Nov 22, 2014 5 min read

I found out there are those who judge the year based on buck season rather than the traditional January to January calendar.

Hey, I made it to another opener. To that group, it’s not that they like to hunt, but that hunting deer is a passion.

My blood flowed with that passion years ago, and while it eased a bit with age, I still say to myself I made it to another one. I used to stay in one place for the first few hours of opening day and then start moving about. If, or should I say when, I jumped a deer, I knew where it was going before the deer itself put together a plan of escape. Of course in those years, I had my wife, Eileen, along to help, and she was an expert at chasing bucks to the old man.

Now, in my doddering years, I tend to sit and watch. I still bag a buck just about every year but hunting is not quite the same. Moving on from that confession, there’s a bit of truth in the accusation that old GHB takes everything but the kitchen sink along when driving a bit to hunt. Some of the equipment in my SUV is necessary, while others go along because I am cautious. For instance, I wouldn’t go hunting without my binoculars. In fact, I don’t see how anyone can watch for deer without good glasses. With my Swarovskis, I can scan a hillside and hopefully spot a buck resting under a monkey ball tree. They help me count points.

If the binoculars aren’t enough, there is always the spotting scope in the vehicle. This scope offers the viewer 15-power to its maximum of 60-power. It has been useful more than once.

When the rope and knife are needed, the hunt was a success. But they both should go along and both are necessities. An orange hat and vest makes the hunter legal even if we look like the great pumpkin. And don’t forget your hunting license.

How about something to attach the tag or a pen or pencil to fill out the tag?

Hunting all day can lead to dehydration, so a bottle of water makes things more tolerable. And don’t forget a sandwich or two.

I would bet most hunters carry a couple of candy bars in a bag or in their pocket. Here’s a bit of advice: Don’t carry the candy in the same pocket as a hand warmer.

Believe it or not, I have done that one.

My Thermos filled with coffee is a better partner than some people I know. Of course, this same Thermos could hold hot soup instead of coffee. To stay out in the cold all day requires a few comforts and that Thermos is one of them, without them it is easy to pack it in and go home. Anything that keeps you out in the woods or briar patch is good. You can’t get a buck sitting in the living room.

There are other optional things I take along.

I almost always have a cleaning rod in my truck. If you have ever gotten snow or mud in the barrel of your rifle you should know why. Just last year, I fell on a muddy hillside and the rifle on my shoulder was covered in mud.

I was lucky.

I was on that hillside tagging an 8-point buck and didn’t need the rifle from that point on. If I hadn’t downed that buck, I would have had to dig through the junk to locate cleaning stuff. At least I had it with me.

My trouble often surfaces the night before when I ask myself what if it rains. It often does rain during deer season. Better take some rain protection along. That means not only a raincoat for me, but something to protect the muzzle of my rifle and a lens caps for the scope. The rifle bore can be protected with Saran Wrap and a gum band. If I remember correctly, another handy item is a roll of paper towels. You would be amazed at how often the roll will be used.

Before leaving home, I make a check list – rifle and maybe a spare, ammo and be sure it is the right ammo. If they are reloads, make sure they run smoothly through the rifle. And don’t forget the magazine. I have seen reloads that were too long to fit the magazine leaving the hunter with a single shot.

My Harris bi-pod is there too, as is a change of footwear at times. Preparation is a necessity when going hunting but there are times when I wish I brought the kitchen sink.

• Congratulations to Jordan Schinkovec on bagging a 6-point buck, while her dad, Bob, went home empty handed. Perhaps the little girl can show dad how it is done.

• It’s not too late to make a trip to the Dormant-Mt. Lebanon Sportsman’s Club in Linden. Today is sight-in day, and for $5, the range can be used by anyone including non-members. Money raised will be donated to Children’s Hospital.

If all is well, I should be there.

George Block writes a Sunday outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter.