This abrupt cold weather has become relatively uncommon for late November and early December, but I have a long memory. The earliest time I’ve ever ice fished was on December 8. Without taking chances, Bob May and I might get in a day before that longstanding record.
In the late 1970s, it was common to ice-fish Monroe Reservoir for most of the winter. The ice thickness often exceeded 20 inches. These days, I’ve been accused of drilling a dozen or more holes. Back then, I ice-fished with a friend who had a bad heart. Then, I drilled only four holes.
For the most part, I’m still hunting deer. The Indiana muzzleloader season opens this weekend.
On my first go on the firearms season, I missed a good buck, while hunting buddy Gary Cloud harvested a big doe. Heavy rains drove us home, but I did return.
I sat in my favorite spot for a morning hunt, but only saw one deer. About 11 am, I shouldered my rifle and headed for my truck. About 60 yards up the hill, I jumped a covey of deer.
One doe stopped in front of a big cedar tree. I quickly found her in my scope and squeezed the trigger. The deer collapsed at the shot. This is the first deer I’ve harvested on the property in 20 years. The population has jumped appreciably and needs to be thinned.
I took my time and did a thorough job of field dressing. After dragging the doe about 50 yards, I called the property manager. He soon arrived in his ATV. He is a stout man and, without any help, tossed the deer in the back of the Gator.
This is the easiest harvest of my lifetime. My friend transferred the doe to my truck’s tailgate. I drove to a spigot where he attached a hose and helped me clean the body cavity.
From there, I drove 18 miles to the Cloud hunting cabin, where two deer were hanging on the logpole. Friends Matt and Joe killed those two. Gary Cloud had gone home. Brother Carl was still there.
Carl Cloud came up with an idea that I really liked. He said, “These guys are going home. Let’s have them drop your deer off at Gary’s. He will skin, butcher, and package the deer so you can continue to hunt.”
The next morning, I was sitting behind the big cedar where I shot the deer. Predators had consumed the gut pile overnight. After a long wait, a small buck came up the hill. He stared at me for a long time. He moved to the other side of the cedar and moved closer. I was taking short breaths, knowing any movement would spook him.
Better get to know your predators, buddy. I may like your headgear next year.
The young buck was the only deer I would see for the rest of the day. I had hunted the area in such a way that they were aware of my presence and would not return for a few days, if not weeks.
I went back to the Cloud cabin to hunt the afternoon. This was the beginning of our current cold snap.
The coldest air of the season was upon us, with snow moving in. This evening, I saw one doe and two dogs. These greyhound-sized dogs have run a pot of deer off the property.
I saw nothing the next morning. Gary saw two deer, and Carl didn’t see any. I decided not to trust the weather and headed for home.
I still have a chance at a big buck and might shoot another doe during the muzzleloader season.
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