Two vans.
One full of boys, including dog. Stop off at McDonald's. Look over to check on dog in van and look back and Bzach's burger is gone! I ask him where it went and he said, "It was small, so it went fast." It was a BIG Mac.
We got to cabin unloaded all the fun stuff: bow and arrows, target, guns, ammo, ball sports, motorcycle and dog stuff. (Side note: it was HOT, like upper 80s/90s, and the old van still doesn't have air conditioning :/ ).
Cory and Linsey show up shortly after. Dog received special permission to go to the cabin as long as he was in a kennel when in the cabin. We were more than willing to comply (although we did have a brief encounter with the parks department before Chauncey was kenneled upon arrival; case of mistaken identity--the guy looked just like cousin Aaron).
Friday
Dinner was provided by cousins. Delicious pulled pork with all the fixings including a sweet spicy pineapple barbecue sauce and Daves spicy pickles. We had an apple crisp and a blueberry and peach cobbler! Along with three different types of cookies! Visiting and playing until reminders of how early that hunting alarm sounds!
The baby cousins meet again! They were not so sure of each other . . . there might have been some hair pulling, tears, and wobbly attempts to maintain balance in each others' presence--altogether, pretty normal baby stuff :) And just like their dads, you can't get a much blonder boy or a much more red-headed boy; generation take two!
Saturday
Caelan Bren Gmoney and Dad jam into a 6 by 6 foot blind anticipating the monster of all Bucks to wander out into the open. Well several did show themselves, unfortunately their distance exceeded the skills of our young hunters.
Then it got hot.
Upon arrival back to our home for the weekend, we had bacon and baked oatmeal waiting for us. Not much better a thing to walk into after hunting than the smell of bacon.
Gabby decided to head to the county fair with her uncle, aunt, and cousin. She was the baby entertainer for the whole ride there and back (and much appreciated). For the rest of the weekend, the little red-headed one often chose her pair or outstretched arms (believe me he had PLENTY of options :) They all met up with the lady twins at the fair, and sent an occasional fun picture to mom back at the cabin. I guess Gabby picked out her first "car." She also brought me my favorite fair food--Tom Thumb donuts! (Buck asked me to fill in this part of the day . . . now back to our guest blogger :)
The afternoon hunt was very hot and required napping. Not much moves around when it's 90 degrees. Except Turkeys.
Monday morning we decided to move to a blind closer to where we had seen the large Bucks crossing across the field. As the sun started to wake up, a silhouette shows up around 30 yards away. We know it's a deer, but not much more than that. As the sun continued to rise, more information became available. It's a Buck. Not a big monster Buck, but a Buck.
So the inner hunter inquiry starts for our first time hunter. "Do I take this little Buck right in front of me? Or do I hope a large older brother of this guy shows up?" The Dad in me was reminding the young hunter that one in the hand is better than two in the bush. But..... I was curious to see if the big deer were on their way. A decision was made to let the little Buck grow for a future hunt.
Now I bet you're wondering if the big deer came our way. Shortly after the little Buck snuck into the dark timber I see some movement about 300 yards opposite of us, moving our direction. Sure enough five Bucks headed our way. Closer 250 yards closer 200 yards closer 175 yards. Wait; they are turning east. Unfortunately we did not have a shooting lane east.
I decided to get Brennen out of the blind to see if we could cut them off. We made it about 30 yards of the 60 we needed to get to have a good shot before we heard the bean plants rustle with the sound of large animals running away. Valuable hunting lesson learned. First day you can turn aside small deer. Last day you gratefully take what you are given.
Back at our temporary cabin home, disappointment hit with the plans for heading home. After discussing our schedule, Jess and I determined that maybe a few of us could stay for one more day. So plans we set to go out again that night. Time to go to a brand new area.
Here is the story of that hunt as told by myself, Gab, and the one who pulled the trigger!
This new spot is closer to the river. It is lower and a lot cooler. The blind we were in was not in the air, but flat on the ground. We went in early with hopes that all signs of us being there would be gone.
Can't be. No texts from Aaron saying he was coming in to pick us up? But it sure sounds like it's getting close. Sure enough a four wheeler with a trailer showed up pulling a cart of chairs and other materials. I exited the blind and asked if I could help him. He obviously was not expecting someone to be there. This of course startled him. He was there to set up for the following weekend hunt for the SYC special needs kids. He would not stop apologizing and quickly turned around to try to let us get back to our hunt.
After that I had a good idea we would see a deer because every good hunting story has an instance like that. Almost to remind us that we could be the greatest hunters with the newest best equipment, but ultimately it is God who decides if a deer walks out in front of us!
We all froze to make sure she wouldn't startle and cause everyone to run away. These two new does bring the Buck closer to us. Until he stops... now is the time..... now..... do it now. B pulls the rifle up and takes his time to calm down and steady himself. Breathe and FIRE!
"I think you got him, bud." I knew this because none of his companions left. None of them were looking at us. We waited 30 min (actually 3 min) before we started tracking.
We found the deer 40 yards away from the blind. Clean shot! I contacted Aaron and he and his son were on the way. Aaron took pictures for us, cleaned it, loaded it, hung it, and butchered it for us. Amazing. Without him, this special first time hunt would have had to wait until next year.
We were all very ready for bed. We slept in and headed for home with our next great adventure on the horizon.
After that I had a good idea we would see a deer because every good hunting story has an instance like that. Almost to remind us that we could be the greatest hunters with the newest best equipment, but ultimately it is God who decides if a deer walks out in front of us!
Sure enough, 30 minutes before sundown B sees something move. "Dad, I see a deer." Ok time to get ready. As they move closer, we can see a Buck. Not a record, but still a nice Buck. As it moves closer to us, I tell B to get the gun ready.
At that moment I see movement right next to our blind. I motion to him to wait. We had a large doe circle behind us and end up right behind our blind. I could reach out and pet her.
We all froze to make sure she wouldn't startle and cause everyone to run away. These two new does bring the Buck closer to us. Until he stops... now is the time..... now..... do it now. B pulls the rifle up and takes his time to calm down and steady himself. Breathe and FIRE!
The deer lunged forward and ran right at us. The way he moved was consistent with a hit. The buck crossed in front of us, then went down a hill beyond where we could see.
"I think you got him, bud." I knew this because none of his companions left. None of them were looking at us. We waited 30 min (actually 3 min) before we started tracking.We found the deer 40 yards away from the blind. Clean shot! I contacted Aaron and he and his son were on the way. Aaron took pictures for us, cleaned it, loaded it, hung it, and butchered it for us. Amazing. Without him, this special first time hunt would have had to wait until next year.
We were all very ready for bed. We slept in and headed for home with our next great adventure on the horizon.
