Sunday Morning Hunt

Bob and I hunted together Sunday morning at the Game Warden's Stand.  It was a beautiful cold and crisp morning and we watched the sun come up from this side-view window.  We had 3 does to come out at the far end of the field about 200 yards and we watched them feed.  This is a beautiful stand with a great view overlooking a wildlife refuge in front of the field with a road dividing the two.  Also, where sunflowers were planted on the refuge for this past dove season.  It was indeed a beautiful site to behold! 

My husband, Bob.



Bob posing in front of the Game Warden's Stand.

Looking down towards the end of the field where the 3 does came out.

Bob took a picture of me while waiting for Rex to come and pick us up.

Deer tracks vs. our truck tracks!

Christmas Camp Shots!

Day breaking on the Arrowhead Stand...the mid-right is where my deer came out Saturday afternoon and dropped her at 85 yards.

Yearlings and does came out on the morning and evening hunts from the left to feed in the field.

Behind me where two does came out from the right and tried to shoot when it misfired.

First of four does were taken on the morning hunt by Paul, Burney, Stewart and Jack!  Congrats Guys!

Jeffrey Hollis, Burney Howell and Rex relaxing and talking about their morning deer hunts.  (Story about deer hunt posted Monday, November 15, 2010)

Got Meat!!!

My husband Bob and I were invited by Rex of Deer Camp Blog and family to the MS Delta to hunt for a doe/hog at their famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club.  We really had a great weekend and were able to get three hunts in with rain predicted for Saturday and Sunday.  The rain set-in before our Saturday afternoon hunt but was not a downpour and deer were moving like crazy.  On my first hunt, I wanted to go to my favorite spot, the Arrowhead (tripod) Stand.  After being on the stand for about an hour, I had a button buck to come out first and then a nice size doe.  I was able to take a picture of them, grab my binoculars and decided I would go for the big doe.  This was about 6:50 am.  I had a tree in front of me and was waiting for her to come to the other side and be ready.  Well, the young button buck blew at me and turned and took off back into the woods.  The doe just stood for a few seconds and did the same.  I don't think I spooked her because she new something was up and followed suit.  

About 20 minutes later two more does came out behind me.  I was able to take their picture, scoped and get ready to shoot.  While the doe on the right was standing broadside, I put the crossed hairs on her shoulder and fired my husband's .50 cal. in line muzzle loader and POOF...nothing!  The cap went off but no bullet discharged and later found out that it was not properly loaded and the bullet was not seated by the ramrod.  Just had to watch them walk off.  So that was that!   

After we got my husband's muzzle loader problem solved at the camp, he wanted to take it and Rex offered me his 45.70 to use.  I wanted to go back to the Arrowhead Stand and hopefully try again to get a doe.  Shots were going off everywhere - finally two small yearlings and a doe appeared and I got in position to shoot and in a split second before I shot another hunter shot near me and of course the doe was startled and then I shot and missed as she ran over to the edge of the field and just stood there.  While I reloaded and was watching her, she walked off into the woods.  About 15 minutes later to my right another yearling appeared and here comes four or more does.  I could not get a clear shot because they were all standing too close together and then finally another doe walked out and took her at 85 yards and she dropped in her tracks.  This was about 4:45 pm.  Waited and got down to check her, took a picture and made my way back to the 4-wheeler and waited until dark for the others to come by to helped me load my deer.  Got back to the camp and found out that my husband had shot a 120 lb. doe also at the North Cornfield Stand at 150 yards.  Both of our deer were the same weight.  Everyone was so happy for both of us!  Sunday morning we hunted together at the Game Warden's Stand and saw three does to the right far end, which looked like a football field, and decided not to shoot, but just watched them.  It was a fantastic and fun weekend hunt with 12 does and a hog being harvested in our great wild outdoors!

Standing proud - Myself, Terry, Rex and Bob
(I will be posting more pictures of our hunt throughout the week)

Another Photo Published!

I'm so proud to say, that once again, another picture of mine was published in our hometown paper today, The Vicksburg Post.  This picture was taken on September 25th while my husband and I were invited to our old hunting camp north of Vicksburg for a visit.  While there we enjoyed riding along this familiar river road.  This is a very special spot for us and below is the caption they used with my picture...

Marian Love Phillips of Vicksburg was at Brown's Point Hunting Club on Kings Point Island when she spotted an inviting chair situated on the bank of the Mississippi River.

Vicksburg Youth On The Hunt

Taylor Harrigill, 7, took his first deer on November 6.  He used a 20-gauge shotgun to take the 6-pointer while hunting with his father, John, in south Vicksburg.  Taylor is the son of John and Marsha Harrigill.

