In the fall of 2008 Marty’s parents decided to sell the big house “Gibson Manor” and move to Elgin Iowa.  During our 8th annual deer hunting trip Greg commented that he was planning on coming “forever”.  This got Marty thinking, so he and Elizabeth purchased the property in Clermont and started the process of remodeling and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast and Hunting Lodge.

With the plentiful natural resources in North East Iowa and Marty and Elizabeth’s fondness for “the party” it seemed the natural fit.  We will be able to provide hunting opportunities of turkey, pheasant, raccoon, coyotes as well as white tail deer.  We also plan on operating the B&B year around so that our friends can come anytime to fish, canoe, hunt morel mushrooms or just enjoy the outdoors with a bottle of wine and a blanket.  We hope to be open for business in the summer of 2010 and are currently taking reservations for hunting trips on a first come first serve basis.  If you are interested in booking one of these trips or just staying at the B&B call Marty directly at 612-382-4852 or email at marty@deerhuntertreestands.com

2010 Trail Camera Photos

As the photos come in I will continue to post them for everybody's enjoyment.

 This first deer looks to be related to Greg's deer from 2009 Look at how tall his tines are.  I also like how close they come together in the front.

 2009 Annual Hunting Trip

Our 9th annual hunting trip was again a success with 10 hunters participating in a post and drive style hunt.  This years weather wasn't too helpful, 12+ inches of snow and 2 days of winds right before the first day of hunting made for difficult walking. Temperatures for the first 3 days weren't too bad, in the teens & twentys but then they dipped to below zero for 2 days.  That plus the hail in July made the deer numbers lower than in the recent past.  The season ended with 6 does and 1 buck being harvested and "the one that got away".

As we scouted on Friday afternoon we discussed the plan for the coming days.  We decided to harvest fewer deer in general and no small bucks.  We did however spot a "tall tine" buck feeding in a local corn field.  Even though we could tell that he didn't have many points, the uniqueness of his rack in it's height made him a shooter.  A decision was made to harvest that deer if the opportunity was there. Saturday morning we spotted him again, but nobody got a shot.

Sunday morning we again hunted that area, the tall tine buck jumped up in front of Steve Durnan who fired a couple of shots at him.  Greg Lidburg was the next closest hunter.  At 150+ yards he aimed slightly high and expected to empty his gun to steer the buck to another hunter.  With the first shot the buck went down and didn't get back up.  He ended up to be a 7 point buck with no browtines, something that is unusual for the area.  He measured 16 inches from the base of his antlers to the tip of the tallest tine.  The spacing between the tines on the top of his rack is almost exactly the same which also makes for a nice uniform look to the rack.

By Wednesday we were down to 4 hunters, so we selected a smaller area to hunt just south of Highway 56 near Wadena.  Eric Pineda, making his first deer hunting trip to Iowa, and my dad were posted at the end of a wooded valley.  My brother Jim and I each took a side hill and started walking towards the posters.  Jim kicked up a very wide 10 point buck, but was unable to get a shot at him. The buck crossed the valley towards me, but changed directions and headed towards Eric.  From his position my father had a great view of the entire drive, as the buck got within about 300 yards of Eric, a nice sized doe came into his view about 40 yards away.  Unaware that the buck was there, Eric took the shot and harvested the doe, giving away his position to the buck.  He traveled up the side of hill and crossed just out of shooting distance of Eric, who did get a look at him before he jumped the fence to safety.  Eric has a freezer full of venison and a story about "the one that got away".

Pictures from our November scouting trip.

2010 Hunting Opportunities

With the completion of the 2009 hunting season, we can now turn our attention to the opportunities for 2010.  The plans for 2010 are numerous, and many are still in the negotiation stage.  But I am proud to announce the first new opportunity.  Gibson Manor Hunt Club will be teaming up with Bill Dummermuth & Loren Strong to provide an opportunity for wheel chair bound hunters.

Willy, as I have known him since I was a kid, is providing the use of the hunting land and the stand at no charge. It's a great location, the 10 point buck shot by my stepson (the picture in the top right is his buck.) a few years ago was in the same valley.  Accomadations and guide services along with video taping of your hunt can be arranged through Gibson Manor Hunt Club for a fee.  To make reservations or ask questions contact Marty Gibson at 612-382-4852 or email marty@deerhuntertreestands.com

Spring has arrived and work has begun at Gibson Manor & the hunt club.  Here are some pictures.

 It wasn't a great year for maple syrup, but my dad and Jim & Linn did get some made.  It went well with mom's waffles.

Don't worry it's not all work around here, we did manage some time in the woods.  Thanks to  Greg & Duke for going "shed" hunting with me.