NOTE:  I would not go to the trouble and expense of building a platform unless I planned to hunt this particular area for as long as my health allows, the Lord willing of course!

On 07-11-19, I cleared small brush and sapling trees to open up a shooting lane and placed a 50 pound mineral salt block and will later go back today and broadcast shelled corn to get the deer coming regularly to this location.

TROPHY HUNTERS

When I started bow hunting in the late 1970s, I hunted trails to and from natural food sources and bedding areas.  Few if any back then placed corn out for deer, whereas our State and Federal Game Lands did not allow putting out bait here in NC if my memory is correct. 

However, now about every four wheeler you see on a towed trailer has a sack of corn on the front or back rack of the four wheeler.  I hunt for the table and freezer and putting out corn does make it easier to harvest deer.  I have to grin at the hunters that have a passion for deer hunting wanting that big set of antlers to show off and they will sit days, weeks, months and years (not 24/7 of course during hunting season) in a stand near a corn pile, feeder or food plot waiting on that trophy.  Many hunters will haul that trophy buck harvested around in the back of their truck and/or on their four wheeler rack for hours showing off their trophy which hasn't been field dressed and in my humble opinion is a waste of good venison.  Yes, I have two such trophy hunters in mind and will leave it at that.  Those that say they cannot taste or smell the difference in the venison, have very diminished taste buds and sense of smell in my humble opinion.

It doesn't take a tremendous amount of skill, just a whole lot of patience of which I do not have for trophy hunting over a corn pile, deer feeder or food plot, sitting in a comfortable tower stand or box stand with gas heat, padded swivel seat, carpet on the floor, slidable windows for shooting, gun rest, etc.,....grin if you must!  They are definitely "hunting" smarter not harder.  I have trophy hunted before in those same conditions as a guest, therefore it is like "the pot calling the kettle black", referring to myself of course, but it definitely is not my cup of tea.  If it is brown, it is down is the meat man hunter's club motto!   However, I will let yearling deer walk.

I remember several decades ago, one of our Anson County trophy deer hunters booked a mule deer hunt in Montana and came back with a mule deer set of horns that was only 14 inches inside spread.  His hunting friends really gave him some verbal abuse aka chin music for sure, harvesting such a small buck.  The guy later relocated to Montana after seeing how beautiful the country was and cannot fault him for that.  Just maybe, he has since harvested bigger bucks....another grin is in order!

My deer hunting trophy is well prepared venison over a bed of rice and gravy and a few biscuits to sop up that "beautimous" tasting gravy!

Check out my venison chop shop page for processing deer which renders excellent venison.

MY PASSION

If trophy hunting is your passion, go for it.  Where you spend your money, time and talent is where your heart is, which also has a spiritual application as well.  Many folks are just as passionate about stamp collecting, antiquing, relic hunting with metal detectors, golf, water sports, shooting pool, competitive shooting with all types of firearms, archery, tennis, reading books, watching TV, fishing, just to name a few.

My passion since January, 2017 is serving God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and putting God first in my daily life. 

Web page created and published by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-11-19.

BARRONETT BLIND GROUNDER 350

I received a Barronett ground blind Grounder 350 on 07-15-19 and got a chance to set it up the following morning and took some measurements to ascertain what size platform I need to build.  As I stated earlier, where the ideal location for this ground blind, the terrain is not flat and need to build a platform to have a level surface for the ground blind.  It seems a little off the grid to build a platform for the ground blind and could probably live with the slope of the terrain, but if spending several hours in such, it would not be very comfortable to say the least!  It is my normal MO, Modus Operandi to "overkill" or over engineer something so why change now, this late in life.....grin if you must!

The only problem or disadvantage I see with this ground blind is the windows are too high off the ground for bow hunting while sitting in a standard height stool or chair.  I pulled a tape on the front opening and it is 41 inches+- from ground level.  It is a little too high for shooting a bow sitting, unless you have a tall chair/stool and being only 5'9" in height, it would be uncomfortable for me personally.  There is plenty of room to shoot while standing at the rear of the blind and will practice shooting from the blind before I deer hunt in October.

