Deer Season 2011 Summary Letter

Paradise Adventures - Deer Season 2011

“Good Times”

Well once again I believe good times were had by all. I also know that it was a very strange late rut this season it seemed and the deer were just not moving like we wanted them to during the first two weeks of Nov. I was keeping in contact with other hunters out east and the same thing was going on out there. It did finally kick in hard around the 18th of Nov, but before that we were also dealing with a very bright moon it seemed. We were walking into the woods without a flashlight at least an hour or so before normal first light. Now that’s a bright moon. But I still don’t think that much was happening as far as the rut goes until at least mid Nov. If it was, there would have been more sightings of deer rutting action in the day light, the weather was right and it just can’t turn off and on that quick. Oh well, it is what it is, can’t change it now. That saying is very true, but if I could change it, it wouldn’t be hunting, would it?

All in all we had 4 bucks harvested out of 13 bow hunters, not to good. Two were hit and not recovered and one of them was very big. The good news is that bro. Mike saw this monster just a couple days ago chasing a doe. That was sat the 10th of Dec. Mike could see the wound on his back and it was pretty much healed and he was doing fine. His horns are going to be amazing next year, I’m sure. We also have pictures of him at the feeder the day before he was shot and he looked like he would score in the 160’s for sure. I gave John a call and told him the good news because you know how us hunters are, we would rather miss one completely than just wound them. John said that I made his day with the news and reassured me that he would be back after him next season. In gun season we had 15 out of 15 take a shot and only one went home without his deer. Another John got a trophy tree limb about a 1/2inch in diameter, tough luck there, other wise it was one great gun season and that makes since because of the late rut that we had. All 9 of our new gun hunters killed the biggest buck of they’re life time.

We had a lot of new faces in camp this year, 13 to be exact, and it looks like about 90% of them are coming back and some with friends. I can’t thank you people enough that have been here for so long and for those that have just started coming, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuing to spread the word about us. We will always welcome new hunters with open arms as they arrive, but when their departing words are, “see ya next year, it was great,” we are overwhelmed with satisfaction knowing all the hard work has paid off and that you were very happy with your adventure. Most of our new hunters this year went home with the biggest buck they had ever harvested anywhere and a few guys had sightings of what we call monster bucks and a couple of them got lucky enough to harvest one of them beasts. This shows that Kansas just keeps on putting out big deer and that Paradise has the land that holds them. I wish we could record some of the phone calls that we receive, you just can’t imagine the excitement in their voices, some with mixed emotions, some ecstatic and can barely talk and some that can hardly get a phone call out, let alone text someone. Wow, words can not express the joy we get from all of this. It all boils down to people having fun, enjoying their sport, loving the camaraderie of other hunters and letting their hair down, so to speak, as Dave Runk said, to relieve some bottled up stress. If we could take away the disappointments of not harvesting a buck, we would. But still it was one great season of fun and good times. “We are all really looking forward to next year”, that was Coe and Judy’s remarks as they left the other day, (Dec 7) which summed it up for all of us.

As far as big buck of the year for archery season, it was Don Coe of NY. He shot a magnificent 8 point with a couple stickers that gross scored 158 and 4/8th inches. I’m not sure if we have ever seen a happier man. He had a dream of a lifetime come true. I am sure he has relived that moment of shooting the buck, then having to wait over night, the anxiety of it all and then the moment he laid eyes on him, over and over a thousand times and I’m sure it brings a tear to his eyes just about every time. I feel we have done a good job when this happens and this year many of our hunters went home with the buck of their lifetime and I am sure they also have relived the moment of laying their hands on their buck for the first time over and over as well. It is what it is, and I thank God for it and the wonderful year that we had and for the safety that He provided for all of us and for the great people that He had cross our path. To God be the Glory and we mustn’t forget that.

Our big buck of the year in gun season belongs to Ed Bartholomew, PA. (1st time in KS) with his 174 and 5/8th inch buck. Also his biggest ever and it would have scored even more if he didn’t have two points broken off. It might have scored a little over 180 with those, anyway, this was one very happy man also and if you don’t believe me look at his pictures in the photo gallery. A smile tells a thousand words and I don’t think Nate even needed a flash that evening. There were 7 bucks taken on opening day, not bad. We also had a father/son team that was scheduled to leave a couple days early on Sunday so Saturday would be their last hunting opportunity. Well talk about waiting till the last minute. Jake was down to his last few minutes when he saw a nice buck near the edge of the woods. He was trying to get a shot off but the buck went back into the woods. Time was slipping away quickly and Jake was frantically looking for another chance at the buck. Suddenly he appeared and Jake quickly got on him. The shot rang out but the buck just stood there for a few seconds. Jake was fumbling around thinking about putting another round in him when the buck took off running. But to his amazement the buck was running straight towards him at full speed and then dropped dead at just 30 yards from the stand he was sitting in. I am sure his heart was racing at this moment. His phone call back to camp was 2 minutes before legal shooting time was over. He was very excited to talk to Judy, but then he found out his Dad had tagged out about an hour and a half before, all of a sudden the joy was multiplied by two. They both went home with trophies. Oh yeah, they’re booked for next year, or should I say, they’re hooked, gotta love it.

