Bull Pen, Mandy Hollow and Cari's Corner
- Thread starter lakngolf
- Start date
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Well, Jack (who was the only grandson to get a deer last year) was a little concerned that his big brother was getting ahead of him this year. Just lucky I guess, as the older brother was the one who was not even ready to take target practice before Youth weekend hunt.
So, Jack and I took to the Mandy shooting house yesterday, sat in some wind that was quite chilly for Southeast, and enjoyed our fill of Starburst, Dum Dums, and cough drops for me! It was not a big one but Jack placed a late, late afternoon perfect shot with a 7mm 08. Deer dropped in its tracks.
Was supposed to be warmer yesterday but it was quite chilly. At one point we pinned up a camo window to block some of the wind.
Just before the deer showed up I had Jack stand in the corner where he was protected from the wind. He was quite the good trooper.
Back at home we are discussing the hunt with big brother, and they both are excited about NOW going after Mr. Big.
So, Jack and I took to the Mandy shooting house yesterday, sat in some wind that was quite chilly for Southeast, and enjoyed our fill of Starburst, Dum Dums, and cough drops for me! It was not a big one but Jack placed a late, late afternoon perfect shot with a 7mm 08. Deer dropped in its tracks.
Was supposed to be warmer yesterday but it was quite chilly. At one point we pinned up a camo window to block some of the wind.
Just before the deer showed up I had Jack stand in the corner where he was protected from the wind. He was quite the good trooper.
Back at home we are discussing the hunt with big brother, and they both are excited about NOW going after Mr. Big.
Last edited:
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
It was back to FISH HABITAT work for a few days recently. I put 8 Christmas trees under my pier and sunk 8 more with concrete blocks out in front. That was a process to get them delivered.
I used tractor FEL to load them onto my "Tom Sawyer / Huck Finn" inspired raft.
Once loaded I used a 12 foot pole to push raft to the right spot and dropped them off.
I learned from the last trip out that the 12 foot pole will not reach the bottom of the lake, so this time I attached a rope so I could just pull myself back to shore.
In other news still some bucks (weird racked bucks) hanging around the Bull Pen. And Jack and I are headed there on Monday afternoon.
And this pictures tells me the bucks will continue to hang around.
I used tractor FEL to load them onto my "Tom Sawyer / Huck Finn" inspired raft.
Once loaded I used a 12 foot pole to push raft to the right spot and dropped them off.
I learned from the last trip out that the 12 foot pole will not reach the bottom of the lake, so this time I attached a rope so I could just pull myself back to shore.
In other news still some bucks (weird racked bucks) hanging around the Bull Pen. And Jack and I are headed there on Monday afternoon.
And this pictures tells me the bucks will continue to hang around.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
IN THE MOMENT
I celebrated a Birthday on Monday by hunting with Jack at the Bull Pen. Felt like a great day but no whitetail action. Heard one shot close and we thought the big deer might have met his bullet. Turns out he was back on camera last night.
The grandkids always create a unique birthday card for poppa. This year's version was mostly related to hunting.
Of course, Camille is into hearts and rainbows:
Jack highlighted that we would spend my birthday in the deer stand:
But Robert (the 13 year old) included a phrase that was so meaningful and got to me a bit.
"helping me know what to do in the moment"
Ain't that cool! Indeed we sit and sit and wait, and how important it is to be ready "in the moment"
I celebrated a Birthday on Monday by hunting with Jack at the Bull Pen. Felt like a great day but no whitetail action. Heard one shot close and we thought the big deer might have met his bullet. Turns out he was back on camera last night.
The grandkids always create a unique birthday card for poppa. This year's version was mostly related to hunting.
Of course, Camille is into hearts and rainbows:
Jack highlighted that we would spend my birthday in the deer stand:
But Robert (the 13 year old) included a phrase that was so meaningful and got to me a bit.
"helping me know what to do in the moment"
Ain't that cool! Indeed we sit and sit and wait, and how important it is to be ready "in the moment"
Merle Hawggard
Well-Known Member
Awesome card and kids Lak!
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Last weekend of the season coming up and I have one excited 10 year old who is excited. Getting him out early from school on Friday and we can get in two hunts before his two basketball games on Saturday. He wants to get a buck! Green fields are shot and not much activity there so I am trying to get us in the WOODS. Don't have a good stand for him there so trying to create one.
So, I used my tractor FEL and box blade and cut a path thru the edge of the clear cut.
This leads to the edge of the Bull Pen woods where the land drops off into a deep gulley, with good woods to the right and across the gulley. So I took my Ol' Man climbing stands and attached to some trees at top of hill, one for him and one for me. Since we are at the top we will only have to be 5 feet or so above the ground.
Will be a new experience for him, he will not be able to move around like in a shooting house, but should be a good new adventure. This will be his view
Here's hoping!
So, I used my tractor FEL and box blade and cut a path thru the edge of the clear cut.
This leads to the edge of the Bull Pen woods where the land drops off into a deep gulley, with good woods to the right and across the gulley. So I took my Ol' Man climbing stands and attached to some trees at top of hill, one for him and one for me. Since we are at the top we will only have to be 5 feet or so above the ground.