I have an alternate plan in mind to give me the height needed while sitting to shoot my bow, but it is a little "off the grid" and will field test the idea before committing it to print......grin if you must!

Below is a short video clip of setting up the blind in our back yard at this hyperlink.  There is a lot of room in the blind and you can stand up with plenty of head room.

I failed to do proper research on ground blinds and should have went to a retailer and sit in several models to make sure it was the right ground blind for me, especially bow hunting.....my bad on this one!

I plan to pre-build the platform or at least the frame of it and will use standard length 2 x 6 x 8' treated lumber for it.  I will then transport the frame to my hunting site and after leveling the frame, will then add the overlay aka deck with treated 2 x 6 x 8' lumber.

NOTE:  This idea was not to smart which manifested itself later!

I do not plan to bow hunt until the month of October or when we have a serious cold front move through and should have plenty of time to get arrows flying true through a couple Deer 3D targets, our Lord willing of course.  Tomorrow is promised to no one!

This hunting location is mostly for late afternoon hunting due to the thermal currents and deer movement patterns until the rut kicks in which then works about anytime of the day!

BUILDING THE GROUND BLIND PLATFORM

NOTE:  This was definitely "working harder, not smarter", failing to realize the weight of (7 to 9) 2 x 6 x 8' treated lumber, but I managed to get it transported there and into position with the aid of my truck and a chain, plus a ton of grunting and sweating profusely.

I purchased the lumber and deck screws from our local Lumber barn here in Wadesboro, NC early in the morning of 07-16-19 and it didn't take too long to get the platform frame screwed together.  As stated earlier, I failed to realize the weight of the platform (without the decking) and was challenged to get it to the site location.  I should have put it together on site versus in the back yard, but managed to salvage a not too intelligent construction project, whereas I was "working harder, not smarter."  I took some serious brow beating aka chin music from my friend Robert Webster of Hamlet, NC in the afternoon who volunteered to help, but I was finished for today!   I asked him to schedule an appointment for me with his Psychiatrist.........grin if you must.

The temperature was around 95 degrees with the humidity very high and within an hour or less I was soaking wet from sweat.  Sweat droplets were continuing to fall from my head and face like rain.  I used a homemade sweat band from a strip of cotton cloth bath towel soaked in cold water that did help keep the seat from flowing directly into my eyes.

THUMBNAIL PIXS

I have the platform leveled up at the hunting site and will replace one rear corner that I leveled up with bricks and will use cement blocks and/or a cement pylon instead.  I will add four (4) more supports in between the corners which should make the platform as stable as the Rock of Gibraltar per the advice of Robert Webster.  At my advanced stage in life, this platform and ground blind should last until the Rapture takes place or the grave, which ever one comes first!

I am thankful for each and every day that God allows and give Him the Praise, Honor and Glory in all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! 

I will complete this project in the morning after I purchase a few cement blocks and/or pylons from our local Lumber Barn, the Lord willing of course.  That was wishful thinking on my part about finishing this project in the morning due to the shovel work needed to level the block pillars.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-16-19.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

I spent a couple hours or more this morning adding four (4) additional supports under the outside frame members.  The ground was hard and with the square point shovel and a steady stream of sweat droplets, finally got it done.  I had to cut a few treated 2 x 6 spacers to thickness and width to add onto the top of the blocks for level, otherwise it was a workout with the square point shovel in the hard red clay type ground.

I was totally pooped out and had enough energy to get four (4) deck boards screwed in place on top of the platform when one of the 18V DeWalt generic batteries gave up the ghost and it was time to head for the cool ac and hydrate as much as possible.  I drilled a pilot drill in the boards with one drill before screwing them into place with the coated 3 inch length deck screws.  However, pre-drilling the pilot hole is not necessary, especially in soft pine and when not on the end of the board.  A few of the 2 x 6 x 8' boards were heavy as lead and hard as a rock.

The blocks should keep the platform level, although not the prettiest job by far!  I might move the left support blocks over to the right some, just for eye appeal, although I will have to no doubt add some fill dirt underneath the right corner......grin if you must!

