Opening Weekend

[El Chivo]

Well I'm feeling fairly upbeat after Opening Weekend. Saturday I went out to the spot I planned, and although I didn't see anything I did get to check it out thoroughly. Here's a view at higher altitude:

deerhvn2.jpg

the spot in the lower left is where I was at dawn, so I could watch the creekbed. Then I hiked up to the interior.

There's quite a bit of sign around the edges but none in the center. That's because the brush has taken over again. Very thick and hard going. I was suspended like a fly in a web several times. If I go back I'm taking a chain saw.

This was very tiring and I had not gotten much sleep, so I decided to call it a day about 2 pm. As I neared the trailhead a man on horseback passed me with a forkie slung over his saddle.

So I was somewhat discouraged, but decided to go back Sunday for the late shift. I was well rested and wanted to check out one of the close-in spots. I'm glad I went because I ran into a party that had camped over. Turned out it was the guy who helped me lift my deer into the car back in 2006. We talked for a bit and he told me they have the best luck jumping deer out of their beds. They got two.

I went on to climb one of the near hills, just to see what might happen. I crested one small ridge and scared up a doe that was hiding in a cleft. I had a very easy shot as she made her way up the slope in front of me - too bad we hunt in such a goofed-up state. But, I enjoyed the nature hunt and, it was the first time I jumped a deer from bed.