Time To Turn The Lights Out

Let me give you a little history. This blog site was created as an attempt to pay honor to the greatness of hunting, to the beauty of the animals we pursue, and to encourage the involvement of youth, wives, and "new blood" into the outdoor lifestyle. It started as a local connection for friends and family to let each other know what was happening around the area after the break-up of a once successful & fairly large deer contest that was centered through the "Garage"...but that's another story. Little did I know how popular and widespread this site would become with followers from around the country.

A little more history about myself. Those who know me know that I am a bit different and to be honest, there are very few people who truly know me, for I am very independent, somewhat reclusive, and withhold the real me in order to fit in a bit better. But something happened along the way that often seemed to make me the center of many people's lives. I've become a teacher to so many, the guy that you can count on for anything, anytime, and I became a friend who puts others' needs before his own. For those of you who know me, my ramblings may make sense; to those who don't, I apologize for taking this time to get some things off my chest.

Let me explain. I grew up running any patch of timber that I could find. I studied & learned every mannerism of the creatures of the timber to the point that I knew what a squirrel was going to do before he did; I understood what it meant when a deer flicked its tail a certain way...the timber was & remains a sacred place to me. I lived by a code to enter & leave the timber w/ reverence & respect, give more than you take, only kill what you can use, only kill what you have earned, and be the most efficient killer possible. I set immensely high standards for myself because of my respect for the land where only "perfect" shots were to be taken and executed...anything less was unacceptable. Every animal and life was to be treated w/ the utmost respect and I truly believed that every animal was a trophy and should be treated as such...whether it was an 80# doe or a 170" buck, they represented the same thing to me...an honorable life taken. I offered a prayer of thanks for every squirrel, every rabbit, & every deer. This was the life I knew.

Somewhere along the way I lost my way. How exactly it happened I cannot explain but I opened up my life to others and the life that I knew became consumed by putting so many things before myself & my lifestyle; my nature (or the oddity of it) seemed to attract a lot of people's interest, and I have to admit these same people often left me feeling used up and misunderstood. I may have understood squirrels but I didn't know shit about human nature...I tried to fit in, to be "normal" but basically it has only left me empty, filled w/ regrets and feelings bordering hatred for hunting. I basically have quit hunting because I am faced with being so many things to so many people. I have quit being in awe of a set of antlers because of everyone's addiction to scores/size and what they are willing to do to get them, & I have lost my reverence for hunting after seeing so many deer die without the honor & ethics that I hold dear.

Through my open door policy of deer contests and the "Garage" itself, I have seen the highs & lows of hunting. Remember, I opened my doors to try to be a positive influence in the hunting world...to pass on what knowledge I may have. There's not much that has made me happier than being a part of a young child harvesting his first squirrel, introducing many to the wonders of springtime turkey hunting and being able to see my wife & daughter develop into the hunters that they are. There are many great things and great people in our sport. But I also have to admit that there are far too many things that I have seen over the years that make me sick and ashamed to call myself a fellow hunter. It saddens me to remember a boy's smile and pride fade from his face as another "respected" hunter laughed at the buck's size; it pierces my heart to have heard so many deer condemned as worthless because they didn't have a large crown of horns even though the hunter who shot the deer hunted well and killed the animal with one well-placed shot while the "big" buck gets all the glory even though the hunter harvested it in far less than an ethical manner. It saddens me to have heard so many stories of deer lost or wounded & hear no remorse unless it was some "trophy" lost. I wish I had never heard a hunter utter "it was just a doe" when describing the animal he had shot poorly and lost or that "there's too many deer anyway".  I'm not perfect, no one is and even the best screw up or have something bad happen. But why is it so common for people to fling an arrow at a moving buck at 40 yards when they are only accurate out to 20...why is it so common for people to shoot more shots during deer season than they do at the practice range, if they practice at all? I am sorry for my ignorance & I am not judging. I simply don't understand much of this hunting world I now find myself in and being the annoited "center" of this area's hunting universe has exposed me to too many things that I just don't agree with and just don't want to know about.

