weather and the harvest has barely begun -- especially for corn.
Mr. Johnson is getting seriously frustrated by the lack of deer we've been seeing. Fortunately he has plenty of vacation time and he subscribes to the philosophy that "a bad day of hunting is better than a good day at work!" I, on the other hand, have no paid time off, so my hunting times are limited to afternoons and weekends (as long as the weather's nice).
I'll be staying out of the woods the next couple weekends because those gun hunters scare me and I'm looking forward to teaching a couple knitting classes -- mittens! Watch for a future blog post on that!
10 comments:
Well, even without any deer action, you do have a lovely view from your stand. A good way to "force" yourself into some peaceful, restful(?), contemplative time. (Maybe that's what I need . . . a deer stand somewhere.) But knowing you, you're probably knitting away a mile a minute while waiting for the venison-on-the-hoof to show up!
Good to find a new post from you, Ruthie. You've been missed.
Yes, I figured you were hunting this fall Ruthie. Sometimes one just needs a break from blogging.
When you mention bow hunting I always think of a friend of mine that bow hunts and his story of sitting in a blind asleep. He awakens and a little yellow bird was sitting on his bow. He didn't know what kind it was. I figured a warbler of some sort since he knew what a goldfinch looked like.
Be careful around those fields and woods. Like you say. Those gun hunters are scary.
It is a beautiful view, even if it does hide everything! I've been seeing a good bit of deer road kill unfortunately. I'm with you... the men with guns scare me too.
Thanks Mama Pea. No knitting on the deer stand this year, but plenty of time for bird- and squirrel-watching.
Hi Lisa,
Mr. Johnson tells me stories of having chickadees land on his arrow while in the treestand. I've not been so lucky, but that's definitely the benefit of being out in the woods and dressed in full camo gear (you become a part of the wild environment!)
Hi Jayne,
With the chance to sit there and watch the corn, I'm always amazed at how many birds will fly into the corn at dusk to spend the night.
That's a great photograph. It makes me think of a Wyeth painting.
The deer must know they are hunted. In Pacific Grove CA we saw so many deer right in town...but they knew they were safe. Good luck in getting some venison.
Good to hear from you Ruthie. Glad Mom gave you a nudge. Sorry to hear about the lack of venison in your freezer. A knitting class should be fun, I haven't done that in years. Guess it is time for mittens, especially in your neck of the woods.
Thanks Martie.
Hi Ruth,
The deer are so smart and they love the corn -- fast food for them!
Thanks Gaelyn. Mr Johnson did manage to arrow a deer yesterday morning, so the freezer is partially restocked now!
I like these views from your deer stand..and i see from the post above that you made the stand..impressive!
but from the pic..it is hard for me to see how far off the ground it is..and how it is situated..do u put tenting around it to screen yourself..or do u wear special clothing?
Hi Dawn,
This particular stand is maybe about 11-12 feet up the tree. I do wear special clothing that is scent-proof and I'm totally camouflage from head to toe (except for a little area on my face around my nose and glasses.)
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