I had no idea how much of an elevation/slope the terrain had until I started this project.  There is a good 30 yard plus shooting lane, but I like my bow shots close in around 20 yards or less.  No crossbow usage yet, but not saying I want use one if I am unable to pull the ole Matthews Drenalin bow back.  Then again, cocking a 150 pound pull crossbow presents some physical issues as well.

I need at least one more 2 x 6 x 8' treated board to finish this project up, hopefully tomorrow, The Lord willing of course.

I took some serious brow beating and chin music from Robert Webster when I told him I pre-drilled the boards on the platform deck.  I still plan to pre-drill the end boards to prevent splitting the ends which can happen.  Murphy's Law never sleeps!  Robert said he had used thousands of the self tapping threaded deck screws over the decades and had no problem with the end boards splitting.  I think Robert has a golden horse shoe hid somewhere!

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-17-19.

CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED

After my daily morning Bible reading/study, I had to pick up a few things at Wally World aka Walmart and after a very light breakfast of bagels and milk, I headed to my 2019 hunting site to hopefully complete screwing the deck boards down on the platform for my ground hunting blind.

After putting down all but five (5) boards, one of my 18 VDC batteries was depleted of energy and it was time to take a serious cool down and watering break.  Also, I needed one additional board and made a trip to the Wadesboro Lumber Barn and purchased the required board.  I had calculated the correct amount of boards needed for the platform, but I cut a 15.5 inch section off one of the boards to make a few leveling blocks for the frame to save some serious shoveling with the square point shovel.

After screwing down all the remaining boards except the last one, I took a measurement to ascertain how much I needed to cut off the width of the 5.5 inch wide board of which they classify it as 6 inches in width.  I needed 3.125 inches and ripped the width on my table saw.  The wet board from the treating solution wanted to bog down my table saw and I had a crosscut blade on the saw arbor versus a rip blade, but it was ripped to width without any problem.

Below are a couple pixs of the completed platform.

I believe my camera wide angle lens has the right front corner blocks distorted a little in the vertical orientation aka plumb....anyway, the pillar isn't going anywhere for sure.  I might put the level on it to see how bad my eyesight is......grin if you must!

This view is looking down range and you can see the mineral block around 15 yards+-.

I will use some camo spray paint that I have on hand and camo the border of the platform along with the cement blocks that stick out like a sore thumb.  With the terrain and the normal deer movement patterns, it is very unlikely deer will approach from the rear of the platform.  In the past, most of the deer movement has been in front of this platform location which has a couple varieties of hardwoods; e.g., white oak, water oak and also red oak in the area as well.

I will set the ground blind on the platform and secure it in place around the first of September to give the deer a chance to get use to it and will continue to broadcast shelled corn down range on a regular basis.

This was a challenging project for me physically and I failed to realize or accept the fact that I am no longer a "spring chicken" of which I can tell my strength is declining over the past few years, but I am thankful for each and every day that God allows and give Him the Praise, Honor and Glory in all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior!

A four wheeler would have been a big asset in transporting the boards, bricks and blocks, but never owned one and had to adapt and overcome!  I used the ole Ford truck to get the materials as close as I could to the hunting site and manual labor from then on for sure.  I used an ole Jackson brand commercial grade wheel barrow to transport the blocks and bricks which helped a lot.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-18-19. 

CAMOUFLAGED THE GROUND BLIND PLATFORM

I had a can of brown, green and black spray exterior paint on hand and took the new shine off the platform and block pillars.  It was 94 degrees outside and didn't take too long to spray the border of the platform and the blocks.

This pix taken at the end of the shooting lane after spraying the platform and block pillars, whereas the platform blends in pretty good with the back ground.

A close up shot of the front of the platform and pillars.  I call this the snake camo pattern.  Looks a little like some of the graffiti in the larger cities.

Looking forward to September and will set the ground blind on top of the platform and wait until October to start bowhunting.  Hopefully by then, deer will be use to the platform and ground blind and enjoying the free offering of broadcast corn for them.

This platform is SN 77......grin if you must!

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-21-19.

