F-Troop Est. 1968

Friday:The FAMHC reconvenes with four Rangers, (one retired) and hunts the off site area that consumed two weekends last season. A beautiful day resulted in a sunny warm watch for Leaddog, who’s paw is now on the mend and seems to be in working order. No mules observed, but a very nice day indeed; as compared to the next two days of hunting in “Three inches of partly cloudy”. On a side note, under “camp business” it seems that one charter member of the FAMHC, the “Toucher” has not reported in on any Friday so far this year to maintain his membership in good standing status. Rule 33b(iii) clearly states that unless a medical excuse is presented, (or death which is as good as always), any member must attend at least ONE Friday hunt to keep said status in good standing. Not only was that the issue, TWO weekends of prime hunting were missed as well. At his time, the Toucher, aka: “Every other weeker” is now placed on probation, which has many consequences, most still to be determined. Badges will be placed with Polecat’s in the rusty oil can, in the shitter.

Saturday: The crew assembles sans two Rangers, Probie and Lindy to hunt the way back. Attacking the area of concern (AOC) during complete snow squall whiteouts not one sign of “Beast O’ Mighty” was seen by the advance team. Etch-a-Sketch conditions from snow proves that the beast is not sparring with the crew. This results in a bad attitude, especially for Robba. Since the crew is now in the middle of nowhere, in the AOC a decision was made to hunt the way out. But what was found that Beast O’ Mighty has set up shop on the other side of the creek, as evidenced by resultant rubs seen. One “rub” was actually a gouge on a tree bigger than a telephone pole. While the now split crew decides to make a small hunt to see if said beast is present, three rangers from the FAMHC (all in good standing) hunts one hill to the right of the other crew. One last minute change in route assignments resulted in Brown is Down. These three FAMHC-Rangers, (with membership in good standing) attacks the hill, with the Polecat hijacking Leaddog’s route. Switching said routes, Polecat stays low, Leaddog and Digger climbs the hill to the top, where Digger finds beds and does feeding. One mule seems to try to escape behind Leaddog, and circles around and runs into Polecat, who dispatched the mule in fine fashion. A seven pointer, and one happy Denmama was the end result. Robba and Steven, assisted by others drags the poor beast in record time to the means of conveyance over two miles away.

Sunday: A now happy crew awakens to more of “three inches of partly cloudy”. A preplanned hunt of one of the bunny hills ensues, but this time it was do be done in reverse, thus hopefully confusing the mules when encountered. Old watches from years past were once again manned and the drive commenced only to find that an interloper has made his presence into the area thus screwing up the well planned hunt. Fresh mule tracks were seen by Leaddog coming off the hill heading to the other side, and was confirmed by the Trailhugger who found fresh beds that most likely would have contained the mules. The crew is convinced that this hunt may have resulted in the probability of another buck hanging, but the sole interloper pushed the mules out of the area prior. Obviously the interloper forgot that the southern zone is open and the woods of the north are for F-Troop’s use only!

Picture of Polecat’s mule is above.

Friday: Not to let a continued sore paw hinder a day in the woods, Leaddog once again hobbles to a watch all the way to the third cable, on I-ron-der-twat, where there found was a fresh scrape, with mule tracks going up the hill. Four hours of quiet contemplation led to a beautiful sunset and subsequent hobble back to camp. Denmama and the Hobbit goes out to “dinner” and rescues another barrel of beer. Polecat’s membership in good standing in the FAMHC is now in question, badges now safely sequestered in the shitter.

Saturday: The crew hunts from Billy’s watch to the Knolls, where one watcher is stationed just prior. Excitement ensues as Digger kicks mules in the ass and they fly off of Camp Knob. Scrapes and rubs abound, but the creator of such still is in stealth mode. Robba earns his 26.2 mileage sticker as he flies by the crew on the way to Marsh for part two of the hunt, last heard was him yelling “I’m a framer!” as the path of fire finally burnt out from his hasty traverse. Part two of the hunt resulted in a long painful downhill stumble to camp by Leaddog, who has experienced new thresholds in pain management.

