Starting the New Year Right

I am truly blessed to be an outdoorsman in Iowa! Every time I go afield I feel grateful for the hunting and fishing opportunities we have in this state. I am also extremely lucky to have a girlfriend strong enough to brave the cold and eager to share in the outdoors adventures.

So what better way to begin the new year than a New Year's Day hunt? With the day starting out with high pressure and temps near zero, we decided to sleep in and wait for the balmy 15 degree afternoon temps.

Attempting to fill some bow tags, we toted the archery tackle through the snow into a well used travel corridor between bedding and a large cornfield.

Although the trails were recently used by this nice young buck, the herd wasn't there that day. We did end up seeing a silhouetted young buck and doe at last light. He and the doe he was with didn't stick around too long as we shattered the arctic silence crunching our way out of the valley. The trail camera read 9F when we left and boy to temps like that put your layers to the test.

I wish we had better luck. But what a blessing to endure the arctic outdoors with my best friend! I hope your late season adventures are warmer and more successful ;-)

Happy New Year!