Hunting Property Prep

Derek was able to buy into a lease on a hunting property with some of his co-workers. 

He spent some dedicated time out there late this summer preparing and getting ready for deer season.  Hanging tree stands, setting up ground blinds, cutting paths through brush...

That last one might be what got him.

Mid-September, he had a terrible poison ivy breakout!

He fought it himself for about a week, but it just kept spreading and getting worse.

He had it nearly everywhere his t-shirt wasn't covering his skin.  So he finally gave in and went to the doctor, got a shot and improved very quickly after that!  The doc told him it was the worst case he'd seen this summer...  so that justified the visit for Derek. Ha.  He also gave him a double dose of the steroid, which caused some insomnia.  oops. 

He was all cured by opening day though and ready to sit in the stand.

And although he has been seeing deer activity (most days), hasn't had one give him the shot yet.  Since Derek bow hunts, they need to be pretty close to get a good shot.

He's seen other wildlife too: possums, armadillos, bobcats, wild hogs, coyotes...  

and a skunk!

The big boys went out to sit with him in the blind one weekend morning.  They only saw a bobcat that day, so no meat came home.  But they found all sorts of other creatures.  Shocking, I know.

The praying mantis above and this leopard frog.

A snake.

A lizard.

And another snake. 

Derek has also gotten caught in rain when alone, thankfully, his thoughtful and coffee loving wife sent some hot coffee along in his thermos. :)

You know I'll update you when one of these guys gets close enough to become food for our growing family. 

Until then, Derek will keep watching. 

 And spending as many early mornings and evenings as he can in the woods with his bow.