THIDS-Thank Goodness Its Deer Season!

There is nothing that I like better than getting ready for bow season and getting my stuff together. Even stepping out in the backyard to sling a few arrows gets my fired up! Time and bad weather has been an issue as far as getting into the woods, but hopefully with state fair being over and as the end of year draws near, I will be able to go more.

My Camo Cutie

Promise I won't kill you with pics of Mary Audrey due to this being primarily a blog about my love of hunting, fishing and being outside! The other day MA and I were in Wal-Mart just browsing and went to the sporting goods. As we strolled down the hunting aisle she started saying ummmmmmmmmmmmm!!! (Thats my girl!) My then eyes landed on this hat and of course had to get it! Another point of pride...MA has started talking...Her first word was DA DA. Her next word was MA MA and her next word was Deer! She has since added Duck and Dog, and sometimes Turkey although it sounds more like Durkey. I think she really likes saying Dog the most since everything from her formula to the TV is Dawwwg. It is even more cute because she really drags it out like a true southern belle!

My gals....

Just recently returned from the 2009 4-H Shooting Sports National Invitational and had a great time. Event more importantly I was so happy that my family could be there the whole week with me! Just wanted to share this pic of my two gals! This pic was taken at a sidewalk cafe in the Market District of Omaha. Mary Audrey is waving at a policeman on a horse that was passing by.

10 gauge pattern testing

Since my surgery, all I had time to do was watch hunting videos and wishing I was able to go! I decided to pattern test my Remington 10 gauge for turkeys. I have had this gun for about 4 years and had not even shot it. The pattern in a 10 inch circle is the best that I have ever seen out of a turkey pattern. I began at 40 yards and worked it back to 10 yards. I set a few parameters before I started. I wanted to leave the gun as is....no optics or aim points other than the ones on the gun. Also, the only choke that I would use would be the stock turkey choke that was included with the gun. Finally, I did not want to shoot any shotsize smaller than #4. I fired 3 shots and then averaged the number of pellets in a 10" circle. After pattern testing several loads, the Remington Premier Magnum 2 1/4oz performed the best. The load is centered and fairly evenly distributed. This load averaged 91 pellets at 40 yards. Gonna have to start lifting weights for next season.....the gun weighs 11 pounds unloaded.

2009 Turkey Season

Nathan and Stu WrightHunt and Peck Texting- by Stu Wright (slow down buddy or your going to develop carpal tunnel in your thumbs!)

Leave this Long Haired Country Boy Alone!

The only man I know who wears shades while turkey hunting!
Ghost House in Furman, AL

My 2009 season has been cut short by my knee surgery which will have me on crutches for a month. This injury occured last year when I harvested a turkey on March 2oth. Recovery will be slow, but I did manage to get in some turkey hunts this year. I was very fortunate to be a part of Nathan Wright's 1st turkey hunt and a weekend turkey in South Alabama. Nathan's hunt took place on his family farm in Lowndes Co. and the Alabama hunt was at the Ghost House in Furman with my good friend Brad Murphee. This house is very old, a part of the Alabama Historical Society Register. It is home to the ghost of a man that was digging a well when it collapsed burying him alive! It is said that you can hear him moaning to get him out of the hole. While I did not hear him, we did hear alot of turkeys! Thanks to everyone for making this season so special....God willing I will be back and better so I can chase those crazy birds next year!

2009 Youth Hunt!!!

It was my priviledge to get to be a part of something very special this past Saturday! Jody, Joel, Harper and myself went duck hunting at Trimcane WMA's youth hunt. This would be Joel and Harper's first duck hunt and wow was it awesome! Both young men harvested their first ducks ever. It truely is a blessing to see something that is so special to me in the eyes of a young person. Joel summed it up best as he stepped out of the duck hole....."We will be back next year!" He yelled shaking his fist. To make it even better, when we arrived at the check station, we were part of a WCBI newscast, ("You tell them Harper") and made the evening news the next night! A wonderful day, thanks guys for allowing me to be a part of it may you have many sunrises in the future.

Duck.... Duck....BANG!

This duck season has proven very successful! The woodduck harvest has been plentiful and steady despite the increase in the bag limit this year. Also more mallards have been present than in previous years. MMMMM...these sure are going to be tasty on the grill!