HUNTING
It’s not what you traditionally think of as blacktail hunting, but with those ghosts of the forest making themselves at home around our homes, there are opportunities to hunt them – with extreme care. JD Lundquist thinned the local herd on his family’s San Juan Islands farmstead, where high numbers of deer have led managers to offer second tags. (COAST HUNTING PHOTO CONTEST)
Blacktails In The Back 40
Burned out trying to find bucks high up in the Cascades? Don’t want to pay for private timberland access? There’s another option closer to home, albeit with safety caveats. By MD Johnson
T
his story actually begins in Iowa ’round about 2000, maybe 2001. A good friend of ours, Rich Patterson, who managed the Indian Creek Nature Center at the
edge of Cedar Rapids, called me. “MD,” Rich began, “I have a lady with a deer problem. She’s outside the city limits, has plenty of ground, and is willing to allow hunting.” “But,” he paused, “she’s not accustomed to hunters and hunting.
In fact, and until very recently, I would have considered her rabidly anti-hunting.” “My plate’s full,” he added, “and I just can’t find the time. If I introduced you and Julie to her, could you help?” Absolutely, I told him; glad to do it. nwsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2021
Northwest Sportsman 131
