Here is a deer story. Its a litttle lengthy, but I think youll enjoy it. Now I know that all of you non hunting wives, relatives and friends have probably by now had your fill of deer stories. I also feel somewhat this way at times. If I have to hear about one more 10 pointer that bolted thru someones watch be before they were able to get a shot, Ill scream! Cmon, think about it, if you can count ten points you should be able to get a shot. Anyway back to the story. I managed to get a few hours to spend in the woods yesterday, and decided try out a spot that has always provided over the years. Both my son and I were successful earlier, in filling our muzzle loader tags so we have freezer meat. Now were having fun in the woods, trying new areas, testing different tactics, just enjoying being out in Gods creation at a beautiful time of year. I decided to venture out yesterday late afternoon. I knew I was going to get soaked as the rain was falling heavily, but I reasoned that the gale force winds weve experienced all weekend had finally died down, a cold front was about to pass thru, the barometer was changing and deer would be moving about. I was right, at least about getting soaked. I also knew that Tammy had made a pot of chicken soup that afternoon, so getting wet and cold was foreplay (in a non sensual aspect) for a bowl of steaming soap! So, fastforward, there I was in my treestand, soaked to the skin, legal shooting time was just about finished so I decided to head back to the house where my true love awaited, ahhh, that soup! I clicked my firearm safety on (a key factor) and prepared to descend the ladder. Suddenly I heard a noise above the rainfall like branches snapping to my right. I sat back down and searched that area for several minutes with skilled hunter vision. My search revealed nothing. As I turned my head back to the left, I caught a glimpse of movement. There, standing just 15 feet from the base of my stand was a big bodied 4 point (I had time to count). Where did he come from? Heres a note, if you pray for success in the woods, God sometimes answers by materializing deer right in front of you. I believe He sees humor in that. This was a materialized deer standing to my left, unfortunately my body posture and that of my firearm were all positioned to the previous noise on my right, rats! I slowly, painstakingly began inching my rifle and body into the position it needed to be if I was to get a shot off. Well, he, the buck became fidgety and sensing something amiss, he began to trot off. I quickly swung my rifle around in desperation hoping to get a shot off, when he suddenly stopped and presented himself broadside. It was a hunters dream! I leveled the cross hairs of my scope just behind his front shoulder, held a slight breath, (textbook, all of it) and squeezed the trigger....nothing...thats right nothing. The safety was still set!! I had forgotten to remove the Safety! Well, in the time it took to release the safety, mr nervous and jerky bolted, gone, vamous, history. I was very disappointed that evening as I walked back to the house cold and wet, but then I remembered something. The soup! No not the soup, it was a realization that being able to enjoy the outdoors and spend time in the woods is a gift, a gift given by God. One that should never be taken for granted. This week we attended the home going passing of an old friend, and with that in the background, I realize that I am truly blessed to have the health and ability to enjoy the things I love to do. My step is quickened and my disappointment faded. To that I say thank you Lord. Now for some soup!
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 13:33:35 +0000
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