Hunting at the mall

by Bret “T-Bone” Amundson

Let’s be clear about one thing: I don’t go to the mall. Occasionally I’ll spend too much time inside Sears. The Roger Maris Museum will from time to time help me forget the horror that surrounds it. Otherwise I avoid the mall like the…well the mall.

But I have been known to hit it up the day before Christmas because you can generally shop for everyone there. Electronics, tools, girly stuff, a mixed bag of shopping can be done. I actually do like a little variety.

That’s how today’s hunt went. Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese and pheasants were all in the mix.

I spend the morning in the stand, bow at the ready. Deer are funny aren’t they? You can pattern them all you want, but they’ll never fail to surprise you. I had a small 8-point appear from the opposite direction I was expecting. I watched him walk through a giant bedding area and into the woods where I was sitting. In fact he slowly walked the trail 10 yards from my stand. I decided to give him a year or two. I do like having meat in the fridge though so he’s lucky…

I’d been hearing a lot of geese in the area this week and felt some transition slough time was in order. As I pulled up to the slough, a small flock of geese and a few ducks flew out. I figured they’d come back.

One honker, one big greenhead and one ringneck all flew a little too close to the floating fakes I’d strategically placed. An odd combination.

A nearby WPA was usually good for a flush or two and a short walk offered two jumpy roosters that bumped just out of range. Next time.

photo-3 — I hear this is where all the geese hang out?

While I don’t like going to the mall, I do enjoy a multi-species adventure as often as possible. I don’t always enjoy scrapping with a turkey at the gas station. Filling up, I noticed there was a gobbler in the parking lot of Tank’s Tattoos. I figured I’d try to sneak a quick photo…I didn’t expect him to follow me all the way back to my truck. Thanksgiving allllmost came early for him. As it was, it felt a little like Christmas and I always like Christmas better anyway. See the video here.