Like many of my hunts at my lease, Saturday was going to
be a one day deal. I woke around 2:30 am. Got showered and finished loading a
few things. Kissed the wife and kids as I always do when I leave the house and
away I went.
I got
to the lease well before daylight and geared up. I decided that I would simply
rifle hunt as I heard the winds would be kicking around. Got in my popup and
sat back to wait on daylight. Even though I am over a mile back off the main
road you can still hear cars passing by. Without glancing out of one of the
windows I knew daylight was near. The sounds of the woods came to life. Birds
set the tone and the day began.
About
20 minutes after daylight I had 3 does ... no 4 ... wait, there's 6 now come
out on the lane. I sat there and watched for a while. I raised my gun and set
the crosshairs on the biggest one and whispered "bang". On my
lease I am allowed one doe unless it is on youth weekend. I have promised my
little Olivia she could have the doe so I just watched as the 6 of them
wondered about. Finally they strolled off into the woods. Not long after,
perhaps 40 minutes, those left, two more does appeared. "Great, gonna
see does all day" was my thought. Eventually they became bored and
went off to the right into the pines. Around 9 am a small buck, spike on one
side and a fork on the other, came out to stretch his legs. He remained for 20
minutes or so then he too went back into the safety of the woods.
They
hit around 10:30. The winds that is. I watched the tree tops sway back and
forth. I knew little would be happening. East Texas deer are very skittish to
begin with. Add in a good wind and they disappear. I walked back out to my
truck for a snack and drink. After relaxing a bit and walking around in the
opening I park in, I headed back to the stand.
Around
4:15 there was total calm. Not even a slight breeze. I had settle back in and
was hopefull the deer might get back up and about. Not long after the winds
died, two does walked out. They were joined by a third smaller doe. "I
wish I had brought Olivia" was my first thought. "Maybe she
wouldn't get too mad at me" was my next. Something off to the left
spooked them eventually and off they went. I guess they weren't friends with
the two does that then walked out.
Then
my phone vibrated. It was my brother in law. We had planned to go fishing on
Sunday and he was letting me know he couldn't make it. I texted him back to
tell him he had to tell my son. Zachary had already charged the boat batteries
and was ready to go. As I looked up from sending my text, I seen him. I never
got a real good look at his antlers but knew he was at least a small 8. Off
into the woods he chased the does before I could even touch my rifle.
With
light fading, I felt dejected. I had resolved myself to it being a great day in
the woods and was ready to begin packing up. I sat my water down after taking a
drink and glanced up. The light was fading fast but there he was. Strolling
towards me and towards a scrape I had seen earlier.
"WOW!""Oh dang, did I say that out loud?"
Guess not, he still came forward. I looked through the scope at him and...
"WOW !" I slowly reached up and pressed my thumb to the
safety. CLICK Man, that was loud. He stopped instantly and looked my
way. No time. Aim. Shoot !! He darted towards me then off into the woods. As I
sat there, I listened. I knew I heard him crash. That had to be him hitting the
ground. Oh man, oh man !! I waited a bit longer. Then I went to the point of
impact. NO BLOOD?!?!? It couldn't be. I know I hit him !
I
gathered my gear and walked back to the truck with the remaining daylight. By
the time I got a few extra lights and my four wheeler, it was dark. Back to the
scene of the shooting. Still no signs. I wondered into the woods where I last
seen him. Nothing. I walked about, crisscrossing my paths. Nothing. Your
kidding me? I repeated this process. Going back to square one 2 more times. As
I stood back in the woods the last time, I came to a stop. I stood and calmed
myself. It was a simple request. Lord, if I indeed hit him and he is out here,
give me a sign. It was as if He said "Turn around
dummy" and I did. There my deer lie. About 7 feet from me.
I
made it home around 10:30 and all were asleep. I showered and settled into bed.
But not before thanking the Lord for all he has afforded me.
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