Getting Ready for Yute Season, 2022

I was able to get down to camp fairly early on Friday. By the time Moose and #1 granddaughter, Mooselette arrived, I had already managed to get two more deer rifles sighted in. Both the 8X57 Mauser and the 7mm-08 are ready for Rifle Season. Blacksmith and I went to Berlin for pizza and were sitting at the Thoughtful Spot when Team Moose arrived.

Saturday was a big day for us at deer camp. Mooselette’s first deer is next weekend and we had lots to do. We woke up to the remnants of Hurricane Ian on the horizon. The dark bands of rain stayed out to our east all day, but we had to contend with gusty winds.

Our first task was sorting through her gear and finding the right duds. One thing that Mooselette shares with her father and uncle is that all three, at the time of their first hunt, were still clueless as to the amount of preparation it takes to stay warm and dry. Actually shooting a deer is relatively easy. However, getting a kid used to layering their clothes and covering themselves properly is still a bit out of reach for these city kids. It also does not help that all this has to be done when the weather is still relatively warm and the kid could care less. Mooselette has fallen in love with young Angus’ Flecktarn field jacket. She wore it the rest of the weekend along with her new hunting boots.

After an hour of playing dress-up, Mooselette and I set off early to get the blinds set up. Our first stop was the tower blind at Hollywood. This is her first choice for the Yute Opener. We got the chairs placed and the burlap skirt installed.

On her way to the next stop, I decided to let her try driving the truck. Yeah, she’s only ten. However, her father and uncle both learned at this age, and it helps immensely having another body at the farm that can drive. Her father pointed out to me one day while setting a treestand that it made little sense to have him out spotting me if he could not drive the truck. If I actually did come to some grief, he’d have to walk back to the cabin to get help. I thought about it for a minute and remembered that my grandfather was driving the tractor at ten. I told Mooseboy he was right and flipped him the car keys and told him he was driving back. It has become a family ritual. Of the three kids I’ve put into the driver’s seat, Mooselette’s first drive was, by far, the most exasperating. It didn’t take me long to realize that she needs another few months before she’ll be up to the task. We returned to the cabin with me driving, gathered up more gear, and headed back out. We got the luxury box at Midway and the ground blind at Lazy Boy squared away before rendezvousing with Daddy Moose who was finishing up a morning squirrel hunt.

After lunch, we set out for the stand at Campground. My one big goal going through Chemo was that I would be well enough to be up in this stand on the Rifle Opener in mid-November. I will tell you straight that I don’t think I would have been able to make it up the ladder in mid-September, but two weeks on, I made the climb, buckled in my harness, and got the skirt installed. My only problem with the climb was that I’m still having peripheral neuropathy; I had a hard time feeling my feet on the rungs of the ladder. Mooselette snapped my picture. You are looking at one happy deer hunter.

After returning to camp, I gave Mooselette a chance to shoot the Marlin 336 a bit. She put two shots of 30-30 touching each other next to the bullseye. That should be enough if a buck walks by next weekend. Moose then took over the shooting bench to put some more work into his .32 flintlock squirrel gun.

Both Uncle Angus and our neighbor, Blacksmith joined us shortly thereafter. We adjourned to the Thoughtful spot to watch the fields for deer, and we were treated to a rainbow. One of the outermost rain bands from Ian had strayed near the farm. We enjoyed a campfire and feasted on steak. Blacksmith brought a Pumpkin Roll that truly hit the spot.

Sunday morning was a chance for me to push the envelope again. We had two more stands that needed dressing before the season. Angus had to help me get to the ladder stand at Hundred Acre Wood. Again, I cannot feel my feet enough to navigate broken ground. I’ll need to walk with a hiking staff if I go here again. The trip up and down the ladder was optimal. I seem to be getting the hang of it as I go. We then went out to Blackberry. This is a shorter ladder stand– less than eight feet. After installing the skirt, I let Mooselette give it a try. She loved it up there. She is going to be a natural for stand hunting.

The stand is situated in a tree in the middle of an island of blackberries in the middle of the western pasture. While scouting, we discovered a recent pile of bear scat. I suggested that Mooselette be allowed to bring it to school for Show-n-Tell. I bet no other kid in her class got to handle bear poop this weekend.

Before leaving camp, we all pitched in and got camp tidied up the best it’s been in a year.