Danny31005

Well, I had the opportunity to go out hunting for the first time this year. I had Monday evening and all day Tuesday to hunt. Since we had a guest up from FL, I did the sportsman like act and allowed him to have first choice of spots. Well, he choose the spot I really wanted, but hey, that's life. He sat on a stand just inside the woods on the border of our alfalfa field. I proceeded to take the stand at the back of the alfalfa field. I climbed the tree and was setting up when I felt several stings on my hand. FIRE ANTS!!!! The rascals had gotten into the tubes of my climbing stand and were every where! I came down from that tree in record time. Now what do I do??? I decided to pull the stand from the tree and get rid of the ants. Then I thought I could slip in and set up over a tall grassy area between the woods and some planted pines which border the alfalfa. There was plenty of sign there, but I really felt it was too close to our guests, so I just found a place to sit on the ground and watch the field. I was still close enough to hear the guest take a shot about 6:40 and even heard the deer running after the shot. Shortly after that, I began to see dee in the field. I ended up moving into a briar and grass patch. On 3 different occassions I had deer within range, but I just didn't have enough cover. I couldn't believe at one time I had a nice 8 point that was nearly in position for a shot, when I looked behind him, there were 2 more wide racked 8 points and a heavy beamed 10 point. GEEZ, what I would have given to have been in my stand. They were within 30 yards of it!!!! Oh well, even though I never got a shot fired, it was an exciting hunt! Oh, the guest did end up getting 2 does and yesterday evening, I moved my stand and had another opportunity on the smaller 8 point again at under 15 yards. After looking him over, I decided he needs another year to grow. There are too many larger bucks that I'm going to try for. No shots fired, but still it was good to be in the woods!

trapperDave

I sure am glad we dont have fire ants here! Would be nice to have that many deer though!! There were only about 300 deer harvested in each of the 3 counties I hunt and big bucks are hard to find.They are here but they sure dont hit the fields till well after dark. Sounds like you'll be eating fresh venison in no time,good luck.

Tazman

Danny it still sounds like an over all eventful day, I am sure you could have done without them fire ants. I am glad we don't have them in Va. We have some with a painful bite, but from what I have heard fireants are vicous!!!

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

Danny31005

Trust me, those little suckers do hurt!!! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> However, I think the episode did make me look at another spot and I did find where the big boys are traveling to get into the fields and the pasture. Given time and hunting when the wind is right, I should get an opportunity at them again. The field will be producing until we get a frost and that should be several weeks away. I just really have to watch when and how I go in to prevent disturbing the boys while they are bedded down. The 8 point yesterday evening never knew he was within 15 yards of me! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>