Reece Shumake, 8, bagged his first buck November 6 while hunting in northern Warren County.  The inside spread measured 13 inches.  Reese is the son of Roy and Lara Cook, and the grandson of Jerry and Wanda Cook.

Nine-year-old Sean Simpson bagged this deer, his first, while hunting with his grandfather John Simpson.

Gone Hunting!

Bob and I are headed to the MS Delta to hunt at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club for the weekend.  We hope to harvest a pig or a doe or maybe both!  We are looking forward to seeing and visiting with the Howell Family of Deer Camp Blog with their friends.  The weather is not looking very good with a prediction of 40% rain for Saturday and more for Sunday.  We may get a morning hunt in and not sure about an evening hunt but should have plenty of time to visit.  :) 

******

While on the subject of hunting, I came across this article on the Internet the other day.  I have not seen it in the paper yet but when hunting starts we unfortunately have accidents.  Please be careful and make sure you know what you are aiming at!

From HEIDELBERG, MS — Officials are investigating a deadly hunting incident in Jasper County.

WDAM-TV reports that the incident involved a husband and wife who were hunting Saturday and became separated near Heidelberg. The husband reportedly shot his wife after mistaking her for a deer.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is investigating the incident, along with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's investigator Thad Windham confirmed a fatal shooting had occurred, but referred questions to the wildlife agency. An agency spokesman James Walker couldn't be reached immediately for comment Monday.

A Girl and A Gun Documentary

Back in December 2007, I had the pleasure of meeting producer, Cathryne Czubek, from New York, New York.  She came to my hometown of Vicksburg, MS, to film me in my home and in my hunting environment. She found me through a post I made on a Field & Stream Huntress blog.  She is now promoting a KickStarter fundraiser on Facebook to raise funds to complete her documentary on women and guns, a project she has worked on since 2006.

She wants to complete this film in time for Spring 2011 festival submission deadlines but this will only happen if funds are raise by DECEMBER 15 so she can continue working with editors and finish remaining pick-up shoots. Even the smallest donation to this KickStarter fundraiser can help her reach the goal - but will only receive the funds if the goal of $10K is reach and I'm trying to help her spread the word!

                       ***ALL DONATIONS CAN BE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE***


If you'd like to redirect those precious tax dollars to support our film and contribute to the arts, please contact Director Cathryne Czubek at 917.584.1532 or catczu@gmail.com.



A GIRL AND A GUN is supported by New York State Council of the Arts, Women Make Movies, Toronto Documentary Forum, IFP/Independent Feature Project, Roy W. Dean Grant/From the Heart Productions, Paley Center for Media, Visual Arts Fund, Plum TV/DocStock, and many generous individuals.

Thanks to everyone who generously donated to the fundraiser!

Happy 47th Birthday Theresa!

Wishing my oldest daughter, Theresa Marie, "Teri," a very Happy 47th Birthday today.  Teri lives in Magee, MS, and has dedicated her life to nursing and has always worked in a nursing home.  It takes a very "special" person to do that type of work.  Wishing you much happiness today and always!  I love you very much, MOM 

Mrjbigfoot's Beautiful Flowers

My CamoSpace friend, mrjbigfoot, sent me these pretty flowers on October 30th and he said that he still had flowers blooming! The one little wild rose has 21 new buds blooms on it!  It's so nice to have a friend to send you flowers...it's makes your day brighter!

The Corps Dredging The MS

I took these pictures on October 9th of the Dredge Jadwin at the Mississippi River Overlook.  (My first clerical job offer with the government was on the Jadwin, but turned it down because I had already started my family).  During the traditional low-water months of July to December, Corps dredges work to ensure that river barges will have the depth they need to safely navigate the bends.  The Corps boasts that the four-story, 274-foot-long boat and its gear in 24 hours can move enough mud and silt to cover a football field 60 feet deep.  A series of pontoons on the boat serves to keep an 800-foot pipe afloat for the dredge material to be moved.

Part of the dredging team at the edge of the bend in the river.

Barge coming towards the overlook near Diamond Jacks Casino.

Small boat delivering store supplies while going down the MS River near Vicksburg Riverfront Park.  Another barge coming in the background to make the wide turn in the bend. 

Small boat pulling up to the John Reid Golding tugboat to unload supplies. 

The A. Steve Crowley - Marquette Transportation going down the MS River.  Note: One man standing in front of the tugboat at the front doorway, one standing on the deck and one sitting in a chair beside him as they pass by Vicksburg.

