Mule deer buck (photo nps.gov)

I purchased my first hunting license in 22 years today.  I got a small game permit so that I could be eligible to draw out a tag for the general deer hunt in October.  Still not 100% positive that I will go, but if I didn’t at least enter before the deadline at the end of this week, I definitely would not be going.  So I guess if I draw out a permit, that will help me make my decision and I will be looking for input from followers of this blog as to how to prepare for the hunt.  I think I can line up a gun to use and I may have a hunting buddy lined up that is a seasoned veteran, but obviously there is a lot more to it than that.  So I will post again about this topic when I find out if I got a permit or not.  Until then…wish me luck.

Pocket gopher laughs fiendishly as he surveys another mound

So far the Great Gopher Hunt of 2010 has been a complete bust. I have come to the conclusion that this gopher may not be an ordinary gopher. He seems to be some breed of super gopher and clearly I am going to have to step this up a notch if I hope to claim my trophy. I may need to set up a tree stand or find some gopher musk to mask my scent or something.

My only other successful hunt was two years ago in the spring. This hunt started off similarly, with new mounds of soil appearing daily. The first time I actually saw him digging I approached cautiously using an army style crawl. I was able to get within about 3 feet from his hole and pathetically missed him on a near point blank shot. He didn’t reappear for a while. A couple of weeks later I was working as usual from my office in the basement of my home. I was on a conference call with a customer discussing a project. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed some activity in my window well. I turned to look as the gopher finished pushing up a mound of dirt and emerged from his hole. He was apparently disoriented and started trying climb up the window. I immediately recognized that the moment of truth was at hand and resolved that I wouldn’t let it slip away. Knowing I needed to move quickly I muted my phone and made my way upstairs to get my … Continue Reading

This year I am considering, applying for a deer tag and going deer hunting for the first time in 22 years.  I was really young on my early hunts and never once fired a shot (well at a deer anyway).  I have been thinking that I need to get out and give it a try.  One thing that will likely help is if I can get hooked up with someone who knows what they are doing to help me learn how to clean the thing assuming I can actually get a tag and shot one. I thought it might make a fun running story for the blog to chronicle my foray into hunting.  I need an adventure.

Anyone care to offer an opinion on deer hunting?  Is it worth it?

Well, it looks like Mr. Gopher has completed renovations on the tunnel where I recently stalked him.  I looked out at lunch time today and saw recently moved soil and when I went out there, the hole was completely covered (photo to the left only sans Gopher from the Love Boat).  Chalk up another round to the gopher, but I will be there…watching…waiting!  It only takes one slip up.Gopher 2: Me 0

It is officially on.  The backyard gopher hunt of 2010 started officially today.  Much like Carl from Caddyshack, I don’t much care for gophers.  They really mess up my back lawn with their mounds and shallow tunnels.  I have had several collapse under my feet when playing in the backyard with my kids and I’m sure one of these times I’m going to mess up my ankle. Over the course of the last several weeks, I have been noticing mounds appearing in my yard.  For the most part these mounds are dried out so I know they aren’t too fresh.  But today, I noticed a fresh one with dark, moist soil on top.  I watched for a moment and within seconds, he made his appearance.  I saw the little rascal pushing dirt out of his latest excavation project.  By rules of my hunt, once a gopher has been spotted in the fur, the season officially opens.  Also, being a sporting type, I insist that gophers only be taken by air rifle; it is the right thing to do. I rushed to find my air pistol which I had stowed for the winter, threw on some shoes, and hastily, but quietly made my way to the back yard.  I had always figured they didn’t see well but rather relied more on sound and vibration in the soil to detect threats.  I was wrong.  I got a little too close today and he saw me which I think has put him down for the rest of the day.  It is also possible that as he emerged he saw his shadow as the weather is pretty nice today and … Continue Reading