I had the pleasure of spending 6 days in the Ouachita Mountains for the opening of rifle season. My ultimate goal was to see a bear by constantly walking new areas looking for sign. I found old bear sign under a few different oak and hickory trees, but never saw anything fresh. Wednesday and Friday I sat and deer hunted. On Wednesday I had a doe walk through mid day. It was really tempting to take the shot, but I let her walk hoping for a buck. At last light 4 came through and I got to pack the biggest one up the mountain back to the truck.
One of the best parts of this experience was I made some new friends up there that graciously let me stay in their camp. The camp had a wood burning stove worth its weight in gold. It was terribly cold. These guys at the camp lived off bologna and hot dogs during their stay. I had extra frozen gumbo and pot roast and I shared that with them. So I secured my bunk for next season as the camp cook.
I first made this hunt last season as a stepping stone to hunting out West. The more I’ve come to understand the landscape and the wildlife, I find it harder not to make this hunt every year.
One of the best parts of this experience was I made some new friends up there that graciously let me stay in their camp. The camp had a wood burning stove worth its weight in gold. It was terribly cold. These guys at the camp lived off bologna and hot dogs during their stay. I had extra frozen gumbo and pot roast and I shared that with them. So I secured my bunk for next season as the camp cook.
I first made this hunt last season as a stepping stone to hunting out West. The more I’ve come to understand the landscape and the wildlife, I find it harder not to make this hunt every year.