With each passing day I can smell Fall is on its way. Oh, and we all know what that means! The dog days of Summer are now in their final countdown to the Fall hunting season. I was fortunate in drawing my Buck and Doe tags, although will hunt the general Bull Elk rifle season because of not drawing that tag. Oh well, just more points for next year increasing my odds of being drawn.
The ODFW has not yet decided if there will be a Sage Grouse season or not. That will be determined next week with the hunt beginning Sept. 6 thru 14 and most likely, the limit of 2 birds per person for the entire hunt. It is a controlled hunt with a limited amount of tags issued. I put in last year and drew tags for the Wagontire area.
Jet and I had a blast and hope we get to do it again this year. It was our first time last year and you should've seen my girl once she figured out what it was we were going after. Even though it was a warm morning with no precipitation for weeks prior and cruising the dusty sage brush flats, after she got a whiff and put 2 and 2 together she was all over'em. They are a challenging bird to hunt. Being ground dwellers they have incredible survival instincts. The birds we flushed got up a long ways away and high enough to just clear the tops of the sage brush. All in stealth mode too, not even a peep. Occasionally one might hear their wing beats from the initial jump into the air. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled and go in silence. Somehow I had no way of conveying this "stealth" mode to Jet regarding her heavy breathing and increased heart rate. So I just had to do my best to keep up and be ready cause she was doin' her thing! In about 3 hours we had our 2 bird season limit. Jet flushed and was grinning from ear to ear with both retrieves. The shots were long, about 45 yards and I was thankful to be shooting lead. Both clean kills and young birds. I crock potted them and they were delicious. Often folks say to pluck the bird etc. and add some veggies, spices and after cooking, then throw away the birds and eat the rest. Actually mine were good crocked with some other stuff. I will post the recipe this month.
So what are you getting ready to hunt first this season? Perhaps bow season is underway and or LOP (land owner preference) for big game. Or your like me and doing some upland, then mix in a little big game eventually ending up waterfowling from late Oct. thru Jan. 2009. For those that has already gotten a little bloody, congratulations and I can hardly wait! Be safe out there and know your target.
Women's Hunting Journal Integrity For The Hunt
6 comments:
Oh Terry, I'm getting the same feeling as you! We've had a couple days of poofy clouds that make me think of fall, and cooler mornings, and I just spent last night at the state's legislative trap and skeet shoot, and my shoulder is bruised, and I am itching for ducks. How many days now will it be until I can take out my waders???
Your last sentence is so important and I hope everyone remembers it. So many accidents could be avoided if people concentrated on being safe.
Sounds like you guys had a good hunt last year, and the grouse in the crockpot sounds yummy. My Dad does pheasant in the crockpot and it is wonderful. It has become our traditional Christmas dinner.
Kristine thank you for your comments. I was saddened to hear last week, of a hiker in Washington state who was accidentally shot and killed by a young bear hunter who was with his father. Tragic for sure and safety first is of absolute priority regarding all firearms.
Awesome - I can't wait,either! Good luck on all your tags. I drew Owyhee Unit archery for antelope and it opens Aug. 27th! Then archery elk during the month of Sept. and then I drew a Beulah Unit rifle tag for deer - Gonna be a great year!
Tom, good luck to you too. Bet you'll see some sheep on your goat hunt. Have fun and do you have any good cookie recipes for your hunt? I am a cookie a-holic. A girls gotta have her sweets!
We're getting ready for hunting season around here too! Dove is first - that starts in September.
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