Well my buddy Zeke and I just got back from our annual Southern AZ January hunt. With a 11 wk old baby at home and my oryx hunt in New Mexico next month I had to keep this to a short 3.5 day hunt. We also went to a new spot I had never seen before. Given these limitations my hopes were not the highest and my standards were even lower. We ended up having a great hunt anyways.

I got within bow range of a decent 3 point and a small forky on the second day, only to roll a rock when moving into position to shoot. I was in my socks and I thought the rock would hold my weight as I got to my feet. Nope. Then the next day I got within 10 yards of a nice 22” 3×4 buck and his group of 20 does. One doe got within 3 yards before she busted me. I was pinned down in the open with nothing but a 18″ dead yucca to try to hide behind. It was intense. I thought for sure they could hear me breathing and sense my heart rate. At such short range I was once again reminded how well the Optifade works. This is the thrid time this year I have had deer less than 10 yards from me, in plain view, on the ground. Anyhow, I took a rushed shot at guessed yardage after they busted and missed. That was a bummer. The next day Zeke was able to get within 40 yards twice on this same buck, but each time his does blocked a clear shot. He knew how to protect himself. He ended up being the best buck we saw. You can see him in the center of the attached picture.

All in all it was a bit odd. We glassed up way too many does without bucks. Even a couple herds of 20+ does. Not sure where all the bucks were. We should have seen more. I don’t know if the rut had not yet started (very doubtful) or if it started early and was over in this area. It was just strange. The bucks that were with does were never really agressive either. It was frustrating glassing up so many buckless does, but whatcha gonna do?

The other bummer was that I hit a javelina perfectly in the shoulder and only got 3” of penetration. I found the arrow after it fell out and there was blood covering the broadhead and up a coule inches of the shaft and that was it. I have no idea why. You’d think with 75lbs of kinetic energy, a little javelina’s shoulder would be no obstacle. I guess it was just one of those unexplainable things that happens with archery sometimes. Zeke did have an awesome kill on a javelina with his recurve bow. I called it in and it charged in full speed to about 3 steps where he smoked it. That was exciting.

I had a meeting in Ohio this past Thursday. On the way home, I had time to stop in and check out the ATA Show in Columbus thanks to the folks at HQ in Napa.

As an “outsider”, the whole thing was pretty interesting. It was kind of comical to see all the “celebrities” posturing and all the new “must haves”.

The highlight of the show was no doubt the Sitka Gear booth. VERY professional and classy. All the new gear is going to be fantastic. Warm, light, and QUIET stand hunting gear! I am really looking forward to testing out the new pieces.

Thank goodness for an understanding family!!
It’s not everyday a guy gets a chance to share New Years in a hunting camp in south Florida. But that’s just where I was a couple weeks ago. I had the privilege of being the guest of Marty McMahon at his south Florida hunting lease. Also along on the hunt was Marty’s buddy, fellow Sitka Pro Staff member, Wayne “Biggie” Hoffman.

There’s isn’t 2 better guys out there to share a hunting camp with. And as far as the hog hunting…it was phenomenal!

Some of south Florida’s mystical beauty….

My first hog, killed on New Years eve, was shot out a treestand at about 12yds….a nice boar hog….

How everyday started, and ended, at Marty’s….

Myself and “Biggie”….

Hog #2, a bigger boar, was killed on an evening hunt on New Years day, also shot out of a treestand, but at about 14yds……

The “show” I had one morning… these guys went at it on and off for 2 hours….

This buggy is how we traveled around the property. I took this picture to show the comparison to a 3/4 ton quad-cab pick-up….

This series of pictures shows how the hunt for hog #3 went down(Jan. 2nd). I stalked in to about 5 yards from an unsuspecting sow, and shot her at about 8 yards as she walked off, quartering away…..

The Sitka system of layering worked great and kept me very comfortable in a wide variety of conditions, and temps ranging from 30-80 degree. Let me tell ya….30 degrees with 97% humidity in south Florida is COLD! Sitka versatility!!!

Without a doubt one of the best “New Years” I’ve ever had!

Next month, it’s off to hunt with Gene and Barry Wensel at there “Pig-Gig” in TX!!!!!!

