Took the long way home

There's always a change after I put the first venison in the freezer each year, a lessening of the urgency. Having done that and knowing I've still got to travel next week I set out today to put a blind in on the high ground of the far Northeast corner of the property and then spend the rest of the day still hunting and scouting.

Back in the spring I picked up a Bison Gear 'Lost River' pack. Primarily I intended to use it for a day pack, I've since found though that I can pack enough for a two night three day hunt in the pack and that's without attaching it to a frame. I can go a week with the frame added. I don't remember being as happy with a pack purchase as I have been with this one.



Strapped on top is a multicam MEST, inside of it is a woobie, there's another MEST in the pack along with a casualty blanket. With that I can rig a three season shelter and be quite comfortable.

I cut a moose track on the way out but it wasn't going where I was.



Some of the scenery on the way to the future ground blind site.













This is where I wanted to put the blind. It's a high spot that sits at the intersection of multiple trails. There's water at the bottom, bedding area to the west and feeding ground to the east. In the morning the sun will be warming, and the north wind blocked.

The birch tree with the bark gone is where I'll put my tree seat.



Time to get to work, a BK9 and a Bahco saw and some burlap.



I didn't take pictures during the building but the end result will work out I think. The view from outside the blind.



The view from inside the blind out in one of the three directions.



With me in it.



Scenery on the way to where I wanted to still hunt in the afternoon.















About 1:30 there were some clouds building and a change in the wind told me there was rain coming.



I found a stump worth using and set my BCUSA MEST up quickly. It wasn't a bad rain, just one of those storms that springs up and fades away just as quickly, but it gave me a chance to make a simple lunch and some coffee.

















It was too windy for a fire in the area I was in so the MSR pocket rocket was pressed into service. I've carried that little stove for years and years now, it's never failed me, very reliable, very little weight and very efficient. It's perfect for these types of impromptu meals on windy days when you don't want to build a fire.









After lunch and the rain cleared I hit the trail again headed towards the the low country where the beaver are prolific and the hunting is usually good.







































Into the Tamaracks, labrador tea, and sphagnum moss.









Time to head towards home.









Good times...