Osage Roost
All Hunting => The Ol' Skinnin' Shack => Topic started by: Blackfalcon on December 17, 2014, 05:54:20 AM
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It was the last day of the muzzle loader season, and so far I had only seen one nice buck with no opportunity for a shot. For the afternoon hunt I was on the west side of an oak ridge where the deer and turkeys had been feeding, and I was hoping just to see a deer. I had seen a doe earlier in the morning but so far no bucks. I hung my shooting bag on a limb, settled in and waited with anticipation. I was watching some blue jays feeding in the tops of the oaks when a twig snapped and I caught movement.... a deer heading my way. I could see antlers so I brought the gun up and cocked the hammer. The buck stopped by an oak tree presenting me with a nice broadside shot. I needed him to take another step as he stood intently looking down into the saddle of the ridge..and then he stepped ahead and was clear of the oak...
I pulled the set trigger and curled a finger around the front trigger and squeezed. Snap! The hammer fell but the cap didn't go off... I had a spent cap lodged in the hammer....The buck didn't move...I cleared the hammer and cocked it again....by now I was shaking and I kept telling myself...aim...squeeze the trigger...make it count...
The rifle thundered with a sharp report..the buck wheeled and ran back the way he had come.....I waited for a while and then went to see what had happened. I soon found obvious sign my shot had been good and called for help. When help arrived we began tracking....after determining the deer was still on the move..the decision was made to back off and recover the deer in the morning. It was a sleepless night but the right decision, we recovered the deer about 400 yards from where we had broken off.
I know this is a long story, this is the short version.... thank you to my brothers, my son, and my good friend Sam for helping me to recover this deer, the good Lord for the opportunity and my Dad for always looking over my shoulder, I still hear your words of advise...
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp66/dhodgkins/a06f8d20-be36-41df-82a3-b98ba3e5d36f.jpg) (http://s398.photobucket.com/user/dhodgkins/media/a06f8d20-be36-41df-82a3-b98ba3e5d36f.jpg.html)
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp66/dhodgkins/2e10de73-e24f-4d66-af5b-ac6ce1d221e5.jpg) (http://s398.photobucket.com/user/dhodgkins/media/2e10de73-e24f-4d66-af5b-ac6ce1d221e5.jpg.html)
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Dave, that is a fine bruiser there!!
Congrats on a nice buck!
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Congrats. Dave thats a fine buck.
Jon
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Congrats on a fine buck Dave!! Thanks for sharing a great story.
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Dave, Congrats on a great buck with the ole smoke pole! *up*
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Good Lord what A deer!...Good job!...Loved the story too!
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Dave never apologise for your story telling, more of us should do it...can't beat a good hunting story!! Congratulations on this fine harvest of a down-right respectable buck anywhere. Your rifle is simply stunning as well.
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Dave that's one heck of a buck. The gun ain't to bad either. *cheers*
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Congrats Dave great story. *up*
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Dave
Congratulations on a fine buck. Sounds like it was a great hunt and, recovery! *up* *up* *up* *up*
Bill
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great story and congrats on the super buck
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Nice ,,,Congrats
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Thanks guys..it was a hunt I will never forget... I would have liked to photograph the buck when he was standing on the ledge looking down into saddle, still see him in my mind's eye. I've had that rifle for about 20 years, it has one of the last barrels made with the old Douglas mill..she's a tack driver if I do my part..not always easy in a hunting situation and I can get flustered when I see a nice buck...or a turkey strutting at 50 yards and under ;D
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Dave, Congrats on a great buck and story.Here in PA our flintlock season is soon going to start. Can't wait!