Leaves were rustling 30 yards ahead of me.  It wasn’t the sound of the wind nor mongoose, it was the sound of a hog nudging leaves and dirt in search of  food.  Instantly, I nocked an arrow and stood motionless. He popped his head from the brush.  Out appeared a little thirty-pounder, not big enough to shoot so I decided to take a few pics.  I slipped my hand into my pocket to grab my cell phone.  Just as I set my phone to the camera setting,  I heard a twig snap to the left me.  I figured that it was only another small hog, but just to be sure I dropped the phone, slowly turning to the sounds of the noisy hog.  Then I placed my tab on my string and focused my attention to the trail below me.  The noise grew louder and louder, out stepped a shooter hog fifteen yards away and unaware of my presence.  I drew back my longbow, hit anchor and off it went.  The hog took off like a rocket.  It ran about ten yards, U-turned and headed straight back on the same trail.  I’m just glad that I wasn’t on that trail.  After a short blood trail,  I recoverd the hog and headed home. 

Shot with new Bob Lee Longbow

Lesser Prairie Chickens only inhabit a few areas in the western 1/3 of  Kansas.  There is discussion that the lesser prairie chicken could be listed on the Federal threatened and endangered species list due to their rapid decline in recent years.  Kansas, unlike other states, has a stable population and is the only state that still has a hunting season for the elusive short grass prairie bird.   

With talk of their listing, my buddy, Matt Bain, and I knew we needed to get after the birds this year before the December 31 season ender snuck up on us like it had in recent years.   We live in an area where lesser and greater prairie chickens intermingle, so there is no guarantee that if successful you will have a lesser. 

There are several methods to hunt prairie chickens.  Many people set up in their fly way from roosting cover to feeding areas and try to pass shoot the fast flying birds.  Another option is to try to walk them up in feed fields or in their grassy loafing/roosting areas.  We have had the best luck using a combination of methods.  We  locate where the birds are feeding and try to beat them to the spot.  We sit and wait hoping the birds come close enough for a shot.  Many times we are able to watch the birds land and then try to sneak in close for a shot.  Matt and I were both successful using this method.  We each shot our limit, one bird, and were both fortunate enough to shoot a beautiful adult male. 

The lesser is a slightly smaller and paler version of its close relative, the greater prairie chicken.  There are several differences between the two birds.  The dark barring on the breast of the lesser, especially in the neck area is much narrower than the greater.  Another difference is in the feathers on the rump.  The lesser will have light tan areas bisecting the darker areas, while the greater will have a solid dark patch. 

narrow dark stripes in the neck

Notice the light tan contrasting the dark feathers on the rump

My brother, Lucas, came out to celebrate new years and we decided to spend the day hunting as many things as we could:)  He had hunted greaters before, but had never had any success.  Lucas and I split up to walk some corn stubble where Matt and I had killed our limit several days before.  I heard a single shot and glanced over to see Lucas retreiving his trophy.  He killed his first prairie chicken ever and was fortunate enough to kill a mature male lesser.  It was a great way to end 2009 and head into the new year!!

Lucas' first Lesser Prairie Chicken

If you’re like me, seasons come and seasons go, and unfortunately each season seems to go by too fast.  For the last two years though, I have extended my season by making a jaunt to my good friend Abraham Garcia’s ranch in Old Mexico.  It has co

Big animals have a way of putting a smile on our face!

Slightly different angle, still a pretty good buck!

me to be one of the most enjoyable trips I take each year, not simply because of the phenomenal deer hunting, but because of the great people and the fact that my family gets to go also.  Everything about this hunt is world class, but, if I were to tell you about the deer hunting most people would probably call me a liar, and truth be told, I simply can’t conjure up the words to accurately describe it.  This year, on New Year’s Eve I was lucky enough to harvest this incredible buck.  I actually have a little bit of history with this deer.  Last year I passed him up because he had broke off his entire right G-2.  It was a hard pill to swallow right then, but at 4:50 on 12/31/09 it became apparent I had made the right decision the previous year.  This buck sauntered into view and offered me a great opportunity at 19 yards.  I was also able to slip in on a javelina thanks in no small part to the Optifade.  From California to Colorado to Kansas, Oklahoma and even into Old Mexico, this pattern has continued to amaze me.  I don’t want to sound like an advertisement but I’m serious about extending your hunting season.  If you would like to (and who wouldn’t) check out Abraham’s website at 2joutfitters.com.  Absolutely incredible.

Boy's first bunny!

Just before the New Year I was able to take my 10 year old son on his first rabbit hunt. We had a great day and he ended up bagging two rabbits. I was both beagle and hunter safety instructor this fine day. It did my heart good to hear the trembling in Daniel’s voice and see it in his legs and hands going over to collect his first game animal.

My outerwear was selected to shield myself from the briars, but my underlayers were all Sitka. That same stuff we love for the mountains makes for some awful comfortable brush busting! The Shooter Gloves are perfect as well…

Happy New Year to everyone.