Last year during the black powder muzzleloader season I wrote a column while deer hunting. Specifically, I was in Big River Rich’s deer hunting stand and to be honest, it’s much nicer and warmer than any deer hunting stand I own. I received such great response after it appeared in the paper that I decided to try it again. Ok, ok, the comments were from one of my brothers and one of my musky net men but it was still positive feedback so I’m willing to give it another try.  

Since I’m sitting here tapping away on my laptop keyboard and hunting at the same time, does that make me a “PH?” In higher circles of hunting a PH is a catchy way of saying “Professional Hunter.” I hear that term all the time while watching high-end hunting shows and since I’m getting paid to sit here and hunt, I think it fits.  

I am in the same place I was during the last muzzleloader season but that was a year ago so allow me to describe my surroundings. I’m in the Big River valley and if I were able to cast a trout lure about 150 yards I could probably catch supper. I’m too far down river to smell the specials from the Valley Bar and Grill on Highway 10, but just thinking about it reminds me that it’s been a while since I’ve been to a fish fry there. 

The river bluffs aren’t as big as those that guard the Mississippi River but they seem similar. The resulting mini ridges and valleys offer a big contrast to the flat lands of other areas in Pierce County. My personal use permit on this land allows me to chase turkeys, trout, grouse, deer and mushrooms. If I were to use just one word to describe the place it would be: peaceful. 

The big grey squirrel chattering nearby is distracting me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been squirrel hunting and I’m getting a hankering for it. Growing up where I did, squirrel was not an uncommon menu item at home in the same way that rabbits and ducks were guests of honor when in season. Focusing back to deer hunting, a quick scan reveals my area is still deerless but if there’s any good news, two squirrels are now making noise below me. 

Time hasn’t stopped while I’ve been typing and the shadows are already creeping towards the top of the west facing hillsides. In deer hunting this is always referred to as crunch time. It feels like if something is going to happen, now is the time. If only there was a way to slow down the hands of my Timex or make the days last longer when the calendar flips to September.   

Well, I better start packing up for the day. Another late season muzzleloader hunt is officially in the books and it’s a complete shut out. I think that the nine-day regular gun season has taught deer to switch to a more nocturnal mode. On the plus side, it’s only five more months before the annual turkey hunting blind article. 

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