So that's where I am at. Instead of enjoying the hunting season, I have come to looking forward to it being over. I really don't care how others live their lives or the choices they make with the exception of having it thrown in my face every day for all these years. Too long it's left me frustrated & too long I have just accepted that this is the way its done. I've had my moments where I couldn't hold it in anymore & let my emotions rage out at someone and I regret my actions even if my words were true and honest. Simply put, I have learned that I can't fight it anymore...I just don't fit in.  I've ignored my convictions of what I believe to be right or wrong for too long and simply put, I shouldn't and can't expect others to care or respect as deeply as I do nor should their actions affect me so. I honestly don't believe that I am better than anyone else...quite the opposite, I nearly always feel as if I have failed to give enough, work hard enough and my successes are often short lived and overridden by my perceived failures and drive to do better...I can miss hitting the center of a deer's heart by a mere two inches and be disappointed by my lack of skill in the moment...it's this perfectionistic nature that has caused me to struggle with being overwhelmed with all of these new-found hunting relationships or just flat out failing at dealing with some of them. 

So, this will be my last post here in Grissoms' Garage.  While I have so many good memories and met so many great individuals over the years, it is time for me to slide back into the shadows and follow these feelings of needing to return to where I am most comfortable...alone when I need to be. Return to "ghosting" through the timbers w/ my girls by my side. To return to quiet nights & watching a sunset with a clear mind. To return to living life the best way I know how...it is time for me to be me again. Thank you to all those who have been followers and have spoken so many kind words of support over the last year or so. I wish you all the best in your hunting endeavors and I wish you all the success in however you choose to float this river called life. 

Back to Skulls...

Well, it's back to working on skulls for awhile...here's a couple finished up tonight.  One of the priviledges of this "business" is being able to see & handle the antlers of so many fine animals and to be a small part of everyone's hunt.

Catching Up on a Couple More Deer from the Weekend

 Here's a couple of deer that we missed posting the other day.  Here's Joe with his button buck & Tyler w/ his nine pointer.  I'm proud of Tyler because he has been beating himself up over the year's w/ his lack of success and his expectations of killing a "wall hanger".  I think that it finally sunk in that a trophy isn't measured in inches of bone but by the hunt itself and the way that you conduct yourself during the pursuit.  The result has been his harvest of his previous buck & two does w/ his bow & finally this great 9 pt with his shotgun.  Keep them coming Ty....hunting is a lot easier when you're actually enjoying yourself.

The Grissoms' First Season Results

First Gun Season at the Grissoms found Ginger filling her second buck tag with this 9-point buck.  Ginger made an incredible shot directly behind the shoulder with her .54 flintlock rifle at 70 yards.  This guy came plowing in barely giving Ginger enough time to swing her rifle up before he stopped broadside.  Great job Ginger. 

We were fortunate enough to get to take Skyler out every day this season -- which means that Ginger and I don't get to primarily hunt for ourselves, but are hunting with Skyler's success primarily in mind.  For that reason, both Ginger and I at separate times hunted with no rifle at all hoping to be of best help to allow Skyler an opportunity at a deer.  However, a deer for Skyler just wasn't in the cards this season.  Skyler was a trooper hunting with us the entire day Friday, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.  Both Ginger and I had some close calls where Skyler's chance to fill her tag was so close we could almost taste it, but unfortunately none of the situations worked out.  On Saturday morning Ginger and Skyler were sitting together on the ground when a group of deer came running in.  The deer were only 50 yards away but they stopped in an area where Skyler had too much brush to take an ethical shot.  Without any prodding from Ginger, Skyler made the decision that she would not take the shot that could end in a wounded deer.  We are so proud of Skyler for only taking a shot when she knows it will be well placed.  We feel very strongly about being well prepared which is why we are at the shooting range several times a month throughout the year.  Skyler is always there with us and she is a better shot that many adult hunters we know.  We would rather trade a thousand wall hangers for the pride we feel in knowing we all enter the timber with good ethics, heavy training and happy hearts.  That is the only kind of hunting us Grissoms know how to do.  Here's hoping your first season was a success.

Opening Morning Around The Grissoms' Garage

Rod Weeks' buck



Megan Aring's opening morning 7-pt buck




Reid Brown's opening morning 10-pt buck

 

Megan Aring's 100# doe

Lance Dieterich's 124# doe

Joe Aring's 185# 12-pt buck

Opening Day

Opening day finds three deer hanging in the Garage...I'll follow with pictures later.  Reid Brown harvested a 160# 10 pt with one of my old, deer killin' muzzleloaders; Megan Aring harvested a 145# 7pt; and Joe filled his anterless tag.  I heard that Tyler shot a mature 9 pt while Scott Zietler took down a doe.  That's all I know of for now.  The Grissoms stayed out on stand all day and had a fairly slow day due primarily to the wind.  We all had some close calls but nothing cooperated to take a ride home in the truck.  We'll see what tomorrow brings....