BLIND SET UP AND READY TO HUNT

I finally got around to getting the Barronett 350 ground blind onto the platform and now waiting until the weather cools down.  The last few years, I have waited until the month of October to start bowhunting, of which the weather is more conducive for bowhunting.  The last hurricane Dorian that missed us here in Anson County, NC did produce some good winds that help bring down acorns which will keep the deer busy feeding on them and slacken off eating the broadcast corn.

The view from where I start broadcasting corn for the deer.  Raccoons and squirrels do get their share of corn too.

A closer up shot of the blind with the front panels open.

Another view looking from the front of the blind to the shooting lane and broadcast corn area. 

I am looking forward to hunting out of this blind and hope to have success harvesting a deer or two with the eleven (11) year old Matthews Drenalin solo cam bow. 

I definitely need to start shooting some practice broadheads into a couple deer 3D targets.

Web published update by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 09-13-19.

SHOT A FEW PRACTICE BROADHEADS

This morning on 09-20-19, I went to Dunham's Sports in Rockingham, NC and purchased a deer 3D target and after setting it in place at about 19 yards +-, I shot a few practice broadcasts.  The 60 pound pull bow felt like it was 100 pounds; muscles not use to it yet, but will get easier with more practice sessions.

The above grouping will not win a tournament, but would harvest a deer, however with more practice, the grouping will be much tighter.

I am practice sitting down, since I plan to hunt this way.

TRAIL CAMERA PIX

I pulled the card from the trail camera and a doe and two fawns were feeding yesterday morning.

I haven't seen any bucks yet at this location, but they will be out and about before too much longer.  As I stated earlier on this page, I hunt for the freezer, therefore a fried or grilled doe tenderloin or back strap will look good on a biscuit.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 09-20-19.

PRACTISING CONTINUES

I like to use the word practising as in the movie Sgt. York when he was on the firing range dry firing his weapon.......grin if you must.

I have had two or three practising sessions with the Mathews Drenalin Solo cam bow since 09-20-19 and my arrow grouping is getting better today being 09-23-19.  The bow this morning pulled back much easier and the ole shoulder muscles are getting a work out for sure.

I had one flyer out of the main group and that was the first arrow.  I should have checked that arrow to see if it is straight, however I am sure it is the shooter versus the arrow.  My point of aim was in the center of the vital area.

NOTE:  I checked the arrow that shoots to the left and it is bent with a serious wobble to it when spun.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 09-24-19 and 10-03-19.

GROUND BLIND HUNTING

I hunted a total of eight (8) times during October so far and finally saw a couple deer on 10-19-19 about dusk dark.  A spike buck with a kicker point came in and he was facing toward my position and quartering slightly to my right.  I took the shot, however upon the release of the arrow, I heard a metallic sound and then heard the arrow hitting the deer.  It appears the arrow glanced off and/or made contact with one of the front angular supporting members of the shooting blind.

NOTE:  I shot the same broadhead arrow the next day into my deer 3D target and it flew true and there was not any kind of abnormal noise from the solo cam bow. 

I tracked the deer for at least 300 yards until the blood trail stopped and the next morning continued the track again until the blood trail stopped.  I circled the area for a long time and never picked up a blood trail.  In all probability, the hit was non lethal.

I checked my trail camera on the 21st and noticed the deer were feeding in mid day and later in the afternoon, of which I don't hunt on Sunday.  The deer have my scheduled pegged for sure.....grin if you must!

Sooner or later, the deer and myself will make contact during good shooting light conditions.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 10-21-19.

BUCK PASSING THROUGH

Below is a 8 point buck feeding on 10-17-19 and haven't seen him on the trail camera since then.  He could be in someone's freezer.....grin if you must!

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 10-29-19.

WAITING ON MUZZLELOADER SEASON

Today is October 30, 2019 and decided to hang the ole Mathews Solo Cam bow up for this season and wait on our Central NC Muzzleloader season which comes in Saturday November 2, 2019.  The annual rut should be in full swing within the next two weeks.

