Fall at the Hast Ranch

Deer season used to be a time reserved for male bonding.  In the very early days of the Hast farm, a canvas tent set up in a flat spot near a few out-dated oil tanks served as base camp.  I was lucky enough to miss the "tent years" and got to stay in a neighbors cabin on an adjacent farm where showers were free, but towels were $25.  After our cabin was complete, it took a few years for my mother to feel welcome even though we were quickly won over by the marked improvement in camp food and general cleanliness.  The last few years have seen the addition of my sister, who used to avoid a hanging deer at any cost.  As the women folk have been integrated into the hunting season, these few weekends at the cabin have become more about visiting with family over great food than about sitting in the woods all day - maybe this is one reason we failed to bag the big buck observed over the late summer!

My good friend's wife took her first deer on opening morning

Breakfast, fresh from the woods

Dad handling the fryer as the rest look on with beverage in hand

The turkey emerges from the hot oil.  This was officially the best turkey I have ever eaten