Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Birth of a deer camp

Black bears tear up on spring fawns like you wouldn't believe. I've heard of both coyote and bear dens being excavated only to find some pretty shocking piles of fawn remains.

some chickenbuck photos from Pam's cam.

This here guy:



Brought us 3 varieties of home brew.



But we think the dog did all the work, and that's why the dog was so tired.



Gathered around the table for some smart talk.



With an overfilled gun rack...



As the ribs wait to hit the grill.

Tom and Dave man the pork charring station.





Young eaters of smoked pork ribs approve of these actions.



Tom's range buck head on a lawn chair approves of these actions.



Tumor Buck and Big Jelly approve as well.



About half ways done...



Finally!

[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/northerndave/album%202/IMG_7631.jpg[/img]

Nobody was available to run the camera once the eating started.

Misc ice/cold day pictures.





A couple of cool trucks.



A view across the icy swamp.



The welcoming sight and smell of the wood stove as you come in from a cold morning of looking at grass, trees, ice, squirrels and birds.



Then you got this. Natures little moments... I like it.

Dave,

Great pictures!!!!

When did you steal my folks old brown couch from Camp 83 in Bigfork?!?

Jeff

Hey, that one guy's got a pretty big wiener....dog.

The Ruger UL in 257 (tang-safety) is a rifle I'd own if I was right-handed.

Good luck on your last few days. I'm fixin to head that way tomorrow night for the opener across the river.

LABATT BLUE! That is the way to go!!!

had an interesting thing happen today. had a run in with some folks yesterday who were in the wrong area, hunting on private land (that only I had access to) and managed to screw up my dad's hunt (again). there was a heavy 10 or 12 pointer headed for us when one of these guys shot a small 10. I headed over to them, found the guy on private land, he tried hiding etc, denied he was there over the line, even though his tracks were in the snow. long story short he almost hit me shooting at a wounded deer as I was walking up the road. I had enough and called him in. cost him and his buddies a bunch, I can't disclose it, but they will likely have empty wallets and bellies.

anyway, after that dad and I kept hunting. this morning I was on kiddo detail so I couldn't go out, but when dad got to the spot we park he found a fresh skull from an 8 pointer that was heavy. fit the description of the one I lost. he showed me the pics and sure enough, fits him to a Tee and time of death fits for decomp/freshness. I couldn't believe it, seems as though the deer gods rewarded us for protecting their deer with bringing at least the head of the deer I lost. kinda struck me as odd how it all happened, just one of those things you nod in appreciation, not try to figure out how it happened and appreciate that it did. I'd sure like the meat more than the rack, but if thats all I get for my punched tag there's no sense in all of it going to waste. as BM said he will get a spot on my wall and serve as a constant reminder of how fragile life is and how much we need to appreciate these critters we harvest for food. thats about all I got for now. just felt compelled to share that.


Dave, the pics look awesome! wish I were there. Tom, I wish you coulda spanked ol forky toes. looks like a great time was had by all. seeing those pics, I can smell the smells and feel the feels if that makes sense

Lou is not the big game co-ordinator anymore,he took a higher up job,and now there a woman in his old position.

Another possible scenario,is that the fawns were lost to predation,or some other cause.

Took my wolf in and had it inspected today.thought some may be interested.
1 1/2 old female,never bred.Very large lymph nodes,probably due to heavy lice infestation,also probable cause of unusually strong odor,as I noted before.No mange.Samples taken of muscle ,kidney, a tooth,reproductive organs,etc.
I noticed there was almost no external body fat,but inside the abdominal cavity it was stuffed with it.
Stomach contents consisted of a snowshoe hare.
another item of note is all of the errors the dnr has in the paperwork.In various places it was stated that the entire carcass would be taken(not true) and that the inspections could be done by CO,or by most any wildlife office by appointment,also not true,only certain ones have the inspection tags available.
Also was an omission in the paperwork sent out that they didnt want the carcass to be field dressed,internal organs intact,something only seen online.Alot of them are brought in with the organs missing.
Overall,alot of growing pains for the first season.
I also picked a taxidermist,and dropped off the pelt and skull,should see it back in 6 months or so.We think we want a euro mount skull,and a rug,or possible just the pelt tanned,not decided yet.

http://www.wildernesstaxidermy-mn.com/index.html

I also have a tang safety ruger 77 rsi in 243 I will probably sell ,as I think my son should have one with a synthetic stock in stead.
Spent a little time looking at some replacements on the way home yesterday,liked the way the Ruger american felt,and priced,although the T/C icon seemed nice also.

Holy Crap!!! You guys drink hockey beer!!!!!

Great pics Dave.

We're loading up the truck this afternoon. Leaving for camp early Thursday AM. Temps in the 40's through next Tuesday.

Tzone's rifle blends in quite well.

Right... blends in like a pink AR-15 at a civil war reenactment...

Like a northern weasel in a winter without snow.

speaking of weasels, we had one scampering around outside the cabin last weekend. He was out on the wood pile, headed for the cabin, milled around by the deck for a while, then went under the deck. Pam grabbed a camera and went outside to try to get a picture of him. But when the little feller poked his head around the corner of the steps it scared her so bad she ran for cover and forgot about the picture.

TFF.

The snow snake is one of my favorite north woods animals.
Though they do seem a bit uptight and fidgety.

Cool pics, Dave. I've got to ask you and/or anyone else who knows-what kind of plant is that in the pic? My property is lousy with them. The stalks tend to be greenish yellow until late in summer/fall, then turn this bright red. I've tried to find them on the 'net-I think they're Ossier Dogwood.

Anybody know for sure?

I think we'd call them "dogwood" or "snowberries"

They very well may be the same thing, I'm not sure though.