I let one walk this morning....

[sabotloader]

althought I do not think it did any good!!!!

I decided to take one of Breechplug's mid morning walks this morning. I drove out to a piece of land that we quite often hunt... we just call it the "State". It is a chunk of heavily looged State land lying just south of CRP land.

Really was not expecting a lot but I really needed the walk. Took my normal route in crossing the first ridge and up on to the second ridge to one of my ground stand points. Decided to sit for awhile - look and listen, I have quite a view from this spot.

After a 1/2 hour or so, got up and headed down the second ridge to the muddy road. Just above the road I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. I froze on the spot - actually right in the middle of a big opening. Watched a few seconds and out walks this real nice doe, she is slightly covered by some head high brush, but I can see her pretty good. I am buck hunting right now so I really did not do anything other than watch her, and she was watching me, but she did not seem to concerned, probably 75 yards away. She walked out a little farther and was standing broadside to me - it would have been a really easy shot, but then as I watched her more closely - I thought - that doe has horns... I slowly raised the rifle and checked it out through the scope. I'll be danged! a pronghorned whitetail. I watched her/him for a few minutes and he walked off into the brush headed south towards the timber. When I decided he was gone and nothing was following him I continued north to the ridge top. When I got there and looked down in the draw - there he was again looking right at me. I went to my knees to take my pack off so I could get the camera out and get a picture. As I wrestled the pack - I think he had enough as he turned head up out of the draw continuing south into the timber.

This is where my disappointment started, it was only a few minutes later and a shot rang out from the general direction the buck was traveling. I thought "oh shoot! I just let the thing walk and somebody else shot it - dang it!" (not exactly those words but u-all know what I mean)

I continued north to intersect the muddy road over by the property line. Well 10 minutes after the first shot - another shot rang out south of me but much closer to where I last saw the buck. I really felt bad it took two shots to get that critter, but then 3 minutes later another shot - now I really do feel bad... After that 3rd shot I sat down and gave it some time in case the animal might be wounded making his way back to my area. But it did not to happen - I hear some guys talking and a 4-wheeler start up and it sounded like it was coming up the draw I last the buck - so I assume they got it...

I picked up and headed for my meeting with the muddy road some 200/300 yards out in from to me. Well when I got to where I could see what we call the crossing-corner - right there in the middle of the dang road stands a spike, 3 cows, and 2 calves. Ya! and of course elk season is over.... I watched them for a good 5 minutes then they just wandered west on the road towards the gate on the road.... WHAT A LOUSY DAY!!!

[cayugad]

Out in the woods, hunting, saw deer, elk... not a bad day to me. Better luck next time.

[Breechplug]

Keep up them Mid Day Hunts Sabotloader, one Day you'll be a Happy Camper! I been there too, watch a Deer, let him or her go and a few minutes later BOOOOOM! And I felt good for letting it go to grow bigger.
(BP)