- Joined
- Dec 20, 2021
- Messages
- 758
- Reaction score
- 985
Well, this morning was around 20* here in CT. I was in my spot watching the sunrise around 6:45 with blustery winds persistent. While glassing the thick understory forest I spotted a decent buck off in the distance but heading my way. This gave me time to prepare, pulling back to full cock. After several minutes, he turned and ran off in the other direction, which I thought was odd, seeing the wind was in my favor. Knowing it was unlikely me he ran from, I sat tight and kept glassing. Hearing a small rustle to my left caused me to pull away from the binoculars slowly and glance over to see a coyote trotting my way. Luckily, I was still prepared to shoot, raised the rifle and waited for a broadside shot. After I fired he ran off and did not appear to have been hit. I decided to reload and sit tight, hoping for another deer to wander by. 45 min later is see a “doe” come out of the thick brush and start heading my way, “she” was around 40 yards and closing in. By the time “she” turned broadside we were 15 yards apart. I squeezed, she ran off, but the shot felt good. After a while I walked over to see a fair amount of blood. “She” ran around 80 yds. When I found “her” I quickly realized she was a he. He had lost his antlers early, by the tender “marrow” in the center of the two holes, where the antlers used to be, I’m guessing it was just a day or so ago, maybe while fighting. It was an exciting morning to say the least, unfortunately I did not take any photos of the deer and the rifle. It was a .440 rb, with .018 patch with bear grease and 60 grains off 3f. Truly grateful for the deer and experience given.