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Got my first California deer in 13 years a few days ago.  About an hour hike in, 3 hour hike out. 90 degrees, I am still feeling it now. However, backstrap, tenderloin, and a good IPA with an old friend just 12 hours after the shot made it all worth it. Still have a buck tag, but with meat already in the freezer, I might just do some small hunts/walks with my 7 year old. Good times!

Hey david, my parents were up in Houlton this weekend for a few days, and headed home yesterday (Sunday).  Just before the Howland exit they passed this little guy.  It's zone 18, and the season ended the day before on Saturday.  Somebody might have wanted this guy, you think??????
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Brought out my 7 year old son for the dove opener this past weekend.  Had a blast as usual.  Hot as can be (90+ by 9AM), but we plugged away.  Got 11, of which only one technically counted towards my limit.  Rest were Eurasian collared doves, which are unlimited, and they just made the season year round.  My son did my retrieving for me.
 
Good times!
 

Well, my trip to Vermont last month produced a deer for the first time in 12 years.  Been a long time coming, not having shot any big game animals in that time.  Well, I have also been trying to go on a hog hunt for almost a year.  I had it scheduled back in February, but the ranch was closed a week prior to my hunt.  Finally, after 9 months of no hunting, it was opened again, and I took my first ever pig hun this past weekend.
 
The hunt took place on Tejon Ranch.  It's only about 60 miles from downtown LA.  It is a 277,000 acre (400 sq miles) property, with no fences other than cattle fences.  All game is wild, and uninhibited from doing what wild animals do.  There are deer, elk, bear, pig, and lots of other critters on the ranch.  It's an absolute jewel.  Every few months, they open the ranch to about 100 hunters, split between the north and south side.  It's done because the population of pigs is 5-6,000, and there is no way that simply guided hunts alone can keep them in check. It's an unguided, DIY hunt.  They let you camp on the ranch, and have cleaning/skinning facilities for you to use.  It's $500, and that allows you 1 pig of any kind, piglet or trophy boar.  No trophy fees. Hunt is from noon Friday to noon Sunday.
 
So, After having my buddy opt for knee replacement instead of a hunt, I headed out solo on Friday morning.  Got to the ranch, and at noon, they cut us loose.  First problem though, apparently it had been misting/drizzling all night, and the roads were ****.  I did have a 4x4 that my buddy gave me to use, but he had normal street tires on it.  I was limited to the main canyon there, but the road through it is almost 15 miles, so plenty of room to spread out.  I drove for a while, looking for pigs on in the draws.  At 1:15, barely an hour into the hunt, I found some fresh rooting, and thought the draw looked nice, and decided to take a walk.

Headed up a nice draw, kinda flat at the mouth with tons of mast bearing trees.  One thing I noticed here, I have never seen so many acorn, nut, other type of food trees.  Unbelievable.  Found that it split into 2 draws, and one had a firebreak in it.  I chose that one, paralleling a thick creek bottom.  I walked about 5 minute when I heard what I thought was more of a growl/meow, like a big kitty.  Coulda been a pig, I thought, so I sat listening.  As I sat there, I look to my left, and on the road 50 yards away are a nice 3x3 and 4 does (Those were the first of probably 50 deer, and 15 bucks or so, I saw, all within 100 yards).  Well, a few minutes later, I hear a squeal, so no question, pigs!  I look around, and there is a nice clean path though the creek to a level plateau on the opposite side.  The wet leaves were silent, made for great creeping.

I followed the trail, and after 50 yards, peeked over, and there they were.  I saw a sow with some piglets walk away across another draw, and a second pig.  I slowly moved to a tree in front of me, and started seeing more pigs.  They were within 40-50 yards, no clue I was there.  Got the shooting sticks ready, and started scoping them.  I need to add here, that the only pigs they ask you to hold off on are wet sows.  Now, being inexperienced with pigs, and being insecure about making a mistake, I cranked the scope up to 9x to identify them.  I now had 4 pigs, all about 120-160 pounds, feeding all around me (Oh, and I hear a noise behind me, and I turn to see the does had walked up to 20 yards and were staring at me).  I looked over the pigs, and all 4 had teets.  Only one was sagging, but still, I wasn't sure if they were "wet".  After 10 minutes, and them closing to 20 yards, they started to leave.  They walked down a trail at 15 yards.  I finally said screw it, I don't think those are wet.  The biggest walked into my shooting lane, I throw up the scope. $*%^&!!!!! A scope at 9x and 15 yards isn't a good idea, all a blur.  I quickly tried to adjust it, but she made me.  Off she went across the draw.  After they were over the little ridge, I slid after them.  Crested the next ridge, and I see some walking up the ridge, and hear a huff/snort as the dominant sow charges into the trail, looks right at me, and takes off up the ridge.  I hear a noise to my right, and 20 yards away in the tall grass, starts the conga line.  Another 15-20 pigs follow her lead, walking by me and up the ridge.  I think I was biased by the size of the original sows, so I let the whole parade go by without raising my gun.  I tried to get back on them, working them till dark, and lost them.

