Southern Snow

The weather channel reported the snow in the Deep South was a once in a decade event. Departing Nashville shortly after noon on I-65 south I encountered light flurries an hour north of Birmingham, moderate snow in Montgomery, and almost whiteout thirty miles further. It honestly looked like those Dakota blizzards as one, two, and then a third vehicle had lost control and plowed through snow and mud on the right-of-way. My concern early in the journey was to reach home before dark as forecasted temps dropping in the low 20s would re-freeze the precipitation on the interstate. State troopers and DOT crews were posted at many bridges monitoring conditions. What an opportunity today to get back out the the hunting property. A great buck had given us the slip the last week of the Alabama season. Snow would give me an opportunity to look for tracks and other sign to verify that he survived the season. An hour into the walk the familiar tracks were found. We do not often see a buck track in south Alabama with the width of three fingers. Indeed, he had survived and he was still on the property. Following a short pursuit I jumped him from his bed in a thicket where only a dusting of snow had accumulated. Honestly, he was large and very dark in color. I could not get a clear look at his rack. No matter, I had found his core area with scrapes and rubs. I have not hunted this area throughout the years. The snow was very beneficial in this post season scouting expedition. A text message was received by my family hunting partners that 'Ol Three Fingers' will be around next year, and a ladder stand will be waiting on the first day of season. The photo was taken last December in Shenadoah National Park. I've posted this particular buck on several occassions. I became quite fond of him, especially after he allowed me to crawl in snow within four feet while he continue browsing. Hopefully, this fine buck is surviving the immense amount of snow in the Park. Last report was about 3 feet.

Ending Well

Back at work this week following time off to hunt the whitetail deer rut in south Alabama. The schedules worked well this year as the men of the family were able to meet together at the old camp. Hunting was exceptional! The weather ranged from highs near 70F early in the hunt to highs in the low 40sF later in the week. Very heavy rainfall did hamper a day, but most braved the elements in shooting houses none-the-less. Each member of our hunting party was offered an opportunity for a shot at a nice buck. Total for (8) consecutive days of hunting: (8) bucks-(6) of which were in the middle-aged to mature range. (2) complete misses. Quality deer management (QDM) is working on the property and antler development is improving each year. The photo attached unfortunately is not from our hunting property. This buck was photographed on Dec. 15 at Shenandoah National Park, just (7) days before the project I was working on shut down winter. The anticipated yearly rut in south Alabama is typically the last week of January. This year we began observing bucks actively chasing does on January 28. Honestly, it is my opinion that the rut is still active this first week of February. I must admit that I was somewhat rundown toward the end following the daily alarm of 4:50 a.m. Enjoying fellowship and good meals, one has a tendency to stay up too late night after night re-living the day's events. Then, back up early the next morning with expectations of observing and possibly harvesting the buck-of-a-lifetime. Reviewing my diary tonight of Dec. 15, the same day I photographed the exceptional captioned buck, I find my devotional time was centered around reading how Mark (John Mark, author of the Gospel according to Mark) learned how the end well. "Mark eventually accepted the challenges of his ministry-difficulties and all, and ended up a winner", teaches Dr. C. Stanley at In Touch Ministries. "Many of us fail to end well because we mistakenly think that God's call to personal ministry depends on our own skill level. We must depend on God and glorify Him through the end." Dr. Stanley continues, "Much of the Christian life is low-key, tame, and ordinary. This life will be celebrated in heaven." My family members look forward to celebrating with loved ones in heaven. We glorify the Lord today for our blessings of freedom in America, opportunities to live the outdoor lifestyle and pass on the hunting tradition, and to view the hand of God by evidence of what we see and experience in nature.