I am sure that is why the weekend was not a huge success, that pontoon is not a Lone Wolf Pontoon! The deer know the difference
Ummm... Yeah, you'd think. I on the other hand have a this innate ability to turn a great situation, into a complete disaster. Here's how it went down. Leaving the Lodge, all good and happy. Pull off shore and the motor is froze. I know. No big deal. Pull out the paddle and I'm on my way. I'm trying not to go too fast as I'm bundled for the cold, non-working ride across the lake. Along the way I think, "man it's nice out. What a great day." So I stop to take a photo to share with you all... After I put my phone back in I decide to see if the motor will spin. Success! Back in full action! I start cruising along and see a bunch of ducks take off. A beautiful sight for sure. I round the corner to the outlet and see a skim of ice that starts less than half the way into the outlet. I thought that it wouldn't have been out that far and take another photo. If I pulled off at the ice's edge, it make for a 400 yard bushwhack through thick tag and brush. With the sun on my back and a fully functioning motor, I decide to push through. After all, 2 minutes of slicing through slush and skim ice will surely be forgotten by all the creatures of the woods. Mistake #1. Within 20 yards I'm busting through 1/8-1/4" ice. Noisy as he'll, but I'm still cruising through. I've made some noise, but it will all be over soon. Let's do this. Mistake #2 60 yards later and I'm busting through this ****. Leaving a trail of destruction along the way. At one point I think about backing out, but hitting all the icebergs heading out makes just as much noise. Plus I'd still have all that bushwhacking. Forward! So... Now I'm sitting here in my stand for the next 7 hours knowing that every beast in a 3 mile radius just hear my 15 minute circus. "But Fitz," you say, "How bad could it really have been?" Glad you asked. [video=youtube_share;wXeoe-ygQNw]http://youtu.be/wXeoe-ygQNw[/video] Keep in mind, on this clear crisp morning, I can hear the guys logging 2 miles to my South. If I see anything other than this mouse under my stand today, I'll be amazed!
Dang, that's rough but better than I thought it was going to turn out. I was envisioning a capsized canoe and wet/lost gear and a frozen Fitz emerging from the icy depth to see Blade staring at him from the shoreline. It's always the should have stayed at home or turned around days hat end up being something special. Good luck!
I will say, the last time I busted that much ice to hunt across the lake. I did shoot a small 7 pter. That was a different part of the lake though, plus I was using a fishing boat and a rifle
Still a beautiful day out. You can see the trail from the canoe. Here a shot of Chase & I from my dad's cam.
For today's lunch we are serving a venison & cheese sandwich on an everything bagel. I highly recommend coupling it with a cup of our finest hot apple cider I didn't get a picture of my smoked string cheese appetizer
It was! Just got done watching a fisher move along the icy shore of the outlet. Only bummed that he was so far away.
