Morning Glory Gazette  November 14-19 2008  Deer Season (Gone to Nebraska)  <a target="_self" href="/isapi.dll?c=content&f=link&threadid=qqY5HE&fiberid=9">Tracy Byrd Country</a> Click to play - Tracy Byrd's - I'm from the Country Some may think the only things that happen on the Morning Glory Farm are problems and work. Every now and then we take a break from that lifestyle and just live life for the glory of the day. Recently such a thing happened at our house. The following are excerpts from an adventure.  Background Information:  Back in 1991 I had the opportunity to attend BNOC, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course for 112 days beginning in May and ending in August at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Here the Army Medic advances their skills to the level of a Paramedic or above as well as learning additional leadership skills. I had been in the Army (Active Duty) for three years. Started out as an E-1 and obtained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) in 22 months. Thus I had been a Sergeant for a little over one year by the time I attended.  I had come in from an overseas post. Without a car to drive I relied on others to get around. So friends with cars were friends indeed. I wish I could write more about this training but there are those parts that may still lead to an arrest or two and embarrassment to those now considered good neighbors to others.  There I met a lifer (someone who was going to be in the Army till they retire) After all the school was set up to help lifers. Brian Fishel from Lavale, Maryland and I were to become very close friends during that time as we had lots in common. Even after the school ended we remained in close contact over the next 17 years. We watched each other go thru good times as well as sad times.    We even caught up with each other every now and then to share a meal and stories. Over time I would honestly say this man became closer to me then a brother. One of those people that no matter when the call comes I can and will take it and be happy to have heard from a close friend. Some how the military is special that way, as friendships during this time are shaped by the fire of life, and the bond which holds them together is greater than anything I could begin to discuss with a civilian.  So many times we discussed our love of hunting. Something that Brian always wanted to do was to hunt Nebraska. We each had our own methods but time in the woods was always better then being at work. So after all these years, the stars lined up in such a way that we could go hunting and spend some time together. Not all of the process went as smoothly as I wished it had but off to Nebraska we went to hunt the big deer. The first issue was getting a deer license. Prices are as follows: Freezer tag: $0.00 Downside may get caught. Have a felony on your record and lose your gun and truck. (kind of like a divorce) This is not a recommended tag. I have these thoughts of being in the gray bar hotel. Right before shower time, someone asks why am I in? “DEER KILLING” Just do not think that will strike fear in very many. Almost as bad as Cheering Nebraska vs. Oklahoma University while living in Oklahoma.  Land owner tag is only $14.50 and you can get a permit for every 80 acres.  Buck only State Wide is $68.50 (Resident) and $443.50 for a nonresident  Nonresident Deer tag (allows one Whitetail buck and doe) $178.00  Also needed is a Habitat Stamp for $16.00  I remember a kid waiting to go to basic training for the Navy getting caught poaching deer. Now he is a bank president. Thought that once you had a felony on your record you could not be a bank president. Now that our government has been proactive with the banking system, I am convinced many have just not been caught or prosecuted for the felonies that they have participated in. So back then the guy lost his gun and truck for that felony. Now you get one and can have a big banking bail out and a one time cash performance awards.   Trip to Nebraska  The plan was for Brian to fly into Tulsa on the 14th of November. I would pick him up and from there we would travel to Eddyville Nebraska to start hunting. I seem to be a little slow. It took me longer to load up than I planed and I wound up leaving Brian at the airport for about an hour before I went and got him picked up. Things take time. The cattle needed fed. The tractor would not start so had to jump start it. Got the hay out to them. Loaded the faithful van. It is a GMC Gladiator. Customized van that we bought back in May 2005 to make long distance drives. It has a queen size bed in the back. Inside were more clothes than I could have ever worn on the next six days. Weapons were many, to include a deer rifle (30.06) to two shotguns, .22 rifles and pistols. Also a crossbow. Over 10 weapons and ammo to drop into a small fire fight and stay for 72 hours. A 5 x 12 trailer was attached to the van. Also two laptops just in case.  So, loaded to the gills with everything a man would ever need to hunt, butcher, market deer on the internet and return to Oklahoma with trophy deer was taken. I can not think of much that could have been forgotten. The kids had both called begging me not to take van. They call it the BIG NASTY. I guess they do not like the carpet or shades of mauve. I did not care. I like to be able to sleep.  