The stories could go on and on. I could probably write a page or two just about our new hunter, “Runky”, but I better not; he might get in trouble back home. Man we had a good group of people here this year, the stories around the dinner table were so special, most can’t be repeated though, man does it get silly in there. I know that Grizz is one heck of a joke teller, and I sure hope he can come up with another one next year to top the one he told this year. If he does, I’ll be a chim-pan-zee’s uncle, that’s for sure. I was sorry that I missed the good time at the Nut Hut, but I’ll be there next time. Runky is supposed to be the main attraction comic next year followed by our one and only comic relief guide, “Coe”. I am sure Luke will be there along with a couple other locals just for laughs and giggle’s. So get your face muscles in shape before you come, other wise you’re going to be sore from laughing, I’m sure. Oh yeah, I just about forgot to thank the Doc, you know, the one from way up north where it snows a thousand inches, I want to thank him for his awesome free counseling sessions while on the road to and fro. Plus you need to know that you will probably be needed again next year, especially if that one grizzly guy comes back. He’s a mess, and the fun never ends.

Now on a more serious note; I want to thank my cooks for the great food that they serve us and for the special way they get it all done. But most of all, for taking away the main worry an outfitter might have. The food! With these two, or three sometimes, I have no worries about that department at all, none. That means so much to me and the clients can’t believe how good it is. They are constantly telling me that this is what they mean when it comes to home cooked meals, excellent!

Well it’s very hard to get serious with these three and I’m sure you know what I mean, but I do want to take this time to thank my guides, Judy and Coe, and my main guide and helper, Nate. I love you guys for many reasons, but the main reason is that you see my dream as it is and you want to be a part of it. I can tell that it is really a part of your dream too and you guys do such a great job. The people love you guys and I can see it and that makes me one happy man. But there are times when I think they are coming back just because of you guys, just to see you clowns, but then I snap back in to reality and remember that it’s really because of Mike and me, yeah, yeah.. That’s it. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the “MONSTER” deer we keep harvesting out here at Paradise Adventures. Or does it? Anyway our guides are “the best” and we have a “good time” together and if you call this work, it sure doesn’t seem like it when they’re around. Nate has been here for 4 years now and I don’t know what I would do with out him. I think we work great as a team and we sure get a lot done. But I think it would probably kill us if he was here all year, keeping him busy is hard on an old man, right brother Mike? Thanks again for the commitment you three make and the hard work you do. This was Judy and Don’s second year and we are looking forward to many more. Judy has taken a big load off of Nate and me by keeping the house as clean as possible during a very busy gun season. Our clients are in good hands and they know it. Coe makes sure everyone is happy and full in the mornings and they keep everyone shuffled to and fro from their stands as the day goes on. We all work together and things have run very smoothly the last few years. I love that part. Yeah, yeah!!

Well I want to wish all that read this a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. Please keep in touch; I sure enjoy hearing from you. Remember Thanksgiving falls early next year, (Nov 22) so that means our gun season will start early as well, (Nov. 28, 2012). This will also push the bow hunts up a few days too. If you or anyone you know wants to bow hunt with us, there are still a few openings. It looks like gun season is pretty much full for 2012, thank you very much. Take care and may God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

BIKERS: Anyone wanting to ride with us this summer through the Rocky Mountains must get a hold of me one way or another so we can make arrangements with you. We have at least two trailers coming and maybe more from out East. We are planning on hauling the bikes and trikes to east Colorado to our land lord’s house. He said we could park the trailers there and then take off on the bikes. We are planning on leaving around the 10th-12th of July and staying a couple weeks cruising through the mountains. Anyone with a bike or trike is welcome to go, the more we have the more fun it will be. Michele and I had a great time on our first trip on our Harley putting 4,000 miles on it through 8 states and we can’t wait to do it again.

Hey we are also looking for more turkey hunters for this spring. If you or anyone you know might want to come out and have a blast calling in these magnificent birds with us, then please give us a call. We have plenty of Big Toms waiting for you. (Rio’s and Eastern’s, Two-bearded birds) Turkey season is every bit as fun as deer hunting, so don’t miss the “Good Times” in Paradise.

Take care,

Written; Dec 7-11, 2011
By, Kurt Nunnenkamp