Deer Season 2006 Summary Letter

Class of 2006

Well, we certainly don’t have much to complain about this year and if we did it wouldn’t be the weather. Yes, for a good share of the season we had cool to very cold conditions. Actually gun season the weather did go to one of its extremes, with a total of around 20 inches of snow (Record snow fall in 24 hours) and by day 2 wind chills hovering around the 0 degree mark and colder. But, we harvested deer and I think overall we had a good year. Although the very first week we had hunters, (Nov. 2 thru 9) it did get up in the 80’s, but cooled down rather nicely at night and because of it the deer movement was mainly at night. You guys know I do my best to control the weather, don’t you?

It’s over! Yes another year has come and gone, and yes we are still putting you guys on some slammers. In archery season we had the highest scoring deer killed so far in that particular season. It was a 198 and 6/8 inch, dandy. It would have scored around 210, but two points were missing. Man, this buck had some mass, forty-eight inches worth. WOW! Way to go Nick Trotta, from NY. I always knew you had it in ya. Well, this archery season we had 28 hunters. Out of that we had 14 or 15 opportunities, but only 6 took home their trophies. Five others were hit, but not found and out of them three or four probably didn’t make it. The gun season was back to normal this year with a total of 8 harvested out of 10 hunters. The biggest in gun season was a 170-inch buck with two-drop tines, SWEET. This was Mark Love’s first hunt with us at Paradise and he is from TN. I really appreciate how hard all of the gun hunters hunted in the adverse weather conditions that we had. It was BRUTAL out there. This was only the second time we have ever had snow during gun season, anyway since 1994. Actually, I think we have only had snow once during the regular bow season and that only lasted about a day or so. I do know that the more I do this, the plainer it is to see that if we had gun season through the main rut period, it would not take long to wipe out the big bucks. That is why states that do this have ruined their trophy deer hunting. It’s plain and simple. That is the main reason the big boys slip up. Otherwise, we would rarely if ever see them.

Well the deer did not cooperate for my camera this season at all. I felt about the same way I felt in the first part of “06” spring turkey season. Like there was a big black cloud hanging over me. I really felt sorry for the guys I went out with, but they didn’t seem to mind, then, anyway. I gave it up after a while and then in gun season that nasty weather hit and I couldn’t film in it no matter what. Most of the guys set in hay bale blinds to help stay warm and some toughed it out in tree stands. This is two years in a row that we have had some extremely cold weather the first several days of gun season. But I do think that helped keep the deer moving even though the rut was about to play out. There actually was rutting still going on though the first few days of gun and that plus some stupid road hunters is what drove the big buck over to where Mark could get a shot. We talked to the road hunters a few days later. They had heard the shot ring out from Mark’s gun and wanted to know if we did actually get him and what he scored. They assured us that they were NOT going to shoot. Yeah, RIGHT. How stupid do they think we are? They also told us that the biggest one and a small one ran the other way. So now we know there is an even bigger buck in the area. Thanks Mr. Stupid Road Hunters, our hats go off to you three. We also gave them a warning that if they had shot it, we would have thrown the book at them, right along side the landowners. I am sure it went in one ear and out the other, because there is nothing between their ears to stop anything, but at least Mike and I both felt better saying it. I can’t believe they thought we bought it. Three idiots, with guns, driving around in the snow and they said, “No, we weren’t going to shoot.” People! Mark was exactly right, the first thing he said was, “I think someone saw them on the road and started yelling so I looked up and here they came, the doe’s and my big buck on a dead run, they stopped, I shot and HE WENT DOWN! The road hunter actually told us at first that they didn’t yell. Then a couple minutes later he changed his story, “Oh yes, I did yell, DON’T SHOOT, DON’T SHOOT.” That really confirmed it. Way to go Mark, nice freehanded 300-yard shot. Well we found out them boy’s from Tennessee can get pretty fired up. I love it. No pun intended, Mr. Love.

As for next year at Paradise, nothing will change, except kill more deer, I hope. I am not sure though what the state has in store for us. There has been a lot of talk about the tags going over the counter. Nothing has been set in concrete yet and they are always slow about doing it. I will keep you informed about the new laws the best I can. You can also watch and read about it on the KDWP web site: www.kdwp.state.ks.us

I want to thank all of you that experimented with our “Right There” all in one holder and for the feedback that you gave me. It did help out a bunch and I did make one minor adjustment to it. We also have a new and better thread for the screws. It should be for sale some time this year, if all goes as planned. I also hope to have one at every tree stand next year for anyone that wants to use it. I know its not for everyone and some refused and many did not even get an opportunity to try it, but I promise I will be better prepared next year.

Some of you may notice and wonder why I call my letters, “Class Of.” That is because every time you go into the woods, it should be and usually is a learning experience. Soak in as much as you can each time you go there. It will do you some good and you will be amazed at how perfect of a job our creator did. The outdoors is definitely something to behold. Where man does not interfere, the world revolves in perfect harmony. I don’t mean interfering by hunting either, because that is exactly why he put these critters out here. For us to harvest and maintain, to create a balance, this was in his plan all along, a renewable resource, for food, clothing, and pure enjoyment. He does want us to be happy, but the only way to be truly happy is, by knowing Him, trusting Him and having faith in Him. I want to thank you God for all your blessings, for another safe hunting season and what you did for my buddy, “Doc”. Because of that, we are still on for Nashville with our families for the NWTF convention in Feb. And then we are off to Florida this March for a turkey hunt. Doc and I have been waiting for this for a long time. Two other Buddies from Pennsylvania are also going with us and we will trade off filming each other. So if you are happy for us, sing along with us this little Christmas tune, will ya now, here we go. Flo---ri---da, Flo---ri---da, Flo---ri---da, here we come. “Oh what fun”, “were going to have”, “On our little tur--key huuuNT”. Nice Job. Thank you, Thank you very much.

I did have a fall turkey hunter from MN, back in Oct. Ed and I had a great time and he harvested his first two real nice toms, one Rio and one Eastern. Ed and his sweetheart went home extremely happy. Our turkey harvest for 2006 totaled 102. See ya in the spring Ed. Oh yeah he’s hooked.

This was the end of my 21st year guiding. I really never dreamed it would last this long and that the state hasn’t passed some stupid law and put me out of business. But they are trying their dang-deist. Last year they made me pay sales taxes (3 years worth) for every meal you ate here and every night you spent here. How’s that for a fine how do ya do, almost 4 grand worth. Why didn’t they tell me three years ago? I wonder what will be next, our ONE BUTT kitchen? Ah, is that the Inspector coming up the drive?

Once again I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping make my dream – come true and keeping it alive. I don’t think I could ever stop now. Can’t want to, either!

May God Bless you all. Please pray for our troops, they need it more now, than ever. Take Care and we hope to see you next season. Whichever one it may be.

Written by: Kurt Nunnenkamp, Jan. 2007