Went huntin' with Dad and all I got was this lousy Jackrabbit...

Not to be confused with the "big hoppin' coyote with lots of ears".

We weren't really hunting for anything other than the jumpin' jacks, but we could have shot our limit of pheasants, which we've been doing plenty of. We tried to put a dent in the rabbit numbers, but success was low. We'll continue working on them for the next couple of months and try to save as many trees as possible.

We're winding down on the regular season with a few small hunts planned along with the family hunt, and there are a lot of birds left , as is apparent in the photo below (click on it to see a larger image). We'll continue plugging along, and when the regular season closes we'll work on the preserve and knock as many out there as we can. Lots left there, too, not sure what we're trying to save other than the pheasants from themselves.

Not Since 1959!!!

The SD Game, Fish & Parks attempted to raise the daily limit of rooster pheasants to 5 for the remainder of the season; something that hasn't been done in 50 years. The Department explained that because of the abundance of roosters and the lack of harvest of fall row-crops, which inhibited the harvest early in the season, this years population could easily sustain the extra harvest. The Commission vote did not receive enough aye votes for the emergency rule to pass. If the rule would have passed we would have been allowed to take 5 roosters a day from Saturday, December 5 until the end of the season. We could have taken on the additional harvest, but I guess we'll just do it three birds at a time, and carry over what's left. Right now that's looking like plenty, but with a month left in the season we'll do our best to put a dent in it. Anybody interested in helping can check the dates at the Inn with the boss.

Who's Having Tag Soup??

Not Cordie. He filled his tag this morning down on South South, as we like to call it. Some of you may know it as that big circle food plot. We let this nice 6x6 mulie buck walk yesterday because we were not sure how good he was, but Cordie wouldn't let it happen two days in a row. I've also received word that John Wayne and Paul filled their tags, but no proof yet. I guess that leaves me with tag in hand. I'll be eating good tonight on fresh backstrap, but not sure how much more Cordie will share. I've got until Sunday to get some of my own. I'm sure there's going to be another doe or two to fill the freezer, but not so sure we can find another good buck. I'll keep you posted. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Always something to be thankful for.

One Down....

Big John was the first to strike and fill his coveted Grasslands tag out of the Jund hunting party. He took this nice 5x5 mule deer on Tuesday evening. John Wayne, Paul, and Dalton still have tags, and several good bucks in their sights. They've spent quite a few hours scouting, planning, and watching, not too mention a few attempts with the bow. A few of the good bucks have fallen into other hunters hands, but that's what happens on public land. They've got a week and a half left, and when not at work they'll be at play. Good luck boys, and to the rest of you with deer tag in hand. Feel free to send your pictures to the Snake Den and a story of the successful hunt. Cordie and I are still trying to find a good one. I got word that Brandon shot a decent one on the Reservation, a 5x5 whitetail, but no picture to post.

Great Shots

Spent the last weekend with the Hunter/Schneider clan out of NC (and a few from SC). A young man by the name of Ben gave me all the pictures that he took while he was here. A great collection of some really good shots. I'm sure he missed some shots with his shotgun, but his comrades were nice to enough to pick up the slack. I posted a couple of them, but there's many more of the dogs, birds, and hunters. Some great action shots. I know he had to make some good shots with his shotgun too, but these are the ones we'll remember. Good job Ben, and I hope you had fun shooting with both.

Are you sure??

IT'S A BOY!! Abby and Brandon found out recently that they are due to have a boy in March. The newest addition to the Snake Den, another hunter I'm sure, which never hurts. A future guide in the making to tag along with Kellen. His name, unknown at this time, and I'm told is a secret. Nothing wrong with that, gotta keep some things to yourself. Good Luck to the Bacon's, and that sizzlin' ham in the oven.

What a Difference a Year Makes

The picture above was taken last year at this time (thanks to Stoney Denny), and for those of you who have been here lately know we're far from snow. We were beginning to wonder what kind of winter it was going to be when we had a skiff of snow during the opening week, but lately we've been having what they call an "Indian Summer". The temps are forecasted to be above 70 degrees today, and we've been dry for a whole week now. We've got a long ways to go before spring, but so far so good.

The combines have been busy lately taking out as much fall crop as fast as they can. It will definitely change the hunting for the better, and we can't complain much about the temps being too warm. We've had a "Carolinas Invasion" with the last couple of groups, and they're certainly not complaining. Between the two there are over 30 hunters from North and South Carolina, with the majority being from the North. Is one better than the other? What's the difference, and where the heck is Hilton Head?

Also pictured above is Cordie's brother, Delvin, who is scheduled to make an appearance some time this weekend. We'll see how long we can get him to hang around.