Who's Ready?

[hanson]

I just made my agonizing trek through the woods with my ladder stand strapped to a pack frame. Grandpa was following me with the ladder sections. It is a good mile hike with that stand through the woods. What can I say, the comfort of that stand is worth it.

Anyway, felt good again to be back up in a tree. There are a few decent trails coming by my spot again this year. The excitement for next Sat. morning is growing.

Time to get back together with some relatives in camp and eating some of that great deer camp food again. Deer camp is one of those places where I can forget about everything and totally relax. That is until I have to drag that deer I shot a mile back to camp. Hey, but thats what I get for being the farthest stand from camp.

Who else is ready? This is going to be a tough week to concentrate at work!

[EatSleepFish]

I am! 14 years old, got a big 5 pointer last year and lookin to double it this year , been real excited ever since I got my new Ruger .270 M77 mark II last month

[ricqik]

I don't have to get ready cuz I only bowhunt so I've been ready. Good luck and have fun.

[iceman16]

i was up at the shack three weeks ago cuttin wood and checking my stands. i havent been able to sleep right or think at work sence then i saw a huge buck at about 300 yards and could see the rack clear as day. i have been thinking of that big boy every day sence. and i love sittin around the shack after a hard days hunt hearin stories and hittin the sauna. well good luck to everyone this weekend.

iceman

[Stratosman]

Being a archery hunter as well, I would rather wait another couple weeks to hit the woods with my shotgun, but, it is nice to be with my dad, my uncle, cousin and grandpa for those too few days in the woods.

[Guest]

I didnt even know for sure if i was going to deer hunt until a few days ago.. I guess I am. My stands are still up and in good shape, gun still shoots strait.. I through an orange vest and cap in the truck and the trusty knife.. the 4 wheeler is on the trailer and ready to be hitched up.

I guess I am ready?

I dont get the same anticipation I used to get waiting for the hunt... Its kind of like another day in the office.. or a different office... Hmm.. should I duck hunt, pheasant hunt, grouse hunt, catch a few fall walleyes... oops, got another opener.. I guess I will go sit in the stand and hope the deer doesnt run a mile back after I shoot it... get it out of the woods and dress it..

I guess I have been hunting(bow) the same land for so long I know all the trails, when the deer move, most of the deer I almost know by name.. not much of an element of surprise anymore... But the anticipation of the heart beating is still there when they come down the trail so it is enjoyable!

decide which office to go to the following day... ducks or late season St Louis River walleyes? hmmm .. or both at the same time? Now there is an idea!

[Mark Christianson]

Are you retired???

Man, I wish I had that outdoors schedule.

Lucky!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Am I ready? No.

Am I ever really ready? No.

Am I going? You darn straight I'm going!!!!!!!!

[2x4]

I just went up yesterday to put up my portable stand. Looks like a whole new woods every year. I was treking along with my stand and trying to mark a trail for probably a mile and a half.

The trip was well worth it!!! I pushed up two bucks within about 400 yards. One was about an 8 pointer and the other was a forky. I found a good spot where I could see quite a distance but also hidden a little so that I don't stick out too much. After I did a little trimming for my climber, I walked around the stand to check for sign.

Wow!! I saw at least 10 rubs within about 50 yards of the stand. Also there were at least the same amount of scrapes. Even more, a lot of scat in the area.

This year I won a new gun at a DU banquet and put on a nice Nikon scope. Sighted in at 100 yards. Really feels good.

Think I'm ready!?!

Would be nice to get a couple of inches of snow.

[lawdog]

I am less ready than I have ever been. I moved this weekend and I don't even know where my deer gear is. Certainly not unpacked yet amongs the 8 zillion or so boxes in our new place...UGGH!

[fishnhooks]

Ready??

Nope! This work thing really gets in the way

"hooks"

[grip-em+rip-em]

Ive spent a lot of hours in the bow stand already this year. One doe in the freezer. I had 8 bucks go by saturday night but not a shooter in the bunch. Last year, the second weekend of rifle season the rut was in full swing. I have never seen bucks chasing does like I did that weekend. Its going to be a great 9 days. Be ready for the big fella, he should be stepping out any time.