FINALLY....

October has always been my favorite month but this one has been very challenging.

After seeing tons of deer, and hitting one, in September I didn't see a one the first 10 days of October. Then I got the news that my mom was failing so headed for the Cities. Mom did finally pass away but did live 93 years. She had a good life and is in a better place now.

After nine days I was anxious to get out of the chaos and stress in town and get back home to some peace and quiet. I needed some time alone in my tree stand.

Well. the weather turned. We had rain, snow and high winds that actually dropped a tree on our porch. After five days of that I had had enough. I hit the woods well before first light this morning. The rain had stopped but the winds were still real strong. I picked out a spot where the wind wouldn't knock me out of my stand and set up. At 7:15 this nice fork horn came by and I got him. My buddy Al helped me drag him out. Tomorrow it's time to start butchering and then Saturday it's back to the Cities to attend the wedding of a good friend. A good buddy will be up the following weekend to hunt grouse and two weeks later the whole crew will be up for the rifle season.

Oh, and if anyone wonders how I can talk about deer and losing my mom all in one blog, well then you didn't know my mom.

Her comment today would have been, and I quote, "Duane, that's a nice one".