Picking up Brian at the air port was easy as he was standing outside waiting. He had packed light so his luggage would not be lost. Also had mailed his hunting equipment to Eddyville. Dad did not know why he received such a big box. He had opened it and was thrilled to find some gortex boots and cold weather clothes. Both Marjo and he felt that maybe it was a practical joke from one of her brothers. I had called to let him know that it was on the way the day it arrived. I think I could almost here his voice crack up as I tried to explain that those boots were not for him. I know when we arrived, he was in no hurry to bring Brian over his hunting gear. In fact I think he would have really liked it if we had left those clothes for him.  The trip north was slow and tedious as we fought 50 mph winds all the way. Why would it have been any different after all we had to drive thru Kansas. At least we were able to both nap. Each of us had gone without some much needed sleep the days prior.  So many things to talk about on the way up. The world had all of it’s problems solved for a short period of time. Naps were taken and the price of gas was on our side as we traveled northward those 560 miles or so. Arriving late at the home place, I had tried to brief Brian on how the hunt would be done. He had asked if I could find him a .270 to use. It is his favorite rifle. “Sure, we are going to Nebraska, I have family and friends up that way,” I told him. Lucky for me, got an uncle who is a gun dealer. Just small arms though. So the additional rifle was not an issue.  During the last part of the ride I tried to lay out a strategy for Brian and I to hunt by. It took a while as he was unfamiliar with the terrain, and language. Where he is from, some areas require only shotguns to be used. This is because the people live so close together. (Bet if they used a rifle that would not be a problem.) Then he wanted to know what kind of Tree Stand he would be in. So right there we almost had to stop as I explained that I was just as good a shot out of the passenger window as I was from the Driver’s window. At that point I knew he was not going to understand anything about how you hold the light and I will shoot, strategy. We had difficulties communicating how big deer were. In Nebraska the points are counted on just one side. A six pointer has six points on both sides. Brian would say a six pointer and that meant three little tines on each side and then the total would equal six points. The thought of giving him a piece of paper with a circle on it so he could draw out what the antlers looked like occurred to me but I did no such thing.  It was midnight when we arrived and completely unpacked into the Home Place. The house that my grandparents had built new in the fifties is where we stayed. The house was warm and cozy as we laid out all of needed gear for the next morning. Marjo had made life perfect for us as coffee was prepared and ready for the morning for us. Brian wanted to shoot the borrowed scoped rifle so he knew how it would shoot. 25 yards were marked off. The headlights on a car turned on and a target was placed downrange. One shot later told us that the center had been hit and with that comforting thought Brian was ready for the next day.  Next morning 0500 hours came early. Coffee helps bring life into an old body like mine. That morning we were to hunt on the home place, (I am the fifth generation to farm the place and our family has been there since 1878). The plan was to have Brian hunker down facing west on the far side of the East Creek Pasture as I would walk the creek pasture behind him pushing deer for the ¾ of mile creek pasture behind him hoping to drive a large Nebraska Corn Fed Deer his way. Earlier I had discussed this plan with Vikki Stamm (neighbor land owner) and asked for permission. She said it would be ok as long as I was done by 1000 hours. 150 yards into the stalk I kicked up a buck with 4 on one side and three on the other side, good width and a shot I would have taken.    Herding the animal toward the ambush ahead of him I pushed him another 50 yards. Out of no where a shot rang out. I went to a knee knowing that someone had seen my buck and was shooting in my direction. As soon as the shot went off a pickup appeared out of no where. I stayed put until the group’s excitement waned a bit then reveling myself (remember I am 5’9” weigh 230 and am wearing ORANGE). Quickly I was recognized as a hunter and then later asked why I was there. I posed the same question as I had been told I could hunt there. The gentleman introduced himself to me as one of Stamm’s Hired Hands. He told me that he would be asking the Boss (Vikki) about me later. I told him that I would be talking to him later on about this morning excitement.  They then jumped into the pickup and roared to the cornfield where the buck had settled down to rest a bit after having been shot in the shoulder. I moved towards the West. Quietly I snuck thru the river bottoms. At almost my meeting place with Brian I noticed a Buck laying down in the gooseberries. I scoped him out and noticed red bloody foam at the mouth. The animal was very still considering this was the first day of deer season? I walked up and noticed that animal had expired less then an hour ago as it’s temperature was not room temperature yet. I walked over the bank and noticed Brian sitting down in a great spot overlooking a flat meadow. I asked him what had he seen? He had used a grunt call and in no time a 6 point buck came running in. He decided to by pass that. I just kept asking why???    