hunting when the deer don't cooperate

So, how do you pass the time while hunting and sitting on the ground early in the morning when the deer don't cooperate? The following is a shortened version of what my morning (Saturday morning) was like...

I like to watch and listen to the world awake. I'm, being quiet so as not to alert the deer, and being quiet, I get to hear the birds wake up and start chirping. I try to identify the various ones. There's a whip-er-will. Doves. Pheasant... I watch the sun rise and marvel at how light changes. The windmill that is behind me is pumping. The rhythm of the rods moving up and down is comforting and familiar. I think about this being a good spot, because I could see lots of tracks moving my direction toward the windmill and toward bedding areas. I sit and watch diligently for a while, but after a while, it's hard to concentrate on listening for deer and watching for them.

So, being bored, because there weren't any deer around, I began to play with the dried sunflower pods and picked off the seed heads and scattered the seeds while wondering how the Indians ever got sunflower oil out of those things. Then I wondered if maybe the Indians planted domesticated sunflowers for oil, because these wild sunflowers are sure dry and the seeds--well, these sure don't seem at all like oil seeds, or even the kind you eat. Man, sure wish I'd brought some of those to snack on.

So then I take a seed and stuck it in my mouth to see it tastes like other sunflower seeds. It doesn't. Just tastes dusty and dry. So I spit it out, and took a quick look around at the field and the pasture to see if any deer are around. (They aren't.) So, I shred another sunflower and wonder what time it is. Dang, left the phone at home. No watch either.

Then I admired the whiteish grass and wondered what kind of grass it is. I ran my hand up it, pulling the seeds off into my hand and wondered if I could gather enough to take some home to the chickens. Then I pulled more seeds off the plant because it's fun. Oh, dang, I'm supposed to be watching for deer, so I quickly take another look around.

Shoot, wonder if I'm in a bad spot...maybe I should move over there, closer to the edge of the weeds...but if I move, will a deer see me? hear me? Dang, this grass is sure wet. My thighs are cramping up. Funny, my knees don't hurt, and they aren't cold either. but, Can I really sit here on my knees for two hours? Yeah, I'm just going to set down. Well, crap, can't see anything...better get back up on the knees....There are sure lots of sunflowers over there though...it's kinda fun pulling all the seeds off. Wonder if I pull all the seeds off if the birds will eat them off the ground? Maybe the birds only look for seeds on the plant...maybe I'll actually kill several birds just by pulling the seeds off these dang sunflowers. Ok, don't pull the seeds off...but it sure is fun though. Surely, surely one dang sunflower plant won't be the end of the stupid birds.

What's that sound? Dang. Just some stupid Pheasant hens... but, man, they make neat sounds as the wind whistles around their wings. Oh, look! A Hawk! He's sure pretty. Wonder if he sees me? How cool is that? Play with more of that white grass. That's cool. They sure pull out of the ground easy. Wonder what it is. And, what is this plant right here. It's still green. Is it Ragweed? If it is, will I start sneezing? No, it's froze, the pollen is gone. Sure is kinda pretty though...leave it alone.

Sigh, better look for deer. Stupid deer. Wonder if Kev saw one? Maybe he shot that big buck...that would be nice, to be done and have meat in the freezer. But, I don't want to cut it up today, with Uncle Dale and Aunt Jo's 60th anniversary thing this afternoon... Hope that a buck doesn't see Kev first and think he's competition for the does. Man, that would be awful if he was being attacked by a deer, and I didn't know it...

Wonder what I'd do if a deer snuck up on me. Would I scare him, or would he attack me? Crap, is there a rabid deer behind me? Nope. Good. Stop thinking about stuff like that. That was a cool article about the Cougar they found...of course Dad says they are around here...what would I do if a Cougar came up one me? Wonder if I could stab a cougar with an arrow? Crap, is there a sneaky Cougar behind me? Ok Shell, time to change the topic... Wonder what time it is?

Ooooo, listen to those coyotes. there must be pups with them. Now that sounds like Dad coming in to feed....

Wow, listen to that steer bellow. He kinda sounds like an elk. Maybe I'll just tell Kev that I heard the elk. Oh, cool, wouldn't it be cool for that elk to come by? That would be awesome. Crap. I hope he doesn't, I don't have my camera either. And, what if I startled him and he decided to attack? STOP that! He won't attack you.

Wonder what time it is? Will Kev whistle? Man, my knees are wet. And they hurt. It's got to be 9 or so. I think I'm going to stand up. I can't see any stupid deer, and I don't care. My knees are sore and wet.

About that time, Kev whistled, so I walked back to him, and we walked out. And that, my dear friend, is what I do when I'm hunting uncooperative deer...