Sunday: Now without the seemingly Olympic level hunter Robba present, the remaining crew hunts the bunny hills as usual. Leaddog goes on watch to the spot where he was on Friday, and to his dismay the fresh scrape apparently was visited again sometime on Saturday, with large prints and dirt in the tracks from Leaddogs Friday watch. The tracks now were going downhill, away form the crew. Digger and Polecat tries to duplicate the Toucher’s route, who just so happened NOT to come to camp AGAIN. No contact was made, but Steven and his charge (Jake) has a doe present herself to them. At least the kid got to finally see a mule!

Friday: Leaddog’s pursuit is hampered by a new issue: GOUT! Although in great pain, and too much to detail here, Leaddog still shows up to maintain his leading membership in the FAMHC. Polecat and Hobbit were at camp, investigating the possibility of a frozen water line. All was declared to be in working order. Probie arrives and earns his second FAMHC recertification checkmark. No hunting commenced due to “electrical” problems with equipment, which was soon fixed. The crew will be happy with the results of said fix.

Saturday:With a full complement of Rangers, it was decided to hunt the Beast O’ Mighty. Leaddog’s paw, now in worse condition than on arrival keeps him from joining in the escapades of the days hunt, HOWEVER, being a true trooper, instead of going home he sets up watch in the bed of his truck, under cover of a warm sleeping bag on private Ftroop lands and awaits the appearance of the tame six pointer. It was pure hell, while the gang was over the hill. Anxious moments ensued when the Hobbit pushes a big doe towards the awaiting watchers, which as usual disappeared.
Meanwhile over the hill: Digger?

Sunday:Leaddog’s paw prevents even a local hunt, and no watch was endured which resulted in an early departure. A wet trail of tears was seen on the pavement heading towards the flatland.
Meanwhile on the hill: Digger?

Friday:Probie, a member of the FAMHC meets Leaddog to put on a hunt, and to keep his “membership in good standing” active. Both decide to hunt Beaver Valley to recon the lands for mules. Three inches of partly cloudy ensues, with Probies navigation unit being on the fritz. Old school techniques were deployed (map and compass) which led to the eventual meeting with Leaddog at a defined place. Probie earns his advanced navigation badge, which Chip will never earn. With two other members of the FAMHC now joining the hunt, a drive was now in order. Robba and Digger mans the watches, which leads to a doe running over Robba as pushed to him by the Leaddog, at the very end of the hunt. All four members retain their status in the esteemed FAMHC by mandatory attendance.

Saturday:An urge to hunt far away lands results in the crew attacking such. F-Troops top rangers are summoned by said urge to go and find scrapes and rubs proving that the Beast ‘O Mighty still exists, which it does, and still appears to be outwitting them. An all day hunt, miles from the normal hunting grounds gets all excited and tired. One last mini-drive was completed in the last 10 minutes of the day, which resulted in Robba seeing a doe. This seems to be a recurring theme: hunt all day and have mules in sight at the very end of the day.

Sunday:The crew now decides to do one of the normal Sunday hunts, and as a result most have a nice walk. Does once again were encountered on part one of the hunt, with part two having a little more excitement. Since the Toucher was no where to be found, due to urges not associated with hunting deer and his illegal absence from camp, a fill-in was needed to perform the task of the Toucher’s role in the drive. The crew assaults the hill does are encountered and once again sprout wings, as always. Somebody was dating Touchers’s does! And as always, a large mule was seen as a blur escaping at the same spot that is never covered, as always, AND as always, Leaddog gets to sit and listen to all the action on his dead, no deer ever, watch…..as always.

The FAMHC(“Friday Afternoon Men’s Hiking Club”) is set to meet on Friday for the second time this year and Polecat is already pushing for a name change. Leaddog and Probie will be present in the morning with Digger joining them shortly there after. Polecat has informed me he will not be attending and has demanded of the three members, in good standing, that they be outta the woods early! He has made it clear that we are to cease hunting early so we can put on a drive to the local watering hole to rescue the barrel of swill! I fear the future of the FAMHC is heading for dark times spent buzzing around a bar instead of out exploring untouched lands! I will not endorse the name change from FAMHC to FAMDC! (“Friday Afternoon Men’s Drinking Club”)

-Digger