First Long Ridge Deer camp 2021

Christmas has started and deer season is 10 days over...time to recap  some wonderful experiences and photos. 2021 LRDC was a recovery from our cancelled 2020 camps, and is the 25th anniversary of camps here at Long Ridge. The hunters and land, and herd has changed some over the years, and gets better and better. What was NOT better this year, was the success rate for hunters. While some twenty deer were seen, most were does out of season, or on the fly. For me, I did not see a single buck during all 90 open days of hunting, a first ever. I hunted through the rut and the chase phase. I hunted during archery. I hunted through muzzle, and then during firearms season.  Very strange, as there are as many deer as I have ever seen on all the cameras from spring on. We appear to be sustaining somewhere around 15/20 deer per square mile in these parts, but they simply went missing. We hunt a low pressure area, so perhaps a lack of hunters hurts. Four hunters took does, none took a buck. But then, when did harvest numbers decide if hunts were wonderful or a drag? Never. Camp was wonderful and as good as any we have hosted, ever. We did miss several long time hunters, but hopefully they will return next year. 

Below is a healthy doe taken by a veteran.

I would be sad to post a blog with no pictures of porkys, one of my favorite woods denizens.

The big guys in the several pictures below never showed during shooting hours. That makes them a year older, and a year smarter. In so many ways, I am glad.

Below is another doe taken.

We do keep a meticulous log of stands hunted, animals seen, and hours hunted. On review, it not only increases chances of success, but aids in avoiding other hunters already on stand. 

Rifle season, on a twenty foot stand. No deer came into view this day, but i count it as a perfect and peaceful afternoon. 

Whenever I still hunt I see miracles. This little birch must have landed as a seed on a stump years ago and sprouted. As the stump rotted away, the little guy had to stretch and stretch for nourishment from the ground. Neat. I love trees. It may be a silly thing, but I have always apologized to every tree I cut down, even as a kid. And putting up five cords of wood each year means a lot of apologizing. I purposely cut stumps  bit high in hopes they will re-sprout. (They usually do.) Another thing that some might think odd. When i walk through the woods and see naturally dead trees, some huge, some small, I am reminded that none of us last forever. It is things like this, that have taken all fear of death from me. 

Not sure who brought this handsome bottle, but listening to chatter, it was a bottle of interest, and tasted quite good!

Never a LRDC without a roaring fire. I cannot imagine camp without it.

The rack, under the bulletin board. Always an adventure to see what rifles/calibers arrive...

And then, after cocktail hour, the highlight of the evening. A four star/five star wild game dinner. The conversation is a years make-up, and nearly as good as the meal.

A closeup of a plate reveals venison back straps, wild boar, baked potations and heaps of salad. 

Before we eat though, there is much preparation and pre-meal snacks. You know, that French word that we ALL have to look up to spell occasionally.

The bunk room, nearly full with nine hunters for the camp.

And, at the full supper table.

Camp atmosphere is important. LRDC has it!

Another shot of a different stand. A perfect day in all respects. Peace and well being.

The ripped up tree is in sight of camp. The buck returned twice, but always after dark, of course. 

I like to throw in these next three images occasionally. They are one of the first things I have any aspiring hunter apprentice read. Respect. History. Ancient. Genes. Teamwork. God.

After meals, during meals, and the several toasts we make each year. And to the coming year.

Camp comradery means everything.

2021 Master Griller of venison and wild boar Jim.

Master wild game sauce chef (every year) Bruce, generous in his servings! Delicious indeed.

When I say meal conversation is great, there are several minutes when it actually ceases. I think we can see why.

I always ask hunters to please RSVP. It is the proper and right thing to do. Some do. Some don't. Some do it with a flourish and humor that is quite entertaining. The best ones go on the bulletin board. 

Below are several shots of some land we hunt that the owner heavily logged. Won't be worth hunting for several tears, but then, wow!

And so LRDC followers, that is a synopsis of our season. Fun, interesting, invigorating, healthy, spiritual, natural and eco perfect. And since weekends like these are readily available to most folks, I will soon re-post my version of 'Why not start a deer camp?' I do it every few years, hoping someone, somewhere in this world, will create and loves the joys that come with it. People from all over the world read this, so perhaps some day, I will be brought to a blog of their own. It is a dream. 

Comments and critique always welcome

jackzeller@myfairpoint.net