Staying Grounded

I recently read an article about hunting pressured deer where the author pointed out that you have to get high in the tree if you want to ambush these critters.  He went on to say that a lot of hunters are afraid of heights and won’t admit it.  So, they hunt low in the trees and get busted by the deer before they even have a chance.  

Well, I’m afraid of heights.  In the old days I could romp around in the trees with the best of them.  I’m older now and my sense of balance just ain’t what it used to be.  Not to mention I have a family who depends on me and a broken neck from a tree stand fall wouldn’t be fair to them or me.  I like to stay on the ground now and here’s how I like to do it: a spring steel pop up blind. 

Compact is king.  The spring steel blinds fold down into a circle that fits into a backpack bag.  I’ve tried the hub style blinds, and while they offer more room you often have to muscle an awkward bag on one shoulder through the brush to get them to your hunting location.  The backpack is much easier. 

Backpacks rule.  The backpack bag has padded shoulder straps and a zipper pocket that can hold ropes, stakes, and other gear.  There is usually enough room to stuff a tripod stool in with the blind as well.  So, there is extra room there for your knife, your grunt call, scents, and some of the other possibles you might carry to the woods.  

Warm and Dry is the ticket.  One great advantage is that the pop up blind also keeps the weather off of me.  I’m warm and dry in there when tree stand hunters might be forced out of the woods by high wind, rain, snow, or cold.  On extremely cold days I can run my heater buddy and hunt in comfort.  The side-walls can also help keep the wind off of you which keeps you warmer and can help cut down on the amount of human scent dispersed in the area.  

The element of surprise is the golden rule.  How many times have you hunted a new stand site for the first time and found success?  I can break down the spring steel blind quickly and move to a new spot if I see the opportunity.   In addition when I’m inside the blind my silhouette is non-existent and I can get away with a certain amount of movement; all things that contribute to the element of surprise. 

Things to watch out for 

Practice putting the blind up and taking it down.  There is a trick to getting the springs to fold up into the circle to fit into the back pack.  It involves the placement of your hands on the steel springs and pressure.  There are some good videos on Youtube that will help you get it just right and make packing up in the dark much easier. 

Get a seat with a back.  I’ve been using a three leg tripod with no back and it can get a little uncomfortable.  They make a three legged stool with a back and I will be upgrading soon. 

A hook helps out a lot.  For archery hunting a hook that you can attach to the roof’s tent poles is helpful in keeping your bow at the ready.  It helps to keep your bow up off the ground and movement to a minimum when the moment of truth presents itself. 

Don’t let the blind rot.  I take my blind in and out with me each time I use it.  I will also pop it up outside or in the basement if I have hunted in rain or snow.  Don’t store your blind wet for extended periods.    

Don't Hate Young Hunters

We just ended our annual youth hunt here in Michigan.  There is a neat site that invites photo submissions of the youngsters with their deer and posts them on the internets and social media.  Just yesterday I saw a posting from the moderators of the site asking people to please refrain from posting disparaging comments about the young hunters.  

I think I am getting older, because a lot of stuff I’ve seen lately has literally made me want to cry.  To sit right down where ever I am, put my face in my hands and cry.  It’s no way to treat a youngster participating in a perfectly legal activity.  In fact, let me tell you why you should welcome the youth hunt.  Because these kids are learning skills that will make them excellent adults, partners, spouses, friends, citizens, and employees. 

Safety

There is nothing more dangerous on the planet than a loaded firearm.  They are learning that hunting is a privilege and involves something that is potentially very dangerous and that safety comes first in everything.  They understand that if they abuse the privilege they lose it.  You probably won’t see these kids flying down your neighborhood street in their car cause they’ve been hunting and they understand that sometimes activities involve dangerous things and there are consequences for their actions.  The best hunters are safe hunters. 

Preparation 

Their mentors have been teaching them how important it is to prepare, from planting the food plots to setting the stands and checking the cameras.  They are practicing with their weapon of choice and spending time in the field scouting and learning their quarries tendencies and behaviors.  They are prepping their hunting gear and planning ahead to avoid conflicts with school and other obligations. 

Execution 

While on stand they are learning to play the wind and stay quiet.  They are learning to be patient while they wait for the game and the perfect, ethical shot opportunity.  They are applying what they know about the animal and how it behaves.  They are learning that success happens when preparation meets opportunity. 

Humility 

They are learning to overcome obstacles.  The weather conditions, the wind, no shot opportunity, animals that are not there or using the area, smart animals, the whitetails sixth sense, a misfire or just simply a missed shot.  They will be humbled and they will have to deal with it, learning that if they want to succeed sometimes they will just have to persevere and get back on the horse even though it just bucked you off. 

These young people are developing a sense of place in God’s natural world and learning about where food actually comes from.  They’ll learn about conservation when they pass on a smaller buck or doe and management when they opt to take an older deer or a doe to balance the herd.

 

They’re learning all of these things and more and are being shaped into some of our finest human beings.  People that you would want your daughter or son to date or marry, people that you want involved in your community, people you would want in your life as a trusted and devoted friend, and people that you’d want working with and for your business.  

So please don’t disparage the development of some of our finest.