Occupy Deer Camp 2011

The first two weekends of November I spent attending rallies in the north woods of Minnesota to do our part in harvesting a deer.  The protest message we were trying to convey was that we had not harvested a deer in 3 seasons and this year with my lottery permit we were going to make sure we got our share of venison.  The protests that we participated in were quieter then the knuckleheads vandalising buildings and property in the name of progress.  We basically just did sit-ins in the forest with an occasional march. 

The first weekend of November I hunted with Al Craig, Andy Craig and Greg Olson near Long Lake in Koochiching County at our usual spot. 

Al and Greg arrived early and set up camp and Andy and I arrived late Friday night.  After listening to UMD get a come from behind 3-3 tie at Denver we unpacked and got ready for the opening day of hunting.

Saturday morning we went out to our usual stands and no deer were taken.  After a nice hot breakfast at camp we went back out and had the same results. 

On Sunday I went to Greg's normal stand and watch a small doe with two fawns eat below the stand for 20 minutes.  Even though I had the only doe tag for the group I decided to pass on the doe.  In the afternoon I made a drive to Greg's stand, but right as I started the drive I spotted a doe or fawn about 20 feet into the woods.  I hoped a buck might be in the area, but the deer was very content on eating and was not being pushed.  Again passing on the opportunity to harvest a deer.  No deer were taken.

On Monday we went out in the morning and it was very quiet for a third morning.  As Andy got out of his stand in the morning he kicked up a doe and walked back to the truck where he meet Greg.  They then posted Greg up on the trail and Andy pushed it out right to Greg.  After a short stand off, Greg got a buck that I tagged.  A successful hunt for the first week of deer camp/Occupy Deer Camp.