Is it really November 6th? Seriously? Wow, time actually does fly!
Way back on October 9th Johnny and I loaded up the Rock Star trailer and made our way south to the Land of Lincoln to hunt with good friends and lease partners Justin Zarr and Mike Willand. The drive was full of talk about all the bucks we had seen last year and daydreams of what they would look like this year. Nine hours later, we pulled into Siloam Springs State Park, parked the 5th wheel and headed to bed. Justin and Mike arrived in the middle of the night and laid down to catch a few hours of sleep themselves.
At 4 am the next morning Justin and Mike were up and chomping at the bit to get down to the lease. Johnny and I decided to get a couple of hours more sleep and head out around mid morning to hang a couple stands. Much to our surprise, the door opened back up at 6 am and there stood Justin and Mike with that "someone just kicked my dog" look. With all the recent rains, the creek we had to cross to reach the lease was swollen and impossible to cross. After a quick discussion, Justin and Mike decided to make the 5 hour trek back north and hunt another piece of property they have access to. To read more about their adventure, click here.
Now that Johnny and I had made the 9 hour trip south, what were we to do? Just then, I recalled a conversation I had with a gentleman back in June and his invitation to us to hunt his property 2 hours north in Knox County. After a quick call, to be sure the invitation was still open, we were on our way to check it out.
Upon arrival, good friends Carl and Polly met us in the driveway with big smiles and open arms. After a short discussion, Carl put on his boots and took us for a tour around the property. Needless to say, we were pretty jacked up with what we had seen. (Unfortunately, in all the rushing, I had forgotten my camera in the 5th wheel and was unable to take pictures.) We got back to the house, thanked Carl and headed back to get the 5th wheel and move it to our new home for the next couple days.
The next day (third of our trip already) we hooked up the 5th wheel, headed back north to Knox County. After parking the big rig in their yard, Polly preceded to tell us that if we were able to, we were to shoot a couple does for them for the freezer. Of course, this was music to our ears. We quick loaded up a couple stands, and headed out for an evening sit. Johnny's evening was pretty uneventful and just before dark I had 5 does stroll by, but no shots were presented. The next two days were about the same, doe sightings, but no shots.
When we woke up Wednesday morning we decided we would give it a try that day and then head back home for a week of work, before coming back down to hunt more. That evening, Johnny was able to spot a couple good bucks in the tall CRP grass get the blood flowing a bit. After they disappeared with no shots presented, a mature doe made her way to him and offered a great shot. The NAP Thunderhead found its mark and made for an easy track job.
When we delivered the news to Carl and Polly that Johnny had put down a doe for them, they were very excited. Being the kind and generous people they are, they offered to let us hunt there when we come back down and to leave the 5th wheel parked in their yard. Floored with the offer, Johnny and I graciously accepted and dreamed of our return trip in just over a week.
In this day and age, people so generous and kind are getting harder to come by. Thank you Carl and Polly for opening your home and provinding us with such a wonderful opportunity. I hope I can return the favor in the future and put a Canadian black bear in front of you. Once again, Thank You!
