Speaker 1: 0:00

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Speaker 1: 1:03

I'm your host, mike nitre I'm frank mastica I'm the squash and we are about to dive into this episode and make sure everyone out there you remember to always chase the unknown and boys there wasn't. I mean, everything was unknown about this weekend's trip. You know, it was me, peyton and Andrew from Die Hard. We headed down to Delaware's opener. First of all, hot as hell opening day. Let me just tell you that it was miserable. So Peyton was the only one that hunted the morning and we got down there for an afternoon hunt.

Speaker 1: 1:48

But let me tell you and I know Peyton's going to dive into it more, you know if he puts in a clip for this or he just tells us another time but everything that could go wrong for Peyton literally went wrong. So I get down there. You know we're all in different spots, so we're gonna meet up and everything like that. And Peyton's like all right, hold on, I left my water bottle back at the you know, back at my spot. So I'm like all right, cool, he goes to do that and then maybe like 30 minutes later he goes. Oh no, something bad happened. I just broke two of my pins oh gosh yeah, so he broke his.

Speaker 1: 2:30

His 20 and 30 pins were broke, right. So he he comes over, whatever where you know he drives over to where I am, andrew is coming over and everything like that, and these things are so they're supposed to be like this, you know, and they're like all like all messed up and he literally touches one of them and it just breaks off, right, that's how they were. They were shot. So he did have a backup site, but what we were able to do was just we moved that 40 and 50 pin up to the 20 and 30, to the 20 and 30 marker. So for at least the weekend, everything was good with that. I think he's going to be moving to the new site, but I'll let him go over that with everyone there when he does. But you know beautiful land, I will say I think this is going to be a yearly and annual trip that we do every opening weekend.

Speaker 1: 3:21

I had so much fun going down. I mean, everything was new. You had no idea what the hell it was going to be and you know I've never gone to Delaware to hunt. I mean, I've only been Delaware once or twice and I was for hockey, and you don't think you're going to see what you see. And let me tell you it was all ag fields. I didn't know they had so much beans and corn, like everywhere you went it was beans and corn and they had pockets of wood. So, as you can imagine, it's a very difficult spot where we were at least scouting to hunt in the morning. So all our hunts were in the afternoon, except for Peyton's one hunt. But you know, but before, like, like I just will hands down say beautiful, I mean just absolutely I loved it.

Speaker 1: 4:12

So we, we fixed his sights and everything like that, and we're going to scout some more and all of a sudden I get another text message there's something wrong with my truck. Like the engine light went on or something like that, right, so he's pulled over to the side, we're on a dirt road, and you know, and I'm like all right, like I stop, I'm looking, I'm on the phone with him and Andrew's still going, and Andrew stops. But I turned around and I told andrew, you know, go, I'm gonna go back and see. You know what's going on. And his engine was overheating. Oh boy, and um, we checked the coolant he said was like almost gone, right, um, so of course, we put as much water in it as we could and we, you know, we filled it up with water, turned the truck on, everything sounded great. We couldn't see anything, like you know we, there was no leaks or anything like that that we could see.

Speaker 1: 5:14

Um, so we drove and we went and picked up coolant just to just to make sure, and, um, we did eventually go out and hunt, um, and a very hot, humid day I mean you're talking about I think it was in the 90s I mean just drenched with sweat, just absolutely drenched, um, and it's one of those things that's like why am I out here? You hear guns going off and everything like that, and it's opening day of dove season season down there, or whatever the dove season is. So there's gunshots going over, but I'm gonna tell you, the deer were used to it. That did not. We thought that was gonna change their patterns up a little bit and maybe push them in and place it. Nope, they were. Even during. When we saw deer during the gunshots, they were just, they didn't care, it was just another day, um, you know. So it it was.

Speaker 1: 6:08

I saw 19 deer in that first sit, none of them anywhere closely within bow range, um, and ended up using the ghillie puck. I mean, just what a useful tool. So I went in there, you brought the saddle in the sign and where I was going to sit, one there's, no, there weren't. And two, I thought they were bedded in this pocket so I didn't want to risk it. So I went back, grabbed the ghillie puck, came out and I set up right on a bunch of trails, like maybe like 25, 30 yards from trails. Wind was perfect, everything like that. Beautiful Bugs are going every.

Speaker 1: 6:48

You know I had thermosel was kicking, that thing was on extra was working hard. You know I was sweating just sitting there. You know, just it. It was, but it wasn't miserable like I was. I was actually like it was like, oh my god, it's september, it's august 31st and I'm hunting. I'm like this is so cool, like I. I like I loved it, um, you know, and it was like that more relaxing.

