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This morning was unusually mild here in New York. I took a deer with a bow on October 1, but hadn' t got the opportunity to hunt since. Anyway, I was sitting in my hang on treestand at daylight this morning, enjoying a balmy 68 degree temperature. After a 5 minute sit, I rattled just a little and waited. A few minutes later, I used a grunt just a little...followed by another small rattling episode. Low and behold, a big curious doe appeared...followed by another...and another...and another. None were aware of my presence. I chuckled as one stopped to urinate.
It was a swampy area due to heavy rains last week and they were noisy as they calmly, but cautiously passed by my stand. I noticed that they were watching behind themselves. As is so common, another deer was back there. You guessed it...a buck. No trophy, mind you...a spike horn with 5-6 inch spikes. I guessed him to be about 140 lbs...nice size for a spike....lots of corn and alfalfa around. Now, I don' t have a lot of time to hunt right now, so I watched and mused....should I take him or not? After a few minutes, I decided to take him. I could have kicked myself for not shooting my bow much in the last month, because he was within bow range.
I fired...nice broadside walking shot at 35 yards. He headed for the next county for a few seconds, then tumbled in a heap...kicking and thrashing. I gave him another in the neck. The first went through both lungs. The firearm? A Marlin lever action 44 magnum firing a 240 grain jacketed hollow point. It' s an older model without that ridiculous crossbolt safety and lawyer-installed trigger. Then again, I' m an older model myself! Very light recoil. A joy to carry and shoot.....a
Williams 5-D receiver sight. I could almost insert my fist into the exit wound. Woods hunting...what more do you need? In the woods, 100 yards is a very long way indeed. If you hit them in the vitals, they ain' t goin' far. Looking forwad to some excellent table fare!

Clint