A Great Cause

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Morley, who is our local rep for FHFH.  This is a national program dedicated to sportsman donating their meat to feed the less fortunate.  As their site says, one deer can feed up to 200 people (they've never seen Skyler eat deer meat).  We have three local lockers who participate in this program and they are: Woodhull Locker, The Aledo Meat Market, and Reasons Prairie Pride Meats.  So, take a look at their website and consider donating your deer to a great cause. 

A Couple More Skulls

We haven't had many deer come through the Garage with the time change cutting into people's after work hunting.  But if you have been out you know that the last week has seen great buck activity w/ chasing & breeding seemingly at its peak.  The other morning I was fortunate enough to have 11 bucks cruise within shooting range but decided to pass for now...hate to ruin a great morning by killing something.  Anyway, here's a couple more skulls that I completed tonight...a few more to complete & then I can go hunting on Friday.  Good luck to everyone during the gun season & be safe. 

Another Skull

Heather's First Deer

Ginger's dad, her brother Laramie and his girlfriend Heather all went deer hunting last week up to Northern Minnesota where Ginger was born.  Heather was able to down this great looking doe -- her first deer.  Congratulations Heather!

Lance - Deer #3

Lance brought this 110# doe into the Garage last night.

Veterans Day

Here's a unique buck that I just finished up tonight. 

Today is Veteran's Day & I want to take a moment to thank those who have served or are serving for the protection and freedom of our country.  There's rarely a day that goes by that I do not reflect upon and am grateful for the freedoms that I have to enjoy the gifts of nature and the great life that I have.  May I never lose sight of why I am who I am and how I got here...I am a proud American with immeasurable priviledges & that gift was given by countless patriots who sacrificed, suffered, & died to insure my freedoms.  When I look upon row after row of white granite headstones, I do not see just a well manicured cemetery, but I see the faces of young men in places such as Normandy, I see the tears of a mother in small town America, I see bravery & despair, and I see years lost for some of the finest men & women that this country has ever produced.  So, to you veterans and your families, may your sacrifices never be forgotten & may they never be in vain.  God Bless You & Thank You. 

Another Skull from the Garage

Joe's Archery Turkey

Joe's been plagued by turkeys this fall and after about $200 (I may be exaggerating a bit...but not much) in arrows and broadheads was able to smoke this 17#, 6.5 inch longbeard.  It's quite an accomplishment to get a turkey killed from a stand. With their eyesight and spooky nature, its tough to get one of these critters killed.  Great job Joe. 

Todd's First Doe of the Season

Ginger's friend Tammy emailed us this picture of her husband Todd with his first doe kill of the season - Congratulations Todd.

Mike's 8 Point

Mike was able to down this 142# 8 point down in Mercer County last night.

Coon Killin'...Opening Night

Whenever coon season opens up on a Friday, the boys get together for a little coon killing competition.  This year 62 coons hit the ground and congratulations to Joe, Lance, & Eric on their winning total of 23(?) coons.  There's a few less garbage cans & bird nests that will get raided now.

Ginger and Megan - Opening Night of Coon Season

While I was out chasing my own coons & Aaron stayed home to watch his flock of kids as well as ours, Megan & Ginger headed out and opened up the 2010 coon season w/ theses four coons.  Its fun to get reports of the various hunts that these two have partaken over the years because it always seems to be an adventure dominated by Ginger's giggles & Megan's cackles.  Good job girls and keep up the fun.

Anniversary Buck -- First one of the year for Ginger

I was so fortunate to get to go deer hunting Friday morning...Skyler had the day off for Parent/Teacher conferences, so that means I got the day off as well.  I knew the rut was definitely heating up from my recent days in the stand -- so I didn't want to miss out.  Just so happens that Friday morning was also my anniversary date for getting my big buck last year -- so I was hoping for a repeat.  Seems as though I have started a routine of shooting my deer only when I go out hunting alone -- don't know why that is.

