On Friday last, we went on patrol to find where a local hunter has been setting up for this season. We have noticed his SUV parked just up the road from our house (tenth of a mile). While there is a tree stand across the road and up over the hill, we guessed he was in the woods on our side (else he would have parked on the other side at a pull-over).

We entered near where the hunter typically parked around mid-day (he was no longer there). Murphy handled the smell tracking. He was excited and animated from the beginning. I thought he was tracking deer, he was so excited. I let him lead as we were going into the general direction of where I anticipated finding either a tree stand or a hunting blind.

As we proceeded, Murphy started trending to the right of my line. At this point, I think he was tracking deer or turkey (we saw a flock earlier in the week across the road), so I pulled him back and headed toward the southern creek which feeds the beaver bog.

As we strolled down a rise toward the base of the creek valley and headed along the creek bank, I looked up and here is the stand. I can only assume it is the hunter who parks on the road.

It is pretty fancy: includes an umbrella and padded seating.

Above: Looking across the beaver bog at the tree stand set up by my neighbor.
On Saturday, numerous gun shots were heard around noon-time. A different car was seen parked up the road. No one exited the woods with a carcass as far as were able to observe.