Well its been a crummy hunting year. Unexpected family obligations took away my time to pre season scout this year. The one day I was able to scout I got growled at by a mountain lion and archers had set up in the area that I wanted to plant my cam. So i backed out quietly and give them that space.
I head in mid week after opening day flying blind, going on last years intel. I hardly see any sign were I saw it last year, very quiet no quail no jackrabbits.... big difference from last year. after 2 days hunting I set my camera up and leave. I did notice a track that I have never seen before but blew it off.... nah couldn't be that. more on that later.
I get one day to go back out. I try a new area closer and easier to get to. I see 4 other hunters out, they grabbed the spots I was looking into first. I pick another spot. Quiet. No shots were heard. With this kind of pressure i'm sure the deer are deeper in. Nice day Learning new country, I think this would be a nice evening hunting spot for another year.
This last week I get out for my last chance to dance. Camera has been soaking for a few weeks. I park, no one around... thats good. i ruck up and am about to walk. I see another vehicle pull up in the dark. A pair of hunters. One guy comes up we let each other know were we are going to be at so we don't step on any toes. I head out in the dark. I'm thinking they are way to close to the road to get lucky. With my headlamp on soft light. Not even a half mile from the truck I got eyes glowing about 150 yards to my front right, halfway up a hill with some low scrub brush. hmm what are you. I keep walking watching the eyes. They are locked on me. If that was a buck it would have bounded out long ago. If that was a doe it either would have left or kept feeding, but definitely not keep eye contact. I keep walking take a look behind me to see if the other hunters are coming this way. nope. He hasn't moved a muscle and is directly to me right side now. that fucker is still staring at me unblinking. Got to be a lion. I have to do something, he is on high ground if I keep going he will be at my back. i stop and flash him with my brighter headlamp beam and try to make him uncomfortable. Its not bright enough to see him but I see his eyes blink slow and his head slowly move. he starts to walk away. he stops I keep flashing him. He finally walks over the hill glancing back at me. I could not make out an outline when he crested the hill. Fuck you I say and keep moving watching my back.
A couple miles later I get in right before first light and set up. Quiet morning. My cam is about 200 yards away. I keep my curiosity in check until about 8am I grab it and get back to my spot to have a look. I see 2 hikers or hunters. could not make out a weapon. birds a cool looking grey fox. and to my surprise a black bear. now I was under the assumption that there where no bears in this area, but I and everyone I talked to out here is now wrong lol. No wonder this area is a ghost town, 2 big predators in the neighborhood. I saw a bear print when I had my lion encounter months ago. blew it off in disbelief. Now I see a few more on the way to my camera. Well thats a wrap for this yea. enjoy the pics.
I head in mid week after opening day flying blind, going on last years intel. I hardly see any sign were I saw it last year, very quiet no quail no jackrabbits.... big difference from last year. after 2 days hunting I set my camera up and leave. I did notice a track that I have never seen before but blew it off.... nah couldn't be that. more on that later.
I get one day to go back out. I try a new area closer and easier to get to. I see 4 other hunters out, they grabbed the spots I was looking into first. I pick another spot. Quiet. No shots were heard. With this kind of pressure i'm sure the deer are deeper in. Nice day Learning new country, I think this would be a nice evening hunting spot for another year.
This last week I get out for my last chance to dance. Camera has been soaking for a few weeks. I park, no one around... thats good. i ruck up and am about to walk. I see another vehicle pull up in the dark. A pair of hunters. One guy comes up we let each other know were we are going to be at so we don't step on any toes. I head out in the dark. I'm thinking they are way to close to the road to get lucky. With my headlamp on soft light. Not even a half mile from the truck I got eyes glowing about 150 yards to my front right, halfway up a hill with some low scrub brush. hmm what are you. I keep walking watching the eyes. They are locked on me. If that was a buck it would have bounded out long ago. If that was a doe it either would have left or kept feeding, but definitely not keep eye contact. I keep walking take a look behind me to see if the other hunters are coming this way. nope. He hasn't moved a muscle and is directly to me right side now. that fucker is still staring at me unblinking. Got to be a lion. I have to do something, he is on high ground if I keep going he will be at my back. i stop and flash him with my brighter headlamp beam and try to make him uncomfortable. Its not bright enough to see him but I see his eyes blink slow and his head slowly move. he starts to walk away. he stops I keep flashing him. He finally walks over the hill glancing back at me. I could not make out an outline when he crested the hill. Fuck you I say and keep moving watching my back.
A couple miles later I get in right before first light and set up. Quiet morning. My cam is about 200 yards away. I keep my curiosity in check until about 8am I grab it and get back to my spot to have a look. I see 2 hikers or hunters. could not make out a weapon. birds a cool looking grey fox. and to my surprise a black bear. now I was under the assumption that there where no bears in this area, but I and everyone I talked to out here is now wrong lol. No wonder this area is a ghost town, 2 big predators in the neighborhood. I saw a bear print when I had my lion encounter months ago. blew it off in disbelief. Now I see a few more on the way to my camera. Well thats a wrap for this yea. enjoy the pics.