First thing I had a doe and fawn come crashing in and hang out just 5 yards from my stand.  They kept looking back down the trail they came from so I assumed a buck had run them in.  Eventually they left my area and about 20 minutes later this buck arrived from the same direction the does had come.  However, he turned just short of my shooting range and started circling behind me where I don't have a lot for shooting lanes (plus, I love my safety harness -- but the tether keeps me from just being able to circle in my stand like I would like -- someone needs to improve those things :).  At the same time, I had another similarly sized buck coming from another direction.  They met just about 10 yards from my stand (directly behind me) and SLAMMED their antlers together -- they weren't messing around.  While they slammed, I drew back my bow and searched for an opening to shoot either buck.  I wasn't able to get the job done and they both ended up walking away.  However, as soon as they were far enough away -- I did a bit of grunting and this guy decided to come back for more fighting.  He circled me completely trying to come in down wind and once he got in close enough I grunted with my voice to stop him and he stopped in an opening so I could get a shot off.  He gave me a perfect broadside shot only about 15 yards away -- and my Rage Broadhead did the trick.  He crashed to his final resting spot about 75 yards away. 

I was super excited because as far as I know, I have never had a specific day -- two years in a row during bow season -- that I can say is "my day."  I can't wait until November 5th next year!  This 7 pointer weighed in at 141 pounds.  More meat to fill our tummies this year...

I have logged in over 47 hours in the stand already this year. During that time I have had the opportunity to see tons of wildlife and experience things that many people never will. I truly love my time out there!! It is one of those things that the more you do it -- the more you want to do it -- it is addictive. No wonder we wait all year for this!!

Joe's Doe #2

Here's Joe & his second doe for 2010.  His PSE X-Force & Grim Reaper combination put this 114 pounder in the Garage tonight.  Good job, Joe. 

Tyler's 8pt

Here's a pic of Tyler and his 8pt shot last night.  Because of a steep angled shot, he only caught one lung, so he left him until today, only to find that the coyotes were a more efficient tracker than he was.  Good thing they don't eat antlers, because that's about all that was left after their feast.  Congratulations Tyler on a great deer.

Klauer Boys

Here's a pic of Coe & Chase after a successful squirrel hunt w/ Coe's "new" H&R 20 gauge.  Good job boys and keep it up.

(By the way, I was down to EZ-Livin yesterday and they had this year's deer pins in stock.) 

Skulls

Here's a couple more skulls that I completed tonight.

Almost Halloween 8 pt

Here's a couple pics of the 187# 8 pt I harvested last night w/ an 8 yard shot from my Z7.  I have to indirectly thank Ginger for this deer as it was because of moving a stand for her that I got this deer.  The day started w/ me taking off early from work at 2:30 because of one of those "feelings" that this night should be special because of the forecast for the wind to finally calm down, followed by a cold, clear night.  Before Skyler's "food plot stand" was known as just that, we had hung a stand in which Ginger hunted w/ some success but she was never happy w/ its location and wanted to move the stand about 30 yards west overlooking a trail that the big boys typically used.  Well, I didn't exactly jump right on that task as we focused on hunting other areas but decided yesterday was the day.   So, down came the stand, up went the stand, some trimming of shooting lanes & up I went to test the new layout.  About an hour later, a doe & two fawns came into the food plot and fed until they worked their way directly down wind from the sweaty guy who had just recently done all the stand switching.  With a snorting exit back up the hill, I thought my night might be over so I decided to just sit back and watch some birds for the last hour...it didn't work out that way.  Just prior to last light I heard a buck rubbing a tree across the creek to my right soon followed by the approach of "my" deer from the same hillside to the left.  "My" 8pt  came out into the food plot to gorge on forage oats and w/ a single grunt call, he worked his way down this trail that Ginger has been telling me about for so long (good job on the scouting, Ginger).  With a "Grim Reaper" piercing his heart area, he ran off about 50 yards and he was down. 

Travis' Elk

I got an e-mail from Travis this morning w/ some pics of the Colorado elk he harvested last week.  Good job & congratulations on this 4 x 5...he'll be a great addition to your trophy room.   

Most Recent Skull

Here's a skull I just completed for a guy who arrowed this 150" 8pt last week.  One of the most symetrical & heavy 8 points you'll see. 

Deer Pins

Just a quick note regarding the 2010 Illinois Deer Pins...I checked the DNR website & they stated "deer pins will not be made available to vendors until mid November".  So you may as well quit asking, because they won't have them for awhile.

