My dream hunt would be Caribou or Antelope, and that would have to be a guided hunt, as I never had either in the states I lived in. The idea of open terrain spot and stock is a real turn on for a woods hunter. I hunted the Cascade mountains of Northern California for blacktail deer, squirrel and turkey. I used the refuge system for waterfowl. I had an old Toyota mini motor home that made a comfortable lodge where ever I went. I hunted at least 30–40 days a year, not including time for scouting or just walking through the woods for S&Gs. My typical day started at 4am and seldom ended before dark. The hills at Lake Shasta are all 33 degrees and there are no flat places. I entered the woods very early and moved slowly to prevent sweating and exertion. I usually hunted alone, left a map in the motor home with a walkie-talkie and a key hidden outside just in case. My wife knew if I didn't call her two hours after dark, there was a problem, but I was prepared
Entering the woods well before sunrise, full camo, practicing scent control, moving slowly and being part of the natural world, not an intruder, that's a hunt! On one hunt, I was high on the hill on a late October morning. It was about two hours before sun rise, cool, and I had laid on the ground for a nap. Before the sky turned gray, I was awakened by rustling all around me. There wasn't a moon and I couldn't see a thing. My heart began to pound as I know how many cougar and bear there are in this area. I slowly removed my knife from its chest strap and revolver from its holster. I laid there another half hour, waiting in curiosity for the first signs of dawn. As the sky began to lighten, forms began to take shape, I was surrounded by a herd of at least twenty doe. Not a one had found me! I laid motionless as they browsed their way along the hill, not a shootable buck among them. Other experiences weren't as nice. It was a cool October afternoon, I had eaten my lunch and moved slowly to a grassy area on the hill. The sun was warm and felt so good, I decided it was time for a nap. I was in a very nice deep sleep when I was rudely awakened by the very loud growl of a cougar. Cougar don't have any manners or consideration!
Today I hunt in Pa in heated blinds with coffee, warm food and comfortable office chairs. I really don't consider this hunting, but with two steel knees, bad hips and a bum shoulder, I'll take it. If I get bored, I can leave the blind and enter the woods to reminisce on hunts of the past. Before I want to move as slowly as possible, now I have to
