Enjoying the quiet - and an evening in the woods

Here I sit, knee up (just got out of surgery a few hours ago), and it's as peaceful as can be (wife is napping, dog is napping, kids are at school, phone is not ringing). It's awesome!

It is similar to last night in the woods - except that the blowers, chain saws and vehicles were a bit annoying. I think a Boundary Waters hunt may be in the cards someday - where the only sounds would be that of nature.

I was hunting last night (Tuesday) with my management tag because I did shoot a buck last Wednesday. I shot a nice 11-pointer near my home, thanks to my friend Ingrid, who tipped me off. The deer was not a record-booker, but any deer that is shot with a bow and arrow is a record-booker (as in a personal record). I was on the ground, made a nice shot, and he only went about 75 yards before expiring.

So back to last night. It was a beauty - silent and cool with a slight southerly movement of air. I figured it might be my last hunt for a while so I had better take advantage of it.

I grabbed my hybrid bow (combination recurve/long bow) and one arrow and headed out. I was limping into the wind very slowly and quietly, watching very intently and listening as much as I can with ears that are starting to fail a bit. I didn't get more than 100 yards down the trail before I saw movement. I saw white and then brown, and sure enough, it's a deer.

I hunkered down and the deer worked my way (the wind was in my favor). As it got closer, I noticed it was a buck, but a small one. I can't legally shoot a buck because I already tagged one, so I watched him as he worked his way through the woods.

He was within about 35 yards at one point, and it was just neat to see him walk. He got down wind of me and smelled something peculiar (had to have been my breath), and then made a detour. So that was that - a very enjoyable evening in the woods.

Next week I may talk about the "big box" stands - the enclosed, heated, windowed variety that seem to be gaining popularity and visibility throughout the state. I would like to know some of your thoughts on these stands. Please e-mail me your thoughts.

WALLEYEDAN Eigen may be reached at (218) 839-5598, walleyedan@brainerd. com or www.walleyedan.com.