Several years ago a friend set up the perfect hunting
property. He surrounded an existing box stand with a lush food plot he planted in the Spring of
that year. He positioned channels to
allow for rain run-off that would both keep the plot fed with water but not
allow it become flooded.
The plot was built beside a tree line entering a rather
large wooded area. The cover of the small forest was perfect for all types of
game animals, especially whitetail deer, turkey and bear. The tracks through
his food plot proved the point.
The trail cameras were set six weeks before the season and
he was able to give an itinerary for each deer that came on the property. He
knew which does would enter first with which fawns. He knew the tall eight
pointer was likely two and a half years old that followed. He also knew the
non-typical twelve would usually rush the scene and establish the field as his
domain just before sunset.
Prior to the gun season opener for whitetail, he sighted in
his rifle with the ammunition he would be hunting with, Remington Core-Lokt 180
grain cartridges for his 30-06 rifle. Whether the shot was from 100 yards or
300 yards he could plant the hole in the target in a circle as small as a
quarter.
His hunting clothes were washed with scent free detergent.
He made sure he had his tags and license. His hunter orange was packed and
ready to go. His anticipation for opening day was only enhanced by his
preparation.
The friend skipped the morning hunt. He knew the only thing
that would appear would be a few turkeys, a fox squirrel, and several of the
does. There was no reason to offer a chance of spooking his main target by
going to the field that morning. Instead, he entered the field around 4 pm.
Carefully and quietly walking on the side of the field the
deer never entered, he almost had a skip to his step. In fact, he probably
would have skipped all the way to the box stand if he did not think it would
create too much commotion.
He strapped his rifle over his shoulder and began the climb
up the wooden ladder. The door to the box stand opened inward and he gently
turned the knob as he pushed it forward. That is when lightning struck.
No, not lightning from the sky, but rather a swarm of evil
beasts that could only be motivated by the devil himself. The wasps’ nest was on
the ceiling of the stand and the door was all it took to bump the nest and send
the black buzzing pain bearers down upon him.
Eight feet to the ground he dropped, landing on his prized
firearm and top of the line scope. Still, the wasps continued to strike without
mercy, not caring about how bad the fall affected him. Luckily he survived the
fall, the multiple stings, the broken scope, and the bruised and embarrassed
ego.
As the season nears and we all are getting ready for our own
Mr. Big remember all the preparations that need to take place.
Bows need strings and d-loops checked as well as being sighted
in. Rifles need to be checked for operation of the firing mechanism and safety.
Hang-on stands and ladder stands that may have been left out
during the year need to be checked also. A tree grows each year and can
severely damage any type of strap that holds them secure through the
stretching. Replacement of any rusted metal bolts and nuts may cost ten to
fifteen dollars but could save ten thousand in medical bills.
And of course, check for any flying creatures that may have
taken harbor in any box stands.
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