It wasn't that long ago when I wrote an article sharing my intentions for the upcoming deer season. Although precipitation had been sparse, and the summertime temperatures hovered near the century mark, I was convinced that conditions would have been far different by the time the opening morning of deer season was declared underway.
I continued plotting, in spite of the fact that the rains and lower temperatures were slow to arrive. Plans were to set up camp on Lake Ouachita, where I could motor to the opposing side of the lake and hunt a specific location that I had happened upon a few years ago.
In my eyes, it was the perfect spot, a saddle atop a point that eventually necked down to the water's edge. White oaks were abundant, and this particular section of the national forest was not accessible via vehicle. And there were no indications that ATVs or OHVs had been frequenting the area.
There were plenty of signs, however, leading me to believe that whitetails frequented the area on a regular basis. In fact, remnants of scrapes and old rubs were a sure sign that bucks had used the area during previous ruts.
I had full intentions of sticking with the plan, until recently. In fact, hardly a month has transpired since my wife and I embarked upon an afternoon drive to choose the exact location where I would pitch my tent.
Well, my sentiments changed following a recent fishing trip. I first grew a little concerned upon my arrival at the launching ramp. Although I eventually managed to get the boat in the water, I was hardly out of the woods. In fact, the water level was so low that I high-centered the craft on a submerged stump while en route back to the shoreline.
We carefully maneuvered the boat through the shallows to deeper water. But I must still avoid submerged humps and other obstacles that posed no danger whatsoever during normal pool.
This was not the exact location where I planned to camp. However, the terrain was comparable. In fact, I wasn't sure that the pocket where I planned to park the boat was even navigable. Let alone the issue of motoring to my destination just before daylight.
Well, I have since come to a conclusion. First and foremost, I'm not even sure if the rainfall, or lack thereof, has adversely affected the acorn mass at this particular spot. And I am equally as concerned with the possibility that I might damage my lower unit while trying to navigate before the break of day.
That in mind, I have decided to put my initial game plan on the back burner for yet another year, and resort to hunting locations that are easily accessible via afoot.
Of course, I am aware of several spots that have proven productive throughout the years. But I still find myself in somewhat of a quandary. I still feel the need to scout the areas where I might hunt.
And as it turns out, the opening morning of the alternative firearms deer season will be declared open in just a couple of days. The way I see it, it's essential to find a spot where the food sources are plentiful. And it might prove most beneficial to locate a dependable water source.
Granted, I might not hunt immediately over these consistent food and water sources. But their exact locations are essential if I plan to locate the game trails that lead to and fro.
And then there is always the potential that others have located these spots, as well. So I must find an alternative location, as well.
So the way I see it, a good portion of the alternative firearm season will be dedicated to getting my ducks in a row and preparing for the upcoming modern gun hunt, in November.
But that's not to say that happening upon a shooter during my scouting expeditions is out of the question. Who knows, it might turn out to be the most memorable hunt on record. Only time will tell.