Thursday (22 FEB) went out for “Opening Day,” only 21 days late. As tradition dictates, I usually go to one of a couple of places that are just outside of city limits and close to home in case I fergit’ something. So, Day One is usually an equipment check and head check day. Sure nuf’, even though I use a checklist, I managed to forget an important item and ran back home to get it and just about got snookered by the earliest crows. Bottom line, I got a couple of “townies,” the most annoying of bandits to me, as they are the sassiest. They were probably on their way to Wal-Mart’s dumpsters, only a half-mile west. One dropped like a stone, the other continued to struggle out to about 70 yards away where it crashed and moved no more. Alas, missed two: one in the stratosphere that I should not have tried and another that was simply a bad shot. Also, got skunked twice; once by one that snuck up on me from my six, from behind the house and once again when I didn’t have the gun in hand for a moment while packing up. I left the whirly on until the last moment and even without the caller on, it attracted that one crow. The two decoys “guarding” the downed bandits are my two battle-scarred veterans, each with several pellets embedded in their heads.
Tactically, I tried using the “feeding setup” that Kev (MAINEHUNT) suggested. I used only soft calls in the beginning. In my opinion, it worked. So, I’ll start up with it again next time. As for equipment checks, I must have been using bad Rayovac batteries as the Buffy Bats worked only an hour--not flapping for their usual 3 hours. The new 200W amp on my home-made aux speaker system tied to the FoxPro Spitfire worked really well, i.e., LOUD! The Whirly kept going without a hitch for the entire trip—switching over to a 12ah battery (from a 7ah) made all the difference. Oh yes, I upgraded my 1997 red 2WD Ford Ranger with a questionable, usually AWOL HVAC system to a 2009 red 4WD Ford Ranger, fully equipped. Big difference.
We’ve been rained on big time lately and the farm roads and fields are totally impassable due to high water and/or mud. So, probably have to wait a week until I get out again. Still, a good morning, as the sun came out and it warmed up to about 36 deg.
Good report and a smart strategy to stay close for your first hunt. I am also guilty of forgetting some obvious needed item, in spite of making a list the day before.
And speaking of staying close, your proximity to Wal Mart guarantees a supply of crows! Nice touch. Keep the reports coming. I love your photo graphics!!
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
I'm glad the feeding set-up with "relaxed" calls worked for you.
Regarding your new truck, I bought a 4x4 Ranger in new in 2007. It was a pretty good truck, but it kept blowing the gasket between the transfer case and the transmission. Warranty always covered it, so I never got overly concerned with it happening, just an inconvenience. I've never heard of any other Ranger doing it, but.... Last summer it blew again while driving up the highway. (It was easy to tell when it blew because the wind from driving would blow some of the transmission fluid onto the exhaust and it would lay down a smoke screen that made the Batmobile jealous.) Well, this last time I pulled over and when I laid on the pavement and looked under the truck, it burst into flames. Burnt right there along the highway. It started so fast, I only had time to jerk the passenger door open, grab my dog and run away from it. The moral of the story is, if you notice a drip or two of transmission fluid in your driveway, make sure your insurance is paid up. Had to buy a new FoxPro because my Spitfire was behind the seat...
Here's what it looked like when the fire department rolled up 7 minutes after I dialed 911.
I'm glad the feeding set-up with "relaxed" calls worked for you.
Regarding your new truck, I bought a 4x4 Ranger in new in 2007. It was a pretty good truck, but it kept blowing the gasket between the transfer case and the transmission. Warranty always covered it, so I never got overly concerned with it happening, just an inconvenience. I've never heard of any other Ranger doing it, but.... Last summer it blew again while driving up the highway. (It was easy to tell when it blew because the wind from driving would blow some of the transmission fluid onto the exhaust and it would lay down a smoke screen that made the Batmobile jealous.) Well, this last time I pulled over and when I laid on the pavement and looked under the truck, it burst into flames. Burnt right there along the highway. It started so fast, I only had time to jerk the passenger door open, grab my dog and run away from it. The moral of the story is, if you notice a drip or two of transmission fluid in your driveway, make sure your insurance is paid up. Had to buy a new FoxPro because my Spitfire was behind the seat...
Here's what it looked like when the fire department rolled up 7 minutes after I dialed 911.
Man, I'm going to keep an eye on this!
Sorry it happened. You likely lost more than just the Spitfire (which I also use).
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"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
Pretty "civilized" hunting spot Artilleryman.. All the conveniences of home there Nice to see that old M12 corncob still dropping a few crows. Starting to think about my spring shooting which should commence late March...weather permitting.
Sorry about the truck Manhunt. At least it wasn't in your garage like some.
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
Years ago I worked as an industrial engineer for Ford, in Atlanta, Ga. What I learned then, told me to never buy a Ford. (Fix Or Repair Daily).
KenCrow
Ford has had its issues...worst autos for catching fire were late 90's Sunbirds. Fords should be equipped with a sensor that tells you a sensor is malfunctioning
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
Years ago I worked as an industrial engineer for Ford, in Atlanta, Ga. What I learned then, told me to never buy a Ford. (Fix Or Repair Daily).
KenCrow
I'm a "GM Brat." Dad worked 40+ years at HydraMatic. I formerly fanatically attached to GM, but later, even more fanatical to the color Scarlet (or red, in this case). I just bought the cheapest red truck available with the old 97, as my first hunting "beater truck." It was pure coincidence that our local trusted Used Car Guy came up with an almost identical 2009 Ford in 4WD. However, I will be checking the transmission stuff.....
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"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
I have owned 17 Ford trucks, that Ranger was the first one to give me trouble. I've seen my buddies' Dodges, Chevys and GMCs drop transmissions and motors. I'm too old to bother with arguing over brand names.....
