They know when you can't

[Graham]

We moved from NW Arkansas to SW Missouri earlier this year. Every year we go to stay with friends who live just south of Bull Shoals Lake for Thanksgiving. In previous years I have hunted their property for deer, but the non-resident deer tag was too much for my wallet this year, so I paid for a five day small game license. They have some big fox squirrels there in the thick woodland that surrounds their property, so it was going to be a job for the 12 ga.
Yesterday I finally managed to bag a nice buck squirrel.
This morning I went out for an hour or two before we set off for home. I was getting ready and my wife called me over to the window. There was three or four deer walking up through the trees in front of the house. We watched them for a few minutes and then they disappeared into the wood.
I set off up the hill behind the house and then circled around, following the fence line down into the valley below the house. At the bottom is a stream, and I was just stepping across it when I saw movement to my right. It was the same deer that we had seen at the house. I recognized them because the matriarch was a lot darker than the others. There were in fact six nice does and a yearling. The dark one had come out first and was standing no more than ten feet from me as she watched the others come out onto the track. I just stayed dead still. and waited to see what would happen. I wasn't using any descent and I had showered using normal shower gel, so according to the experts she couldn't help but know I was there. Right?
Wrong. She and the others stood there a good minute or so before she happened to look my way and decided the tree standing in the middle of the stream holding a shotgun wasn't there the last time she passed this way.
She turned face on to me and cocked her head one way then the other, stamped her feet, then cocked her head some more. Then all of a sudden a gust of wind blew and moved my gun sling and they were all off over the fence. I just stood there and chuckled for a moment, knowing that if I'd had a deer tag and my bow I could have easily taken my choice of at least four of them. But I guess they knew that I was holding a shotgun with only #6 shells and I didn't have a deer tag.

[foxfiredidit]

Great story. A rewarding experience even without making a kill. That's is one of the best things about that sort of hunting that I like. Sometimes it really doesn't matter about closing the deal on a buck or doe. It is just being there.

Hey, about those fox squirrels, what colors do you have? I was out the other day and came upon one that was jet black all over. That is not unusual but they are less common than the red & gray, or even the black with whilte on it's head. Takes much more patience here to get a fox squirrel than the regular gray tree rodents. They live predominantly in the really tall cone producing pines, especially the longleaf pine areas, and are the masters at hiding once they catch sight of you.

[Graham]

In that particular woodland the fox squirrels are gray when you see them head on, but turn a brilliant ginger when seen from the back, where you can see their underfur. I did see one the same morning that looked a deep chocolate brown color. I watched it through the binoculars and it seemed to change shades as the sun hit it. I was too far for a shot and it disappeared when I tried to get closer.
I'm pretty good at skinning them out for meat, but I'm going to practice case skinning in the future so I can save the pelts.

[pheasantplucker]

I have more experience in "no deer" than in "yes deer". (I've only taken a total of five deer in my life, but have hunted hundreds of hours and dozens of times.) Despite that, I always consider it a success. Just being out there in all the splendor and awe makes it worthwhile.
Seeing deer, or fox or hawks or geese, is icing on the cake.

[foxfiredidit]

Pheasantplucker, this is my diet for much of the time, I call it "Track Stew". Aint much nutrition in it. Your are right....."Seeing deer, or fox,
or hawks or geese, is icing on the cake."



Not bad for a phone camers, this is the leading edge
of a cold front moving south.



And this is a view of the piney woods about daybreak.

[braggscowboy]

Great picture! Same with fishing, one does not have to catch fish to enjoy fishing. I always hunt knowing I will not kill one unless the mood hits me. This year, I decided to take one. Good luck!

[Graham]

The therapeutic value of a morning in the woods or on the lake is far better than any shrink's couch. No matter if I have harvested a creature or fish, or come back empty handed. I come back calm, recharged and grateful I have the privilege to do so.
BTW That photo of the piney woods is awesome.

[OkieDavid]

I have had stands where it seemed like the area was overflowing with squirells so I decide to "thin the herd" a little. Trade the deer rifle in for the 22 and NEVER see a squirell but plenty of deer. All you can do is enjoy the opportunity you have been given. I subscribe to the theory that every hour spent in the woods isn't subtracted from the time we have in this life.......