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Confessions of a Hunter – Watchmen of the Woods and a Pesky Critter
By Andy Anderson
Every year hunters enter the woods, quiet and easy so as not to disturb the serenity and stillness, carefully entering the stand or climbing into the tree stand so as not to alert the resident animals to the hunter’s presence. But, there is one critter that always busts you and terrorizes you relentlessly and sounds like a monster on the forest floor.
I had a new tree stand set up overlooking a food plot and feeder. Tucked back into the wood line and covered in burlap camo, the stand was well concealed yet provided a clear line of sight to all my target areas. Getting up to it was easy. I cut a clear path and mowed the tall vegetation down to assist in easy, undetectable access to the stand. I put a lot of work into this spot in hopes it would pay off with a harvest of a nice buck. I believed I had thought out and prepared for everything, or so I thought.
It was opening day of rifle season. I made my way into the stand a good 45 minutes before sunrise. I got settled in, and as I was watching dark turn to light, the woods began to awake. Birds started chirping and flying around, a cool breeze started to pick up and then I heard him: right above me, the distinct scratching and sounds of a squirrel emerging from its slumber. Bounding from limb to limb, nickering and bantering with other squirrels, he was making an awful racket.
Suddenly and without warning, an acorn bounces off my head. Thinking nothing of it, I continue to watch for deer. Next thing I hear is this squirrel coming down the tree from above me and on to a limb just above my head and to the left. It gets quiet for a minute. Then I hear him slowly working his way down the limb into my field of view. He turns where he is now staring at me. We make eye contact and all of a sudden, he goes berserk! That crazy squirrel starts screaming and chattering and running all over the tree. Acorns begin to rain down on me. I look up and realize he’s not happy with me in his tree. He’s not just unhappy, he’s mad.
To read more pick up a copy the December 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tony Dean
Snow on the Mountain is an annual forb that is part of our landscape almost every year.
It is adapted to most of Texas and grows north to Montana and Minnesota and south to Mexico.
Although is seems to be most adapted to clay soils, this plant can be found on a wide variety of soil and moisture conditions.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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