Speaker 1: 7:14

Like you know, here in the north north Jersey and you know, squatch are going to and and these big woods, at this time of the year you can't see really anything. It's so thick that you may not know that there's a deer five yards away and he's creeping, unless he, you know he's just being here, she's being very loud, right, but it could be so sneaky in the woods where you have to always be on your toes and just and just be ready. Right here You're able to, like, I was able to relax, I was, I was lounging, I was glassing the field and everything. You know what I mean. And then you know the deer, they, they started to come out on the opposite side of me, because how it works is, I guess that's where the the ocean is, or the bay or whatever saltwater marshes all the way over there, and then they have like a little strip of woods and then the beans. So I guess they're bedded there because they know that's where the protection is. It's hard to get in there, you know, especially if the wind's not working. You don't want to blow anything out.

Speaker 1: 8:11

Um, oh yeah, I mean they all came out from the east side. I was, you know more in the center and it was just a real cool night. Um, you know, check the other field behind me, which is a bean field, and there was a couple bucks in there and a couple toes and um, I know peyton went to full draw. So I know peyton was at full draw at one point. Um, you know, and I I know he saw a bunch of deer and and Andrew saw a bunch of deer and turkeys and everything like that. But first night on all, absolutely incredible it was, even though it was hot and everything like that, and we were probably a couple of the only idiots out there deer hunting. Everyone else was, you know, shooting, shooting birds. But boys, I mean the first day was just, it was fun. I mean it was really fun for sure, cool, and you know I'll.

Speaker 1: 9:02

Day two, I mean we left and Peyton wasn't a hundred percent sure he was, he was going to make it down. I mean, you know, I and we all understood and everything like that. But the minute Andrew and I started going out scouting and finding new sign and you know, finding different stuff, you could tell his like it piqued his interest and he's like, oh, don't do this to me, don't do this to me. He's like don't tell me this. And the next thing, I know I like 230, I get a call and all I say is so you're on your way. He goes yeah, I'm about to leave the house now.

Speaker 1: 9:38

So he drove all the way down from Philly and everything like that, and Andrew did, struck out, didn't, didn't get much luck, but I mean I saw seven, one turkey, seven deer and just Three, two shooters. Three, two shooters, um, and then one that should be a shooter but because of the rules was not a shooter. I mean such a. I mean if you guys saw the picture and everyone you know who's listening, if you haven't seen the picture or video by now it's probably going to be on the cover art and everything like that.

Speaker 1: 10:09

This guy was tight in and just like, and I saw him and I was like that's deer I want to kill, like that. And he was in velvet. Of course I go down there for a velvet hunt. And the two, the two legal bucks were, um, they were, they shed their velvet already full, fully clean. No, no, velvet on.

Speaker 1: 10:31

And then this guy steps out velvet buck, and I'm just like, oh my god, you got to be kidding me. You know what I mean. So, um, that that was a really cool experience too, and it it's now driven me to say I'm not coming to upstate new york this, this, uh, this weekend to hunt bear. I am on a full grind of now going back down to delaware and you know I'm gonna, I'm gonna give it another shot. Um, I will be in upstate new york at some point to hunt that piece and everything like that. But I got that itch. I got that itch for for a deer right now and I, if I would have tagged out or shot a deer, I would have been hell, yeah, I'd go into new york. But you know what I'm gonna. I'm gonna head back down to delaware and, uh, give it another shot before I turn my focus on, uh, new jersey cool, understandable it was uh.

Speaker 1: 11:24

It was a tough trip. I was driving home and I also wasn't going to come home today. I was. I was, there was a huge chance I was going to be still out hunting. But you know, I was like, let me go home, let me just. I, let me get home, right, I, I can stay here all week, I can stay here every single day and not be bothered with work or anything else, and I'd be happy. But unfortunately that's not, that's not in the cards for us and that's we can't really do that, not yet. But boys, I mean you, you guys are coming up on uh this weekend. How are we feeling about this weekend?

Speaker 2: 12:02

well hit or miss said. I've been having the the trail camera running there. I know it's such a big area. We only got two cameras between me and you, mike, um, but I got pictures of the bears once and that was it. But me and squash walked it.

Speaker 1: 12:20

We know they're there, so it's just a matter, I guess, of luck on our side yeah, I mean, I think it's it's hard to get to, no baiting, no, nothing like that. I mean, yeah, you got to hit the natural trails and everything like that, but with a piece like that, I mean, yeah, and with the limit of time, we're not out there scouting every single day. We're not moving cameras every single day until we find that you know, you know close to where they're denning or whatever the case is, where they're denning or whatever the case is. So you just got to know hey, listen, we found bear sign and we're going to get out there and we're going to. You know, I think once you get some, some sweet spray or anything like that from from racket or out there or any type of I, I I'm not really worried. I'm thinking at least one bear will hit the ground this weekend. So I'm really, really looking forward to you guys doing that. What about you Squatch? What's your predictions?

