hunting story

[chuck-ia]

took this week off work for early muzzleloader season. passed up a couple opening morning, I usually know better than that. only had a couple more days to hunt and the past couple days have seen nothing. was starting to think about all the harassing I would get at work from the golfers and inliners, oh well. I am using a fowler I built last winter, .62 cal. smoothbore, load was 65 gr. goex 3f, patched round ball. was in my spot behind a fallen tree when I seen a deer moving my way through the timber, I got the gun up and the hammer back and pointed in the direction the deer was coming, it was behind a deadfall so I could not see it clearly, it came out from behind the deadfall facing me head on, it knew somthing was up, I did not feel confident in a head on shot so I waited hoping it would turn a bit broadside, it finally turned a bit and there was a big flash in front of me and fire and sparks and smoke, knocked the deer down but got up and took off running, I suddenly got a real sick feeling in my stomach as I could tell by the way the deer ran it had a broken leg. I immediately reloaded and went to investigate, I would normally wait a bit to start tracking, but decided to follow this one right away as it would be getting dark soon, went to where the deer stood when I shot and there was very little blood, I could see where the deer ran in the wet leaves and every bound there was a drop of blood, then I would lose the trail for a while and finally find a drop of blood on a leaf, then nothing, I figured the deer was not running anymore, I looked around more and nothing, walked ahead about 15 yards to look up and down the bayou, something looked out of place, as I started to walk towards it I could see a white spot, what a relief, what a great feeling, what a sense of accomplishment. turns out I actually made a pretty good shot, the ball went in behind the front shoulder and broke the hind leg, so much for the round ball being innefective. got the deer back to the parking and another guy come out of the woods and offered to help load the deer in the truck, we talked a bit, he showed me his scoped gun, primers and such, I though what the heck and got the fowler out of the truck and showed it to him, wow a flintlock, I was actually a bit surprized as most around here don't know what a flintlock looks like. I am betting that guy did some thinking on his drive home. oh, the deer (doe) was probably around 25 yards when I shot. feels good when everything comes together, all the practice at the range, casting balls, cutting ticking and such. flinch

 

[RC]

flinch, ATTA BOY! i commend ya fer (1) NOT takin the head on shot, and (2) trackin,even tho you thought it was "just" a broken leg..(not that to you it was "just" broke,but some "hunters' would say I broke her leg,I'll never catch her,the h#ll with it..) and ain't it great when you pull out that REAL primitive ml,and see the look in their eyes..that has to be one of the best looks you can get,,,course most of them still think we're nuts...that's okay...seen them ole roundballs do lots of damage..very impressive...almost seems like they bounce around ,once they get in there.. anyway congrats again! good huntin! RC :shake:

 

[jethro224]

Good story. Thanks for sharing.
And congrats on the deer! :thumbsup:

 

[Rebel]

Atta boy Flinch, way to go. :thumbsup:

 

[Runner]

Congrats on a good hunt!

 

[PitchyPine]

Great hunt, :hatsoff: grats.

 

[Raynor]

Great story with an awesome ending. :thumbsup: