Southern Traditions Outdoors - November 2017

Outdoor magazine servicing middle Tennessee

1. 1 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
NOV / DEC 2017
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THE OLD MAN AND THE MONARCH
HARVEST TIME
INDIAN DUCK HUNTING
TROLLING FOR BUCKS
PATTERNING DUCKS
FLOODED
TIMBER
MALLARDS

2. 2 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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3. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 3
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4. 4 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Advertising Information:
Southern Traditions Outdoors | Rob Somerville
[phone] [email protected]
DISCLAIMER - Neither the authors nor Southern Traditions Outdoors
Magazine LLC assume any responsibility or liability for any actions
by readers who utilize any information contained within. Readers
are advised that the use of any and all information contained within
Southern Traditions Outdoors is at their own risk.
On the Cover
Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine Mission Statement:
Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine vows to put forth a publication to
promote the outdoors lifestyle in a positive manner. We will strive to encourage
veteran and novice outdoorsmen, women, kids, and the physically challenged
to participate in the outdoors in a safe and ethical manner. Our publication will
bring positive attention to the wondrous beauty of the world of Nature in the
mid-south.
Garry Mason
Walter Wilkerson
Terry Wilkerson
Steve McCadams
Kelley Powers
Shawn Todd
Eddie Brunswick
Larry Self
John Sloan
Richard Simms
Dana Watford
Buck Gardner
Richard Hines
Ed Lankford
Drew Brooks
John Latham
John Roberts
Richard Hines
Rob Hurt
Mark Buehler
Richard Fagan
Neill McLaurin
Sam Bradshaw
Daryl Ratajczak
Field Staff Editors
Owners - Eddie Anderson
Rob Somerville
Kevin Griffith
Stacey Lemons
Publisher - Eddie Anderson
Editor - Rob Somerville
Advertising Sales
Rob Somerville - Managing
Partner Distribution
Johnathan Anderson
Mike Robinson
Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The owners of “The Money Pit” hunting club (Ron Cooper, Tim Blackley and Richard Reese) had another great
duck season last year. Here “The Money Pit’s Star” - owned by Tim Blackley - retrieves
another mallard for hunters. Photo by Miles Adcock
PG................... ARTICLE ........................................................AUTHOR
6 ....................... The Old Man and the Monarch.....................................Rob Somerville
9 ....................... Flooded Timber Mallards .............................................Richard Hines
16 ....................... Harvest Time ...............................................................Rob Somerville
19 ....................... Duck Hunting in the Good Old Days ...........................Rob Somerville
20 ....................... The American Tradition of Thanksgiving ....................Rob Somerville
24 ....................... Late Season Deer Tactics ..........................................Richard A. Fagan
26 ....................... A Letter to My Son.......................................................Daryl Ratajczak
32 ....................... Cooking on the Wild Side.............................................Rob Somerville
39 ....................... Traditions Tips .............................................................Richard A. Fagan
40 ....................... Trolling For Bucks ....................................................... Rob Somerville 42
....................... Patterning Ducks .........................................................Sam Bradshaw
52 ....................... TWRA News.................................................................STO
54 ....................... Trophy Room................................................................STO

5. Letter from the Editor
From the Desk of Rob Somerville
I will turn 60 years-old on December 8th and I spend a lot of time wondering where all the time went.
It seems like yesterday when I held my two young sons, one in each arm, singing them to sleep to the tune
of “The Cats in the Cradle.” Little did I know at that time, how the words of that song would ring true.
So for all of you old-timers … like me, let me see if I can bring back the nostalgia of a Tennessee
Country Christmas, with the following poem.
From my family to yours, I hope you have a blessed holiday season this year and please remember the true meaning of Christmas! See ya, Rob
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 5
A Country Christmas Carole
By Rob Somerville
We awoke before sunrIse as we did every day,
to milk cows, gather eggs and feed our horses some hay.
Just because it was Christmas we still had to work,
as the smell of coffee on the Warm Morning stove started to perk.
We stuffed newspapers down in our boots to stay warm,
with all the kids hoping Santa made it through the snow storm.
I was hoping for a Red Ryder wagon, or some sort of toy,
as Papaw said, “Maybe Santa will be bring some flour sack drawers for that boy.”
Mamaw was in the kitchen buzzing around like a bee,
farm fresh eggs, ham and sorghum covered biscuits – our breakfast would be.
Me and my brother went out to the pasture and got Queenie and Mack,
to give our two working mules their grain-filled, feed sack.
We finished our chores quickly and ran back through the kitchen door,
met by Mamaw raising a wooden spoon, guarding snow from her floor.
We shucked off our boots and coats and sat down to break bread,
Papaw said, “First I got some words I need to put in your head.”
He got the family bible down from the mantle, all weathered and worn,
and said, “The real reason we celebrate Christmas is, that Jesus was born.”
He told of our savior’s birth in a stable and when we all said amen,
we quickly ate, got excused from the table and rushed to the den.
Here was our Christmas tree, which we had helped Papaw cut down,
decorated in popcorn strings and lights, it was the best one in town.
It was then that I saw it, my Red Ryder wagon shining bright,
Santa and Rudolph had been here, to my house, last night!
I hope this poem brought back happy memories of Christmas’ past,
and that your family has traditions that always will last,
I wish you and your family a New Year so bright,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

6. 6 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
The Old Man
The old man figured he had
harvested more than his share of
whitetail deer in the sixty plus
years he had resided on this earth.
He found he had gone through all
of the stages of evolution a bow
hunter could experience.
As a young man he entered
the beginner stage where "ego is
king". Bragging rights of harvest-
ing a deer were of the utmost im-
portance. Doe or buck, it didn't
matter, because deer were scarce
during his youth.
In his early adult years, he mor-
phed into the "numbers game".
Deer were more common, and
most of his peers judged your
hunting skills by the number of
deer you harvested in a season.
In his forties, he reached the
trophy stage. During this period
he enhanced his woodsmanship,
tracking and scouting skills. He
would study topographic maps
and venture into land that few
hunters had seen in search of
quality racks.
Then, something he thought
would never happen occurred
as he neared the age of sixty.
He seemed to no longer care
about the harvesting of a deer. He
would let bucks pass through his
shooting lanes that other hunters
would have given a month's wag-
es just to see!
Sometimes, he even left his
bow at home and just reveled in
the world of nature. That is, un-
til the afternoon he encountered
the Monarch.
The Monarch
Regardless of what region you
hunt in, there is always talk of
a monster buck being sighted
somewhere nearby. Whether real
or imaginary, this buck sends
chills of excitement down hunt-
er's spines and makes the hairs
stand up on the back of their
necks. Tales of these legendary
bucks are shared, as hunters gath-
er around campfires, or recline
in the warmth of their hunting
lodge. Very seldom will you hear
of one of these mythical creatures
being hauled into a checking sta-
tion with a tag on their antlers.
The stories are part of the mys-
ticism of deer hunting. They are
the reason you crawl out of your
warm bed at 4:00 in the morning,
walk miles in the frigid tempera-
tures and sit on a hard metal plat-
form for hours at a time, perched
twenty-five feet in the air.
The old man enjoyed hearing
these stories as much as anyone,
but listened to them with a pa-
tronizing smile, knowing what
he was hearing about was main-
ly phantoms that existed in the
mind of the storytellers.
At least that's the way he felt
until one brisk autumn afternoon,
deep in a river bottom swamp,
on that momentous day when
the old man regained the excite-
ment of the hunt. He was sitting
high up in a cypress tree in his
favorite strap-on stand when it
happened. He was chewing on a
handful of trail mix, in between
mouth grunting at a yearling
buck. The fork-horn had amused
the man for nearly an hour, as
each time it started to meander
away he would grunt the curious
young deer right back in. Sudden-
ly the old man liked to choke on
raisins and nuts. In the clarity of
the frosty morning a loud guttur-
al echo had followed his last se-
quence of grunts. The young year-
ling also took notice and wasted
no time in evacuating the area at
a sprint.
A Phantom Comes to Life
Loud footsteps crunched on
the frosted floor of the swamp.
Suddenly, an enormous buck, so
large it seemed surreal, emerged
from behind a blow-down. Nos-
trils flaring out billows of fogged
breath in the coolness of the
morning, the behemoth walked
in a stiff-legged, dominant gait.
Its hairs stood up in bristles along
its back, and its muscles rippled
effortlessly as it moved. The mon-
arch's rack was huge. The walnut
colored base would measure at
least ten inches in circumference,
and its tines seemed to reach
into the heavens. This symmet-
rical twelve-pointer was an old
warrior, with lots of white on its
face and neck showing its age. It
The Old Man
and the Monarch
By Rob Somerville

7. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 7
was the best buck the experienced
old man had ever seen on the
hoof. It was a legend, yet it was
real. The monarch walked up to
a four-inch diameter swamp alder
and thrashed it to smithereens
with the fury of a tornado. Then
it raised its head and lip-curled,
scent checking the air. It caught
wind of the only thing on earth
it feared … man. It immediately
bolted, with hooves thundering
across the bottom.
The old man felt his chest about
to explode and his brain had to
remind his lungs to take a ragged
breath. He heard a tapping noise,
which his subconscious identified
as a woodpecker gouging some
insects out of a dead tree. When
the adrenaline rush began to sub-
side, he realized that what he had
been hearing was no woodpeck-
er, but his left leg spasmodically
jumping up and down, causing
his foot to rap against the metal
base of his deer stand. Could it
be that for the first time in over
twenty years that the old man had
felt the rush of "buck fever"?
After he somewhat calmed
down, he eased his way gingerly
down the tree and began the long
walk back to his truck on slight-
ly rubbery legs. He realized that
he had become somehow careless
in the nonchalance of his hunting
techniques. Was old age slowing
down his mind along with his
body? Years ago that old buck
would have never winded him. Fi-
nally, after all these years he had
found a worthy adversary.
When he got to his cabin that
evening he carefully scrubbed his
hunting clothes in a spring-fed
creek and stuffed the pockets with
acorns and cypress needles. He
sharpened his broadheads with a
diligence and intensity he had al-
most forgotten he possessed. He
carefully checked out his bow,
and waxed the cables and string.
Grabbing his knee-length rubber
boots, he liberally sprinkled the
inside with baking powder. He
retired to bed early, only to be-
gin a nearly sleepless night filled
with visions of the monarch of
the swamp.
He got up two hours before sun-
rise, amazed at his energy level
after a restless night's sleep. The
old man arrived at the woods en-
tering from the down wind side
of his alternate stand site. He uti-
lized only the moonlight to navi-
gate his way through the swamp.
He was taking no chances with
this one. The monarch didn't get
to be this old by being careless.
The old man would have to blend
into the woods, making himself
virtually invisible. His senses were
honed like a finely stropped razor.
He was a true hunter once again.
The Confrontation
The old timer sat in his stand, as
still as a statue, with all his sens-
es tuned to the sounds of nature.
As the inky blackness turned into
the hazy grays of morning, he
reached into his pack for the re-
sealable plastic bag containing the
deer bladder and tarsal gland he
had removed from his freezer and
thawed out last night. He punc-
tured the bladder with the tip
of his knife, and soaked the tar-
sal gland with the urine, tossing

8. 8 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
it lightly 20 yards in front of his
stand. He picked up the rattling
antlers he had knocked the dust
off of yesterday and clashed them
together vigorously, alternately
raking the tines together in an
imitation of two bucks in a full-
blown fight for domination. He
continued his rattling session for
about two minutes, then reached
behind him and shook the cy-
press bough, which thrashed the
dry limbs together. All the time
he was doing this he was mak-
ing tending grunt sounds with
his mouth. He stopped the com-
motion and held his bow ready
with an arrow nocked and leath-
er gloved fingers on the string....
waiting.
As he had envisioned it would
happen, the monarch appeared,
cautiously sniffing the thermal
currents. But it was to no avail
today, as the old man had set up
downwind of where he felt sure
the old buck was bedding. Confi-
dent now that he was secure, the
monarch caught a whiff of the
urine-soaked tarsal gland, and
with his nose to the ground he
entered the clearing headed for
the old man's carefully trimmed
shooting lane. As the monarch's
massive head went behind a huge
cypress knee, the old man slowly
and steadily drew back his bow.
One more step and the old man's
pin was directly behind the huge
animal's broadside shoulder. The
old man's fingers began to loosen
on the string.
Then, as if with a will of their
own, they tightened back up and
he let down his bow. This motion
caused the magnificent creature
to jerk his head up and seeming-
ly stare into the old man's eyes.
Within a fraction of a second
the monarch leaped effortlessly
across a nine-foot finger of the
swamp and disappeared as if by
the wave of a magician's magic
wand. The old man sighed with
a mix of emotions, but eventual-
ly contentment won out. He real-
ized that he had just entered the
final stage in the evolution of a
bow hunter.
He knew he had possessed the
skills and knowledge to harvest
this beautiful animal. But the en-
counter had given new life to his
old bones and heart and he de-
sired the need for others to feel
the same thrill he had felt on this
momentous day, so he had passed
on the double-lung shot.
He looked to the sky and
thanked the Great Creator for all
the marvelous gifts of nature He
had allowed the old man to en-
joy during his long life. Climb-
ing down from his stand on rock-
steady legs, he walked with more
pep in his step than he had in
decades, for he knew that he was
now a complete hunter. He had
entered the final stage as a hunt-
er. He burst out in a Gospel song
and his spirit was full.

9. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 9
It was fifteen minutes to shoot-
ing time and it seemed like the
clear sky was already filled with
ducks. My son {Josh} and I were
standing in a flooded green tree
reservoir that was loaded with
willow oak. The small acorn that
this member of the red oak group
provides is a top food for mal-
lards. We had set our decoys out
about an hour earlier in what
I call a scattered pattern. Even
with 24 decoys there was bare-
ly enough room to squeeze these
into the hole. We did leave a gap
in the center for birds to land in.
In addition to mallards, especial-
ly during early season you can
count on woodies stopping by
for a looksee, particularly around
daylight. Many mornings I have
had woodies land in our decoy
spreads even before it was light
enough to see.
Flooded timber hunts seem to
work best on sunny days. Mal-
lards and wood ducks on the
search for a morning meal can
spot decoys through the canopy.
I always try to locate a gap in the
canopy, where one or two large
trees may have succumbed to
wind or old age. Gaps like these
are perfect for attracting both
mallards and wood ducks.
Flooded timber is a natural
magnet for both mallards and
wood ducks. Early in the season,
acorns are beginning to fall and
it’s the right time for migrating
birds to hit the woods and cash
in on these high energy nuggets.
We always try to hunt shallow
water, but sometimes settle for
waist deep water. By far, the per-
fect water depth for mallards is
ankle to shin deep. If you are in
waist deep water, spread your de-
coys out a little more to simulate
resting ducks, especially later in
the morning. If you have a good
decoy spread and plenty of ducks
moving in the area, you should
pull them in.
Sometimes everything just falls in place, and when it does, you just can’t beat a good old fashioned flooded timber hunt. Photo by author

By Richard Hines

10. 10 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Many private landowners who
manage flooded timber always
pump their impoundments full
prior to opening day. It’s a mis-
take many hunters or land man-
agers make. If you have the capa-
bility to adjust water depth, start
adding water slowly, early in the
season, then raise water levels
gradually until the close of sea-
son. That’s because once the site
is flooded, acorns begin deterio-
rating due soaking in the water.
By raising levels gradually, you
are keeping “fresh acorns” and
other natural seeds in the shal-
lower water.
Another point on water depth
is that all dabblers, such as mal-
lards, prefer 18 inches or less of
water. Actually, less than six to
eight inches is even better. Re-
member that dabblers won’t dive
for food, so if you are motored
into a spot, chances are the water
may be too deep for large num-
bers of birds to feed in. You can
attract them with decoys, but
overall use in that area when you
are not hunting may not reach its
potential. You want birds feeding
on the site even when you are not
hunting.
During the hunt, coordi-
nate calling. There is nothing
worse than having someone in
the group start high balling or
calling loudly just as a group of
ducks have cupped up and start-
ed down. Give birds time to look
your decoys over and believe me
they will. By the time mallards
have reached the middle section
of the Mississippi River Valley,
they have seen plenty of decoys,
not to mention being shot at
more than a few times.
If you don’t have any wind,
make the water move. Kick the
water, so that your perfectly still
decoys will have movement. Jerk
strings can provide a good ad-
vantage in flooded timber. If the
water is clear, take some time to
walk around and muddy the wa-
ter. Anytime a group of birds are
feeding on a site, the water will
be extremely muddy. Long time
timber hunter and Bass Pro Wa-
terfowl Specialist, Adam Davis
When hunting in the timber, your calls carry a long way. Softer calling, and most of the hunters keeping their faces from shining up like a warning beacon to the ducks, are important.
Photo by author

11. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 11
said, “If the water is looking a
little muddy, ducks will think it’s
being used and this is better than
the glow of calm clear water”.
Decoy preference varies with
each hunter. My son and I have
started using “THE REAL De-
COY” decoys, but I still have a
mixture of twenty-year old decoys
as well. We tend to use more de-
coys early and cut back numbers
later in the season. In January,
I set decoys into small groups,
which simulates pair bonding
which starts in mid-January.
During the early season, use
large groups, with a few decoys
off from the main group. Also,
have a few singles trailing along,
approaching the bigger group.
This time of year, birds are af-
ter acorns and moist soil seeds,
such as smartweed. A flooded
woodland is a smorgasbord of
nutritious seed, but by January
the bulk of the mallard’s diet will
shift over to invertebrates. Birds
use these high protein insect lar-
vae to prepare for molting, mi-
gration and breeding later in the
spring. Mallards that have paired
off will prefer staying isolated and
avoid larger groups. Because of
this, I always reduce my timber
decoy spreads by late season.
Most timber hunting does not
require a blind. Find a good, wide
tree and stand next to it. A com-
mon mistake while timber hunt-
ing is looking up too often. I love
watching birds work, but keep
your face down and stay glued
to your tree. This is where good
coordination between the hunt-
ers is so important. Let the call-
ers look. Keep your face covered!
A facemask works wonders here.
Even standing under a large tree
ducks can see a bright face look-
ing through the timber. It looks
a spotlight! When I was a biolo-
gist, flying waterfowl surveys, it
was amazing seeing how bright
a face appears out of the timber
when hunters look up. There is an
old saying among timber hunters,
“Don’t be a pie face,” Davis said,
“Always stay in the shadows or
remain along the shadow side of
the tree”.
Remember, these birds have
seen plenty of decoys and it only
takes one goof up to send birds
on their way. If you do it right
and stay stealthy you will find,
there’s not a better way to take
flooded timber mallards.
A good dog is a major plus that keeps hunters from stumbling over stumps and roots if they have to retrieve a mallard without one.
Photo by author
Well trained retrievers and smart hunters hug the shadow side of the trees when ducks are working. Photo by author

12. 12 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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13. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 13
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1960 - 1999
421 W. COURT ST.
DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE
731-285-5767
We are proud to welcome
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Contact him at:

14. 14 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

15. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 15

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16. 16 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Here is the definition of the
word HARVESTING, accord-
ing to Webster’s dictionary, as it
pertains to farming. Harvesting is
the act of removing a crop from
where it was growing and trans-
porting it to a more secure loca-
tion for processing, consumption,
or storage. Some root crops and
tree fruit can be left in the field
or orchard and harvested as need-
ed, but most crops reach a peri-
od of maximum quality {that is,
they ripen or mature} and will
deteriorate if left exposed to the
elements. While the major factor
determining the time of harvest
is the maturity of the crop, other
factors such as weather, availabil-
ity of harvest equipment, pickers,
packing and storage facilities, as
well as transport are important
considerations.
Economic and marketing issues
are often even more important
than considerations of maturi-
ty in deciding when to harvest a
commodity. Before the crop can
be harvested, the farmer must
be sure that there is a demand
for the crop and that the price is
sufficient to make harvesting the
crop profitable. If the price wis
less than adequate to cover the
costs of production, harvesting,
and marketing, framers are faced
with the difficult decision wheth-
er to harvest and store the crop
to wait for a better market, or to
cut their losses and leave the crop
in the field.
The Process of Harvesting
Harvesting can be separated
into three steps. The plant por-
tion of interest must be identi-
fied, detached from the rest of
the plant, and then collected in a
container suitable for transport
from the field. The harvesting of
all the major agronomic crops
(grains of cereals and legumes)
has been mechanized. The resis-
tance of dried cereal and legume
seeds (for example, corn, rice,
wheat, and soybeans) to physi-
cal damage allows the first and
second steps to be combined in
a threshing machine or combine
that separates the seeds from the
rest of the harvested plant. The
grain (seeds) is then loaded in
bulk containers and transported
to silos for additional cleaning,
By Rob Somerville
Harvest Time
Feast or Famine for Farmers
Eddie Anderson leads prayer in blessing the noon meal, with his family and the farm hands of Anderson Farms. Photo by Jennifer Anderson

17. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 17
grading, fumigation, and
temporary storage.
The Social Importance
of the Harvest
The time of harvest is one of
the most important phases of
the agricultural calendar since it
marks a point in time when the
crops have survived natural disas-
ters and are ready to be gathered
in. The period in late summer
just before the harvest could be
a time of famine because of poor
harvests the preceding season or
an inability to store food from
the last harvest. It is not surpris-
ing then that the fall harvest fes-
tivals were such joyous times, for
they heralded the end of this all
too frequent seasonal famine and
ushered in a time of plenty. There
have been harvest celebrations
for as long as people have gath-
ered seasonally abundant food
for storage and later consump-
tion. Cultures as diverse as the
Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Hindu,
Mayan, and Roman developed
elaborate harvest customs that
included songs, rituals, prayers,
and special dishes.
American Harvest Festivals
Thanksgiving Day is perhaps
the most universally observed
harvest ritual in the United States
although these days are not com-
munal in the sense of tradition-
al village feasting. In the United
States, Thanksgiving Day cele-
brates the first harvest of Dutch
and English settlers who arrived
in America almost four hundred
years ago aboard the Mayflower.
About fifty years before these Pil-
grims, the observation of another
Thanksgiving
Day was started in what is now
Newfoundland. Centuries later
they were recognized as official
holidays in their respective coun-
tries. However, for thousands of
years before the European inva-
sion, Native Americans had de-
veloped many traditional harvest
celebrations. The Wampanoag
Indians who inhabited the site
occupied by the Pilgrims had
three thanksgiving harvest festi-
vals during the year: one for the
maple tree and its syrup, one for
picking berries, and one for the
food they had grown and gath-
ered that year.
A Community Event – The
Harvest Festival
County and regional fairs were
often scheduled after the harvest,
so local farmers could sell some
of their harvest to merchants,
exchange experiences about the
previous season, learn new farm-
ing techniques, exhibit their finest
crops, compete for awards, and
generally engage in a communal
celebration.
Other harvest-related events
included parades, special reli-
gious services, and a large feast
The smells of harvest – dried corn
and bean dust – there’s nothing
like them.
Combine lights in the field. When the weather is right, it’s go time – even if that means running through the night.
Continued on page 34

18. 18 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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19. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 19
Do you usually feel tired and
worn down, after a tough hunt
in your heated duck blind or pit?
Are you exhausted after a day,
when you sit in the glow of a pro-
pane heater, joking with friends,
feasting on a warm breakfast
and letting motorized roboducks
lure your feathered prey to your
smoking guns? Well, you may
not have it as rough as you think.
Consider what early American
Indians went through, as they
hunted these ancestors of the
feathered quackers, which we
pursue today.
Long before Columbus discov-
ered this great country, for the
queen of Spain, American Indians
of the Chesapeake Bay area were
avid duck hunters. Harvesting
ducks was refined to an art, out of
necessity for food, not for sport.
Their downy and colorful feathers
were used for decoration and to
stuff sleeping mats, and the meat
was a treat when freshly roast-
ed over an open fire, or smoked
and dried for jerky to get them
through the long winter. These
Native American hunters of days
gone by had no Thinsulate cover-
alls or Columbia parkas to warm
them. Instead, they slathered
their bodies in bear fat and mud,
to repel the cold and keep them
camouflaged.
They were the originators of
the modern-aged duck decoys,
weaving the floating replicas out
of matted reeds, and dying them
with pigments derived from na-
ture. They had no fancy acrylic,
double-reeded calls to lure the
ducks, nor sleek 12 gauge, 3 and
1/2" magnum shotguns to blast
them from the sky at 50 yards.
These Indians learned to expert-
ly mimic the different vocaliza-
tions of ducks and geese, using
only their mouths. They used
primitive weapons such as spears,
nets, snares, and bows and arrows
to harvest their quarry. These
weapons necessitated skill and
cunning. Sometimes, they would
weave floating baskets to cover
their heads, which would be the
only part of their body above wa-
ter, as they waited for ducks to
come to their feeding areas. At
other times, they would breathe
through a hollow reed, as they
swam underwater, into a group
of resting ducks. Then they would
grab them, unaware, by hand.
So, the next time you com-
plain after a day of modern duck
hunting, with the knowledge that
if you were unsuccessful there
would still be food on your table,
reflect back on the original true
hunters of our country. When
the Native Americans came back
with an empty game bag, their
bellies would be just as empty
that night. You know, maybe we
should be thankful that we don't
have to hunt as they did in the
"good old days."
Duck Hunting in the Good Old Days

20. 20 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
As the leaves turn into beauti-
ful golden and fiery red hues, the
weather gets colder and people
prepare for the oncoming winter.
It is almost time for Americans
to enjoy the annual celebration
of Thanksgiving. It is a holiday
to be with family and friends,
to remember the history of the
country’s founders hundreds of
years ago and to be grateful for
all we have. In effect, it is a time
to count blessings and enjoy the
bounty of the year – with a very
large focus on traditional foods
such as roasted turkey, dressing
and seasonal vegetables. The men
of the family can be seen hud-
dling around the TV, watching
the traditional Thanksgiving foot-
ball games. Usually, the children
are outside playing in the leaves,
while the women are busy all day
in the kitchen preparing a feast.
Now observed on the fourth
Thursday in November annual-
ly, the history of Thanksgiving
is taught to American children
in schools across our great na-
tion. For some families it is the
biggest celebration of the year
and the start of the holiday sea-
son, including Christmas and the
New Year.
Thanksgiving is considered to
be a vital part of American histo-
ry and identity …. a time to offer
up prayers of thanks to the Great
Creator and to share a boun-
ty of food with loved ones. Let’s
take a look into the origin of this
holiday.
The Settlers on the Mayflower
The traditional Thanksgiving
story recounts the hardships suf-
fered and celebrations enjoyed by
the original colonists (known also
as Pilgrims) when they first came
to North America from Europe.
It is sparsely documented, but
Thanksgiving Day is thought to
be traced to an occasion at Plym-
outh Plantation in 1621, where
religious refugees from England
shared a feast with the local Na-
tive Americans.
The small ship Mayflower de-
parted from Plymouth, England
in 1620 filled with religious sep-
aratists seeking a new home to
practice their faith, as well as en-
terprising people looking to start
a new life of land ownership and
prosperity. After an arduous 66-
day journey, they landed and es-
tablished a village named Plym-
outh in Massachusetts.
The North American winter
was especially hard for the new-
comers, and their harvests large-
ly failed, resulting in half of the
original 102 passengers dying of
exposure, starvation, scurvy or
disease.
The Native Americans are said
to have surprised the Pilgrims
by greeting them in English. A
member of the tribe, Squanto,
had been previously kidnapped
by an Englishman and learned
the language during his captivity.
Squanto, a Wampanoag Indian
and member of the Abenaki and
Pawtuxet tribes, assisted the Pil-
grims in learning how to survive
in the New World by cultivating
indigenous plants, extracting sap
from maple trees, catching fish
and hunting game. Alliances were
forged between the Pilgrims and
local tribes, beginning a 50-year
example of peace between colo-
nists and Native Americans.
First Thanksgiving
A year later in 1621 the colo-
nists were successful in their har-
vest, and had a bounty of corn (or
maize). It is said that Governor
By Rob Somerville
The American Tradition OF Thanksgiving

21. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 21
William Bradford invited Native
American friends and allies to
a celebratory feast, now consid-
ered the “First Thanksgiving” and
which lasted for three days.
Perhaps surprising to Ameri-
cans now who celebrate with tur-
key, potatoes and seasonal vegeta-
bles {such as beans, corn, squash,
and cranberries, followed by des-
serts of pumpkin pie and cake}
the first Thanksgiving is believed
by historians to have had a very
different menu of spiced dishes
prepared in a traditional Native
American style, with game in-
cluding: venison, wild ducks and
swans and potentially cod, shell-
fish, eel and even lobster.
A Time to Thank God
As you gather with family and
friends, and prepare to enjoy a
traditional feast this Thanksgiv-
ing, please remember the true
meaning of this holiday. It is a
time to remember Thanksgivings
past and our loved ones we en-
joyed them with. It is a time to
dwell on the best things in your
life and give thanks to God for
them. It is a time to enjoy and
give praise. Just think of the name
of the holiday this year before the
turkey carving begins.
It is called Thanksgiving which
means Giving Thanks.
God bless you and your fam-
ilies and have a wonderful
Thanksgiving!

A special blessing and thanks
to all of the men and women
of the armed forces, police, fire
department and first respond-
ers. These are true American
heroes that make the
USA the
GREATEST COUNTRY IN
THE
WORLD!

22. 22 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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24. 24 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
As the yearly rut comes to an
end, two things happen. First,
does are no longer the priority
for a buck to breed and the bucks
go back to the survival instinct of
eating and sleeping. The second
thing that happens is hunters
that have not filled their buck tag
tend to lose hope and hunt less,
or give up the chase all together.
Your deer season doesn’t have to
end like this. Late season hunting
for a big buck has its difficulties,
but there are some things that
you can do to help keep things
going.
Start Planning Now
The deer have gone back to eat-
ing and resting. Bucks will need
plenty of food, because they have
lost as much as 25% of their body
weight, chasing does to mate
with. Paying close attention to

their feeding habits will not only
help during the rut, but also af-
ter the rut ends. Start watching
deer movement and where they
might be travelling when food
starts to become harder to find.

Late season food plots are a good
bet. Look for grassy areas such
as water ways in fields and ob-
serve them.
Eliminate the Obvious
I had been in my stand for least
than an hour, one late Decem-
ber afternoon, when I heard a
4-wheeler motor. Moments later
I saw a hunter on the next farm
maneuvering along a fence row.

He crossed the field and disap-
peared into the woods. He cut off
his motor but I still heard noises
of what I could only assume were
his gear being taken off the ride.

At nightfall I observed him re-
peat this process only on the re-
turn trip he had headlights blar-
ing away. This guy did everything
but fire off a signal flare, alerting
the deer of his presence.

If we are lucky to have some snow this winter, it is more difficult for deer
to move without being detected through the white back drop and it is
much easier for the hunter to see the deer, as well as track blood trails.
Photo by Rob Somerville
By Richard A. Fagan
LATE SEASON
TACTICS
DEER

25. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 25
During late deer season there
are two more factors that come
into play that can ruin a hunt.
Noise and sight, with no foliage
on the trees and fields being bare,
noise will carry much further.
The same goes for sight. Flash-
lights and hunters walking out
in open make it easy for the deer
to be clued in on your presence.
Th
ere is one simple thing I
started doing that has helped
me to see more deer in the late
season and not spook them as
much. I sleep in, yes, I said I
sleep in. Hunting in the morn-
ing will most likely push the deer
deeper into hiding or run them
off all together. It is much easi-
er to sneak to your hunting spot
when the deer are bedded down
and you will not be shining lights
that can be seen for miles. Hunt
to catch the deer moving to their

food source.
Since there are no leaves on the
trees you are most likely going to
be spotted if you try to hunt out
of stands that were hidden earlier
in the season. A ground blind is
perfect for this type of hunt. Try
to have it in place long enough
that the deer can get used to it.
Most pop-up type blinds come
with shoot-through mesh on the
windows. This is a great feature
for bow hunters. If you decide
on hunting from a tree stand,
look for a tree with a trunk as
large as your stand can accom-
modate. Forked trees will also
help. Evergreens, such as pine
or cedar, will offer concealment.
Look for a vantage point where
you can hide your movement.

I like to build natural ground
blinds through the early part of
the season. In areas with large
crop fields, I try to have several
spots ready, so I can hunt with
the wind to my favor.
A portable ground blind offers concealment and protection from the
weather.
Photo by author
A doe feeds underneath one of the authors stands. This stand is in a large cedar
tree that offers year round brush cover for the hunter.
Photo by author
Continued on page 50

26. 26 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Dear Son...I Hope You Fail
By Daryl Ratajczak
His over-sized, blaze-orange
coat hung down to just above
his knees. Actually, it wasn’t his
at all. It was mine. Fact was, it
was a whole lot cheaper dress-
ing my son in my old hand-me-
downs rather than buying him
new hunting gear every year. The
kid was growing like a weed.
It wasn’t but a half-dozen years
ago I started taking him with me.
At first he spent most of his time
sleeping at my side. He never re-
ally was much of an early riser,
so staying awake in the stand or
blind was often difficult. I didn’t
mind and apparently my arm
made a helluva pillow.
I did make sure I always kept
him warm though, so that prob-
ably played into his coziness.
Down jacket, thermal underwear,
two pairs of socks, and of course,
the hand-warmers. Always had
to have the hand-warmers. He
had them in every pocket, even
pockets he could barely reach.
Thanks heavens they sold those
things in bulk.
That’s always the hardest part of
deer hunting, staying warm, es-
pecially when the frost is playing
tag with your fingers and toes. It
wasn’t the cold that usually woke
him though, it was the sun. Some-
times it’s just too dang bright to
sleep. After a while basking in the
sun’s glorious rays, I could see life
coming into his young innocent
mind. It usually started with the
twitching of his eyes. Slowly he
would become more aware. And
soon he’d come to realize where
he was. A yawn at first. Then it
started with the questions.
“When are the deer coming Dad?”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“When are we going to have
breakfast?”
“What causes the leaves to turn
yellow?”
“When are the deer coming Dad?”
I had a whispered response for
every one of them. Isn’t it funny
how the deer are always coming
“soon”?
Days like this I cherished for I
knew one day they would end.
My son grew into an amazing
shot and it sure wasn’t on ac-
count of me. Maybe it was those
video games he played in his
spare time. He killed a deer ev-
ery year, from the time he was
eight, until the time he was four-
teen. Some years he killed more
than one deer, but he only took
one shot for each and every deer.
And I was there every time, usu-
ally coaching him. Whispering in
his ear, “Hold still until he comes
a bit closer, wait until he’s broad-
side, just relax and breathe, hold
steady, and finally… fire when
ready.”
Without a doubt I enjoyed
those times, probably even more
so than he. So, when the day fi-
nally came, I was crushed. We
had just made it to the blind
we were going to hunt when he
turned and said, “Dad…is it okay
if I hunt by myself today?”
I knew it was coming. I just
didn’t want it to get here so
quickly. Days at first, and then
years. They drifted quickly by like
a sparrow’s song in the wind.
I walked away and sat alone for
the first time in many years. I was
just up the hill of course. Close
enough to keep an eye on him,
yet far enough to leave him alone.
I sat and scribbled some notes on
a pad I always kept handy, and as
I sat and watched my son in the
distance, I wished for him to fail.
Here is what I wrote to my son
and my long-time best hunting
partner...
I HOPE YOU FAIL
I HOPE YOU FAIL to get dis-
couraged after a long hard day
in the woods and not seeing a
dang thing. Animals spend ev-
ery waking minute of their lives
out there, they know what's go-
ing on. They know who is in
their living room, especially if it's
a loud smelly intruder that pays
no mind to the wind or to their

27. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 27
movements. Remember, the loud
clumsy cat catches no mice. Once
you learn to mind your move-
ments YOU WILL SUCCEED at
seeing more game.
I HOPE YOU FAIL to get dis-
couraged when you miss a shot.
It is going to happen no mat-
ter how good of aim you think
you may have. Adrenaline is a
real thing and a live animal in
your crosshairs often creates a
deluge of uncontrollable energy.
And don't forget, animals move
unpredictably at times, so risky
shots need not be taken. That ani-
mal is giving its life for your pur-
suit; it deserves nothing less than
the respect of a quick, clean kill.
Once you learn to control your
emotions and take ethical shots
YOU WILL SUCCEED at mak-
ing good kills.
I HOPE YOU FAIL to get
discouraged
at what others
may think of
what you kill.
This is a life
lesson more
than a hunt-
ing lesson.
There will al-
ways be some-
one wanting to
put you down
for whatever
reason. This
includes not
only those
that don't like
hunting but
some of the
most passion-
ate hunters as
well. Why? Be-
cause humans
are imperfect and they are show-
ing their flaws instead of yours.
Be proud of all your actions, es-
pecially your kills. You are the
only one pulling the trigger. If
it's not something that makes
you happy, don't pull the trig-
ger. Once you learn to be happy
with your decisions YOU WILL
SUCCEED at having a successful
hunt regardless of the outcomes.
I HOPE YOU FAIL to do it
all alone. Though some prefer
to hunt by themselves the out-
doors is much more meaningful
when it is shared. Much can be
learned from those who have old
and tattered boots and locks of
gray, grizzled hair for they have
undoubtedly failed numerous
times, but are wiser from each
mistake. Listen well, but think
critically. They will teach you life
lessons and ways of the woods,
but you need to apply your own
knowledge to what they speak.
Once you learn to listen more
and speak less YOU WILL SUC-
CEED at gaining wisdom and
becoming a true student of the
forest.
Last but not least…
I HOPE YOU FAIL so that you
can learn to SUCCEED in all that
you do. Good luck out there and
enjoy the hunt.
About the Author: Originally
from Buffalo, New York, Daryl is
a career wildlife biologist having
received his degree in Wildlife
Management in 1992 from the
College of Environmental Sci-
ence and Forestry in Syracuse,
New York. Not long after receiv-
ing his degree, Daryl moved to
East Tennessee to begin working
with black bears in and around
Great Smoky Mountains Nation-
al Park. That experience helped
him secure a position with the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency and a few years later he
became the Big Game Program
Coordinator for the state of Ten-
nessee overseeing the deer, bear
and elk programs. In 2011, Dar-
yl was promoted to the Chief of
Wildlife and Forestry position
overseeing the state’s entire wild-
life program. He recently headed
west to fulfill a life-long dream of
living and working in the Rockies
and is now living out his dream
as a wildlife biologist with the
U.S. Forest Service.
Pictured here is the author’s son, Jarret Ratajczak. His father’s message to him is that failing is an integral part of success, and it makes that winning moment that much more enjoyable!
Photo by author

28. 28 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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31. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 31
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32. 32 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
COOKING ON
THE WILDSIDE
WITH ROB SOMERVILLE
Ingredients
10 to 12 Pound WHOLE TURKEY, non self-basting
1/4 Cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, crushed
6 Cloves fresh garlic, peeled
1/4 Cup fresh garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons kosher salt
2 Teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
4 to 5 Gallons peanut oil, See Note.
Deep
Fried
Wild
Turkey
1. Remove the giblets and neck, rinse the turkey well with cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Take care to dry both inside cavities. Fill the cavity with ginger, rosemary and garlic cloves.
2. Mix together minced garlic, salt and pepper and rub on the exterior of the bird. To allow for good oil circulation
through the cavity, do not truss or tie legs together. Cut off the wing tips and plump tail as they may get caught in the
fryer basket. Marinate in refrigerator for about 1 hour.
3. Place the OUTDOOR gas burner on a level dirt or grassy area. Never fry a turkey indoors, in a garage or in any
structure attached to a building. Do not fry on wood decks, which could catch fire, or concrete, which could be stained
by the oil. (Safety tip: have a fire extinguisher nearby for added safety.)
4. Add oil to a 10+ gallon pot with a basket or rack. At the medium-high setting, heat the oil to 375 degrees F, (de-
pending on the amount of oil, outside temperature and wind conditions, this should take about 40+ minutes).
5. Meanwhile, remove the ginger, rosemary and garlic from the cavity. Place the turkey in a basket or on a rack,
neck down.
6. When the oil temperature registers 375 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer, slowly lower the turkey into the
hot oil. The level of the oil will rise due to the frothing caused by the moisture from the turkey but will stabilize in
about one minute. (Safety tips: to prevent burns from the splattering oil wear oven mitts/gloves, long sleeves, heavy
shoes and even glasses. It is wise to have two people lowering and raising the turkey.)
7. Immediately check the oil temperature and increase the flame so the oil temperature is maintained at 350 degrees
F. If the temperature drops to 340 degrees F or below, oil will begin to seep into the turkey.
8. Fry about 3-4 minutes per pound, or about 35-42 minutes for a 10-12 pound turkey. Stay with the cooker at all
times as the heat must be regulated.
9. When cooked to 170 degrees F in the breast or 180 degrees F in the thigh, carefully remove the turkey from
the hot oil. Allow the turkey to drain for a few minutes. (Safety tip: allow the oil to cool completely before storing or
disposing.)
10. Remove turkey from the rack and place on a serving platter. Allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.
11. NOTE: Use only oils with high smoke points, such as peanut, canola or safflower oil. To determine the correct
amount of oil, place the turkey in the pot before adding seasoning and add water until turkey is covered. Take turkey
out of the water before marking the oil level. Measure the amount of water and use a corresponding amount of oil.
Dry the pot thoroughly of all water.

33. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 33
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34. 34 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
with traditional native dishes.
In North America these include
cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie,
succotash, sweet corn, pecan pie,
turkey, and wild rice stuffing.
The Harvest Home celebra-
tions of earlier times are dying
out, as the number of people en-
gaged in farming declines because
of mechanization, and as urban
populations be-
come discon-
nected from the
actual grow-
ing of crops.
In the past,
the whole ru-
ral community
worked togeth-
er to harvest
crops, before
the storms of
late autumn ar-
rived. Cutting
of the last sheaf
and carrying it
in procession to shelter symbol-
ized the bringing of the harvest
home, and was greeted with great
rejoicing accompanied by music,
dancing, and elaborate feasting.
One of the traditional Harvest
Home dishes was “frumenty” a
wheat pudding made with boiled
milk, almond extract, honey, egg
yolk, and raisins. The milk (1¾
cup), almond extract (½ tea-
spoon), and honey (2 tablespoon)
are brought to a boil, the heat re-
duced, and the cracked wheat (1
cup) added with stirring until all
the liquid is absorbed (about 15
min.). The yolk of one egg is then
stirred in and ¼ cup of raisins is
added. The pudding is served ei-
ther hot or cold.
SURE-FIRE SIGNS THAT IT’S HARVEST TIME IN THE FIELDS
• Prep, prep, and more prepping the equipment for the fields.
• Optimism is at its highest.
• Weather monitoring is at an all-time high.
• All hands on deck – when it comes to harvest time, everybody helps out!
• Being extremely cautious when transporting expensive large equipment, like combines, in traffic on
roads.
• The sounds of heavy equipment rolling – it will get you every time!
• Combine lights in the field. When the weather is right, it’s go time – even if that means running
through the night.
• Sleep – what sleep?
• Tired eyes and sore muscles.
• The dinner table moves from the dining room to the field, where lunch is brought to workers.
• The smells of harvest – dried corn and bean dust – there’s nothing like them.
• Daily checking of grain prices at buyers.
• Fuel and maintenance trucks busy keeping the fleet running.
• The landscape takes on a new look. For months you watched it grow and fill the fields, now it’s back
to the flat land until next year.
BIBLE QUOTES ABOUT HARVEST TIME
James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land
to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
1 Corinthians 9:10
Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when farmers plow and
thresh, they should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.
Luke 10:2
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,
to send out workers into his harvest field."
Harvest Festivals gave farmers a chance to exchange
experiences about the previous season, learn new
farming techniques, exhibit their finest crops, compete
for awards, and generally engage in a communal
celebration.

35. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 35
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36. 36 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

37. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 37
Justin Wright understands the needs of farmers and sportsmen. He has my vote - Rob Somerville: Editor - STO Magazine

38. 38 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

39. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 39
TRADITIONS TIPS - with Richard A. Fagan
1. Apply deer lure to used Thermocell wicks. Your Thermocell
can attract deer in the cold and run off skeeters when it’s hot.
Great invention!
2. A spoon style fishing lure, with about twenty feet of string,
makes a great retrieval tool when you have dropped your glove, hat,
or arrow release out of your stand.
Store it in a small plastic container, so you don’t get hooked.
4. Rub down your grill top with a sliced potato to help keep those
venison steaks from sticking.
3. Knowing where the wind is carrying your scent is important.
Use a “windicator” to show this. I refill mine with baking soda, as it
has no odor.
5. In the winter, wet feet mean cold feet. On those long hikes to
the stand, take an extra pair of wool socks and a zip lock bag to store
the sweaty pair, to contain any scent after changing.
Editor’s note: all photos and graphics are provided by the author.
If you wish to submit a “TIP” send emails to [email protected].
GENERAL TIPS!

40. 40 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Love is in the air; at least it
is in the deer woods. Yes, once
again it’s that magical time of
year, in which our four-legged
friends travel the fields and for-
ests in hopes of contributing to
the procreation of their species.
In laymen’s terms – big bucks
are chasing does in hope of a ro-
mantic interlude. Today, I will
share how I got one of those
bucks to go “Looking for love in
all the wrong places.” {My apol-
ogies to country music fans.}
Love Hurts
That week I knew the timing
would be right. The pre-rut was
in full swing. Although the does
may not be ready to accept the
amorous attentions of their ant-
lered better halves, the bucks
were. With noses to the ground
and eyes wide open, they were
trolling for a receptive partner.
It was a cloudy afternoon in
the Kenton bottoms. I knew a
storm front was due to hit our
area late that night, which meant
that the deer would be moving
earlier than usual. This was the
deciding factor in my getting to
the woods early. This terrain is
thick and full of cypress trees.
Recent rains had flooded the
majority of my leased ground.
I chose to hunt an area that
I call the “old clover lane”. It
consists of a twelve foot wide
strip of land that cuts a swath
through the woods from the hill
ground, all the way to the Obion
River. The elevation of this area
is about one foot higher than
the bottomland woods on both
sides, thus making a sort of dry
expressway for deer.
I wanted to pull in one of these
love-struck bucks, instead of just
taking a chance that one would
pass me by from my stand lo-
cation, so I opted for a method
I call “trolling”. I cut two six-
foot pieces of baling twine and

Trolling for
Bucks
By Rob Somerville
STO editor, Rob Somerville, with the huge bodied 8-pointer he killed with
his bow using the “Trolling for Bucks” method.

41. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 41
tied a hangman’s noose in one
end of each of them to attach
temporarily to my legs. I then
tied a small piece of rag to the
other end of both strings. The
rag on my left leg was soaked
in Code Blue’s “Standing Es-
trus” doe urine. The rag on my
right leg was soaked in buck
urine. With my two “drag rags”
in place, I walked to the stand,
dragging this double scent trail
behind me.
The reason I used both doe
estrus urine on one rag and
buck urine on the other is sim-
ple. This combination will en-
rage any buck’s hormones as it
mimics a buck with a hot doe
…. right in the real buck’s own
backyard.
When I got about thirty yards
in front of my deer stand, I loos-
ened the hangman’s noose from
my boot and hung this smelly
concoction in the lower branch-
es of a tree. I was my Matthews
bow. It was now 2:10 p.m.
Within ten minutes a doe and
her fawn appeared behind me,
splashing through the slough
creek at my back. Amazingly to
me, they bedded down within
ten feet and directly behind me.
She was facing towards me to
make matters even worse.
Now What?
I couldn’t move. I was afraid
to even breathe. I had a white
tailed alarm system ready to
bust me. I kept cutting my eyes
towards her as she groomed her
fawn. I just knew that if a shoot-
er buck came by and I raised
my bow up, she would send off
an alarm whistle and the game
would be over. After about fif-
teen minutes of even being
afraid to scratch my nose, which
of course seemed to need it very
badly, I decided I needed to get
rid of her. I took out my grunt
call and blew it softly. No reac-
tion. Louder still – and still no
reaction!
Frustrated, I stood up, wav-
ing my arms, and the seeming-
ly mentally unstable deer would
not budge. I finally gave up, de-
ciding that she must be deaf,
dumb or both.
The Fish are Biting!
As I turned around and got
back settled into my deer stand,
finally scratching my insistent
nose, I saw a tawny shape eas-
ing down the clover lane with its
nose down. It was a doe. I eased
my gun up, saying to myself,
“Maybe old “big boy” is right
behind her.”
Well, miracle of miracles, he
was. His nose was to the ground
and he was as anxious as a coon
dog on a full moon night to find
a girlfriend who wouldn’t run
away from him. And, he was
ready to fight off anything that
stood in his way.
I mouth grunted to get him
to stop in my shooting lane. He
was broadside. I raised my bow
up, putting the sight pin direct-
ly behind his shoulder and re-
leased an arrow.
The huge bodied 8-pointer
laid on the ground, after go-
ing just forty yards. I savored
the moment and said a prayer
of thanks to the Maker of all
that is wild. When I got to my
buck, I saw that there was no
way that I could get him on
my four-wheeler by myself. He
would dress out at over 175 lbs.
and was 3 ½ years old. I went to
get the landowner, who helped
me load the deer and took a few
pictures.
I love to fish and I love to
hunt, but this is the first time
I ever I ever combined the two
and trolled for a buck. I don’t
think it will be the last either.
Take a kid hunting or fishing.
After all, they are our most pre-
cious natural resource. They are
our future.
See ya,
Rob
Here is all you need to troll for bucks.
Read the article to learn how.

42. 42 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
By Sam Bradshaw
Today’s world of duck hunting
has become extremely commer-
cialized, in respect to the amount
of acreage utilized specifically for
the use of
duck hunting. With this
being the new norm, we as hunters
must adapt to the changing con-
ditions to remain successful. Have
you ever wondered just how in the
world some people continue to
have success any and everywhere
they hunt waterfowl? Could it be

they are just that good, or could it
be they just have that much luck
on their side? If I had to guess, it
would be from the fact that some
hunters are just that plain good at
duck hunting.
Although some may disagree
with just what exactly a good hunt-
er is, to me it is one who adapts
and thinks outside the norm with
his hunting strategies, no mat-
ter the situation or scenario they
are put in to accomplish success.
Times are changing, and I hope
with an explanation of the way I
see
a few things it may turn on a
few more light bulbs in your world
for ideas to achieve success in your
favorite duck hole.
There can be a million different
reasons a “duck hole” can be suc-
cessful, and on the contrary, a mil-
lion more for it to be unsuccessful.
The main three setups I see pre-
dominately are roost, traffic, and
feed location setups. All of which
mus
t be accommodated differently
in the way we setup and attempt
to lure ducks our way.
ROOSTING DUCKS
Roosting locations can be very
sensitive. This is virtually the
ducks bedroom, where they sit
and prune and spend most of the
day or night. These areas are often
times natural bodies of water that
are simply on the “x” and have dif-
ferent waterfowl attracted to it dai-
ly. Areas of this geography can be
found all over the place, whether
it be private vs public or Tennes-
see vs Arkansas.
Often times roosting areas are

occupie
d by loafing ducks that
aren’t talking much and probably
are just hanging around waiting to
go out to their feed again and are
sometimes even hidden from the
skies above, appearing to be few-
er ducks present than there actu-
ally is. This explains to me that
they are the hardest ducks in the
playbook to hunt. They’ve often
times been there days on in and
have complete comfort in the spot.

Number one factor when hunt-
ing a location tailored to a roost;
you must be invisible. Closely be-
hind that is the approach a hunt-
er should have with calling efforts.
Roosting ducks often times make

very little noise, which
should in-
struct the caller to do the same.
Very minimal calling is usually the
most effective way to hunt a roost-
ing or loafing spot. If you have out
minimal decoys and provide mini-
mal calling you’re staying on point
in your efforts to produce the most
realistic scenario tailored to this
roosting spot. But, what if this is a
roosting spot ducks typically don’t
hang out in? This leads me to my

favorite setup.
TRAFFICKING DUCKS
Trafficking ducks can be a very
exciting way to hunt waterfowl.
These locations are in between the
areas of feed and roost locations
and are simply a path ducks trav-
el back and forth on. Some spots
may have a mixture of travel and
roost, or also travel and feed.
Du
ck holes in these paths can
be extremely effective if setup cor-
rectly. These are locations high-fly-
ing waterfowl are present, and
which need to be shown there is a
party going on that
they are miss-
Traffic spreads can be feast or famine, often times never knowing what
time of the day ducks will be moving. Photo by author

43. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 43
ing out on. This party could be a
feed, or a roost, but at the end of
the day it doesn’t matter as long as
they come join the party.
After all, a true traffic spot should
have more ducks along shortly af-
ter to take a look at the party. Pres-
sure is of no concern. Daylight
to dark, a trafficking spot can be
hunted and have
no adverse effect
on the next day’s success. The key
to this party is making it appar-
ent there is a lot of ducks having
a good time. Decoys are crucial
to attracting high flying ducks,
and the more the merrier in this
scenario. It’s all about making the

party seem like it’s something to
join in on.
There are people out there who
take their spread over the top with
motion and gadgets in the wrong
scenario, but with trafficking birds
there just simply is not too much
of a party going on.
Scenario: You see 10,000 ducks
sitting on a refuge and a group of
100 mallard’s land in the middle of
them. Is it because they are on a
refuge? Or is it because it’s 10,000
ducks and there’s not a doubt
in the world they are real to the
100 flying overhead? Dirt is dirt,
and ducks
are ducks no
matter where
they are.
With this
large amount
of decoys out
you have the
ability to be
seen, but you
also have to
make them
look. Calling
in this sce-
nario is what
has
drawn
me this route.
Duck calls be-
come your key
to success, which is in respect to
the amount of decoys you’re imi-
tating. Getting a duck’s attention,
flyin
g sky high can take a lot of
air, and also a lot of calls. Once
these ducks have decided to break
and work your way it can produce
some of the best decoying action
ever seen. After all, you completely
broke them off their path of travel
to come take a look at your fake
ducks that aren’t exactly where
they want to be. You won. Just
don’t forget that once these ducks
get low, they are just as sensitive to
calling as ducks in any other sce-
nario. Ducks are ducks, and ducks
will do as ducks do.

FEEDING DUCKS
Feeding ducks often times draw a misconception in today’s time. If there feeding there on Tuesday, they should be feeding there on

Wednesday, right? Wrong. What about the weather changing from 30 to 60 degrees? Or, has it rained? Feeding ducks can change their habits overnight. With the amount of standing corn left in todays’ time it also comes into play as to just how far ducks need to travel for food, or even as to what farms masses of ducks are feeding on at times. They might be four or five miles away in a large field until they eat the majority of that food before other spots even have ducks feed-
ing on them. They stick together for the most part. To be
successful on a feed a
hunter must be very diligent in their scouting. Planting a large
When snow begins to fall the ducks go straight to feed
mode. Be prepared, and stay ahead of the forecast.
Photo by author

44. 44 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
WE BUY, SELL & TRADE FOR VINTAGE:
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block of corn and flooding it, or
any other food, does not insure
anyone success. Knowing when
and why ducks are feeding in cer-
tain areas, and on what food types,
is crucial when determining the
right time to hunt a spot.
For exam-
ple; a cloudy,
no wind, high

temperature
day might
be
a great day to
let a feed spot
sit. On the con-
trary, sunshine,
high wind,
and pushing
cold front with
plummeting

temperatures
day might just
equal the hunt
of a lifetime.
Feed spots are
sensitive, just as roost locations,
and to be above the rest always
consider the simplest of factors as
to why the activity is good or bad
and use those factors to forecast
future hunts. There are only 60
days in a season. Make the number
of days successful more important
than the number of days afield.
Any of the items mentioned in
this article are not meant to be
instructing exactly how someone
should duck hunt. Nor are they the
way each hunt should be viewed,
but what I hope some of you did
gather from this is that no matter
where you hunt, we must always
recognize the reality as to what
ducks we are hunting and decide
if our approach in that scenario
is the best route. We all have past
experience that directs us, and
knowledge can never be under-
estimated, but never underesti-
mate the power of change in your
strategy. In a nutshell, it’s up to
us to decide, prior to setting up
our spot, as to decide which type
of scenario we are in. Then we

should base our strategy behind
those facts, so that we are work-
ing in the right direction for the
ducks we are hunting.
Mid-Morning hunt in the timber for loafing ducks.
Photo by author

45. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 45
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46. 46 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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47. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 47
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48. 48 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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49. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 49
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Forcum Lannom Materials
Here yesterday, today and tomorrow.

50. 50 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
As for the noise factor, you
can multiply any noise you may
have made in September by 10
and that will be the noise level
in December. The worst noise
you can send out, in my opinion,
is metal to metal. Check your
gear and setup for any potential
clangs, creaks, or squeaks. Even
a cough can be heard. A home-
made or commercial cough muf-
fle is not a bad idea.
The Weather
It’s not hard to talk yourself
out of going hunting on
a cold
rainy December day, but you
may want to rethink that. The
rain offers help in hiding your
scent. It also adds a natural noise
that might cover any other nois-
es. Moving through the woods
is much quieter. This also is the
case for the
deer. They will use it
to their advantage and will often
move earlier in the day during
a rain.
Invest in quality, cold weath-
er gear. Give some thought on
how you plan to
hunt when out-
fitting yourself.
During the late
gun season, I
wear mid-level
cold weather pro-
tection to keep

sweating to a
minimum. When
I get to my blind
I
will add extra
layers if needed.
I recently pur-
chased a sleeping
bag with sewn
in arms. I hope
this will be a wel-
come addition to
my gear on those

extremely cold
days.
Bow hunters don’t have it so

easy. During the late season we
often have to sacrifice warmth
and comfort for being able to
draw and shoot our bow. Again,
this is where investing in good
quality, cold weather gear can
pay off. Always check things be-
fore you hunt. Do some target
practice in your cold weather
gear to make sure you do have
enough free movement to make
a quality shot.
Stick with your plan

You’re going to have days that
make you wished you'd stayed
home. Hopefully you will also
have days where the deer are
covering you up. This is late sea-
son hunting. It’s hard, it's cold
and it will test you. Make your
plans early and stick with
them.
While others may have given up,
you’re still at it, and most likely
you’ll succeed in having a great
late season.
SERVING
WEST TENNESSEE
FOR OVER
20 YEARS!
If deer season is open ... so are we!
With expertise in skinning, antler preservation and
butchering, we offer full service processing and vacuum
sealing of your harvest at a fair price!
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E
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OWNER: DAVID TINDLE
111C THREEWAY LANE - HUMBOLDT, TN - 38343
731-824-3337, 731-824-DEER, CELL: 731-432-9076
www.threewayprocessing.com
Food plots like this one are prime places to set up and watch for deer
movement. Photo by author

51. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 51

52. 52 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
TWRA NEWS
For nearly a quarter-million
users of the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency’s ‘On The Go
2.0’ smartphone app, finding a
place in Tennessee to hunt, fish,
boat, and view wildlife has be-
come easier than ever.
“We have put a lot of time
into improving our app and we
are happy to announce it is now
available and free to all who en-
joy our outdoors and want to
learn more,” said Michael May,
a TWRA assistant director.
“If you want to find a boat
ramp, public land to hunt on, a
convenient way to check-in big
game, places where you can view
birds and other wildlife, or keep
up with news that pertains to the
outdoors, this updated version of
our app offers unlimited sources
of information,” said May.
The upgrade is easier to nav-
igate. Users can buy licenses,
check big game while afield, view
interactive maps, apply for quota
hunts, and visit the TWRA web-
site. One new feature includes a
“Stay Connected Page.” It pro-
vides easy access to TWRA’s so-
cial media, Tennessee WildCast
podcast, newsroom, outdoors
and event calendar, and more.
Smartphone users should vis-
it TWRA’s website to install the
app at www.tnwildlife.org. If
the current version is already
installed, Apple users can easi-
ly upgrade via their app, while
Android users will need to un-
install their current app before
uploading the new one.
Hunters will have the oppor-
tunity to report big game har-
vests while in the field. There is
also an interactive map to find
TWRA wildlife management ar-
eas (WMAs), physical check sta-
tion locations, and duck blind
locations.
Another special feature is
the “Hunter’s Backpack” where
hunter education courses, a sum-
mary of hunting seasons, and full
versions of the agency hunting
guides are available.
For anglers, “Fisherman’s
Tacklebox” includes, fish iden-
tification, interactive maps to
find boat ramp and fish access
information, fish attractor loca-
tions, trout stocking locations,
and trout stocking schedules.
On the app’s boating page, the
“Boating Locker” includes boat
regulations, safety checklists,
boating education information,
navigational aids, and recom-
mended boating equipment.
For wildlife watchers, there
is information about where to
view watchable wildlife across
the state.
TWRA UPDATES SMARTPHONE APP WITH GOAL TO
HELP USERS EASILY DISCOVER OUTDOORS OPPORTUNITIES

53. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 53
Grassy Water is one of the premiere
Wetlands Restoration Program Farms
just outside of Portageville, smack dab in
the heart of “Duck Heaven” in Southeast
Missouri. The owner, Jeffrey Daniels and his
expert team of guides have decades of duck
hunting experience and they know what it
takes to give their clients the duck hunting
trip of a lifetime!
At Grassy Water our number one goal is
to give every client a memorable hunt that
they will never forget!
Jeffrey Daniels at 731-413-8688 Amber Garrett at 731-413-6504
[email protected]
www.grassywater.com

54. 54 SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
Kenzie Moore {7yrs old} with her
1st archery kill, which she took on opening day
of 2017. She is from Jackson, Tennessee, but
harvested her deer in Dyer County.
Robert “Doc” Jackson with a cold weather, Pickwick Lake slab crappie.
CAROLINE AUSTIN: Caroline Austin {11 years-old} is pictured here with her first deer ever, taken on the 2017 juve-
nile hunt, and what a deer it is!  The beautiful
10
-pointer was taken in Henry County on Oct.
28th at 4:30pm.
 
Photo
by proud Mom - Heidi Austin

55. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS 55
DEALER
INQUIRIES
WELCOME!