At this point the education was 3 on each side equals 6 points. I told him to look around as we are in Nebraska. The story was wonderful about how he had plenty of time with that buck and then chose not to shoot it. I asked about the buck that was less then 100 yards behind him. This he did not know and we walked over to it and looked at it. Some where in us was the desire to pull it across the fence line and claim it. Yet I called Vikki and let her know about it and thought to myself that most likely one of those kids shot it and did not realize that they had killed it. Both of us examined it and found no bullet hole in it. Strange that it died so very quietly and in a position of comfort.  Back to the farm house. After arriving, we were told to come over to eat with my father and Marjo. They had breakfast all served up for the two hungry hunters. After enjoying the meal we then took a pickup up to the Big Pasture in search of Mule Deer. I drove around with the window down and told Brian to do the same. Told him how to look for the Mule Deer and how one was hunted in the grasslands of Nebraska. Not really understanding the objective he tried to do his best. I then dropped him off on one side of the pasture and walked the creek up to the Old O’Neil place. While doing so I kicked up two does and many, many, squirrels. Having arrived at the O’Neil place it was clear that Brian had not taken a shot. We talked as we walked back to the truck. Still the thoughts of how to hunt Mule Deer had not sunk into this New Englander’s mind.  The hunting went on for the rest of the day as we saw more then a dozen deer that first morning out and heard a small battle in the background as others tried their luck. One could certainly notice that the hunting pressure eased up during the Nebraska (56) vs. K-State game (28) (1435 hours CST). It is so hard to compete against the Nebraska State Religion with something so special and sacred as Deer Season.  The evening went on with even more deer sightings. Last September out of no where I got a call from an old friend who was closer to me then a brother at one time. I had a falling out with his mother back in 1987. Due to that I cut all strings to the family and have not talked to him in all these years. He called me up and I asked for his forgiveness as I had ruined a good friendship over something that really did not matter when one looks back on it now. Saturday night David Barth and his son came over to the Farm House and we all talked until almost 0100 hours.   It was then that Brian learned about Mule Deer Hunting. Only upon interviewing several different sources did he learn that my method of Mule Deer Hunting had been sanctioned in the state. That is why there are pickups and pastures. Most likely many can only shoot a rifle supported on a truck door. Getting caught up on 20 years of history was an amazing experience. I am so proud to know such a good friend again and see how well he has done in life also. So many are at the same place as when we were in High School together. That is not for me.  On this visit I was expecting to have my father tell me that his cancer had returned. Back in 2004 both of my parents had cancer and I expected both to die. My mother did and for what ever reason my father did not. Yet to look at him, he is healthy and strong and it was good to spend some time with him as well as to be out hunting. We hunted on the home place until Monday morning. Many deer were seen but we passed on most all of them. Even after my father kept urging us on about killing them all and just let them lay. I am guessing he has something against Bambi.  Sunday Evening I placed Brian on a creek bank (north creek pasture) and was only 75 yards from him. He was using this Grunt Call. Within 10 minutes he shot at two white tail bucks approaching him from different directions. It was amazing. Meanwhile I was carrying 3 guns and one crossbow to treat some 500 turkeys to a surprise. I just had it in my mind that somehow they had been left out of all the fun and I wanted all the critters to feel the love.  The whole concept of that Buck Call (Grunt Call) has really been baffling to me. I can not believe you just make a little noise on one and the deer come running. Then too, I have made many rude uncalled for remarks about what that call looked like and what it looked like he was doing. I felt it was something only a Marine would do, not someone from the Army. Maybe that is why Brian (retired 1st SGT) served longer in an Army that started preaching a "don't ask, don't tell" policy 15 years ago. I have tried to persuade Brian into teaching at a local college. As people learn this skill, the whole way of hunting may change. More deer may be harvested while the amount of gas used will decrease. When gas was $4.00 a gallon one can see that a deer could become very expensive if hunting by my Mule Deer Method. At this time I am waiting for my Buck Grunt Call to arrive from Cabela's.  We did get deer to harvest as well as to process. We both do our own butchering and have gotten quick. Got done within thirty five minutes having all the roasts and steaks cut out. Some old farmer commented on a Freezer tag. I replied that I remember a deer season years ago when seven deer where hanging in my Grandpa’s corn crib before the first one had been shot legally. My father then said something about how that was my Mother’s side of the family and that was the last time he deer hunted with that group. Thought only two of them were his anyways.    A lot of it was made into Jerky which was a miracle. As Brian flew back to Baltimore he wanted to take some steaks and roasts with him. Instead I wanted to make jerky and I won out somehow. We made jerky my way by grinding it all up and then running it thru a jerky gun and baking it in the oven for a short while. To me this seems to be very much like store bought jerky and I made some stuff that looked like Slim Jims. It had the flavor of Summer Sausage and was good eating also.  