A couple on top of the overlook enjoying a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

We met these two lovely ladies from Jacksonville, FL, enjoying a day trip to Vicksburg.  The younger lady, Brooke, is in law school in Clinton, MS., while her Mother was in MS visiting.  In conversation, I found out that Brooke is also a big deer and hog hunter and of course we have to stay in touch!  I offered to take a picture for them and they in turn took one of us!

Bob and I

Two New Kids On The Block!

Got these pix and message from Dave yesterday and this is what he had to say...

Two new kids on the block!  The rut is really kicking in at Ellis's. The does are starting to move mid-day. I pulled out last night early because I discovered the scope base on my crossbow was loose, and on the way out I took out a card.. Opening morning of gun season should push them into moving, and I am SOOOOO ready!!! Both of these bucks are checking a mock scrape I made about a week ago!

Wishing you Goodhunting Dave!



D. Robert (Dave) Quick

I want to Finish Well
I want to end this race
Still leaning on His Amazing Grace
Member: Community Christian Church
Member: Pilots 4 Christ
Member: Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America
MY WEBSITE:
HANDLOADING FOR HUNTING
MY DISCUSSION FORUM:
HFH DISCUSSION FORUMS

Happy Blogoversary To Me!

I just remembered that today happens to be my 4th Blogoversary!  I started my blog after going to my next door neighbor's blog every day to see what was going on in our neighborhood, Tricia Dishes.  I then decided if she had one...why not have one about "hunting" since that is what I've enjoyed as a hobby with my (hunting buddy) husband since the late 80's.  This blog has taken me on a wonderful journey to meet so many nice people that I would have never met at all.  I want to thank all my blogging friends for coming by to visit me this year and posting comments and of course all my wonderful followers as well.  May you ALL keep coming back and I look forward to another year of sharing my hunting stories with my husband, daughter, grandchildren and my deer friends in our great wild outdoors!  May God Bless!

Note To All Hunters

This is from a San Francisco newspaper

Folks, just remember as you read this, this person probably drives and votes AND, may have already reproduced....God help us all...And probably graduated from a University in California.

Highlights of Ian's B'day Party Today!

Ian's Birthday Party @ Fit Zone for kids.

Ian running with a soft bat trying to hit the ball into the net.

Ian bowling with his Dad at his side.

Just watching the other kids dance to music.

Ian playing basketball on top of an air mattress.

Looking at his Toy Story Birthday cake.

Blowing out his candles.

Celebrating with his friends.

Opening a gift from his Great Gran Gran and Grandpa Bob!

Ian got a lot of presents for his B'Day!

What a nice present from his parents!

Taking his friends for a ride!

Can you tell that he loves his John Deere gator?

Holy Moley!

Ya'll need to forget about those itty, bitty snake-proof boots and find yourself a full snake-proof SUIT... AND HAT!!!

The ranch where this big rattler was killed is outside the city of Coleman which is located in (West Texas) near Abilene. Oh, for reference, the guy stands 6'-2". Seems there's been a boom in the snake population there.

My fellow friends and family...
We have killed 57 rattlesnakes on two separate ranches this year. 24 @South bend and 33 @ Murray, since mid May. Not one has buzzed! We provoked one fair sized boy with a stick and he coiled and struck at the stick a couple of times before he buzzed up and rattled. The purpose of this explanation is that I have been hearing the same from fellow ranchers and hunters in regards to the lack of warning with rattlesnakes.

I had lunch with a friend today and he offered a theory about the fact that these bugs aren't rattling anymore. He raised pigs for years and reported that when he would hear a rattlesnake buzzing in the sow pen, the sows would bee line to it and fight over the snake. For the uninformed, pigs love to eat rattlesnakes. Therefore, the theory is they are ceasing to rattle to avoid detection, since there are plenty of pigs roaming the countryside. I have a neighbor ranching lady who was bitten 3 weeks ago 2 times by the same snake without any warning....she spent 5 days in ICU, after 22 vials of anti-venom she is back at the ranch and still may lose her foot or worse yet her lower leg.

The days of perceived warning are over. Keep your boots on and use a light when out and about. As you all know, one can pop up just about anywhere! You may wish to let your friends know about this that would be interested.

(Courtesy of Elaine Nowell)

Happy 3rd Birthday Ian

Today, is my great grandson Ian's 3rd birthday.  The family is having a birthday party for him this weekend and I want to wish him a very Happy Birthday and look forward to seeing him real soon.  Love you so, so much Ian!  Great Gran Gran