Per the trail camera, the deer of late are feeding mostly during the night time hours or very late afternoon (nearly dark) and with my bride's health issues as of August 26, 2019, I have not been hunting early morning and late afternoon (one time for sure) desiring to assist her at the Anson Health & Rehabilitation Facility.  Hopefully, she will be strong enough to return home soon! 

I relocated my broadcast corn farther out and maybe the deer will come out in daylight hours, otherwise my freezer will be on a serious diet for lack of venison.......grin if you must!  The annual rut usually triggers deer movement during the day at my favorite hunting stand, whereas prior to the rut, it is basically a late evening hunting stand.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 10-30-19.

CHECKED MUZZLELOADER POINT OF AIM

I waited until the last day (November 1, 2019) to check the point of aim on the antiquated Knight MK-85 .50 caliber muzzleloader.  Last hunting season, I knocked the muzzleloader over onto the cement garage floor and it definitely hit hard and yet harvested a good buck, of which I thought the point of aim was high and to the left and definitely wanted to verify the POA.  I only needed to fire only one bullet to verify that the point of aim was correct.  Guess that high and left shot placement last hunting season was my bad......grin if you must!

Below is the target and the point of aim is where it has been since October 19, 2012:

I just noticed how bad the dust spots are on the camera's internal sensor behind the mirror is and will clean it ASAP.  Also, the lead bullet weight is 260 grains versus 160 that I have annotated on the target.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-01-19.

FIRST DEER HARVEST

As stated earlier, deer have been feeding during the night time and also when I am not hunting....I grin at myself stating, "they must have a GPS unit affixed to myself."

I put some fresh shelled corn out this morning being November 7, 2019 at my favorite hunting location and pulled the camera SD card and deer had fed this morning from 3AM until 7AM while I was visiting with my bride at the Anson Health & Rehabilitation Facility and also during the night time hours the past couple days.  

Changing the subject a little; This morning at 0122 hours, a coyote was howling loudly about 50 yards (estimate) from my bedroom window interrupting my sleep.  The coyotes are back into the area again and a rabbit and young deer doesn't stand much of a chance with a pack of them on their heels.

At about 0945 hours, I observed a small buck in the feeding area sporting only one spike and the other antler was about flush with his head.  I watched him for about 5 minutes to see if a larger deer, hopefully a large doe would come in, but it didn't happen.

I decided to take a head shot on the deer since I knew the muzzleloader POA was excellent at 52 yards and the little buck was a little less than that distance.  At the muzzle report, whitish blue smoke bellowed from the Knight MK-85 rifle and it took a couple seconds to be able to see the deer, of which was down for the 10 count.

The little buck might have weighed 125 pounds on the hoof and was quickly processed and aging out in our basement game refrigerator at approximately 1108 hours for later slicing the back strap aka loin and tenderloins, filleting the meat off the bone and grinding to render ground venison.  It is getting about time to prepare a good venison meal!  The deer harvest was registered on line to seal the deal!

Below is a pix of the little buck harvested:

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-07-19.

NOTE:  I sliced the loin aka back strap and tenderloins and deboned and ground the balance of the little buck on 11-11-19 and ended up with twenty-five (25) pounds of meat. 

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-11-19.

DOE HARVEST

Around 4:52 P.M. on November 14, 2019, I observed a button buck enter the feeding area where I had broadcast shelled corn around 10:00 A.M.  Squirrels and deer had dry cleaned the place and figured deer should feed today before dark.

Following the button buck was a doe which no doubt was his mother and both were around forty-five (45) yards from my hunting location.  As soon as the doe presented a broadside head shot, the heavy duplex crosshairs on the Leopold 3.5 x 10 power x 50MM scope were aligned on her head and the doe went down at the muzzle report of the Knight MK-85 .50 caliber muzzleloader.

It didn't take too long to cover the distance of 45 yards +- and she was dragged out of the immediate feeding area.  She was quickly field dressed and headed home with her.

After getting her to the white oak hanging tree nicknamed Tom Dooley aka Dula, she was hoisted up off the ground since I planned to leave her hanging overnight.  The current temperature is 39 degrees F. and will get down to 34 degrees F. and will be fine to hang the doe overnight until I skin and quarter her up early tomorrow morning. 

