Wildlife: Hunter's guide for bird watching

[Township75]

Sunday, December 05, 2004

By Scott Shalaway

Few among us observe nature more carefully than deer hunters. Often they never fire a shot, but the hours they spend perched on a deer stand seldom disappoint. It's the only time some of them ever see a bear or a bobcat. The rewards of patiently watching and listening in the woods can hardly be exaggerated.

As deer hunters age, their observational skills improve. Based upon conversations with hunters of all ages, I've concluded that many hunters experience a natural process of ecological enlightenment. Until about age 35, the kill is the thing. Young hunters gauge their success by what they take from the woods.

Then, between the ages of 35 and 40, the importance of the kill begins to subside. It's more about the experience. Memories and images become more important than meat or antlers. By age 50, many hunters confess they seldom fire a shot. Some say they carry only a camera to the tree stand.

During this process a deer hunter's hunger for knowledge and understanding becomes insatiable. They leave the woods with more questions than answers. I know because I get many such questions.

More here: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04340/421963.stm

I am curious how many of our other hunters concur with this article. I am still in my twenties, but I certianly watch nature intently when I am hunting, and try to recognize every animal I see, as well as attempt to understand its behavior...it has been really rewarding. MY other hunting friends do the same.

[alwynsw]

1. A few of my encounters and observations for the past two deer seasons

Both years I've gotten to witness two red-tailed hawks having a conversation several trees apart.

The indigo buntings have been quite actve both years. We don't usually get to see them very often.

I always watch more than my fair share of squirrels as they go about their business of gathering, exploring, and generally causing mayhem by their nearly constant ambushing of their fellows while playing.

Las year, I hunted a couple of days on the ground. I was being particularly still and quiet watching chipminks. Evidently, I was quiet enough because one perched on my boot (I was sitting on the ground with m legs straight out in front of me) and examined me very closely until I said, "Pfffft!". I didn't realize that a frightend chipmunk could jump so high or chatter so loudly.

I always see a coyote or two now that they have become so heavily populated around here.

This year, there were over 30 wild turkeys roosting above my stand. That made for a wild wake-up call when I sneezed at about dawn of the first day of season. It did't make much difference, though. I still got my buck about 20 minutes later.

Jays and woodpeckers are the worst. Jays stand off a bit a give you a good bird cussing for a while. Woodpeckers just make annoying sounds that keep me from listening for deer as they travel down the trails.

I rarely see a bobcat around here, but it does happen occasionally.

My best reminder that I was in the woods came a few years back. I was at the top of the ladder leading to my stand when I heard a bloodcurdling screech about 3 feet away. A great horned owl had decided that my stand would make a good perch. For some reason, he didn't fly away, but he did give me a sound verbal thrashing when my headlamp shined on him from a range of about one yard. THEN he flew away. I was lucky in that I didn't fall off the ladder from the sheer surprise of seeing (and hearing) that magnificent bird at such close quarters in the wild.

[Township75]

2. Good stuff...

This season I only managed to see a turkey while I was out deer hunting. I can related to the woodpeckers too.

Two seasons ago, I was sitting next to a tree and the squirrels came out to play for a while. One actually began to climb up the tree I was leanging against. It later came down and in front of my...kinda perplexed by me sitting there. Later I witnessed a "domestic dispute" between 2 squirrels as they shouted at each other for at least 10 minutes.

But when I am not hunting, I have noticed quite a bit more stuff than I once did. A few weeks ago, I heard a red tailed hawks famous call while I was in my house. I could never find it, but it was the first time I recognized the call. Should be easier to see one now that the leaves are down.

Some other recent sightings I have enjoyed are bear and foxes. Still haven't managed to glimpse a bobcat, and likely won't.

[alwynsw]

3. Black bears are not likely around here

but they are coming back. Just in case of an issue, it's reassuring that I hunt with enough rifle in case one gets testy. Had one try to eat my tent in AZ once - while I was in the tent. Never did understand that one. No food or other stuff a bear would wqant in the tent with me. I even checked my clothes to see if I'd dripped some food or grease on them. Never found a sign of anything that should have attracted the bear.

He did make a nice hide, though. I yelled, he didn't stop clawing his way in. That's one of the reasons I ALWAYS carry a .41 mag or .44 mag when hunting or camping in western states. I usually camp and hunt out there in National Forest areas. Dry camp - not in campgrounds and away from watering holes.

[TX-RAT]

4. Started hunting when i was 7

I 'm 54 now.
Haven't fired a shot at a deer in 8 or 9 years. Guess I've set my goals to high.( If it 's not over 160 B&C, I'm not shooting.) I probably spend 20 to 30 hrs a week just watching the deer and their patterns. Grab a drink and go sit on the hills until dark, damn fine way to spend and evening.