Squirrel Hunting

This past weekend I went squirrel hunting. I like a lot of sportsmen cut my teeth in the outdoors chasing squirrels through the oak ridges near our homes. I for one have never outgrown the love of hunting squirrels. Unfortunately I haven't done it enough in the past years like I should.

But now I have a reason to hunt squirrels more often. My son has taken to the idea of hunting squirrels. So I have taken him a few times this year. The last time I decided that I wasn't going to take my gun, just my camera and help him really learn to hunt. Well, he still hasn't gotten one, but he is getting better and getting more patient. I know that when he does get his first squirrel it will be a moment he will always remember.

So hopefully, by next week, he will have his first squirrel in the bag. Until then.......

Trapping season Opens

Dec. 1 marked the opening of Trapping season in my home state of South Carolina. That day saw me throwing steel out in as many places as I could after work. It didn't leave me with much time since it gets dark so early. But I managed to get a few out there. Saturday saw the most action when i put out 28 traps.

First check on some of these places showed why trapping is such a challenge. Bait stolen by raccoons, and perhaps the most frustrating - Paw prints on one of my coyote traps and it didn't fire! Now that's frustrating. But I re-baited and left it and we will see.

This site was a new set - I use the hip bone from a horse, and set it about fifteen feet from the wood line in a field. Placed a small amount of bait beneath the bone and some lure on the bone. Then I placed a trap on both sides of the bone in case he came in from the rear. and I added some coyote scat from another property as an additional visual.

When I get some catches - I will post on here. Focusing mostly

on Raccoon and coyote now. I do have a few bobcat sets out and a few fox as well. I am ready to see some tight chains!

Back at Last

I have been absent in this arena for some time. But hopefully, now I will at least commit to regular updates and comments.

This hunting season has been feast or famine. I started off with a bang (pun intended) while walking to my first stand of the year, I shot a 300+lb wild boar. It was one bit pig let me say. My brother-in-law and I had a time getting that thing hauled to camp and cleaned. it took 3 hours just to skin the darn thing. But he sure does eat well!

I have seen a lot of deer this season, but they are all small bucks and a hoard of does. Fortunately I have been able to get 3 doe for the freezer which is good, but the bigger bucks have eluded me. Which with a month of the season left, means I better buckle down or hope they survive for next year when I know they will be sure enough wall hangers.

And if I can keep my feeders going, I should be able to hone in on some pigs. They are really a hit and miss, but with the feeder either not working due to motor malfunctions, electronics, dead batteries, or out of corn. The pigs are not regular visitors.

Now trapping season open this week and my attention will be diverted to catching coyotes, fox, bobcats and raccoon's than to hunting. More about this later.

Stay tuned - more posts to come in the coming days and weeks.