So, I beat myself up pretty good back in camp, not knowing if I'd get another chance.  I drank some beer with a couple guys I know off another site, trying to come up with a plan (And more questions).  Second day came, and while I saw probably 30 pigs, they were all at 500+ yards.  I did see a couple of bull elk, lots of turkeys and deer, and some beautiful country.  Called my buddies who have been members there at the end of the day, quite disappointed that I'd blown it Friday.  Talked to them, and got another pep talk.  Feeling a little bad, because my 6 year old son was calling every hour asking if I had shot anything yet.  More beer with my buddies, and decided, as they said, why leave pigs to go find pigs.  I also talked with a guy skinning a nice boar, and he gave me a place to go the next morning, he said "guaranteed".  Couldn't hurt.

Sunday, last day, only have till noon.  I started at sun-up, glassing the hills where I'd seen the 25-30.  Nothing for the first 45 minutes, so I decided to move.  Headed to the "Guaranteed" spot.  As I was driving, passed a couple guys with a pig in the pickup, and told them where I was headed.  Oh, that's where they shot it..... $*@#^ .  Still give it a try, get to the spot, and looking for a place to pull off I see another truck coming out of the canyon, pig in the back. $*%&!!!  Just got it right down the road, where the other guy in the truck also got one yesterday.  Well, that's 4 pigs in about 18 hours from there.  I was dismayed, but still sat where the guy told me to go.  After 15 minutes, and 2 more trucks passing the road below, I said screw it, gotta get mobile and spot some pigs.

So, I get in the truck, and head down one firebreak that had been mentioned by someone else.  Not 5 minutes later, I go past some massive wallows, through a small patch of green field, and round a corner into an oak flat.  I just pulled off the edge of the road to bino, shut the truck off, and immediately see pigs walking through the oaks at about 100+ yards.  I jumped out, off the edge of the road, and threw up the gun.  Now, since Friday, Nate and Mark both told me to stop thinking, and "just shoot any **** pig!!!".  Well, there were 7-8 in this group, all decent sized, no piglets.  One glanced at me, but they kept walking.  Most were bunched up, but there was one trailing the group by about 5 feet.  I put the crosshairs on that one, took off the safety, and squeezed the trigger.  Click!  (Remember, nothing comes easy)  So, I rack in a round, take aim again, and bang!  Dropped him in his tracks.

Ran up to him, and was surprised to see a big boar.   I had taken their advice, and hadn't thought about anything, including the fact that the big guys are usually the last in the group. Anyway, he was still kicking.  Thought it may be nerves, cause the shot looked perfect (turns out I spined him), but when I kicked him in the a$$, he reared his head and squealed.  I took one more Coup de Grace' in the back of the head, and he was done.  As I sit here now, I am going to check the one tusk later.  I think it was already broken, but I need to see if I shot the **** tusk off when I plugged him in the head.

So, he turned out to be a really nice one.  185 pounds dressed, big enough for the "Big Pig" of the weekend on the north side.  Gutted him, and luckily I had brought a gambrel with me.  In the hour I was messing with him, nobody drove by, so I had to load him myself.  I was able to hoist him up into a tree, and back the truck under him.  Got him skinned and quartered back at camp, and headed home.  The pleasant surprise was yesterday when I was deboning him.  I have heard from everyone that a big boar would basically need to be entirely ground up for sausage, because most were really rank.  He definitely was the most unpleasant thing I have smelled, while standing over him.  Nasty!  However, not wanting to waste good loins and backstrap, I cut some off.  Took the whole loin, simply S&P and browned it in some olive oil, and threw it in the oven.  It was melt in your mouth delicious, and 100% serious, flavor-wise, tasted just like a pork loin or chop from Costco.  Gave it to my buddy who was helping me, and he agreed.  His family raises and butchers hogs in Arkansas, and he hunted pigs there, and says he's never had a boar taste that good.

