March 11, 2010 by Georgette Wood
It was a cold and rainy day for the first day of deer hunting in Western Pennsylvania. I was all excited about my first day out. I was the first one up at 3:00 a.m. getting my shower, putting my make-up on, and getting my hair done. I really wanted to look good for the deer. I invited the longtime neighbor over Patty who is a real outdoor huntress to the pole-barn for breakfast. I was also hunting with my husband Rick, my brother-in-law Roger, and their friend Richie. I made a delicious French Toast Breakfast Casserole for all of us and served grapes, orange juice, and coffee for our morning energy. It was a great time with great friends and family.
We were all upset, because it was raining really hard. We waited as long as we could to go out to the pasture before it became daylight. The weather wasn’t on our side this morning. I have a one person tree-stand and it’s only big enough for me. The guys don’t fit into it comfortably. So my husband Rick helped me get in my tree- stand before he went off into the Ameristep Bone Collector Blind, which was set up about 700 yards from me in the woods next to the pasture. He had it made! He had a light, heater, a place for his gear and chairs to sit on comfortably. The rest of us were hunting from our tree-stands in different areas on the farm except Patty; she was hunting from a different farm. Rick was out of all the harsh weather conditions. He was spoiled the first day of buck season. Here I am in my one person tree-stand with the rain and the wind waiting patiently for a nice buck to come my way. The weather that morning was really crazy, because it would rain softly, stop, then start again. Then it would get windy. It did that all morning long. I sat there the whole morning with the bad weather. I was waiting patiently in my tree-stand for a nice buck to come my way. I could see does all around me eating and walking below my stand; but had no bucks in sight. I knew I would have a great shot if one would walk in my direction. In the meantime, I watched and listened to the sounds of the wind and rain. I had a squirrel in my tree with me, but it didn’t bother me. I was praying for good weather soon; because I was getting cold and wet.
It’s almost lunch time and I haven’t heard anything from my husband Rick. The rain had stopped and the sun is starting to shine. I called Rick on the radio and he invited me over to have lunch with him in the blind. I was really excited to hear that I can get out of my tree-stand. This was the best news I heard all morning. I had packed our lunch for us both, so we didn’t have to hike back to the house. I had made us sandwiches, brought along celery, carrots, pickles, grapes, chips, and tea. I even brought along a breakfast bar. We had so much fun exchanging notes on what I saw, and what he saw. I told him about the squirrel in my tree. Then I find out later from my husband Rick that my brother-in-law Roger had to go inside his house that morning to dry out and warm up. I was surprised to hear this news. I didn’t even think about going in the house, because I was afraid to jeopardize my hunting adventure. He apparently was really cold and wet, since the rain and wind was hitting him straight on. The way my tree-stand faced it wasn’t that bad on me. My sleeves were wet and the back of my jacket was wet, but other than that I kept pretty dry. My husband Rick called me an extreme huntress, because I stayed out there all morning waiting for that perfect shot. I was also afraid to get out of my tree-stand in case one did come my way. Plus, I didn’t know that I could get out of my tree-stand. I thought I had to stay there until I shot my buck. With my luck the deer would come after I climbed down so I was afraid to leave. He then told me that Patty was the first one to get a nice buck on another farm. I was really happy for her.
We sat there in our blind and waited for the deer to come our way. I sat there in my chair all comfortable as I watched out the window for deer. I had the heater on me and I fell asleep in my chair, while my husband kept watch for the deer. I really do appreciate hunting with my husband Rick. Having lunch together in a blind is what made this an enjoyable and memorable event. I really enjoyed hunting even though we didn’t see anything to shoot at. It was another experience we both enjoyed.
Posted in Deer Hunting | Tagged Ameristep Bone Colletor Blind, deer, Extreme Huntress, hunting, squirrels, treestand, turkey, Western Pennylvania | 2 Comments »
February 14, 2010 by Georgette Wood
Did you ever want to experience something new? I do all the time. I told my husband that I wanted to learn how to shoot a bow and go Archery Hunting this past fall. I was so excited about this event, because I never did anything like this before. I shot my first deer with my Remington model 700 the year before and really fell in love with hunting. I mentioned to him about bow hunting and before I knew it. We were both shopping around for a bow for me. We looked on the internet, read articles in the bow magazine to help me find a nice bow. I came across the Parkers Bow Sidekick XP Extreme Pink package set. I was so excited it was in our price range and everything came with it and it’s ready to shoot. I wanted a pink bow; but not a bright pink bow. I wanted something a little girly for me. I also wanted something that stood out from my husbands’ bow. I saw it and read about it and I e-mailed my husband the information on it. He saw that Bass Pro Shop has it in stock so before I knew it my bow was ordered. Yeah!!!
