Opening day of Hunting Season……
Although I knew that today was not going to be the best day to go hunting I still had to get myself up at 4am and head out for at least a couple hours on opening day. I haven’t missed going out on the first day of hunting season in a very long time. With a forecast for a hot and sunny day the likelihood was that the dear and moose would only move around for no more than a couple hours after sun up. Driving out in the dark to my starting spot I was discouraged that I didn’t see any critters along the route. I arrived at my destination, parked the truck and waited for first light.
When it got light enough to be able to see through my scope I walked up over the ridge and proceeded to the area I wanted to hunt. Took a couple pretty cool pictures from the top of the ridge. Within 10 minutes I spotted a small group of Mule deer, three does and what I was pretty sure was a buck. I worked in a little closer and could see that it was indeed a small three point buck. I immediately decided this buck was not the one I was looking for, so I moved off with the deer undisturbed. I walked slowly and quietly along for several hundred more yards and came past a favourite swamp of mine. As always it seems, there was a moose feeding. Turned out it was a big cow and with them not being open I just watched her for several minuets and then continued on my way. After walking for another mile or so, again I spotted some Mule deer moving down a gully. I quickly moved into a good ambush point and waited for them. The three deer walked to within a few feet of me, another picture taken of one of the does, but the buck was a two point and again wasn’t what I was looking for.
After seeing a couple more does and covering about another mile, I decided to head back to the truck and just drive into a few spots, scout them for next weekend and then head for home. The heat from the sun was really starting to climb and I only saw one Black Bear a couple does and a few Grouse as I toured around. I am having Grouse for supper tonight by the way…
.. got three with my .22 . All and all it was a pretty great first morning of hunting season. I saw lots of critters on an absolutely beautiful morning to be out and about in the bush, that’s my definition of a great day hunting.