Little Wattsy
69 Cal.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2008
- Messages
- 3,631
- Reaction score
- 9
The Oregon Muzzleloader season started in typical fashion... Cold if not a little clear. Hit deer camp the Friday before the opener. After setting up I had a few hours to scout. The bucks were, surprsingly to me, still running the does hard... musta started rutting a tad late as it was then Dec 2nd. Saw two HUGE bucks (140" and 155" respectively-ish) each tending a doe.. my hopes are HIGH!!
Next morning I am in my blind early counting the stars... testing my new wool mummy-bag agenst the 15* morning. It was cold enough the deer didnt start out untill 8:30. within a half an hour im surounded by 20 some does ranging from 100 to 300 yards. I watch a 1 1/5 yr old little three pt wander thru. Am tempted to shoot a cyotte but enjoy watching him pounce on mice. (After he rushes a yearling fawn I regreat not shooting him when I had the chance :cursing: )
At 12 noon a buck walks out and starts sniffing a pod of 12 does out about 300 yards away.. Looking at him I think: "shooter" .. "No maybe next year" .. "Nice eye guards" ... "No next year" .. "If God delivers him to shooting distance...." A half hour latter The deer spook and start running my direction. Instict takes over and I start getting into shooting position. The buck in question jumps the fence, comes to a broadside stop at about 70 yards. BAM! "Was that the right thing to do?" 5 hours into my week vacation its all over.... :hmm: "Did I jump the gun?" Oh well it is what it is now.. Reload and go over to to where he had been standing. Blood aplenty right off... He zigged and zagged.. Lots of blood... on hy hands and knees looking for specks.... Finally there he is lying in the leaves not 100 yards from the hit .. As always it is a humbling moment.
He looks old to me.... Maybe past his prime? After aging his teeth Im guessing past 6 1/2 years old. Probably on the decline. A Good Harvest. Bitter sweet that its all over so fast but feeling good to spare the old fellow another winter. The jerky will be GREAT!
Next morning I am in my blind early counting the stars... testing my new wool mummy-bag agenst the 15* morning. It was cold enough the deer didnt start out untill 8:30. within a half an hour im surounded by 20 some does ranging from 100 to 300 yards. I watch a 1 1/5 yr old little three pt wander thru. Am tempted to shoot a cyotte but enjoy watching him pounce on mice. (After he rushes a yearling fawn I regreat not shooting him when I had the chance :cursing: )
At 12 noon a buck walks out and starts sniffing a pod of 12 does out about 300 yards away.. Looking at him I think: "shooter" .. "No maybe next year" .. "Nice eye guards" ... "No next year" .. "If God delivers him to shooting distance...." A half hour latter The deer spook and start running my direction. Instict takes over and I start getting into shooting position. The buck in question jumps the fence, comes to a broadside stop at about 70 yards. BAM! "Was that the right thing to do?" 5 hours into my week vacation its all over.... :hmm: "Did I jump the gun?" Oh well it is what it is now.. Reload and go over to to where he had been standing. Blood aplenty right off... He zigged and zagged.. Lots of blood... on hy hands and knees looking for specks.... Finally there he is lying in the leaves not 100 yards from the hit .. As always it is a humbling moment.
He looks old to me.... Maybe past his prime? After aging his teeth Im guessing past 6 1/2 years old. Probably on the decline. A Good Harvest. Bitter sweet that its all over so fast but feeling good to spare the old fellow another winter. The jerky will be GREAT!
