The Hunting Lodge is OPEN!

With the arrival of our house guest this weekend, the hunting lodge is now OPEN for the season.

There are piles of antelope and deer around here, plus sharptail grouse and Hungarian partridge in great numbers.  Jeff is an excellent hunting guide and annually finds himself leading his friends and family members around the stubble fields and into the coulees in search of the next great kill.  Jeff is the Operations Manager and Chief Hunting Guide, but has told me we can all just call him Chief.  Usually, Jeff leads his friends to where he knows they will find big animals, and tries to encourage them to shoot one before he will take a chance.  After all, Jeff lives here and could hunt any time.  He wants to show his friends a good time and help make sure they get a good animal.

Now that I'm here, I have taken on the role of Logistical Manager of the hunting lodge.  I help with preparing food, general housekeeping, occasional transportation of the Chief and patrons, and other miscellanea.  Of course we don't charge our friends and family for room and board at our house during hunting season or any other time, but I like to think of it as a bed and breakfast and try to plan for delicious food and beverages whenever we will have company.

Right now is bow season (rifle opens in two weeks).  Yesterday our guest shot the first antelope buck of the season early in the day.  Today, they are out trying to get one for Jeff.  Sometimes I feel like I am living on the Sportsman's channel on TV.  The guys are so giddy about getting an animal, and will talk nonstop about the details of each shot taken.

Jeff is constantly trying to convince me I should hunt with them.  At this point, I'm more comfortable in my role as Logistical Manager.  That being said, I also think it's important to try new things, so I will give it a go some time this season, I'm sure.

Almost every weekend this fall that we are not in Bozeman for Bobcat football games, it is likely that someone will be staying at the Hunting Lodge.  I am looking forward to having visitors, and it is nice to see people who are so excited about being here.