Will be a new experience for him, he will not be able to move around like in a shooting house, but should be a good new adventure. This will be his view
Here's hoping!
Finally! The woods are where it's at!
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
I thought you would like that
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Thanks dogghr. Their excitement has definitely given me a new spark to make our land the best it can be.
buckhunter10
Well-Known Member
love all the updates! sometimes when deer season ends, it is a nice feeling to focus on other stufff!
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
In a separate thread I described my process of applying lime to the Bull Pen and Mandy Hollow food plots. Was a challenge for an oversize spreader and an undersize tractor but got it applied, scratched the soil a bit with a disc, and have had some good rains. Hoping for some "lush" food plots next fall.
Lime delivery in my area is "one size fits all" so I got 27 tons. Of course I did not need that much but I have a new neighbor whose pasture has probably never been limed. He was eager to use about 25%. That helped with the costs.
My neighbor also wanted me to help him load some red cedar logs he had cut from a couple of trees that had fallen. The "undersize tractor" was back in business, and created a load for his truck.
He took them to a guy with a saw and who makes shooting houses, So he now has a 4x6 shooting house the smells like a cedar closet!
Meanwhile, I do what I do this time of the year! Thank goodness it got warm enough to put them in the sun.
Lime delivery in my area is "one size fits all" so I got 27 tons. Of course I did not need that much but I have a new neighbor whose pasture has probably never been limed. He was eager to use about 25%. That helped with the costs.
My neighbor also wanted me to help him load some red cedar logs he had cut from a couple of trees that had fallen. The "undersize tractor" was back in business, and created a load for his truck.
He took them to a guy with a saw and who makes shooting houses, So he now has a 4x6 shooting house the smells like a cedar closet!
Meanwhile, I do what I do this time of the year! Thank goodness it got warm enough to put them in the sun.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Springtime Update
although I am not sure it is safe yet to use the term "springtime". It has been weird down in the Heart of Dixie (is it still ok to say Dixie?)
Temps have varied from low 30s to high 80s. February gave us some of the warmest temps of spring, but now, after tax day, we seem to be headed toward growing season.
For the most part my spring update is a "tree update". I have planted many trees since 2013--sawtooth oaks, pears, chestnuts and pines. The growth and healthy green of these trees caught my attention on Monday.
Chestnutts Wayne got us all started with chestnut trees and then went to the dogs. I am sure he will come around again soon and give guidance to their care. I have no idea how soon to expect nuts, but my trees are looking good.
Pears For three years in a row I saved seeds from some good, tasty pears, and sprouted little trees from them. The early trees (planted in 2013) have produced for three years now, but with small ornamental type pears. Tried my hand at grafting on some of them but was not successful. So I may just let the trees be what they will be. No doubt they are healthy. Here are samples from oldest to newest:
Sawtooth Really hoping for some acorns on these 2013 planted trees. They show some good health this year
These are my best of the group, and I just love this picture (I looked at these trees closely hoping to find some burrs)
Pond is Full It has been awhile since the Bull Pen pond was full.
Poppa's favorite pastime After I got my maters planted I was able to slip away to visit my grandsons in Chapel Hill, NC. It is always fun for poppa to hang out with them.
I was able to take in three ball games with Ben (all Mr. Cool needs is a bag of sunflower seeds)
Because of school schedules I am always able to spend more time with my buddy, two year old Andrew. He and I spent some time on the deck, and he got a kick with us making a town out of boxes and bottles in the recycle box. We did it one morning and then he requested we "play town" again the next morning. Of course, Poppa obliged.
although I am not sure it is safe yet to use the term "springtime". It has been weird down in the Heart of Dixie (is it still ok to say Dixie?)
Temps have varied from low 30s to high 80s. February gave us some of the warmest temps of spring, but now, after tax day, we seem to be headed toward growing season.
For the most part my spring update is a "tree update". I have planted many trees since 2013--sawtooth oaks, pears, chestnuts and pines. The growth and healthy green of these trees caught my attention on Monday.
Chestnutts Wayne got us all started with chestnut trees and then went to the dogs. I am sure he will come around again soon and give guidance to their care. I have no idea how soon to expect nuts, but my trees are looking good.
Pears For three years in a row I saved seeds from some good, tasty pears, and sprouted little trees from them. The early trees (planted in 2013) have produced for three years now, but with small ornamental type pears. Tried my hand at grafting on some of them but was not successful. So I may just let the trees be what they will be. No doubt they are healthy. Here are samples from oldest to newest:
Sawtooth Really hoping for some acorns on these 2013 planted trees. They show some good health this year
These are my best of the group, and I just love this picture (I looked at these trees closely hoping to find some burrs)
Pond is Full It has been awhile since the Bull Pen pond was full.
Poppa's favorite pastime After I got my maters planted I was able to slip away to visit my grandsons in Chapel Hill, NC. It is always fun for poppa to hang out with them.
I was able to take in three ball games with Ben (all Mr. Cool needs is a bag of sunflower seeds)
Because of school schedules I am always able to spend more time with my buddy, two year old Andrew. He and I spent some time on the deck, and he got a kick with us making a town out of boxes and bottles in the recycle box. We did it one morning and then he requested we "play town" again the next morning. Of course, Poppa obliged.