So the whole benefit of having the deer this way was if something did happen then it would not go bad for him. He arrived back in Maryland on the 19th but his luggage did not get there until the 21st. So if it had been steaks he would not have anything except some very smelly luggage. Amazing how miracles happen everyday and most of the time I never notice.  On the 17th of November we went to Brady Nebraska to spend time with an aunt and uncle of mine. I really enjoy visiting them and have for so many years. As things turned out I was hoping to be able to get everything loaded and be out of my father’s place by 0900 hours. Instead we left around 1330 hours and arrived there a little after 1500 hours in Brady Nebraska. I was so very tired that I was willing to just sleep. My aunt needed to go and do some cattle chores and we went with her. She did not want us to help and instead put us in some hunting spots and it seemed like just a few minutes went by and I saw a doe. I passed on many shots on the trip and that was alright with me.  On Tuesday Morning Ed Kinish took us out to some pasture land down by the North Plate River. Many of the tree stands that he had were filled with hunters. So he placed the two of us in a duck blind so we could talk as he needed to work calves. I had told Brian to turn on the heat while we were in there. This blind had seats, carpet and was wonderfully comfortable. Yet Brian did not see the propane heater and thus we went without the additional heat as we laughed and joked about the events of the week.  Around 0800 hours I started my stalk up to where the calves were being worked. Brian was to follow me in about hour. At first I believe I may have been in the way as Ed was too use to being by himself to know what do with extra help. After a while he was kicked by a large heifer calf (600 lbs +). It sure looked painful. At that time Brian was back and together we were doing what Ed was doing by himself. Ed went off in the pickup to move hay. I kind of think he needed some special time alone to fully express his mind about being kicked like that. Meanwhile back on the ranch the East Coast Boy and I worked Cattle. We were Cowboys and doing a good job getting them moved, cornered up and processed thru the chute. Not bad for a couple of town kids.  Pictures were taken as Brian worked the cattle so he could later prove to his friends that he was a cowboy. I suppose next year he will want to do the same trip only on horseback? Who knows as he may have already bought some cowboy boots. After all cowboy boots and bib overalls never go out of style.  We got the chores done and had some lunch. It was then time to leave. Jeanie O’Mara started calling me on Saturday, November 15, 2008. She wanted me to come out and visit. Although in the same state the distance out of our way was some 400 miles. Yet we did make that Trip on Tuesday night. Shame as time moves so very fast when having fun. The decision was made to go the additional miles to see Jeanie. We arrived at Dana College in Blair Nebraska around midnight. Brian and I took a quick look at the campus and some of the high lights. Then he went back to the van to sleep.    I got a much more intense visit at the college. While visiting the dorm I was introduced to so many people that I had only heard about. Jeanie and I also went into Ariel’s room. She turned off the light, turned on her cell phone and a strobe light. She then began to RAV dance right there in front of me. I tried to tell her that I was old and married. I felt dirty and explained it all to Sherry when we got home. It was such a great thing to have the opportunity to visit Jeanie has I had last seen her in May. The last time she was in Oklahoma was last Easter. So although she may call often she does not visit often.  At 0200 hours it was time to leave and head south as we needed to be at the Tulsa Airport by 1700 hours yet that day.  We may not have driven straight home as we wondered off the beaten path by a hundred or so miles. Yet we reached Okmulgee around noon on Wednesday. Seemed like everyone knew we were back as I got several calls when we pulled up to the house wondering if we had gotten back safely. Brian got the tour of the Morning Glory Farm. He now understands more about Lowline Angus when he is making fun of me and the little cows.  As we parted at the airport I said, “I do not know if I have had so much fun since the first couple of months being married to Sherry.” Just seemed like there were so many fun things that happened and I felt so good and grateful to just be alive and out in the fresh air.   I do not know how far I walked from the November 14th to November 19th. But I can honestly say that I have not moved that well or felt as good as I did since maybe the early part of 2003. I have recently done things that I had forgotten I could do. I had the best time physically and mentally during that short time then I have had for a very long time. Wish more times like this would happen.    I really love the outdoors and last winter Phillip took me Duck Hunting in a manner that I had never hunted before. It was such a blast. Sometimes life gets going to fast and I forget the joys in life that make me happy. Thinking about it, I believe sometimes I need to take care of myself and by doing that I have strength to take care of others. See not every thing I do happens on the Morning Glory Farm.  Life is Good    From the fields, of the Morning Glory Farm  Sherry and Rick O'Mara In GOD we trust     Written for the Cumberland Times-News by Brian Fishel when he returned home from the above described hunting trip.