It was a struggle. I hope the story doesn't put you to sleep.
A week ago Monday I had seen nothing but jumped a couple blue grouse into a tree and shot their heads off. What has that got to do with a deer? Bear with me!
So then the next day I walk out a short spur and when walking back there are a doe, two fawns and this big buck. Just on the crest of the hill so escape just a leap away. Darn buck has his rear right towards me and slowly walking towards safety. Only option I could see was shoot over his back at his head. I shoot, nothing and the deer is still there. Repeat twice more before buck walks out of sight.
I was just sick but after thinking about it I thought I must have shot high. Buck was down hill with rear up so not much of a target. Gun was sighted in 2" high at a 100 yards and this was about 200'. The gun can't be off! remember I shot the heads off those grouse yesterday and I can't remember banging the gun so carry on.
Couple days go by and I see a spike. Very difficult shot. All I can see is his head, moving and maybe 150 yards. I burn two shells. OK, that was a tough shot shouldn't be surprised.
Then yesterday I hunt all day and see nothing, while walking back to my bike there is a buck (maybe a 3 point, not sure) standing in the road rear end towards me but looking back and only 200 feet. Again with the head shots but that is all I seem to be getting. I rest on my shooting sticks and squeeze off three shots and hit nothing. Every shot I couldn't believe he didn't go down. That tears it, I head home, grab my stuff and head to the pit.
Three inches to the right and two high. I really can't figure it. I don't remember banging it and I was shooting 3/4 groups before season.
Any way, I been seeing nothing but deer close so I zero it instead of two high and of course back on center for windage.
I thought last night now that I have zeroed it out I will see a buck at 300 yards. How prophetic!
This morning I go to the place I have been hitting hard where I shot at that first buck. There is a ridge I usually sneak up to a middle road. I had never seen a deer on the lower part. Lots of slash there. But of course I am looking when walking the road to my ridge. At about 300 yards on the top of the ridge, a doe and two fawns. Then about 60' back I see the buck. I am sure this is the one I had shot at and missed a week ago Tuesday. Better angle today though. I shot off the shooting sticks, hit him right at the very last rib, exited just into the edge of his shoulder. Down he went and out of sight. I watch for a while then head up the hill. My heart was beating a million miles and hour by the time I climbed the hill and found him. Had to sit down for a bit. I think I just gave my self a do it yourself cardiac stress test.
Likely I will not be running up a hill like that again.
Went out got my game cart, back in, drug the deer down the hill. 11:30 when I started peddling out and back to the truck by 1:30, about 3 miles.
Damn, the recliner feels good tonight.
