Hunting is not much different than fishing. Generally speaking we fish a lake using the same techniques found in hunting. Finding the right terrain and habitat are the first goals. Stalking and taking are the second goals.
In the past two weeks of deer season, I have learned more about deer than I would have ever thought imaginable. So far my efforts have been unrewarded, as far as the table fare goes, but the experience is much more fun than expected. I can see this becoming much more than just a hobby.
The Gunflint Trail has not been a big producer of venison this year, with many people telling me they have not seen any deer. I was fortunate enough to come across a nice 10-pointer—I think.
My heart was thumping so loudly that I only got a quick glimpse before it jumped into the woods. Since then, I have found his home. Four small birch trees are rubbed up and there are a few different areas covered with droppings located 100 feet from a bed. I am no expert hunter but this place looks pretty fishy to me. With any luck I will get a shot at this guy before the weekend is over. The weather has been unseasonably warm and the little bit of snowfall that had accumulated disappeared as fast as it arrived. The smaller lakes have been keeping ice overnight for a few days now. Little Iron and Swamper lakes both have been glazed over with ice. The recent snowfall that was on top of them really made it look like winter around here, for a few days at least.
Monday night there was quite a lightning show. It took me by surprise since we have not seen any lightning for awhile. Our house, by Loon Lake, did not get any snow out of the storm but I was told that parts of the Trail had white-out conditions.
This might be the last week of outside work for the year. We are pretty fortunate to have gone this long. There a couple of Canadian jays on the jobsite that are more than friendly. One of them tried to fly off with an entire slice of pizza today. Luckily, for me, that bird was biting off a lot more than it could fly with.
The guys keep the birds busy with their bread scraps. In return they follow us around like loyal dogs. The jays are fun to play with and help keep us entertained.
Every day the end of deer season draws nearer, I get a little more anxious. There is not a lot of time for me to invest in this challenge, so I have been trying to make steps with haste. If you are fishing in my boat, that last chance comes around 5 p.m. every day.
If you are hunting, the last chance is the Sunday that the season closes.
We have a walleye reef on Saganaga that the guides have named “Last Chance.” It is a productive spot located very close to the public landing. It is a roll of the dice since you are not likely to run back out to the main lake again, and it is possible that the reef will be occupied. I tell people that we are going to fish this last spot, unless someone else is already there, and then we are going in. “Last chance” with deer hunting holds the same emotions. The difference, for me, is that I am hunting by myself. No excuses, I make all of the decisions and then proceed to carry them out. There is no one else to blame but myself if things do not go as anticipated. My favorite clients are the ones who say, “I just love being here” because they understand it.
So far, hunting has been much the same for me. I just love being there.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218-388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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