Pix below of the doe:

After taking a couple pixs, I hoisted the deer up very high off the ground due to coyotes and black bear in the area which would enjoy a free meal, not to mention wild dogs and/or house dogs running loose.  I secured the handle of the boat winch with a chain to make sure coyotes could not disengage the ratchet mechanism of the boat winch.

PS:  A couple years ago, two black bear cubs were seen within a half mile of my hunting location and we now have a black bear hunting season here in Anson County, NC, however I have never seen a black bear at this hunting location or on my trail cameras.

I went on line and registered the doe harvest and reloaded the muzzleloader just in case something comes out tomorrow.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-14-19.

SKINNED AND QUARTERED DEER

I skinned and quartered the harvested doe the following morning (11-15-19) with the weather being cold and misting rain.  I was wrapped up "tighter than two coats of paint", grin if you must!

I believe the doe was a little larger than the spike buck, but after final processing the doe, the scales will manifest if my guess is correct.

I see the makings of some good wild game recipes.

NOTE:  I ended up with 27 pounds of boneless deer meat in burger and sliced loin & tenderloin.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-15-19 and 11-18-19. 

NIGHTTIME PROWLERS

I believe the above is a pix of a coyote.....check his grin out!

FLOCK OF WILD TURKEYS

I observed a flock of wild turkeys feeding this morning around 8:25 AM, whereas I have not changed the camera time from daylight savings time yet, but will do so when I place the SD card back into the camera.

I heard an ole long beard hammering away last winter and observed turkey scratching, but this is the first wild turkeys that have been in the deer feeding area.  Might be some wild turkey nuggets and/or wild turkey stir fry come Spring time.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-16-19.

DOE HARVEST 11-25-19

Today November 25, 2019 at about 12:00 noon, I observed three does in my feeding area; two yearlings and apparently their mother.  I still had the muzzleloader loaded and wanted to use it to harvest another deer, not wanting to pull the bullet and/or waste a fired round in the dirt.

It took a few minutes of watching them to get a clear shot at the larger doe, of which one yearling was blocking her vital area.  Finally, the yearling moved enough to allow a shot and the doe was quartering away some.  At the muzzle report, all I saw through the scope was bluish white smoke and by the time it cleared, I observed one of the yearlings in the edge of cover trying to figure out what had just happened.

It didn't take too long to cover the 45 yards where the deer were standing and I observed deer hair on the ground and a few feet away a profuse blood trail about a foot and half wide which a blind man might could follow........grin if you must!

The doe went about 50 yards and the profuse blood trail was highly visible.  I field dressed her and dragged her out.  Upon arriving back home at my skinning/hanging white oak free, she was skinned and quartered up and placed in my basement game refrigerator to age out a couple days before deboning the deer and grinding everything except the tenderloins and loin straps.

The deer harvest was registered with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission on line.  I probably have enough venison for this season, but might hunt a few more times.

Below are a few of my standard photo shots that I usually take.  Once in a while I will do a self portrait with the deer, but it is a hassle to set the tripod up and set the self timer.  I don't use the self timer enough to be too familiar with it.

The above custom knife has field dressed a good number of deer since I made it.

The right shoulder of the doe was badly damaged by the exiting bullet and didn't keep it.

I have to clean the ole muzzleloader and store it for next muzzleloader hunting season, the Lord willing of course!

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-25-19.

BIG GAME SEASON IS ENDED FOR ME

I might harvest a few squirrels, but my deer hunting season has come to an end since I have plenty of venison in the freezer.  Also one of my friends, Frankie Cranford and his grandson Dillon brought by the hind quarters and loin straps off a large buck they harvested which the hind quarters were deboned and vacuum sealed for roasts, etc. and the loins were cut in half to render some loin roasts as well.

NOTE:  My brother Allen Porter is being gifted the last doe harvested and the hind quarters and loins of the deer Frankie Cranford and Dillon brought by.  I had already separated the major muscle groups from the bone and vacuum sealed them and cut the loins in half and vacuum sealed them as well!

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior for His many blessings in life and give Him the praise, honor and glory in all things.!

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-27-19.