The summer has come to a close, although no one has told Mother Nature; the temps here in the east are still in the upper 80s to low 90s. Labor Day weekend to me means that hunting season is quickly approaching! Sometimes it is difficult for me to get into the hunting mode when I am not seeing any deer but my recent purchase may have just solved that problem.  It will be great to go for a ride during the warmer months to peak my hunting interests in the off-season!

My latest acquisition is not hunting related at all - or is it? Near the end of June, I purchased a 1975 Honda CT Trail 90 on an internet-bidding site. It was not running at the time, but it is now because my dad is a mechanic.  Since I do not have a motorcycle license yet, my permit requires me to ride with a licensed rider until I feel confident enough to pass a road test, much the same as getting your automobile driver’s license.  My father has been taking me out to practice in the evenings after dinner. Which, being almost dusk around here, conveniently for me, is a great time to scout for deer!

I failed to mention that this Honda trail/road bike is a mere 6 horsepower; similar to a lawnmower, yet road legal! Drop it into low range and the thing will climb mountains!

I am getting the hang of shifting, although it is very important for me to remember to really wind it up before a hill - it really slows down to almost a crawl if you aren’t going full tilt (about 50 mph) on the approach!  The good news is that you can cruise along wide open or at a slower, deer-watching speed and still get about 90-100 miles per gallon! 

The first night out, I was nervous; clenching my teeth as I rode on actual roads, with cars zooming the opposite direction, with my father a few car lengths behind to keep tail-gaters off my back.  Then, after I went out a few times and got to know the bike’s and my own ability, it became a more relaxing ride; especially when I began to see deer!! Lots of deer! I saw all kinds of bucks on many different nights - all over town! This is exciting news! Although I shot an eight-pointer with my bow two years ago, large bucks are few and far between around here, particularly come hunting season. Even when you do see one, it is rare if it is a buck with a big rack(not that big racks are everything, but it is still nice to see one and dream that he’ll walk past your stand come bow season!) Being out on the Trail 90, is really good inspiration for the upcoming season! Early on, I saw a wide rack on one in my own horse field still in velvet a few nights in a row, romping around with three does; then another one about a mile away with a one-sided tall rack munching in an alfalfa field.  There are always does with multiple fawns around here - twins and triplets are common, and this year is no exception.  I’ve seen numerous fawns with their white blankets of spots and wobbly legs grazing alongside their mothers.  The best one that I’ve seen though, was right down the road; a wide spread, high rack with two other good-sized bucks!

It’s getting dangerous for me to ride in the evenings now that I’ve caught buck-fever; the bike has a very short wheel-base and if you lean even a little, the bike turns too!  So, although it is very tempting to scout and let my thoughts wander, I have to be careful and focus mostly on the road and only watch for deer that may cross in front of me. But as soon as I get back safely in the driveway, my thoughts will return to the deer that I know are out there!