by Bret “T-Bone” Amundson
What you do this time of year is up to you. Just do something. The rut is on. The migration is on. The fall bite is on. Decisions, decisions.
Where does the time go? I’ve waited, sometimes patiently, for fall to arrive only to watch it pass by like tanker full of gas when you’re sitting empty on the side of the road.
We’re already into mid-November and I feel like I haven’t gotten out enough. Those that know me are shaking their heads right now, thinking I’m crazy since I’ve been living out of my pickup for 2 months.
I’m one of those that doesn’t like to waste daylight. If there is a season open, I’m going to be a part of it. One more than one occasion I’ve hunted multiple species on the same day, and in some cases been mildly successful.
Who says you can’t deer hunt in the morning, then walk for pheasants over lunch? Unless of course you leave when the big buck you’re chasing walks under your stand.
After seeing more deer than I could count from my bowstand earlier in the season, the presence of guns and their carriers has thrown the routines for a loop and scattered deer across the area. A few cold, lonely sits without a whitetail in sight can make a guy rethink his priorities.
Father Time can force you into other activities. My family hunts the gun season in Wisconsin and, traditionally, has for many years. So I’ll be packing up my stands and ending my current quest for Brutus today and heading east in search of cornfed Northwest Wisconsin Whitetails. I also picked up a bonus turkey tag this year and since the seasons don’t run concurrently, I’ll have to spend a few extra days among the green and gold cheering crowd. It’s ok though, I bring some beer and they become tolerable. For the record, my family are transplanted Viking fans-most of them anyway. The cool ones.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but don’t let the rest of fall skip past. Weather becomes a factor so travel safely and bring emergency supplies, but some of the best hunting takes place in adverse conditions. Besides you will also find less competition out there.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t get under the massive waterfowl migration as much as I’d hoped, but Brutus captivated me. The big push is on, so get out and get under it.
The rut seems to be strong as well as does have been doing their best to stay an honest woman, while the bucks have been hastily putting up younger pictures of themselves on Match.com.
This week on Minnesota Sporting Journal radio we’ll talk to Dylan Beach, the lucky 12 year old who bagged the 28 point Minnesota Monster on opening weekend. We’re also hoping to have Nicole Weller on the show. Nicole recently shot a big whitetail in North Dakota AND got engaged in the process. Plus she makes some really cool outdoor art.
Also the fall issue is hitting newsstands and mailboxes, make sure to pick up your copy today!
Don’t forget to submit your buck photos to get on our buck board too.
There is still time to bag the big one, so no excuses. You have your mission should you choose to accept it.
by Bret “T-Bone” Amundson
Bret@mnsportingjournal.com