Hiking with Guns 1

Eastern Oregon Blue Mountain squirrel are picturesque. Especially in a rainy woods- Because it was so wet, Jon took quite a few forest photos. 

It also snowed above the guys and both decided it was a cold way to hunt. 

Jon went out again on Monday. Steve worked. Jon got his deer and Tony celebrated from afar with a couple of quips. The first one is rather apt since Jon actually discovered the deer he was watching was a buck duo sitting in the tall grass and brush. After Jon shot the nearer deer, the other sort of stood around and then wandered off. Jon really wished his dad had been there! 

Jon dragged it across the grasses with a four wheeler and then got it into a trailer (I think this is how the story goes. However, I'm sure he'll tell anyone who asks!) 

He got it out of the trailer with Bob. Definitely a good use of different sorts of tools and truly a Red Green sort of handiness..without the duct tape! 

 This sunset is from a couple of days BEFORE deer season, but it always good to end with one.

 

Hiking with Guns-2017 Conclusion

This second sojourn into the mountains was interesting, but lacked anything with 'cranial appendages' (Jon's words!). He shared some of  his other finds with me and thru me, with you! 

All photos except the last one were taken by Jonathan. 

 Ziggy, the preying mantis. Ziggy kept moving around and wanted to grab the camera!

 It is so odd finding things after decades of seasons have assailed them. This is a glass bleach bottle circa 1955 or so (Jon told me, I forgot to write it down!). It was near the old combine near the road to the ranch.

 Chipmunk having a snack of some sort-

 Jon took a few photos of odd shapes in the trees.

 This was the sunset on Sunday night. Mt Hood had a shadow mountain behind and over it! (the photos look better bigger. If you click on the picture you can see it singly on the screen)

 Jon took this fun photo of what we surmise is a sun dog. It moved during the course of the photos from one side to the other. (the sun dog is the spot on the side)

 Some of the deer Jon saw. He also saw a family his last night out hunting. It was too dark to take photos and they were about 10 feet away. He said it was perfectly still and no breeze, if he'd have moved, they would have skittered off. The fawns were  playing and the doe had to keep them in line.

 VERY odd (what we assume) jumping spider. We usually see them in greens, it was very different finding one that was red.

 This sunset was on Tuesday night. Jon and Steve were sad they didn't get a deer this year. They did NOT want a forked  horn and so, they came home with good memories and sore bodies. Some years are like that.

Jon's Busy Weekend

Having technology is a wonderful thing! Not being there for deer season this year or anything else so far, Jon sent photos of  "Hiking with Guns for 6 Days". (the sign I just found online--I rather liked it!)

The email Jon sent the photos in had the subject of  'Deer Mom.' The accompanying sentence was succinct and to the point. 

Hi mom, here are pictures of my deer,dad, cooked rabbit, and an elk shed I just found today. (Monday)

He was home, ready to enjoy one of those ridiculous frozen pizzas he insists on eating, when he got a call to practice cutting up cars. Rachelle posted these on FB and said I could take them. (Big thank you hug to Rachelle!!!) I didn't get the video, but it is on FB and I was tagged in it. And since Jon does not do social media, he has to have me tag along. (oooooh, pun!)  

I am very proud of you, Jonathan! If I can get a zucchini, I'll bake a chocolate zuch cake next week. And probably cookies (are there any chocolate chips in the cupboard?).....and a dinner that is not frozen pizza!

Hiking with Rifles--SUCCESS!

The boys started going out with Dad and Grandpa when they were small. Those weekends of deer season in Eastern Oregon still remain some of their fondest memories. Next year, we hope Tony will be home to hunt with Steve and Jon-

 The guys left near dark on Wed night to head to the ranch. There was a beautiful full moon, fresh from the eclipse that morning, welcoming them back.

 They woke to see the pale orb resting in a sea of morning blue and got themselves ready for another day of hiking with rifles.

 Which was pretty successful! The story (as I understand it) started with a discussion over hiking or driving. Jon wanted to hike, dad wanted to drive (there are a few years between them....). They drove, but  not for long. Jon saw some bucks, put together his home made shooting sticks (made from PVC pipe), and with one shot, took his deer out.

 Steve left the rig with Jon, who was working on his deer, and hiked a ways. A long ways. A very long ways. Jon watched him from where he was sitting with his scope. They called before 9 to say they had two deer and by noon they were getting ready to hang them in the shop. (it did take a while for Steve to get his deer out of the grassy canyon)

Because they have so much food (I made them a LOT of snacks!),

 they are going back up to camp for another night. And to look for the lost shooting sticks. (Steve borrowed Jon's creation to get his deer). Jon's pretty sure they are in the canyon they hiked in last weekend. Steve's not so sure. 

A hunting we will go....

October 1 was a VERY busy day! We started the day by going to a young man's Eagle Ceremony in Pendleton. It was incredibly special and I was so glad I insisted we needed to go. Later on, Steve and Jon went off to the mountains. It was a lovely day. The clouds were puffy, the sky was blue, and the colors of the world were amazing!

Jon took several photos of Steve (as usual) and then they finally got down to business.

Steve called me from the ranch--it was getting dark--and told me the end of their day of hiking was better than the first part. And then he told me Jon got his deer. It was not pretty, but he prevailed! Our one shot, clean kill kid sort of ran away this last year as a youth hunter. Yet, he did manage to bag Bambi's older brother!

I took several other photos after the guys maneuvered it into the shop and around the engine less Bronco. However, they are pretty grisly. Even for a mom who is used to hunting photos! Jon shot it a couple of times. One shot shattered his back leg and also hurt the corresponding leg. Another shot literally creased his belly fur and the final shot was from 10 or 15 yards away. It was definitely a lethal wound....At any rate, Jon's pretty happy. This antler set we are going to keep as horns only. We still haven't taken care of last year's head..which is in the freezer still! European mounts are so messy!!!!!!