Speaker 3: 13:22

Well, I'm looking at the weather forecast. It ain't looking too bright, but we're going to keep our fingers crossed and see what happens. Being the size of that property and how, how it is there and everything, the amount of sign that frank and I saw there was incredible. Um, it all. Bears are constantly on the move. I mean they're they're like a vacuum cleaner right now. They're trying to suck up every little bit of nutrients that they can get. I've seen bears actually hyperventilate. They've eaten so much acorns as they're going along. And one thing that we did find in that property was a ton of acorns, a lot of just total browse area for those bears to come and feed on. And where we put his camera was at the main intersection of three trails that connected. So being at least at some point we've seen bear movement, we've seen stuff you know going on on the cameras gives me hope, gives me hope. Um, I saw the amount of rocks that were flipped over where they were looking for grubs underneath the rocks. Um, I was telling frankie that, uh, when a bear is real hungry and very committed to finding acorns, they'll climb a tree, they'll snap a limb off with all the acorns on it and throw it to the ground and you'll see the green leaves on the limb, but still the acorns on it, and they'll just do that. They'll thrash a tree, they throw it down and they go along and they feed and they'll go up to the next tree and they'll do that and I know, sooner told them that and we walked up on it. Right, frankie, we've seen, uh, we've seen that happen there and I was like, oh, there you go, it's a textbook right there. So I know people who've dibbed and dabbed in that area and always had good success shot some I've heard just some really big bears that come out of there. So I mean, they're in the area.

Speaker 3: 15:16

I frank, you, you had pictures another place not too far away from there, I think right, and you, you had one by the swamp. Yeah, they're there. Bears constantly move, it's it's. You know, uh, you got to be in the right place at the right time and if we're blessed enough to get a shot at one, you know you got us two guys ready to go. So, the right place at the right time and if we're blessed enough to get a shot at one, you know you got us two guys ready to go. So I mean if, if the weather cooperates, it's not a total downpour washout, you know I'll give it hell, I'll get up there and go with Frank and see what we can do up there. I mean, we already put the time in scout and we know they're there. It's just depending on the place. You know where I usually get into a place, I get a gut feeling and then I go with that. I just run with it. You know if it's, if it's gonna work. So uh, you know we'll try, we're gonna see.

Speaker 1: 16:03

We'll see what the weather is, see what happens, you know yeah, no, I mean bears this time of the year that I think they got to eat 20 000000 calories a day, I think has to be their intake. So, yeah, I mean, yeah, they're just constantly on the move and move and move. And you know what? I think that's also a good thing too, because, yeah, you know what there's bears, I think are just going to be rolling in and out. You know, yeah, you find some, you know acorns and whatever. And I think you know, you just know, you just gotta. But yet again it looks like the acorns are dropping. I heard the reds are. The reds are heavily dropping this year and I mean I was just outside with bianca shooting and they're just dropping all over the place and you know, yeah, yeah, so then it's also yet again. That's why I say I say the same thing about deer too like now it's like, well, yeah, if all these acorns are dropping, it's like a needle in a haystack, because you know they could be over there. They could be over there. You know, you're not necessarily on the, you know the hottest one. I mean, if they're all dropping, you're kind of got to be lucky. But if you, if they're not all dropping and you can find that, that one that is dropping, then you know you're going to. I think your chances just skyrocket. You know, yeah, astronomically it's not even, it's not even close. But yeah, so we got bear season coming out. We're going back down to Delaware. Steve he's heading to to Maryland this weekend. I believe Peyton will be in Delaware again for a hunt or or two this this week, this coming weekend. So you know what Early start of the season it's. And we're still in that like getting adjusted. And I will say, guys, I'm another good reason why I'm enjoying being down there because, holy crap, I've never been more uncomfortable in a saddle before, really yesterday, because I just like one.

Speaker 1: 18:01

It was a really skinny tree and I didn't get to. I didn't get to set up exactly the way I wanted to and so I couldn't really I like more of it. This tree was probably like this big right and then it had in which big reason why I picked it was because it was one of the only ones I could get into. But then it also had another branch coming out and I cut a few branches at the bottom so it actually covered up my the bottom of my legs right. So I hit. I actually hinge cut. I hinge cut them first.

Speaker 1: 18:29

You know, I and I had them like that, um, but it's just like you're not there yet, you're still in the summer mode, it's still kind of like the off season, like I'm like, oh, like I don't even have this. I don't have that. I told you guys, I freaking found my camera arm that I left in the woods, not only my camera on, you know, my bow holder and my backpack holder and my tethered for my what's this face? For my saddle. So, thank God I went back because I wouldn't have had that and I would have been really shit out of luck. But you know, to get these early hunts, because you know the deer season, this is like bonus, this is like the pre-season, this is like all right, this is you're, you're, you're in the pre-season, we're getting all the kinks out and everything like that, and it felt good. But it's a good learning lesson, um, you know. So it's something that, yeah, I think I just we got to do every year, um, because once you know jersey bow really hits, I mean, for us it's it's game on over here. And then new york has followed up. October 1st, I think we have new jersey, I think pa starts at like a week or two after, and then, you know, then it's new york and then we're full-fledged. Every state is is open from here on out.

