Back In The Groove
OK, so I’m really not back “in the groove” as much as I’d like to be, but I am back in CA and hunting is on my mind.
I realize of course, that mid-summer doesn’t really equate to hunting for folks in most of the country, and I can certainly relate. When I go back in my mind to my formative hunting experiences, they usually involve short days, frosty mornings, and the autumn smells of wood smoke and burning leaves. Rambling over hillsides in 100-degree heat just doesn’t seem quite right.
But hunting is hunting, and while a lot of hunters tell me that they could never get used to the idea of hunting in July heat, I can promise that most of them would jump at the opportunity to get back in the field if it were offered. And yeah, I also know that you don’t have to hunt the summer seasons in CA. There are options to get out in September and October, and even a few that run into November. You can hit the Sierra high-country and enjoy a more “traditional” hunting experience if you really want to. But me… I’m ready now!
So July 10 is the opening day for the A-zone archery season, and I have every intention of being out there. I’ll be tuning up the Mathews, sharpening some broadheads, and hoping that my archery jinx is well and truly broken. I’ve already booked a slot at the Golden Ram Hedgepeth Ranch (one of my favorite spots). The primary target will be blacktail deer, but there are always good odds of getting a shot at a hog on this ranch, especially during the archery season.
I’ve also extended an invite to my friend and fellow blogger, Josh, to join me for the weekend. From the looks of things, we’ll likely be dealing with some high temperatures, but I’ve got even higher hopes that at least one of us will fill a tag… and that will make it worth the sunburn and sweat.
It’s definitely something to look forward to!
Now, before we go, you should probably read one of my hunting or fishing stories… as Hank likes to call them: “the time you almost saw that goose.” As in, as we are leaving in the truck in the morning, “Hey Josh: Is this going to be that time you almost saw that goose? Hah, ha ha!”
Basically, I’m the guy Pat McManus wrote about in the first person.
But man, I am so stoked to get out there! I really am looking for deer or pig, and pleased to do it. Thank you so much for the invitation.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:10 am
Good luck, Phillip. I hope your archery curse is definitely over.
And, I’m not sure about hunting in the heat, but given the opportunity, especially if it was the only one I had, I would definitely hunt – regardless of the temperature outside.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Good luck to both you and Josh. I totally understand your post. Most of the people I know can’t stand being out there hunting right now, but I cannot wait. I am looking to go whenever I can and will be doing some scouting and hunting very soon. Best of luck to both of you!
June 28th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Opening day in July…Wow. You’re right Phillip, even though I usually keep all my hunting during the summer months underwater, I’d jump real high if a summer opportunity like what you are doing presented itself. Temperature wise, I can’t imagine it would be much different from my Sept. opener for whitetail. One day…Good luck, and looking forward to the report.
June 28th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Phillip: Hunting with Josh is great. No matter what, trust me, you’ll have a good story
.
I’m itching to get out too, but I’m gonna beat you by nine days – cottontail opener is THURSDAY!
June 28th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Josh, I always wanted to hunt with McManus. Hell, I’d even fish with him! So if you’re anything like that, at least I’ll get part of the experience.
Seriously, I expect we’ll have a great time one way or another. It’s hunting, and that’s its own reward. If we actually and accidentally whack something, that’ll be like gravy on our cake and we can eat it too!
June 29th, 2010 at 5:59 am
Holly, I was just thinking about the cottontail opener! Cool!
And, thanks for the encouragement there… I think.
Thanks, Phillip; now I want biscuits and gravy.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Mmmmm. Gravy on cake. For some reason, I’d never thought of that one…
June 29th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I say, get Hank on it right away!
July 1st, 2010 at 7:32 am