Lance's 1st Deer of 2010

Things continue to be slow around here as warm temperatures have deer activity down...throw in thunderstorms & dodging lighting bolts, the hunting has been less than ideal.  Despite all that, Lance was able to arrow this 135# doe & 164# 8 pt about five minutes apart this morning.  Here's hoping a cold front comes through soon so that we can finally put the T-shirts away for sweatshirts, coats, & steadier deer movement/harvests.

November 2nd Elections

I don't like to talk politics in the "Garage" but for freedom loving, gun owning individuals, November 2nd is a very important election and one in which we have a voice in returning the power to "We The People".  At Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln stated American freedom as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people"...if you haven't noticed, many if not most of our politicians seem to have forgotten these truths and its time for us gun owning "country boys & girls" to take this nation back.  And the best way we have to do that is to get off our appethetic butts and vote.  Let's face it, I believe that all politicians are crooks to some level or another, but many of these politicians are crooks who don't believe in our freedoms and want to turn this country into a socialist nation absent of guns, self dependancy, and many more of the traditional American values that my granddads fought & sacrificed for.   The least that I can do is get out and vote freedom first and I encourage you to do the same.  Below is a list for our area of pro-gun candidates (for those of you not in our area, go to the NRA website for your area's pro-gun candidates)

Governor & Lieutenant Governor - Bill Brady & Jason Plummer

Attorney General - Steve Kim (his stance is unknown but his opponent, Lisa Madigan is a staunch anti-gunner)

Sec of State - Both candidates positions are unknown

Comptroller General - Judy Baar Topinka

Treasurer - Dan Rutherford

State Senator (District 71) - Both candidates, Patrick Verschoore and Mark Lioen are pro-gun with good voting records

US Senate - Both Mark Kirk & Alexander Giannoulias suck on gun ownership issues, but I saw Obama endorse & call Giannoulias his "good" friend, therefore I don't like him.

Klauer Doe #2

If you hadn't noticed, things have been slow (killin' wise) around here.  Between warm temperatures and people starting to hold off on does & thinking more about antlers, there haven't been many tags applied lately.  However, Klauer was able to harvest this 138# doe from his farm on Sunday morning. 



Lane & Coe's First Deer

The Illinois Youth Season has come to a close & we had the pleasure of having the deer of two of our young hunters come through the garage.  These boys took the Hunter's Safety course together & it is fitting that they each harvested their first deer on the same weekend.  Lane was able to down his 102# doe w/ a 20 gauge while Coe took his 105# doe w/ a muzzleloader last night.   Over the years of opening the "Garage" up to so many hunters, I've seen the good, the bad, the highs & the lows but I don't think anything has ever made me as happy as seeing the pure joy & pride of these three young hunters as they have accomplished something so special at such a young age.  I've seen a lot of "trophies" come through here in the past, but this weekend I was truly priviledged to be included in the greatest trophies of all: Lane & Coe's first deer & Sky's first antlered buck...Congratulations.

Skyler's First Antlered Buck -- in bare feet

This is Ginger -- Paul said that I could write this post -- so bear with me.  I am not as good at telling a tale as Paul is...but here we go....

Written on Saturday night:  Whew - what a fun day!  This morning we all got up bright and early to begin the first day of Illinois' youth gun season.  Skyler was set to go out into the log blind that Paul and I built this summer and try for a deer -- any deer.  The saying this season was "if it's brown, it's down."  We agreed that in order for Skyler to have the best possible chance to get a deer, Skyler would sit with one parent at a time while the other parent waited impatiently at home.  I drew the short straw so Paul got to go out this first morning.  Paul and Skyler spooked a deer from the food plot that she would be hunting over when they walked to their setup before first light.  Paul and Skyler spent several hours waiting for her deer to come.  They had a doe come in from behind, downwind, who snorted, ran off, came back, snorted some more, etc.  Unfortunately they had no shot at this doe who was letting the entire timber know they were there.  Later they had what they described as a spike buck about 70 yards out.  Unfortunately there was no good shot to get him either.  They came home empty handed but with high spirits.  Skyler called me when they were on their way home and said that she was hunting with me this afternoon - woohoo!! 

