My buddies think I'm crazy!!!

[nchawkeye]

After I tag a few does on our farms to help with population control and put meat in the freezer...I turn to my flintlock for fun...

About 3 weeks ago I had a nice 8 pointer at 40 yards that I had grunted in and just didn't have a good shot so I let him pass...With my centerfire and a scope it would have been no problem....

Well...Saturday afternoon he shows up again...This time at 25 yards and 5 minutes before legal shooting time ends...Easy shot with a scoped centerfire...But...With iron sights, couldn't see the front one...so I stayed in the tree until he left and came down...

My hunting buddies think I'm crazy...I've killed two does this year with my flinter, and I'm having a ball...Situation just hasn't been right for the buck...Doesn't bother me one bit, I don't hunt for bragging rights...At 51 I don't have anything to prove to these guys...Besides, its great knowing he is around to pass those genes along...I feel blessed to have been able to see him twice and not spook him and I refuse to take a shot that might wound him (or any deer)....

I'm going back Saturday morning, plan to kill another doe...Unless of course he decides to show up....Good luck to all....Be safe...

 

[rabjr]

Boy if that sound familiar. :grin: :hatsoff:

 

[Big John]

Ma. shotgun is in the 2nd. week of a two week deer season and I hunt with a .58cal. Zouave. People think i'm crazy to have one shot, but I can reload in 20sec. and hit a bleach bottle regulary at 100yds. None of my shotgun guys can shoot offhand like that. :blah:

 

[renovato]

Well, I think you've already proved something to them. First off, that you have discipline and self control, and secondly, that you're one heckuva woodsman to have the buck in that close both times and he never knew you were there. :hatsoff:

 

[bramble]

OK, help me out here. Its crazy for you to evaluate the situation and choose not to shoot with a flintlock, and if you did the same thing with a modern firearm (evaluate & choose not to shoot) it would'nt be crazy? Got some faulty logic there :youcrazy:

I can't count the number of times that I was carrying a shotgun and had to pass a shot that would have been easy with a rifle, or carrying a rifle and had to pass a shot (usually quick and in the thick) where a load of buckshot would have been just the ticket.


Some folks need to learn how to enjoy hunting. They are missing out on a lot.
bramble

 

[Falco sparverius]

Some folks need to learn how to enjoy hunting. They are missing out on a lot.
bramble

Hit the nail on the head there!

Falco

 

[Halftail]

My hunting buddies think I'm crazy...I've killed two does this year with my flinter, and I'm having a ball...Situation just hasn't been right for the buck...Doesn't bother me one bit, I don't hunt for bragging rights...At 51 I don't have anything to prove to these guys...Besides, its great knowing he is around to pass those genes along...I feel blessed to have been able to see him twice and not spook him and I refuse to take a shot that might wound him (or any deer)....

There's not a War against them.I hopr you get that perfect shot! :hatsoff:

 

[jethro224]

Good luck Sat.!

Eventually the crazy tends to rub off on those huntin' buddies when they see how much fun you're havin' and how many deer you're gettin'...

Non-hunters will never understand. The guys at work still give me manure about a time 2 years ago when I told them about the "buck of a lifetime" that was within 30-40 yards of me and I never shot. He was huge. Non-typical with drop tines, 20+ points... stayed in thick brush and I just couldn't get a clear shot...
I don't even tell them guys stuff like that any more. Just save it for my huntin' buddies 'cause I LIKE makin' them think I'm crazy. :youcrazy:

 

[ryoung14]

I find that works well, Jethro. I just keep the missed opportunities to myself. The guys who hunt the deer drives and empty their shotguns at anything that moves would never understand. Only problem with keeping silent is that it gives them more time to talk and say things that makes me feel embarassed for them.

Some think that a wounded deer that isn't recovered for a day or two is something to brag about.
Bob

 

[MercerLake]

:hatsoff: :hatsoff: You are not crazy! You are, however, very fortunate to live in an area with great hunting opportunities,and to be admired for appreciating the value of hunting rather than just simple killing. Letting the big bucks continue to pass on the superior genes and eating the tender ones instead is a great idea. :bow: