lakngolf
Well-Known Member
They did not
Bull Pen, Mandy Hollow and Cari's Corner
- Thread starter lakngolf
- Start date
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Alabama Youth Hunt Weekend 2017.....Love it when a plan comes together.
Grandsons Robert and Jack arrived at the Farm early afternoon on Friday 10th, all excited about chasing some deer. Earlier opportunities for some target practice never worked out so we began the day with the boys shooting the .223 and 7mm 08 rifles.
This is what everyone uses for target practice, right?
Interestingly, Robert (the oldest) was shy and did not want to shoot either rifle. Jack likes guns more, had killed a deer last year, and will shoot almost anything. That was fine with us as Robert is a very good shot with a .22 and no way would we force him to shoot a gun. That changed my plans for who goes where because I was working toward Robert sitting in the spot with best possibility. But if he was not going to shoot I changed that.
In any event, here they go to the stands, Robert with is Dad and the .223, Jack with me and the 7mm.
Jack and I saw a LOT of deer, but I was not sure about the distance for the 7mm so we did not take a long shot (we later test the 7mm for longer distance and now know it will hold steady). Not sure how many repeats but we counted more than 15 deer for the afternoon.
Late Friday afternoon we got a text from Dad that they had some small deer in the plot at Bull Pen. Then we heard “BOOM”, and then another “BOOM”. I was glad to hear that and receive a text that Robert had gotten his first deer. A small one but BIG on excitement.
After a trip to the processor, and sending Dad home, the boys and I settled in for some fine eating = homemade soup with lots of tomatoes, okra, and corn from the freezer. Not as good a meal as if Gramma was still around to cook for us, but pretty good.
The next morning we have breakfast and head out to try again. I got tickled as we walked to the stand. I used to work with a guy who was not a good golfer. But if he ever had a one lone good shot, he became the golf instructor for the rest of us. Well, Robert (now the deer slayer) was instructing little brother about walking quieter, and staying alert for possible deer. I laughed. When we got into the stand at the Bull Pen woods, Robert showed me some limbs in front that I “should have cut”. I laughed again.
We did not have any luck there but moved to Mandy Hollow. Soon a nice doe was working its way back to bedding area and gave Jack a shot. More excitement
On our way back from the processor we drove by the Church Cemetery where Gramma was buried late August.
A little midday rest, watching some college football, and we are back in the stand by 3pm, hopefully to see the 15 deer that Jack and I saw the day before. Well……this showed up instead.
Later a couple of deer grazed for awhile, but I suggested we not take another small one. They were fine with that.
During this hunt I kept up with the Auburn – Georgia football game and updated the score to the boys. WOW, what a game for Auburn. War Eagle, the best game they have played this year. And guess where Mom and Dad were while we were hunting ? They both are 1999 graduates.
We got back in time to watch the last quarter and enjoyed more football Saturday night. We left the hunting area about 5:15pm. These deer were there less than an hour later. (Time was never reset for DST)
A short hunt on Sunday morning, then getting the Red Cow out of Mandy, checking the fence for breaches, moving the camera to a new location, taking some more target practice, riding the 4 Wheeler and finding this. We texted the cattle farmer and he came over to figure out what to do. (Edit: This cow was not in my hunting land, but in pasture. It was easier to check fences on pasture side than down the woods on my side)
I take the boys back home and have the privilege of attending this “small people” musical presentation by my sweetheart, Princess Butterfly
I love being Poppa!
Grandsons Robert and Jack arrived at the Farm early afternoon on Friday 10th, all excited about chasing some deer. Earlier opportunities for some target practice never worked out so we began the day with the boys shooting the .223 and 7mm 08 rifles.
This is what everyone uses for target practice, right?
Interestingly, Robert (the oldest) was shy and did not want to shoot either rifle. Jack likes guns more, had killed a deer last year, and will shoot almost anything. That was fine with us as Robert is a very good shot with a .22 and no way would we force him to shoot a gun. That changed my plans for who goes where because I was working toward Robert sitting in the spot with best possibility. But if he was not going to shoot I changed that.
In any event, here they go to the stands, Robert with is Dad and the .223, Jack with me and the 7mm.
Jack and I saw a LOT of deer, but I was not sure about the distance for the 7mm so we did not take a long shot (we later test the 7mm for longer distance and now know it will hold steady). Not sure how many repeats but we counted more than 15 deer for the afternoon.
Late Friday afternoon we got a text from Dad that they had some small deer in the plot at Bull Pen. Then we heard “BOOM”, and then another “BOOM”. I was glad to hear that and receive a text that Robert had gotten his first deer. A small one but BIG on excitement.
After a trip to the processor, and sending Dad home, the boys and I settled in for some fine eating = homemade soup with lots of tomatoes, okra, and corn from the freezer. Not as good a meal as if Gramma was still around to cook for us, but pretty good.
The next morning we have breakfast and head out to try again. I got tickled as we walked to the stand. I used to work with a guy who was not a good golfer. But if he ever had a one lone good shot, he became the golf instructor for the rest of us. Well, Robert (now the deer slayer) was instructing little brother about walking quieter, and staying alert for possible deer. I laughed. When we got into the stand at the Bull Pen woods, Robert showed me some limbs in front that I “should have cut”. I laughed again.
We did not have any luck there but moved to Mandy Hollow. Soon a nice doe was working its way back to bedding area and gave Jack a shot. More excitement
On our way back from the processor we drove by the Church Cemetery where Gramma was buried late August.
A little midday rest, watching some college football, and we are back in the stand by 3pm, hopefully to see the 15 deer that Jack and I saw the day before. Well……this showed up instead.
Later a couple of deer grazed for awhile, but I suggested we not take another small one. They were fine with that.
During this hunt I kept up with the Auburn – Georgia football game and updated the score to the boys. WOW, what a game for Auburn. War Eagle, the best game they have played this year. And guess where Mom and Dad were while we were hunting ? They both are 1999 graduates.
We got back in time to watch the last quarter and enjoyed more football Saturday night. We left the hunting area about 5:15pm. These deer were there less than an hour later. (Time was never reset for DST)
A short hunt on Sunday morning, then getting the Red Cow out of Mandy, checking the fence for breaches, moving the camera to a new location, taking some more target practice, riding the 4 Wheeler and finding this. We texted the cattle farmer and he came over to figure out what to do. (Edit: This cow was not in my hunting land, but in pasture. It was easier to check fences on pasture side than down the woods on my side)
I take the boys back home and have the privilege of attending this “small people” musical presentation by my sweetheart, Princess Butterfly
I love being Poppa!
Last edited:
Love the youth hunt updates and life postings...cattle guy needs to get a handle...
Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Looks like some super fun times Lak....
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
December has been an interesting, fun month so far. A little hunting, jobs around the house, visiting grandkids, and just enjoying.
I spent several days with my son's family in Chapel Hill. Carter is a severe Tar Heel fan and my son got tickets so Carter and I could take in a UNC basketball game. Here we are on the game night shuttle to the game...
A lot of my time is spent with my little buddy, Andrew. He loves to watch tractor videos on Poppa's phone.
Got in some good hunts with Robert and Jack, once they got out of school for the holidays. It is really good that they enjoy the outdoors and will spend a little time with Poppa. But, we need bigger shooting houses. On one hunt my chair was way in a corner with limited view. They both became excited about two deer that had come out to graze. I looked out one side, nothing. Other side, nothing. My view was totally blocked. It was Robert's turn to shoot so I told him to put the crosshairs on the shoulder and fire away. Luckily, I was able to get one lens of my binocs on the deer before he shot. Exciting, but Jack and I froze the next morning at 24 degrees and no deer.
All of the grandkids have developed a LOVE for fishing when they come to the lake, so I decided to do what I could to develop better fish habitat around my pier. This started with a load of bamboo stalks from a cane patch down the road from the bull pen.
The idea is to cement these canes with thick limbs and leaves into concrete blocks, and then lower them to the bottom of the lake = immediate structure. I had used Christmas trees under my pier, but this was a first for the bamboo tree method.
So, where to put them? I stood on my floating pier and cast a Zebco 33 several times to get a good indication of a normal cast. I wanted to put the trees about there. So I boated out and placed a marker .
Then in Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn style I floated the trees out and dropped them down. Here's hoping they bring in the fish, and my neighbors don't find them.
One other item: My daughter had asked for my Mother's recipes and cook books, and she decided to create a little recipe booklet of some of Mother's favorites and ones we liked the most. As we looked thru the recipes and books, we found a few spots where my Mother had written "Tried and True". So there was no doubt what the booklet would be titled.
Merry Christmas to All
I spent several days with my son's family in Chapel Hill. Carter is a severe Tar Heel fan and my son got tickets so Carter and I could take in a UNC basketball game. Here we are on the game night shuttle to the game...
A lot of my time is spent with my little buddy, Andrew. He loves to watch tractor videos on Poppa's phone.
Got in some good hunts with Robert and Jack, once they got out of school for the holidays. It is really good that they enjoy the outdoors and will spend a little time with Poppa. But, we need bigger shooting houses. On one hunt my chair was way in a corner with limited view. They both became excited about two deer that had come out to graze. I looked out one side, nothing. Other side, nothing. My view was totally blocked. It was Robert's turn to shoot so I told him to put the crosshairs on the shoulder and fire away. Luckily, I was able to get one lens of my binocs on the deer before he shot. Exciting, but Jack and I froze the next morning at 24 degrees and no deer.
All of the grandkids have developed a LOVE for fishing when they come to the lake, so I decided to do what I could to develop better fish habitat around my pier. This started with a load of bamboo stalks from a cane patch down the road from the bull pen.
The idea is to cement these canes with thick limbs and leaves into concrete blocks, and then lower them to the bottom of the lake = immediate structure. I had used Christmas trees under my pier, but this was a first for the bamboo tree method.
So, where to put them? I stood on my floating pier and cast a Zebco 33 several times to get a good indication of a normal cast. I wanted to put the trees about there. So I boated out and placed a marker .
Then in Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn style I floated the trees out and dropped them down. Here's hoping they bring in the fish, and my neighbors don't find them.
One other item: My daughter had asked for my Mother's recipes and cook books, and she decided to create a little recipe booklet of some of Mother's favorites and ones we liked the most. As we looked thru the recipes and books, we found a few spots where my Mother had written "Tried and True". So there was no doubt what the booklet would be titled.
Merry Christmas to All
Triple C
Well-Known Member
Great update lak! What a man will do to put fish in front of his grandkids! Never heard of such but I like it. Recipe book...That'll get passed down thru the generations. Awesome. As for tractor videos...my 2.5 yr old grandpup is mesmerized with em. All he wants to wear is John Deere stuff. Life doesn't get any better! Merry Christmas!
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Little Andrew is 2.5 also. He knows Poppa will bring out the tractor video when requested. It is amazing to me how each grand child has their specific interest, and I hope Poppa can stay in tune....Robert basketball and video games, Jack guns and fishing, Carter UNC basketball, Ben Pokémon, Miles nerf guns and little cars, Ian pillow fights and scuffling, Camille anything Princess, Jay stacking things, and Andrew likes Garbage trucks and tractors.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Thanks. It is a lot more fun when they both get one, and pressure is off Ol' Poppa
Merle Hawggard
Well-Known Member
Wonderful story Lak! A very Merry Christmas to all yall down that way.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Thanks. A few years back my wife and I spent Christmas night, stranded in snow just south of Fort Smith, on our way to Colorado. Gonna stay in wet Alabama this year. Congrats on new coach. If he turns Arkansas around, and Jimbo turns A&M around, and Penn State guy turns Miss State around, and LSU improves, then Auburn and Alabama will be on the bottoms of the SEC West! Oh, I forgot Ol' Miss!
Chainsaw
Well-Known Member
Lak, I like your fish bedding/feeding plot area. How did the Christmas trees work out? I'd like to set out trees as you have done. There are a lot of kids that fish off our docks each summer and while they catch a lot of fish, more would be better. We don't have bamboo. Do you have any recommendations for any other types of trees that might do the job? I was thinking red cedar; there are also black locust here which would hold up but they wouldn't offer as thick a cover as cedar.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Cedars will work great. This is my first time to use bamboo. My brother suggested. After Christmas I plan to collect some used trees and add to bamboo, plus some more under my pier.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Well, Christmas all done and Robert and Jack are ready to go hunting again. I am really excited that they have such an interest. Jack, the youngest, is ready to try bow hunting. So day after Christmas their Dad was able to join us. Dad and Jack went to bull pen,
Robert and I headed to Mandy shooting house
It was a beautiful day, light wind, chilly, damp. I texted Warren about 4pm that it felt like a day the deer would move. We were beginning to doubt that when a cute little buck stepped out about fifty yards in front. Could not get an action picture, but a BLEEP from poppa got the young deer to stop and Robert placed the shot perfectly. I watched thru binocs as the deer jumped straight up about five feet, and took off for the woods. We marked the spot in our mind, and Robert said he heard the deer crash and stop. My hearing is not that good.
Sure enough we found his FIRST BUCK about 10 yards into the woods, and he was excited.
About that same time I got a picture via email of this buck which was just 100 yards or so from Warren and Jack. I told them to stay in stand until last light because he might just wander down the hill to them.
He did not, but as they were getting out of the stand they heard something big run off. Maybe next time.
This is the shot Robert and I wanted to take
So with Robert's deer to the processer and donated to Hunters for the Hungry (Selma Food Bank), I spent some time today in Montgomery collecting some fish habitat. There's always sumthing...sixteen used Christmas trees
Robert and I headed to Mandy shooting house
It was a beautiful day, light wind, chilly, damp. I texted Warren about 4pm that it felt like a day the deer would move. We were beginning to doubt that when a cute little buck stepped out about fifty yards in front. Could not get an action picture, but a BLEEP from poppa got the young deer to stop and Robert placed the shot perfectly. I watched thru binocs as the deer jumped straight up about five feet, and took off for the woods. We marked the spot in our mind, and Robert said he heard the deer crash and stop. My hearing is not that good.
Sure enough we found his FIRST BUCK about 10 yards into the woods, and he was excited.
About that same time I got a picture via email of this buck which was just 100 yards or so from Warren and Jack. I told them to stay in stand until last light because he might just wander down the hill to them.
He did not, but as they were getting out of the stand they heard something big run off. Maybe next time.
This is the shot Robert and I wanted to take
So with Robert's deer to the processer and donated to Hunters for the Hungry (Selma Food Bank), I spent some time today in Montgomery collecting some fish habitat. There's always sumthing...sixteen used Christmas trees
