This weekend marked the 21st anniversary of taking possession of our farm. It also marked the first time I’ve felt halfway normal since the Chemo ended. I was actually able to get around and putter a bit. KYHillChick stayed home with the dogs, but the rest of the tribe showed … Continue reading →
When the surgeon told me last summer that I had cancer, the first thing I asked him was whether or not I could be in my stand for the November Rifle Opener. He said I undoubtedly could. He was true to his word. Last season, I shot a respectable buck … Continue reading →
I’d just made it home from the hospital a few weeks ago, and I was weak enough to feel super-glued to my recliner. Moose and Mooselette stopped over to see how I was doing. I was so happy to see my most honorable #1 Granddaughter. With Chemo Camp I’d been … Continue reading →
Cancer has a nasty way of screwing up a Turkey Season. I did not want to call things off entirely. As it was, I left the oncologist’s on Thursday of Opening Week with a firmed-up treatment schedule and rode straight out to camp. Friday AM is when I nailed my … Continue reading →
#1 Granddaughter, Mooselette, attended the 2022 Yute Opener with her Grandpa. I took her out to the Honey Hole in hopes of recording something for a podcast. It wasn’t much of a hunt; we did not expect it to be. Mooselette did not even bring a shotgun. We had fun. … Continue reading →
When should I start Scouting for Turkeys? That’s a very good question. It certainly is a timely one. As I write this, the countdown is just passing T-Minus 7 weeks to The Opener. I’ve been at it 40 years, and I can’t tell you a set formula. For the last … Continue reading →
This story starts in the first month I was hunting at the farm. In October 2001, I had put up a stand overlooking a trail that ran along the back fence. On my first sit in the blind, I realized that a tree less than 10 yards away had a … Continue reading →
Mac, a 24hourCampfire regular asked “How Has Your Point of View on Hunting Changed as you aged?” The problem is that you take 40 years and try to distill it all down, it ends up with something like: “WWII happened because Hitler invaded Poland. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and … Continue reading →
The Mooselette got a chance to get out and deal with the turkeys on Saturday. It wasn’t quite the show we had hoped for. The cold snap had made it a rather subdued affair, and every gobbler seemed to be henned up. However, honorable Number One Granddaughter was able to … Continue reading →
I have seen a bunch of articles written over the years about the various stages of the wild turkey’s spring breeding. I have been watching this firsthand at the farm for twenty seasons now. I am going to give my thoughts on it. Remember that I am about 10 miles … Continue reading →
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has changed the rules a wee bit. Turkey hunters can now use .410 shotguns, and can use smaller shot. Deer hunters can now use breechloading muzzleloaders (there’s an oxymoron) like the Traditions Nitro system. See: Administrative Rule (Regulation) Changes Full text here: … Continue reading →
I got Turkey Camp opened up Saturday. I have learned that it is not wise to show up on a Friday night. You never know what you’ll find. I always wait for Saturday morning to go down. The place was just as we’d left it. My sons came down a … Continue reading →
I wrote a piece back in the early fall giving advice to the New Guy at Deer Camp. At least one fellow, Remnar found it to be good stuff, so I figured I’d try and compose one for Turkey Camp.  In this first installment, I’ll deal with the shooting system … Continue reading →
