Woman Midwest-style

For now I'll share the fun  video Adrian took while we sat under the thorny tree, killing time waiting for a gobbler to come into view. This was before we saw the tiptops of two hens' heads pop up just a teeny bit above the edge into our view across the field. (That was enough to make two giggling women shut up!)

2013  One warm afternoon during bow season we opted for the hour drive to hunt  Urich Conservation Area   prior to gun season's crowd chased off all the  deer..... By then it would be futile to hope to have even a modicum productive deer hunt in that small area .   We loaded the Jeep with his climber stand and the ground blind I use, also an assundry of other supplies necessary including the small homemade deer cart. The usual mass mayhem of traffic kept us from making significant speed toward our hunting area that beckoned.       Pulling in the long gravel road my heart sank seeing another truck parked at the lot. Takes a lot to rile him, no surprise Ed displayed nothing.  As we gathered our gear the other hunter walked across the field toward us, Ed greeted the young man while I was immersed in my gear in the back seat. I was wishing I hadn't so much to carry on my back and the weather would cool down. The men were exchanging typical "how's the huntin'

So Ya Wanna Kill a Turkey...    This post is an unprofessional, hopefully useful tale, for youngsters and you inexperienced hunters and huntresses who might enjoy hunting with Gramma or Grandpa or a mentor.  It's sure a heck of a lot more fun for us oldies to have you tag along, as long as you don't talk with a bird in sight!  We all love to personally guide you.      Maybe you are relying on your own vehicle, possibly a handed down or loaner shotgun.  You don't have a clue what to do, what to wear or where to go to hunt.  Those eager salesclerks will be all in your face to sell the latest garb, maybe you'll need and more 'n likely won't.. it's just their job to try.   YouTubes, and any online sources and magazines to give you sound reasonable heads-up how to kill a turkey.  You can learn firsthand from Gramma and Granpappy what to wear, the rest is up to you how to go 'bout learning turkey hunting.  First off, it's nothing like deer hunting,

Big Creek  It's a wonder there's any game in these woods at all bein's it's overrun by the locals during gun season.  It's a little wicked wilderness so thick with brush you can't see past thirty yards..   But big deer abound in river bottoms and its hillsides, often coming into the upper fields to feed at night. And flocks of turkey roost in the tall oaks and sycamore trees in the surrounding flood-prone bottoms that more resembles a swamp than a creek.  We were after those birds.     A few years back in the fall, I guess my husband just wanted to show me around so he motioned me to stay close -- we didn't split up.  Alright by me, I didn't want to wander by myself till I knew the area better.  Those bottoms are too easy to get lost, gave me the creeps.   We hiked down the bare path winding into the creek basin, shotguns in hand,  turkey hunting in the swamp during a dry spell.  Obviously Ed knew the way, he was surefooted, not slowin

                                         A cross the country s everal hunting seasons are in full swing; b ow season began this week in Missouri.    Many folks share this lifestyle and believe in the  traditions  of our heritage to put food on the table with their own hands and tools, be it a trowel or a rifle.  Hunting is a personal choice with family tradition as  integral  as using a fork.  This is revised from one of my first posts.  It's always a challenge to re-read and publish to current readers but the "attitude" about this deserves a repost...  Now s ince my work is at my desk, if I chose to go hunting, I'd grab my bow, a snack and 2-3 bottles of ice water and off I'd go...  But damnit. I broke my ankle last April and I'm just not capable of  tackling the hiking and timber.  I's 'makin' very slow progress but that's just the way it is.  This year the old saying 'playin it by ear' really applies.        The re