My husband says honey “Happy Anniversary!” my bow was my Anniversary present. I was all excited about it, I just had to learn and practice shooting it. I worked out every day and practice shooting my bow every weekend. I was desperate to learn how to shoot my bow and do it effectively. I will admit the first time I tried pulling my bow I couldn’t get it to full draw I tried and tried and tried. I was taught not to give up, and to try until you succeed. My husband helped me and we laughed about me trying to pull my bow. So he stated “If you’re really interested in learning how to shoot this fall? We need to get you in shape.” So he gave me an exercise routine and equipment to help me called a Bow Fit. (www.bowfit.com) Bow Fit is unique exercise equipment for archers to help strengthen your arms and upper body. I loved it! I could take it with me where ever I went, and didn’t take up any space at all in my suitcase. I worked out at every opportunity I could. (I’m still working out even after the season is over just to stay in shape.) I started my practice shooting at 20 yards, then to 30 yards, then to 40 yards. Then he had me shoot at 10 yards. I was so excited about how well I was learning how to shoot my bow. I couldn’t wait for Archery Season to come in. I knew I could hit a deer with my skills I was learning. (Thanks to my wonderful husband and trainer)
Archery Hunting is in and I’m ready! I have my Safety Harness on, which he taught me how to use it. I have my gear and I’m ready to go and get in my tree-stand. Yippee! I was all excited about this day. I never really thought of what I would expect out in the field. Our first day out in the morning, we saw a skunk that was walking around scavenging for food. My husband shined his flashlight on him to confirm that it was a skunk and we avoided him for sure.
He helped me get in my tree-stand, before he went across the field to get into his stand. I was ready I had my radio, cell-phone, munchies, chap-stick, tissues, gloves, and my journal. I was all ready to go and I just couldn’t wait for daybreak to see all the wildlife. I didn’t see anything at first, except I saw a red squirrel in my tree with me. I had two different ones at different times in it. Later, I told my husband about the squirrels he said “you need to watch out for them they are mean and will give away your position by barking at you.” Now he tells me after the fact. It was all good no problems here. Then the deer started coming out I didn’t see anything in the morning; but I did see a lot in the evening time.
I’m ready now to pull my bow, at first I had a little trouble with it. As soon as I made it over the hump of pulling my bow, it was very easy and I aimed for the deer. I was trying to remember what all he informed me to do. I was aiming my sites on the deer, but every time I shot at the deer they just stood there and looked at my direction. They didn’t even see me or even know I was there. So I shot again and again and again. Well I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t hitting the deer and they just stared up at my direction. I called my husband on the radio and said this “Honey I’m all out of Arrows what do I do?” I couldn’t understand what I was doing wrong. I did everything I thought I was doing right. I never did this before and so I didn’t know how to fix my errors. I sat in my tree-stand pondering on my aim, my shots, and trying to figure out how to fix it for next time. I was really desperate on learning this new sport. I thought this is probably something I could fix; but how do I fix it. I laughed about how the deer just stood there and didn’t move. I wish I would’ve had my camera with me, I saw some really good photo opportunities. It was dark when my husband caught up to me after the day of hunting. He shined his flashlight down on my arrows and they were almost in a row. He couldn’t figure out how I could manage something like this. The next day we went out and he climbed up in my tree-stand and took the same shots I did with my bow. The arrows landed right where they were suppose to so my bow wasn’t off. Then he asked me “Honey! Where were you aiming?” I said “at the heart Why?” Honey you are shooting from a tree stand and your elevation changes the aiming point you aim on the side of the deer. I was shooting too low and the arrows went just under the deer. He told me I need to aim a little higher so when the arrow gets there it will be right where you want to hit it. Think about where the arrow will exit the deer on the other side. Awe gees! I said I forgot about that, I was so used to shooting my rifle and being on target. I forgot that I needed to aim higher on the side of the deer when shooting from a tree-stand. Well I learned my first lesson about bow hunting. Honestly, I think he told me that, but I was so nervous about everything, and trying to remember everything he told me.