So, since the meat is good, gonna keep all the backstrap and rest of the loin.  Left one hind quarter to make into a ham, and bringing in the rib cage to Jim, he said he might be able to make short ribs.  And the rest will be made into some great sausage.  So, my freezer will be full, and most importantly, It will be mostly with animals I killed myself.

Sorry for the long story, but I don't get to tell too many...... I have never seen anything like Tejon ranch. I'd ALMOST pay that much just to take a couple day tour there.  But, the pig is a great bonus.


 

............... of monkeys off my back...... :D
 
Just got back to CA from a quick 3 day hunt with my Dad in Vermont. Always a good trip, even if I hadn't shot a deer. First deer in 12 years made it alot
 
Not sure if everyone remembers the story from last year (Since I tell so many), but my Dad finally, after 40 years or so, inherited his Dad's gun. I never met my Grandfather on that side, he died before I was born. But my Dad says I would have loved him, he was a hunter and outdoorsman from Southwest Pennsylvania.

My Dad decided to take his first ever deer with that gun. It's a Model 71 Winchester .348, a big gun. Last year, he got a great 8 point, 163 lbs, an hour into the season, and when we left, he handed me the gun and said it was mine. I couldn't be happier, and being a sentimentalist at heart, I wanted to kill a deer with that gun. Even if it handicapped me because of no scope, and it had been 12 years since my last deer. I was ready to use a cannon....

Last quick thing, both the last times I was home to hunt, 2008 and last year, Dad offered me his stand. I said no, he could take it. So he proceeded to shoot a nice 8 point each time an hour into the season. I told him after last year I was taking his stand this time.

So Saturday morning was perfect. Little to no breeze, and a nice 28-29 degrees. Saw the typical wildlife I have become accustomed to, squirrels, partridge, birds, and even saw my first coyote in the woods in 20 years or so trot by. At just before 9, I had 6 does walk by me in a parade. I stayed some hoping a buck was following, but none came. I left the woods that morning, and when I left my stand, my Dad showed me that a buck had made 2 scrapes 25 yards from my stand earlier that night. We had gone in Friday evening to show me his new stand, and they were not there then.

Sunday morning, another great morning. Watched the squirrels for an hour, then I heard movement where the does came from. It was a lone deer eating some briar leaves about 40 yards away. I saw some horn right away, but thought my eyes were deceiving me. I picked up the binos, saw a fork, knew it was legal, and put the binos down. He ate a little more, then committed a little more towards me than the does had.

Quick funny note....... Of the 3 bucks I have shot before, 2 were so close, I couldn't move, and had to slide the gun up and shoot left handed. Well, this deer came from the right direction, and was walking more or less right at me, so I didn't want to risk much movement.  Because of this, I set up left handed again. He moved to behind the tree, and I waited for the shooting lane. He moved, I bleated, I shot, he bucked. Surprised this little guy ran 75 yards with a .348 sized hole in his heart.

Well, I'm more than happy. Took my first deer in 12 years, in my Dad's stand, with him a few hundred yards away, and with my grandfather's gun. Biggest # of points on any of my bucks, but smallest deer.


Now, about the small deer thing. I think this deer, when in utero, did not take a complete "right" when he was supposed to, and ended up with some defects. First thing I noticed, when I went to gut him, was 4 small, undeveloped teets in front of his fully developed man-parts. I thought that was odd. Then, a full 2 hours later, when taking photos at St. Maries, someone pointed out his mouth. Couldn't believe Dad and I both missed it, but his lower jaw was underdeveloped. It was almost 2 inchews shorter. Weird. Whatever the reason, he was "healthy", other than being small. He didn't look emaciated or anything. When I shot him, he was walking along, nibbling on plants. He even had corn in his stomach. So, he was getting food. I just wonder if he was a 1 1/2 year old, or maybe older but with stunted growth. The reason I think he could be older, is because he still had a great rack by yearliong standards. And if he had eaten enough to develop that rack, he should have weighed more. So, could it be an "average" or "below-average" rack for a 2 1/2 year old? Going to call a biologist and ask him.
 