Speaker 1: 19:47

So, exciting time and cold Weather, nice cool weather yeah, about time Finally this Fall, like actual.

Speaker 1: 19:59

It's supposed to be cold, you know, and it's. That's another Big game changer right there too, you know, and if it stays, we looking at more of a Normal rut this year, like you know and I. It stays are we looking at more of a normal rut this year, like you know, and I don't want to get too ahead of my ourselves here, but, man, it would be nice to have a normal fall, a normal winter, with snow and everything like that, you know, I, I think for the people that capitalize on in the winter and you know I've shot one deer in the winter and I made that my goal now I want to shoot a buck in the winter, and it helps when you get that cold weather, when you get that snow and everything like that, and the food sources kind of dwindle down so you really can locate them a bit easier, because there's only going to be so many places that are going to be having still natural food um at that point I think we're in for it because, uh, I got trees here.

Speaker 3: 20:53

Maples are already changing. I got colors showing up on the trees here. I was just out stacking firewood. The last couple of nights I've been putting wood up. I stack over eight quarter wood in my shed. We heat our house with firewood every year. I've been doing it for 16 years now living here.

Speaker 3: 21:09

But this is the first time in a long time that I've been out in September, beginning of September, and heard geese landing in the ponds on their migratory paths and I don't usually see that until October, when I'm out in the stand right behind the ponds and they're landing there right at last light and I'm like huh, I'm like it's early, so I don't know the amount of mass to acorns that are falling. The geese are starting to fly south already and I'm starting to see trees change up here. It's kind of like God's providing nature, the animals, with food as far as putting a heavy mass acorns to the ground and he's telling it. He's telling the animals head south, it's going to be cold and it's very early to see geese flying this early. I mean you get a couple stragglers, but I'm telling you it's been consistent.

Speaker 3: 22:04

I'm in a flyway right here where I live, because I'm in the Hudson Valley flyway, right here where I live, because I'm in the hudson valley and the range, the mountain range, keeps those geese flying from a straight line down to hudson. I'm like between the hudson and the mountain, so it they fly right down. It's a natural flyway here and this early, uh, let me tell you something I'm starting to wonder. I think we're gonna might be in for it, it might be in for it.

Speaker 1: 22:28

Listen, I really hope so. We need it, boys. I mean this one was going to be a short one. Is there anything else that we need to cover? I mean the episodes will get a little longer as we go in, but field notes is. We're going to keep it on that shorter spectrum five, ten minutes of each of us talking. Frank, I know you got up in the saddle and took some shots. Um, how was that?

Speaker 2: 22:52

no, it felt good, said. I'm still getting a little used to some of the angled shots, but uh, you know I'll be practicing again this week and next week, so by opening day I'll be ready to go yeah, and I just bought one.

Speaker 3: 23:05

I got the same saddle he's got and, uh, I went with a little bit different stick configuration and platform. So I just got it today. It just came in the mail. I'm super excited.

Speaker 1: 23:17

So love, love to hear it. Staddle is, I mean, I love it, not the end. All be all Like. I love to tell people and you know it just gives you an option to just be so much more mobile.

Speaker 1: 23:31

Um, and it was a huge, the ghillie puck and the saddle was a huge part of my weekend in delaware and it's going to continue to be in in um in delaware and then, honestly, the ghillie puck, especially here in new jersey or wherever you're hunting, once the leaves start going, coming down, the more and more I'm I'm gonna use it. I'm really excited with with that. Um, you know, the first time around I used it I mean it was, it was great. Um, but, and you know, of course, racket or sprays you know, especially guys who's getting geared up for bear season, everything like that. Listen, no better spray for for bear season, deer season, everything. You won't be disappointed.

Speaker 1: 24:10

Make sure you check them out. Uh, make sure you check out hex hunting. Oh, the suit was amazing and I mean what I wore that's all I wore for the whole entire weekend boxers, no t-shirt the, the pants and the breathable amazing. And peyton wore his underneath his, his sitka stuff, which I don't know how the hell he did that. But you know, for for for me it was a little too warm to wear anything else. If I could have gone naked, trust me, I would have gone naked on opening day. But you know, make sure you check out Hex, make sure you check out Moultrie. Go give them a like. The links are going to be in our bio below. But everyone you know, I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. I am so excited that field notes is back in full swing to now that we're hunting. Hopefully the next time we talk we're going to have a deer and a bear down on the ground and you know it can, it can go well. But uh, thank you guys for listening and we'll see you guys next time.