Friday, Oct. 27, 2023


  Sometimes I wish things like this could talk. I'm sure this old stand could tell many great stories. I found it on my way back to the truck today. It was in a perfect location. I'd like to know how many years ago it was built. It appeared that it was in a white birch tree with a ladder stick up it. The ladder was so old, some of the foot pegs had almost disintegrated. 



  It wasn't too terribly bad when I headed into the woods today. The heat has been out of control since Wednesday, and it topped off at 75 degrees today. Although it was extremely hot, I know deer are still on the move. It's that time of year when bigger bucks start moving in the daylight and begin hitting scrapes. These are killing days, no matter what the thermometer says. I have all of the data to prove it. If you find find an active scrape these last few days of October and first few days of November, it can be a gold mine. The weather doesn't play much of a factor. I had a handful of friends send me cell cam picture they got today of nice bucks in scrapes this morning and evening. It got my blood pumping to know I have a chance to get lucky. 




  I put on a lot of miles today scouting. I think I found a few good places, but I won't know for a while. I was taken aback  this morning when a gunshot echoed throughout the woods at 8 a.m. I didn't expect anyone to be near me. After the first shot, about 10 minutes passed and another shot rang out. 

  I didn't see any critters today, and I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow. While writing this, my father called, and my mother has been admitted to Albany Med. Her health has been declining, and her primary doctor sent her to the ER at Albany Med because her aneurysm grew and is now unsafe. We will have to wait for tests to be run so they can figure out what they're going to do. I know the reality of the situation, and it definitely takes my focus away from hunting. 


 

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