A Little Shooting

In spite of the weather, I decided to get out and do some shooting.  It is just above freezing so the accumulation on the roof is sliding bringing a sheet of ice (shaped like the building panels) projecting out about 8".

Looks a little treacherous - don't want to be under it when it lets go. 

Anyway, I went down to the range to sight in my muzzleloader and to see how I do shooting off sticks (standing).

It was a little challenging to get around. 

This is the muzzleloader sight in after repair at the factory.  Close enough to clean and put away for next year.  I walked it in over about 6 shots.

Then I shot the 30-06 off the 100 yard bench to make sure it was still on.  Not too bad. 

The main objective was to start practicing shooting standing off sticks.  My impression is that this is the typical shot in Africa.  These are from 100 yards.  More work to do but not terrible.

Snow Again

It's been a long winter and it's far from over.  We got about 5" of new snow last night with some more forecast for tonight.

We got down the driveway and then I came back with the tractor and plowed it. 

 I stopped by the water hydrant and searched for the meter pit.  When I shot the doe a couple weeks ago, I found the hose hydrant in the barn was not flowing any water (high 50's that day).  We think it's frozen and can't be sure whether the pipe is broken.

So, we've been shutting the water off in this meter pit until we're sure.  Makes it fun finding the pit again under the snow. 

The snow slid off the dining room roof and made this 3' pile. 

Icicles everywhere - some of them 4' long. 

After plowing the driveway, I went for a walk to check the cameras. 

It wasn't easy - the snow was easily a foot in most places.  I could have used some of those snow shoes that Tom Balough has been using up at Fort Drum. 

There weren't very many fresh track in the snow.  I think they've just stayed in bed. 

These are my tracks and it was hard work. 

I made the camera loop on foot and it was an aerobic workout. 

There were a couple spots where the deer had been digging down to find the few remaining green shoots. 

Only one buck on camera - this little forkhorn.  I was hoping to do a little shed antler hunting but the snow is too thick. 

The does were moving in between snow storms. 

This was the only shot on the camera at the turnip field. 

9F at 8:00am. 

There was a lot of traffic to the gut pile from the doe.  This is a fox in daylight.

There were many low quality photos of coyotes at night. 

Nice shot of a red fox. 

The snow did melt off for a short time a couple weeks ago. 

Looking winded. 

Lone cardinal visitor to the bird feeder.

Congrats Brady!

Our friend Chris and his 8 year old son, Brady, were out recently for a late season hunt (not at our farm).

Brady took a doe with his crossbow.  The next generation of hunters at work.  Well done Brady! 

We're in Chicago this weekend so no farm visit.  This is Eric's new garage.  It gets a stucco finish but that has to wait for a thaw. 

Our grandson Tommy is changing so much now. 

Here we are Face-timing with his cousin Lucy. 

We decided to head to the Field Museum for an outing. 

The boys hanging out. 

Tommy and the girls at the famous T- Rex named Sue. 

We spent extra time in the African antelope section studying anatomy.  May come in handy later this year.