Deer Hunting

Last Monday evening, while still at the deer camp, I went hunting without my rifle. I already had three deer from Saturday and Sunday, and didn't want to clean another right then. So, I left my rifle at the cabin and went to the Northwest corner, where there is a feeder and a bow stand, and climbed into the stand at 4:30. The top photo shows a yearling, the first deer to come in at 5:45. The next shot shows a doe and the yearling eating corn.

It was fun being up above them in the stand when they were 10 yards from the tree. They didn't know I was there, but started getting nervous when they heard the camera clicking. I tried to take pictures when they were crunching corn so they wouldn't hear it as well.

Though I don't hunt from a tree stand, I can see why folks like it. I also don't like to hunt by a feeder, even though it's legal in Arkansas and many other states. So, though I may walk past a feeder while hunting, I prefer to be out in the woods, either sitting under a tree or against a log, or simply stillhunting my way through a creek bottom on my own hind legs. Takes patience and skill and adds a challenge to the hunt. It's not just about shooting, it's about a more basic hunt. On the six deer bagged the last two years, my furthest shot was about 40 yards.

Bill Scurlock