This afternoon, Skyler and I made our way to the same stand overlooking the same food plot as Paul and Skyler hunted from this morning.  It was incredibly hot (we broke a heat record today with a high of 88 degrees) so I really didn't anticipate seeing much for deer until last light.  So we settled in -- Sky broke out her book -- and I casually looked around for deer and waited for time to pass.  It was actually so hot that I told Skyler we could take off our boots and socks for a while to cool down -- little did I know that this would mean that in a few short minutes, Skyler would shoot her first antlered buck -- barefoot. 

And...here are the Hillbillies!

After sitting for only about 20 minutes, suddenly we began to hear a deer coughing down in the creek about 60 yards away.  This creek is deep enough that deer can walk along it and we would never see them -- so the coughing was a nice warning for us to get ready in case the deer decided to come up out of the creekbed toward our set up.  I got Skyler situated with her muzzleloader and we waited...and waited...and waited.  We heard the deer cough again and it was definitely making its way down the creek.  We waited some more -- but we were afraid that this deer might just continue its journey down the creekbed if I didn't do something to make it come our way. 

By now Skyler's arms were tired so she put the gun down to rest her arms.  Skyler begged me to "call it in" and I finally thought that a few doe bleats couldn't really do any harm.  I told Skyler we needed to stay well hidden after I call 'cuz if a deer did come to the calls -- it would be lookin' hard to see the "deer" and since we were sitting on the ground we are right at their eye level to be spotted.  I did just 3 doe bleats and it didn't take long before I spotted Skyler's buck as it walked up out of the creek -- straight in front of us.  He was licking his nose and trying to "smell" the doe he was looking for but couldn't find.  At first I could see the buck, but because of a tree, Skyler couldn't.  I stayed tucked down behind our logs and peaked at him through the holes between logs.  Soon, Skyler could see the buck and I had a tree blocking my view.  I preferred it this way - as I knew that he would be more likely to spot us if we were both in view, as opposed to only having one of us in view at a time. 

Skyler still needed to get her gun back up -- and because I couldn't see the buck -- I couldn't help her by telling her when to move and when to wait.  So I told her it was all up to her.  The buck began to relax and feed.  I told her to move slow as long as he wasn't looking and I watched her as she intently watched his movements and slowly got her gun back into position.  {It should be noted that it was at this point that Skyler remembers looking down -- seeing our bare feet and thinking "we are hillbillies" -- she cracks me up}.  I reminded her that she would have no problem shooting this deer at this range.  At this point the buck is still basically straight on.  But then the buck stepped behind some brush and began to walk so that his body would be almost broadside.  Skyler looked through the scope on her muzzleloader and he stepped out into her shooting lane about 40-45 yards out.  I reminded her to squeeze and aim like we have all practiced.  Skyler squeezed the trigger.  The buck actually ran up the path toward us and laid to rest only about 15 yards away.  Skyler's perfect shot through the center of the heart and both lungs was about as good a shot as I've ever seen.  (By the way - we have determined that Paul and Skyler think this is the same "spike" they saw this morning but they couldn't get a shot on.)



Although we obviously didn't need to follow the blood trail -- all of us walked it cuz we love trackin' deer -- this is the kind of blood trail we love to see...





After Skyler shot her deer and it fell dead so close to us she immediately jumped up and said "Mom, you're my good luck charm!"  Then she acted as though she were going to run straight for her buck and said "I wanna see my buck!"  But I had to stop and and say Hey, wait a minute {Hillbilly} we can't run over there barefoot -- we gotta at least get our boots on!!

Skyler was so composed and made such great decisions with regard to this deer -- I couldn't have been more proud!  I have come to learn that she works better when she is allowed to do her thing.  The gentle reminders I gave her were probably not even needed -- but a parent feels they have to provide some sort of guidance.  Apparently the apple didn't fall far from the Grissom tree -- 'cuz huntin' seems to come natural for her.  She wasn't indecisive, she wasn't incredibly nervous (although a little bit of nerves just show that your lovin' hunting), she had no doubts about what she needed to do, she didn't question whether she could make the shot, she just knew she could do it.  I honestly have seen many adults with less composure when a deer comes close -- let alone a 10-year-old!  I just can't say enough -- but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the years and hours of shooting, teaching, reminding, helping, showing -- it all came to a head in one very fluid, composed and deadly moment.  With Paul as the leader, of course, we have made hunting our family motto, more than just a hobby, it is our lives.  To see her love it as much as we do is something that cannot be replaced -- I wouldn't trade this night with her for anything!

