With the boys filling their tags, this left us with just three more hunters who needed deer- Seth, Scott and Lydia, who are up for their second 4-day hunting stint this season. (They brought the boys and came up Tuesday thru Saturday last week, but neither bagged a deer.)
Despite the frigid temperatures and stiff biting wind this evening, all three went out, each hunting in a different spot. Scott was the first to return, bringing with him a huge doe. As we strung her up; Seth and Lydia returned. Lydia hadn't seen a thing, but Seth had taken a shot at a buck and needed lights to track it with. Jumping into Seth's truck, we returned to the spot where he'd shot at the buck. The moon was out and tremendously bright, beaming pale rays of light over everything. After a few minutes of scanning the ground, we were onto the blood trail. Slowly we treked through the field, following the drops of blood. The cold and wind forgotten, we continued weaving through patches of thick cedars, then through open spaces, back into thorny, shoulder-high thickets of brush. Through timber-filled ravines, and in the thick clumps of trees overhanging a deep, yet dry creek-bed. After several minutes of stealthy pursuit Seth caught a glimpse of the buck stepping silently away from us. The boys and I held back as Scott and Seth advanced with their pistols and flashlights. Moving quickly they disappeared into the trees. For several minutes we hung back, hoping to hear the sharp bark of Seth's glock. Waiting with ears and eyes alert, listening for sounds of the buck in case it managed to elude them by doubling back. Occasionally the probing light from their flashlights would shine dimly through the thick curtain of trees, but all was quiet. Minutes passed, and the only sound we heard was a sharp, clear whistle beckoning us to rejoin them. A few short paces later as the five of us wound single file through the trees, Seth caught sight of our target. The buck was still bleeding heavily, and though still on his feet, was too weak to move anymore. Seth's shot brought the buck down, and moments later we were whooping and hollering around his trophy!!
Seth and his third 8-point!!
What a beauty!!
They could practically be twins!! :)
As we pulled the buck into the shed to hang, it jumped up and attacked Scott!!(Okay, so maybe not......) :)
Happy little sister!!
Daddy and Paul with Daddy's deer!!Three bucks and a doe in just 3 1/2 days-- that's definitely a first for us!! It's been a very exciting hunting season!! Now we're all scheming for the best way to get a deer for Lydia!!
