Friday, November 21, 2008

Great White Hunters


Good news, I have My Maine Man back!

Now it is my turn take a few strolls out in to the wood searching for the infamous "White Tail". I am not much of a hunter but I usually go out a few times a year because I know it makes John happy. Back in my 20's I took a hunter's safety course and John took it right along with me although he did not need it. I vividly remember how much the instructors razed me because I was of the opposite sex. Before buying this place John always purchased my annual hunting license. Now I get to hunt with a land owners permit and the sweetest part about that is, there are No costs involved and I can shoot buck or doe if I ever get the opportunity.

In years to come both of our kids will be able to take advantage of their lifetime hunting, fishing, and archery licenses.

Anyway, this is probably the 8 or 9th season I have went out but I've yet to see a deer while I am hunting until TODAY! I must say I was a LITTLE EXCITED! We were both off and I had plans: cleaning house, heading the gym, and picking up a few groceries until John started hinting around that he wanted to take me out hunting. I must admit, I really had NO interest in going out back and freezing my toots off to come back empty handed as ALWAYS! (That is nobodies fault but my own because I do not put my time in.) So I bundled myself up and went towards the back forty. Just a few minutes after I got to my designated area I heard something. A deer ran just in front of me through the brush. I stood up, took my gun off safety (heart beating about 200 beats per minute) and then I did not know what to do. My gut instinct was to run after the deer as it looked like it might be heading for the field but I froze for fear that the right thing was to stay still which I had already screwed up on. Regardless it was exciting and I feel now that I do have hope and with a bit more effort I may shoot one some day.

I am glad that I blew off my initial plans and instead went out hunting with John. It was refreshing to feel the cool fall air against my cheeks, take notice of the different scents in the air, and admire the change in scenery since the last time I was in the woods . As I sat quietly I noticed so much more than I do when I am out for a walk. I was aware of every breath I took, the nest in the tree, the sound of the wind, the trees rubbing against one another, some birds chattering from a distance. SO SERENE!

We also had a good laugh. Before we headed out I pumped myself with some diet pepsi. ( I know I said in a previous post I quit but...I fell off the wagon) Caffeine goes right through me so we had to make a few pit stops. I successfully made it through the first but the second stop did not go so smooth. I am cold-blooded so I wear LOTS of layers. I took off my orange vest, camo jacket, wool sweater, hooded sweatshirt all to undo my overalls (which are the ONLY pair of pants that I can fit long john's under), to pull down my camo pants, overalls, and long john's all to just briefly relieve myself (if I was only a guy). A second later John says "your gonna pee on your straps" followed by the snap of the branch that I was holding onto and I fell backwards somehow catching myself but in a very awkward position. We both bellowed out in laughter and my Maine Man held out his hand and assisted me back to my feet.

I AM SO GLAD I WENT OUT HUNTING!

12 comments:

Country Chick said...

Good job! I thought you were going to say you shot one!!! Darn it!!
I wish we could have gone out hunting today... we had to go to a funeral for my great uncle and then the kids were home at 1:30 on early dismissal.... well, I should say I wish we both could have gone out hunting... John did go but didn't see anything... talk soon!

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

It's so unfair, all that work just to pee! Luckily MM was there to help out. ;)

Sounds like the deer got lucky this time, next time maybe not.

Don said...

How fun that you have a place where you can do just about anything you want.

I read about a growing group of football fans who wear Depends to the games so they can just relieve themselves whenever they get the urge! Hmmmmm, for some reason, I just can't picture you joining that crowd...

GreyWolf said...

So glad that you enjoyed "the thrill of the hunt". Your post was a great hunting story and I am so glad that you posted it.
It is not important that you didn't get a deer, as long as you had a good time and a memorable story to tell.
And your classic "potty break" tale is found where ever hunters gather. Many a deer has escaped while the hunter is answering natures call. And many hunters have experienced your same dilema while squatting in the woods.
Maybe you can get your MM to build a few outhouses along your hunting route next summer. I know of one hunter with IBS who customized a plastic toilet seat on a 5 gallon plastic pail lined with a garbage bag and used it as a combination seat and port-a-potty. He even covered the pail with camo-cloth and added shoulder straps to wear it like a backpack. Sounds like a better solution than Depends to me.

Anonymous said...

Glad you have your man back! I'm tagging you for a meme.

Amy

Anonymous said...

"It was refreshing to feel the cool fall air against my cheecks, take notice of the different scents in the air, and admire the change in scenery..." - this in itself, is a great reason to be out in the woods early in the morning during this time of year.

Your bladder-relief episode is hilarious! Good for you for going out there, Kim!

Have a nice Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

What a great story! It captures so much of the spirit of hunting and being outdoors that many people don't understand. I had a similar experience on turkeys years ago... called and called- then three of them ran right up on me and I just stared at them as they rushed off a few seconds later. I'll never forget it. I haven't taken a deer yet this year, but there's a few days left. And annual licenses for the kids? What a great idea. Enjoy the season!

Country Girl said...

JANINE, THANKS. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SHOOT ONE! SORRY ABOUT YOUR UNCLE.

NITA, I AGREE. I HOPE SOME DAY I GET ONE.

DON, IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE. I COULD NEVER GO AS FAR AS WEARING DEPENDS. I JUST NEED TO DRESS SMARTER AND HOD OFF ON THE CAFFEINE.

THANKS GREYWOLF. IT IS FUNNY YOU SAY THAT ABOUT DEER ESCAPING WHILE YOUR TAKING A PEE BREAK BECAUSE THAT DAY WHILE JOHN WAS GOING THERE WAS ONE CREEPING ALL AROUND HIM - HE'S TAGGED OUT THOUGH.

AMY, THANKS, I'LL CHECK IT OUT.

LANCE, AS I WAS READING THE QUOTE YOU MADE ME REALIZE I SPELLED
CHEEKS WRONG...OOPS, MY LAP TOP DOESN'T CATCH SPELLING ERRORS. I NEED TO FIX THAT.
REGARDLESS, IT WAS GREAT FUN AND I LOVE BEING OUT IN THE WOODS AND FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS LAND! YOU HAVE A NICE THANKSGIVING TOO!

BEAU, THANKS FOR LEAVING A COMMENT.
THE LIFETIME LICENSE IS GREAT. SO GLAD WE BOUGHT THEM FOR THEM.

Morgan said...

COOL! you went huting I get to go next year!

Rabid Outdoorsman said...

Great story . . . but I had my hopes up on a big buck picture when I read the title!

Good luck time still remains!

Danni said...

You know, years ago when I was married to a man who made me go on death hikes (can you surmise we are not married any more?), he wanted to buy me this little funnel-type device. Have you seen those? Supposedly it allows women to, um, pee...just like men. Standing up and everything.
Your diet pepsi story just cracked me up. :-)

Country Girl said...

RO, I WISH I GOT A BIG ONE TOO!:
FG, THAT IS FUNNY, I WOULDN'T GO THAT FAR.