I took a very bad shot on Saturday. The 370 grain 50 cal. maxiball pushed by 90 grains of pyrodex was no match for the shoulder bone of the beautiful 10 pointer at 45 yards. 5 tiny spots of blood, 3 small bone fragments 3/8 x 3/4" or less, one tuft of hair.10 hours of searching on foot and hands and kneesover ground 30-40% snowcovered and not another drop of blood for 200 yrds in any direction.

In 40 years of hunting deer, I've followed some sparse sign, but never so sparce as this. Too many tracks of other deer to use his.

I overestimated the power of the firearm and underestimated the strength and flexibility of bone. A very sad day near the end of a very good season.

22 hours on stand, 35 antlerless and 18 antlered sightings. 5 dandy bucks of 140+ caliber and finally, a 150 inch 10 at 45 yds. Only shot taken, and this is what I do.

Lord, forgive me, and I pray, relieve his pain and suffering.