Gun ready just need to shoot off hand for the rest of the summer with my varmint rifle. The boys checked the cabin yesterday and hopefully it's still standing up near Cooperstown, NY.
Find a new place to hunt. I missed out on a club opening in Laurens county due to "other priorities" and also had another place where the lease was not renewed. Relying on invites from friends. Haven't ventured into public land here in SC but might consider that option also.
This year I’ve planted over a thousand cedars, 400 shrubs, removed over a thousand trees to clear two additional food plots, frost seeded 3 acres of ladino and planted one plot in forage beans and another in alfalfa. Before years end I hope to clear enough trees to frost seed 3-5 acres of switchgrass next year. I’d like a couple more stands and another camera or two. My to do list is long…
The cancer and chemo have reduced the potential options. Under the best circumstances, this would have been a busy year. I'm now officially retired. There have been all sorts of things waiting on that blessed event. However, I doubt I'll get to most of them this year.
My main goal in life is to be in my stand on the 11/12 Opener. That is still doable. However, I've got a shrinking window. My last round of chemo has been postponed. Originally, I'd planned on being done by Aug 1. That is going to slip.
First off, I've got to consider armament. I had all sorts of projects last year. I got a big buck on the Opener, and then the deer pulled a disappearing act. If I just go back and arm myself with the same choices as last year and work on no new loads, I'll be fine. I can run a few rounds through a few guns to test for function and be done.
I've also got gear considerations. The gear has not changed, but I have. I ended last year at 310 lbs. I'll start this season in no more than the 270s, and perhaps a bit lighter. That's a lot. Everything from my underwear out will need to be tested. My guess is my outermost layers are going to be baggy, but serviceable.
Normally, I'd have reduced last year's venison to nothing by now. I've hardly touched it, due to my illness keeping me from cooking. I'll have to figure out how to reduce what's in the freezer before fall. I may sidestep the whole thing and just buy a 2nd freezer.
Perhaps my biggest hurdle will be stamina. My Opening Day stand is on the back of the property. I've got a 1/2 mile trek, and I usually do that with a rifle and a duffle bag on my back. Right now, I'm gassed getting from the recliner to the bathroom and back. As soon as the oncologist cuts me loose, I've got my work cut out for me.
The cancer and chemo have reduced the potential options. Under the best circumstances, this would have been a busy year. I'm now officially retired. There have been all sorts of things waiting on that blessed event. However, I doubt I'll get to most of them this year.
My main goal in life is to be in my stand on the 11/12 Opener. That is still doable. However, I've got a shrinking window. My last round of chemo has been postponed. Originally, I'd planned on being done by Aug 1. That is going to slip.
First off, I've got to consider armament. I had all sorts of projects last year. I got a big buck on the Opener, and then the deer pulled a disappearing act. If I just go back and arm myself with the same choices as last year and work on no new loads, I'll be fine. I can run a few rounds through a few guns to test for function and be done.
I've also got gear considerations. The gear has not changed, but I have. I ended last year at 310 lbs. I'll start this season in no more than the 270s, and perhaps a bit lighter. That's a lot. Everything from my underwear out will need to be tested. My guess is my outermost layers are going to be baggy, but serviceable.
Normally, I'd have reduced last year's venison to nothing by now. I've hardly touched it, due to my illness keeping me from cooking. I'll have to figure out how to reduce what's in the freezer before fall. I may sidestep the whole thing and just buy a 2nd freezer.
Perhaps my biggest hurdle will be stamina. My Opening Day stand is on the back of the property. I've got a 1/2 mile trek, and I usually do that with a rifle and a duffle bag on my back. Right now, I'm gassed getting from the recliner to the bathroom and back. As soon as the oncologist cuts me loose, I've got my work cut out for me.
Hang in there.
Okie John
Originally Posted by Brad
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
Got a call from a friend earlier this week reminding me season opens on private land Aug 15 and I should get over to his place and get my stand up so I’m doing that tomorrow and, “Oh yeah, wear snake boots and carry a pistol, cottonmouths seem to be bad this year.” Yesterday I loaded up 100 more rounds of .41 magnums so will shoot the two Smiths I plan to use some in the next month. I would like to refine my 165 grain.308 load a little but may not. Also a little more range time with the 6.5 x 55 and .223 as well. I put in for some WMA draw hunts so waiting to hear on those. Other than that, just waiting for my starter set of tags to arrive. (Here they automatically send your starter set if you had a license the previous year. ) Hoping to also get up north and/or out to Missouri this fall. We’ll see.
This year I’ve planted over a thousand cedars, 400 shrubs, removed over a thousand trees to clear two additional food plots, frost seeded 3 acres of ladino and planted one plot in forage beans and another in alfalfa. Before years end I hope to clear enough trees to frost seed 3-5 acres of switchgrass next year. I’d like a couple more stands and another camera or two. My to do list is long…
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/X0n16mr.png)
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/hIHz8db.gif)