8 Years Ago Today

September is usually one of the most exciting months for deer hunters (next to November). The mornings are beginning to become cooler and the grass is filled with dew. As archers, we are shooting our bows now more than probably any other time of the year. We want to ensure our equipment is on its mark and building our confidence for that moment when the big one steps out. I also look forward to the early season evening hunts. The deer don't know that the season has begun and they are still fairly predictable in their feeding patterns.

However, September is also a month that has two days that are personally challenging for me. One day that I obviously struggle with, as a firefighter, is Patriot Day. Just like you, I reflect back on that horrible day on 9-11-01 when our country was cheap shotted by a bunch of cowards. I ache for the firefighters and their families that had their lives turned upside down with the loss of 343 of our brothers and sisters in the fire service. Not to mention the loss our country felt from the additional thousands of victims that died that day. I happened to be working on shift this year for the 10 year anniversary of Patriot Day. We had numerous families stop by the station to express their gratitude and bring us food. One lady said to me that she was so grateful for the sacrifices that firefighters made that day. I replied that although I did feel a special bond to our lost 343, I feel Patriot Day is truly about Americans and not just firefighters. She replied, "what do you mean?" I continued that there were no firefighters on Flight 93 but those passengers were truly heroes as they attempted to reclaim the plane from their attackers. They saved hundreds or thousands of lives that day. There are countless stories about ordinary people who stepped up that day to do courageous things, saving lives. They are as much a Patriot as as I am as a firefighters and they displayed the true courage and pride that all Americans should have inside their hearts. Today we are free but we should never stop defending that freedom. We should never stop thanking those soldiers that have, or currently are, defending that freedom for us. Please- don't let a soldier, or previous soldier, walk by without thanking them for their sacrifices. It is the least we can do!

The second day that I struggle with each year in September is today. Eight years ago on September 19th I received a phone call at the fire house while I was finishing my shift. It was my father who struggled to maintain his composure as he explained that my grandfather had passed away. I still vividly remember how he struggled to get the words out and how hard it was for me to comprehend and accept the information. You see, my Grandpa Fred had been one of my best friends and hunting buddies. So I actually lost three people that day. A grandpa, a best friend and a hunting buddy! I still often feel his loss, eight years later.

So, what does this have to do with hunting? Actually it has a lot to do with hunting. Patriot Day should be a day that we morn the loss of heroes and Americans. It is also a day that we should be thankful that we are Americans and have the freedom to hunt animals and pursue our passions. Think of all those soldiers that are protecting us when many of them would rather be hunting just like us.

September 19th is a day that I lost a loved one who was responsible (in conjunction with my father) for sharing the outdoors with me. I am a hunter because of his influence. How did you get into hunting? Have you taken the time to thank those that introduced you into hunting? Better yet, have you tried to return the favor by taking them hunting or fishing? Have you introduced someone new to hunting? I am not oblivious to the fact that we are all going to experience loss in our lives. What is important is that we cherish what we have and who we have in our lives today with no regrets tomorrow.

Thanks Grandpa Fred! We miss you and know your in a better place.

(The last picture taken of grandpa, before he passed on, is at the bottom of this page to the right)

Fall Food Plots Have Been Planted

Today my Dad and I headed down to the farm to re-cooperate some of our fields that were choked out with weeds this summer. We still have some standing corn left but the deer and coons hammered it this summer. Three weeks ago we brush hogged the fields, sprayed them, and disked them. We have been waiting three weeks for some rain but could not wait any longer. Although there were areas that still had a lot of dead grass on them, we didn't have to do to much to get them ready. I disked all the fields twice to chop up any remaining dead grass and prepare the seed bed while Dad drove to a nearby farmers to borrow his culti-packer (I am hopeful that we can buy it).

Once the fields were prepared I couldn't help myself and had to go check the trail cameras that I had out. I got a few more pictures of Sling Shot and Lucky #7 out of velvet (he should go 170") but I accidentally deleted them trying to move them to my specific 2011 trail camera file (sorry). They sure seem to be somewhat photogenic. I also had two pictures of the neighbor driving his 4-wheeler along the property line. Hmmmm.

Most farmers have already harvested their corn. They tell us that the soybean fields are green but have very few pods on them. This is going to be a bad year for farmers in our area. We will have to see how it affects our hunting. I remember two years ago when it was December and farmers still had standing corn in the fields.

I did get pictures of three new bucks on a pond that hasn't dried up yet. One buck is a mainframe 10 and the other two are nine pointers.








Once Dad arrived we fertilized, seeded and rolled approximately 5.5 acres. We planted Whitetail Institutes Chickory Clover and Pure Attraction. We also planted Mossy Oak Biologic Maximum and Green Patch Plus. I can't wait to see what they can do but we really need some rain. The ground is cracking and the creeks are dried up.

We are only 10 days away from opening day. I can't wait to get out there at the end of the month and hunt some early season bucks. I think there is a good chance that one of us could see Lucky#7. Get your stands up, hunting clothes washed, and broadheads shot in. It is almost deer season!!!