Until the opener out here!  Can't wait.  It will be my only chance to get out here though, for the early part, as I will be headed back to Vermont for the rifle opener there in 2 weeks.
 
Then, I finally get to take the pig hunt I have been planning, the weekend of Dec 7-9.  
 
Hoping to get at least one animal this year.  Been 12 years since I shot a big game animal......

Well?????  Season's been open a day and a half, and no photo of that bear being dad yet. You disappoint me......
 
How'd opening day go?  Did you get out?

Anyone else get a PM from Paul about a new "project"?  It had a link, but the link didn't work.  Then, I tried to reply and ask him if it was legit, or his account was compromised, but it said he chose not to accept PM's.
 
You out there Paul?  Anyone????? Just seemed odd.......

Howdy all!  Sorry I have not been around much.  This year seemed to fly by, to say the least.  And with a 1 and 5 year old, it keeps me really busy.
 
Anyway, I did a quick read, and see that some guys have done well.  Congrats to anyone who scored!!!  I just got back from Vermont, where i was unsuccessful, but my dad took probably his best deer ever.  Beauty of an 8 point shot with his Dad's .348 Winchester model 71.  And, my cousin got her second moose on her second try up in northern Maine, close to David's neck of the woods.  Both great animals.
 
Anyway, I hope this fall find you all well, and you are all having fun and being safe.  I will try to stop in a little more often...... :grin:
 

 

Only 11 days till the season starts.  Getting excited....... :D

Well, got back last week from our 11 day trip back to Vermont. Aside from the fricken humidity, had a great time. As promised, I was able to get the boy to catch his first ever frog. He actually caught the first in a ditch by my parent's house, still in his pajamas with boots on. Big bullfrog. Got to see some hawks, blue herons (2 of which deficated when they took off, son loved it), an osprey, and he even spotted a bald eagle first before us.
 
Later in the week, he got hish first catfish (Bullpout) with grandpa. We looked for deer a few times, saw 15 one night and 22 the next. He even spotted some on his own.
 
We also took him into the woods to see where I wanted my Dad to set up my deer stand for this fall. My son found a nice turkey feather, which is now on his wall back here in California. He also caught a couple more frogs at a little pond in the woods. Oh, and he even got to see some skunks up close and personal. After trapping 10 last year in his backyard, my Dad had a mom and 4 little ones come out this week to eat from under the bird feeders. He got a kick out of that too.
 
It was a long trip, but we had alot of fun. The one year old will have his chance eventually, but for now, the 5 year old is all about the outdoors. My wife called me as they drove down the hill near our house out here yesterday, and apparantly they passed a dead animal, to which my son said "There's some roadkill"..... :D She thanked me and my Dad for that one.....
 
Here's a few pics. I will be back up there for 3 or 4 days of the opener in November.
 

 

 

Well, got a note from my cousin up in northern Maine today.  Looks like she drew a tag again, for the second time in 6 years.  She's excited because it's the November Bull hunt, which means she can also hunt deer at the same time.

Last time she was drawn she shot a nice 750 +/- pound bull, which I posted on here.
 
I figure I should put in one of these times, at least in Vermont where my parents live.  Oh well, we'll see........

Didn't realize that it had been 7 months since I logged on.  
 
Been really busy with the new kid (and the older one) but I love coming on here, and don't know where the time went.  I hope you will all forgive my absence.....
 
Is there anything going on?  I actually thought about the site today because I heard that the Arizona fire is getting close to Sierra Vista, and I was wondering if Daryl still lived there.  
 
Anyway, I have to get back into the swing of things.  Nothing really new here.  Finished off the seasons this past year with nothing.....again.  Turkey was fun, only made it out a couple of times.  Now I am doing some fishing (Limits of trout w/my 5 year old), and waiting for the fall seasons.  I drew a doe tag here in So Cal, and will hopefully get one to fill the freezer.  Other than that, I will just hunt the 4 month archery season that starts on the first Saturday in Sept.
 
How is everyone????

