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It was refreshing to see at the comments on last week’s post where readers commented on their own hunting adventures or the memories of hunting adventures of their family members. It seems that I am the only hunter out here in the blogosphere (well, at least my blogosphere world). I am sometimes hesitant to write about it for fear of getting some negative comments. It hasn’t happened yet, but I am sure it will. In today's polarizing society it is bound to happen. I like to think I am fairly tolerant of other people’s views on a variety of topics and try not to judge. I say ‘try’ as I am probably only successful 80% of the time.

I am proud to say that Barb and I have friends that are both hunters and non-hunters, friends that are politically right of center and left of center, friends that are pro-vax and those that are anti-vax, friends that go to church every week and others who have not gone for years. Heck, we are even friends with an arthritic creature with a bad back, hip, and hands! If you listen to the Mainstream Media, you would think that that is impossible in this day and age. I like to believe 80% of the population is just a little right and left of center on all these issues with the remaining 20% split equally on what I call the ‘extreme’ sides. The MSM’s main goal is to scare their audience by sensationalizing that 20%, giving the impression that the entire country is solidly divided on these issues.  

Hunting wise I respect people’s opinions on the sport, it is not for everyone. But I would also argue those that think all hunting should be banned yet still eat meat are somewhat hypocritical. Politically, I focus more on my stance on issues rather than the individuals running. The individuals come and go, the issues are here to stay. That said, I am hoping that neither of the leading candidates on each side run again, it is time for some new blood.

Okay, off my soapbox. When I last left you, it was the day before pheasant opener and was anxiously awaiting our morning hunt. Well, after walking over 6 miles on that day, I had 0 pheasants to show for it. And we are not talking 6 miles of easy walking, we are talking 6 miles of high stepping through tall weeds and cattails. I did get two shots off at one bird but the only thing I brought home with me from that hunt was shooting pains from my hip to my ankle that to date have not gone away. Ibuprofen is my friend.   

The ducks did cooperate for an evening hunt however. Bob and I were joined by a friend of his, Warren, who came out from Minnesota for a few days. Warren is 71, hunted all day with us for pheasants and went out again duck hunting with us in the evening. Bob’s license was expired but Warren and I were able to get our 6 birds each. When you buy a nonresident small game or waterfowl license in North Dakota it is not valid for the entire season, you get 2 seven-day periods for $125. Well, $250 as waterfowl and small game are two different licenses. I got my monies worth out of the waterfowl license so I think I am done duck hunting and will concentrate on the pheasants my last few days here. It could not been a more perfect evening for my last duck hunt of the year. Looking to the east, the moon was rising.....

Looking to the west the sun was setting as Bob and Warren were walking up from the slough. 

Day 2 of pheasant season was much of the same. Chris, Bob, Warren and I went out again walking 6 more miles. I missed another easy shot at a crossing rooster, this time getting 3 shots off before it disappeared over the horizon. All those great shots I made on ducks that boosted my ego are quickly a memory as these pheasant demoralize me. Warren ended up getting a Hungarian Partridge out of a covey of 8 that got up. Then finally I made a passing shot on a rooster that flushed on my right, heading left. Those were the only two birds we got that day but at least I have something to show for my efforts so far.

Bob and Warren left early Monday morning ending the 43^rd year that Bob and I have hunted together at some point. Each fall creates more memories and this one was no different. How many more years will we have to hunt together? Warren is 12 years our senior and gets along just fine and there was an 84-year-old here last week who hunted all week with his son. Although he was not able to walk to and from his duck blind, he was able to sit there and get a few birds when delivered to his blind. Who knows, maybe we have 20 more years of hunting together!

I did get the drone up and took a few pictures of the farm.

The biggest difference for me at least is the missing white house near the center where that semitruck is parked. Here is a picture from 2015 for comparison. 

You can see that there have been a lot of changes since 2015. Chris and Holly got a new house, there are a 1/2 dozen new bins and although it is hard to see on the latest picture, there are the combines, sprayer and tractors. I don't want to brag but, all of these changes have taken place since I have started helping out. I am not going to actually come out and say that I am singly responsible for the growth and success of the farm, I will let the facts and the pictures speak for themselves. 

Tuesday morning, I was up bright and early at 5am and hit the road for home. All was went smoothly for the first hour then a deer runs out in front of me. I tried to avoid it but it ended up slamming into the side of the truck. It hit with such force I knew it was a goner, I could not stop right away but was able to pull off about a ½ mile up and inspect the damage. I could not see any damage on the truck or trailer. How could that possibly be?

I carried on down the road arriving in Rapid City just before noon. Barb knew I was coming home but had no idea where I was, so I called her and talked to her for a bit pretending I was still hours away. She said she was at Walmart shopping, so I went there, found her, snuck up behind her and grabbed her around the waist. She barely jumped as she turned around. Apparently, she is used to strange men grabbing her at Walmart?!?!

We had not seen each other in a month but we kept our reunion appropriate for our environment. Well, we were at Walmart so basically anything goes. I helped her finish her shopping and we went to lunch. We then departed ways so she could finish her other shopping adventures and I went home.

Arriving home, I walked into the garage, and it was filled with boxes. Amazon boxes, it looked like a d#nm Amazon warehouse. There were the boxes from the stools, that I knew about but what were all these other boxes? I felt a couple of them and they were all empty.

I walked into the house anxious to see the dogs. Dakota starts barking at me like I am a stranger. Zoey wants to run up to me but keeps looking back a Dakota to see how she is reacting. I start talking to them and they both run up and start licking and loving me. Such a nice feeling to be home.

After greeting the girls, I walk through the house and started to see new things all around. The side tables at the couch of course. But there were other new things.....

New pictures in the bathroom

New pictures in the bedroom upstairs along with a new bedspread, new duvet, new bed frame….what the heck?!?!

Does anyone recognize this quilt?!?

Back downstairs I see new dish on the counter….

A new wood bowl? Apparently, it is a dough bowl?

New handles on the barn doors...

A new blog book on the counter

Everything looks great actually.

How’s that old saying go? The cats away…and Barb starts buying stuff! As much as I enjoyed my time at the farm, it is soooo good to be home!

Barb got home an hour or so later and walked me around the house showing me everything she had purchased while I was gone. She was quite proud of herself! Meanwhile, the dogs settled in by the fire and were quite content now that the pack was back together.

While unpacking the camper I noticed the front passenger side jack looked a little funny. Then I noticed it was bent and there was deer hair on it.  Well, I guess I know where that deer hit! As it is, I cannot take the camper off the truck, but I guess it is better that it hit there rather than damaging the truck. The jack was actually twisted towards the back, but I spun it around before taking this picture. 

I took off the jack and saw that only the bracket was bent. Whew, I will just go online and buy a new one. Until I saw it was $350! I sure wish I was back up in North Dakota, Farmer Bob can fix anything! I took it over to my neighbor who is a rancher to see if he would have any luck straightening it

So now it is time to unpack and get to working on my project list in the house. It is going to be a busy few weeks!