Stats:  4 point buck; 105 pounds and one very happy girl!

Good Luck Little Hunters

I just wanted to wish Coe, Lane, Kolby, Francis, Skyler & all the other young hunters heading out tomorrow for the youth season good luck...be safe, have a great time & enjoy the beauty of our great outdoors.  Kudos to the parents for doing such a great job getting these young ones interested & involved in the sport.  Good luck again and I wish you all the best.

Guff's Doe

Jeffrey connected on this 99# doe tonight.  

Tonight found all three Grissoms in the timber.  Ginger sat in the stand that I killed my deer opening night while I sat in her stand.  We each had a couple of small does within range but held off & I was kept entertained by three different flocks of turkeys...other than spring gobblers, I really dislike turkeys...they tend to be annoying when you are trying to listen & watch for deer.  The squirrel pics are from Skyler.  I set up a ground blind about 400 yards east of where I was for her to hang out in.  So, armed with a book & a camera, she spent this beautiful evening in the timber.  When I met up w/ her at dusk she was really excited to tell me she got to see an albino squirrel, three coons, & this "stalker" squirrel.  She said that she was "squirrel talkin" to him until he came within three feet of the blind. At that point, "I closed the windows so he wouldn't jump on my face & I got a little freaked out because everytime I peeked out he was still there waiting to get me."  It was a great evening and I'm glad Sky came out to share the night with us and give me a laugh over her animated "stalker squirrel" stories.               

Joe's 1st 2010 Deer

Another deer has found its final resting spot in the "Garage" as Joe hammered this 96# doe tonight. 

Klauer's 10/2/10 Doe

Klauer was successful this morning in harvesting this 136# Mercer County doe.  I've promised myself not to tease Klauer so much this year as I may have hurt his feelings a little bit over the years.  So, no -sarcastic comments this year, no cut-downs, no nothing.  Congratulation Lil' Buddy on this big ol' doe...damn, this is going to be harder than I thought.

Opening Day

I was fortunate enough to bring a couple of does through the garage tonight.  It was a great opening night that found Ginger & I in our new stand set-ups by 5:20.  Ginger got to watch two spikes sparing at 8 yards and had some turkeys working her area.  I had a group of 5 does come in at 5:44 and took out the bottom of the largest doe' s heart @ 18 yards.  I wasn't crazy about my shot placement as I thought it was a bit too low so I stayed in the stand to give her time and hunt out the rest of the evening.  A little after 6 I had two more does come in & shortly they were joined by a little 6 point.  I watched them for awhile while keeping an eye out in the direction my first doe went because I could still see deer in that area & was still concerned about my shot.  Those other deer were spooky and I hoped my "dead" deer was making them act up.  They were joined by a large 8 pt and when he decided that something wasn't right & left I refocused on the doe and took her with a 15 yard quartering away shot.  I left Ginger in the timber as there was plenty of light and  I was outta tags, so I went picked up my excited little tracker, Skyler and we returned to find the 2nd doe & then joined up w/ Ginger after dark to track down the first.  My "girls" led the way and found doe #1 about 200 yards away in the CRP.  It was a great start to what I hope is a great season for all of us.  Good luck to everyone out there & be safe. 

Lane's 1st Squirrel

Here's Lane with his first squirrel...congratulations on your first tree rat.  Whether its Skyler, Lane, or the Klauer Boys, it great to see this younger generation so interested in pursuing the hunting lifestyle and being able to watch them grow up running the woods.  Illinois' youth deer season is coming soon on 10/9 & 10/10 & I wish all these young hunters the best of luck and look forward to posting some deer pics from each one. 

More Squirrel Killin'

Here's Sky w/ this morning's harvest.  She waited her "whole" life to get a black squirrel and now she has added her second in two weekends.

Locked Bucks

I just completed work on this pair of locked up bucks from Mercer County.  A landowner found them back in 2008 and has left them in storage all this time...they were a mess and probably the most challenging skulls I have ever done.  Once I was able to saw/cut the hide off & dig out two years worth of maggot shit,  the bones were nearly black due to stewing in their own juices all these years.  I nearly turned this job down because I didn't think it was going to be possible to make them presentable but the finished skulls turned out pretty nice considering how they started out.