The weirdest thing just happened.  I am on another site looking around, one of the many that I post on, and saw an obscure post about a member dying in a car accident.  he is from Germany, and always posted stories on Roe Deer hunting. I always looked forward to those stories, don't know why.  Never met the guy, or exchanged many words beyond replies to posts.
 
But when I read that he died, it felt totally weird.  Funny how things like that can make you feel.  He apparently was a police officer, and had a wife and 2 kids (6 & 9 yrs old).  Died in a car accident.  
 
Anyway, just felt weird and wanted to post.  Haven't been on in awhile, busy with the new baby.  Been out a couple times with the bow and rifle, no success yet.

How's everyone else doing??

11 days till our bow season starts.  Don't know how many times I'll get out with the new baby, but I'm pumped......

Well, I have not logged on in 2 months, but I sort of have a good reason. :grin:
 
Please welcome Tyler James to the THL! He was born on July 23rd, weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz, and almost 21 inches long. Everything went smoothly. His big brother adores him, and we're all settling in.
 
Hunting season starts in 11 days for me, and life is returning to normal. Hopefully I can get back to spending some quality time with you all.....
 

Been awhile since I logged on, so I just wanted to stop in and say Hi. We've been busy out here, with an almost 4 year old, and now, my wife is due with another boy in July. Ryan is excited for his little brother.
 
Anyway, been getting out some, without much success. Have been doing some turkey scouting, and even took Ryan along. Here he is after I discovered he gets carsick.... :undecided: I gave him a little push button box call to play with.
 

 
Here's what he was talking to. Unfortunately, in this area, these guys like to hang in people's yards (Upper right)
 

 
Other than that, we also have been doing some fishing in the stocked lakes around here.
 

 
We've been having a good time. Hope all the Hunter's Life friends are doing well.......
 
Sean

What's up guys and gals.  Been really busy, and working a different shift, so I have not posted in some time.  Looks like everyone is doing well.

Anyway, I have a couple of pounds of elk chunks burning a hole in my freezer, and the weather is getting cooler, so I thought a stew might be in order.
 
So, fire away.  Gimme a good stew recipe, or chili, I'll take either....

A co-worker, who doesn't eat alot of wild game, just got back from his parents house in Colorado.  His Dad is cleaning out his freezer of last years bounty, getting ready for his 2 Deer tags, 2 elk tags, and an antelope.  
 
So, I got 2 plastic grocery bags of full of Elk burger and steak, Antelope loin, burger, and steak, and some deer steak....
 
It's a good day.....

Hey folks.. I might have a chance at getting a job in Omaha, but the wife needs some (alot) of questions answered. I was hoping some of you may be able to answer some questions for me, so I have some ammunition to present her with and convince her. I know there are tons of websites that I could look at to compare things, but I would like to get it straight from people who live there. I know there are a few on here from Nebraska. I talked to Buck (Sandhillsguru) last year, but I was looking for someone a little closer to Omaha.

The main complaints I hear from people who speak bad about it are the weather, the taxes, that it's a strong conservative area, and there's not much to do if your single except get drunk.

However, we are conservatives, are relatively young (30's), and have a young son. So, half of those complaints won't apply to us.

So, here are some questions.

1. School system. I saw some places that said the schools are really good, mainly because of the high taxes. How would you rate the surronding schools?

2 Jobs. On the note of schools, my wife is a teacher. Is there anybody out there that is a teacher or is married to one, and can answer as to how easy/hard it is to get a job out there?

3. Taxes. Nobody seems to debate that they are high, in general. However, if I moved there, I'd look to live out west, in the 160-170 streets and beyond. Are there different tax rates out there, or is it all under the Omaha umbrella, so to speak?

4. Stuff to do. I've seen that there is the zoo, some museums, college sports (I'm a Penn State fan ), and so-on. Would you rate it as a place with a decent amount of stuff to do?

5. General cost of living. I don't mind saying, I'd be making about $110,000 a year there, not including if my wife got a job. Housing is alot cheaper there, that I know. Do you guys have Homeowners Association fees for the newer neighborhoods? How is gas? ($3.00 here now) General things like groceries? Car and homeowners insurance?

Sorry for all the questions, but it would be a really big deal to uproot the family, and I want to make sure she's comfortable with it. I see there are some recent California residents that moved there, so maybe you guys have some input?

Thanks for any replies!!!!!!!

Sean