I forgot the most important things he taught me aim at the right point on the deer and to Aim Small and Miss Small. (If you aim for a small point and miss you will still be close. If you aim at a big area and miss you missed big). Oh yes! I remember now, but I will remember that for next time for sure. This little mistake has taught me a vital lesson about bow hunting. I never did get a deer with my bow; but next fall will be different for sure. I will be ready for Archery Season.
Posted in Archery | Tagged Archery, Archery Hunting, Bass Pro Shop, Bowfit, Parkers Bow Sidekick XP, treestand | 2 Comments »
March 12, 2010 by Georgette Wood
My husband and I went fishing 4th of July weekend, at the wonderful Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. It’s a beautiful park to visit. We really enjoyed ourselves, but some things never change. When I was a little girl, I used to go fishing with my dad. He would catch the big fish, and I would catch the little fish. He would tell me, “Georgette, you need to take your fish off and put it back in the water.” It was too small to take home.
Well, guess what? This time too, I caught the little fish, a cute little fish. I wasn’t upset that I caught a little fish. I was very glad to catch a fish at all, because we were there for a long time, and I didn’t think I was going to catch anything. My fish bit my hook and I reeled him in, thinking for sure I had a good-size fish. It was doing all kinds of stuff to try to get away, but it was hooked well. When I reeled my fish in and picked him up out of the water, I just laughed.
The fish had my worm hanging out of its mouth. He was so cute and funny-looking that my husband and I just laughed; and of course he had to take lots of pictures of me and my little fish. So once again I had to place my little fish back in the water to grow bigger for another day. My husband and I enjoyed our time together, and really enjoyed fishing. Overall, it was a nice, relaxing weekend–except when I had my fishing line all tangled up.
If you are looking for a terrific place to visit in West Virginia with your family, Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs is a beautiful destination. There are lots of family activities, and you get to experience the great outdoors. There are even beautiful cabins and lodges to rent.
You can rent paddle boats, rowboats and kayaks by the hour. They also have a beautiful golf course and horseback riding. If you are into fishing, there are two lakes. They have a beach and a concession booth. Volleyball, tennis and basketball courts are available. There’s a shotgun range, but you need to make reservations to use it. You can shoot their guns and shells, or bring your own equipment.
For those who like to hike, there are beautiful hiking trails. There’s also a playground for the kids. You can reserve a pavilion for weddings and family reunions in the park. They also have a lodge with a nice restaurant. You can check out the Cacapon State Park website.
Posted in Fishing | Tagged Berkeley Springs, Cacapon State Park, Fishing, Parks, West Virginia | Leave a Comment »
February 3, 2010 by Georgette Wood
Keeping it Real at ROW!
I had a tough situation this past year hunting. I had a personal problem that arose, I wasn’t quite prepared for or even thinking about until the problem had risen this fall.
I am all snuggled up in my treestand waiting for that perfect opportunity to shoot a nice deer. I am up high for everyone who was around me hunting could see me. When all of a sudden I realized I had to go to the bathroom. Oh No!!! I thought what do I do? Here I am all strapped up in my treestand with my Safety Harness on and being very very quite so the deer don’t realize I’m up in the treestand. Then this came along to bother me, and I ’m holding my bladder. I am holding it! and holding it! Until I couldn’t take it any more! I had to climb out of my treestand to what! You guessed it to go to the bathroom. I came out of my treestand and unhooked my saftey harness. I snuck into the tall corn field where I felt I had a little privacy; but to my amazement I was still bothered by this certain matter. The whole time I kept saying to myself “If the deer were going to come my way they won’t now, because I just scared them away!” I wasn’t quite prepared for this certain situation of letting your bladder go when it needed to.
I explained the situation to my hunting partner my husband and he laughed at me; but he wasn’t really laughing at me. He was laughing with me and about the problem I was having in the woods. So after this little episode he ordered me three “Go Girls” which I haven’t quite used them yet. I’m still embarrassed about the men hunting around me to watch the girl next door in the tree stand using a “Go Girl” in the woods.
So my questions goes out to all of you female hunters. Did this happen to you? and How did you deal with the situation that I had this past fall?
Posted in Deer Hunting | Tagged Go Girl, Hunters Safety Harness, treestand, white tail deer | 8 Comments »
February 2, 2010 by Georgette Wood
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
