The plan for 2009 called for bow hunts in Pennsylvania and Illinois and gun hunts in Maryland and Missouri. As usual, we were looking forward to the seasons with great anticipation.

The PA season opened the first weekend in October. It was a beautiful fall morning the deer were on the move. Nothing came within range that AM but they were there - up in the hardwoods feeding on the acorns. I saw one real nice, long-tined buck I estimated as 140+. It was early October and he was already running the does around and chasing off the smaller bucks. It was fascinating to watch. I had an "almost-shooter" come up the ridge right by the stand right before dark. He was very tempting but I passed him up for another day.

The rest of the first week was pretty uneventful. I saw enough deer to make it interesting but nothing I wanted to take. I did see one giant buck (150 class est.) way up the hill and probably off our property. I saw him several times and he was always using the same trail. At some point we are going to have to get serious about putting a move on him because he is consistently using that same trail up and down the ridge.

On Wednesday of the second week late in the afternoon I had a wild encounter. I decided to try out the new Squeeze Bleat call from Quaker Boy. I couldn't believe the results. The deer came to the call in droves. I had 12 different bucks and a bunch of does come to the call. Nothing big but it was fun stirring the pot until darkness ended it. That call works great!

My son, Tim, hunted that stand later in the week and also had great luck with that call. He was able to coax in a real nice 19" wide ten pointer and took him with a nice shot. We were all thrilled!

As the season progressed, I was not getting shots but thoroughly enjoying myself. I kept at it until it was time to leave for Illinois. No luck until I returned from the Midwest.

On the last day of PA archery season, I arrowed what looked to be a nice buck on a conservation property where we had permission. Unfortunately, the deer ran over onto the neighboring property which is a 40 acre weed patch never to be seen again. Very disheartening. So close but no cigar!