Went back up to Missouri last weekend for opening weekend of rifle season. I hunted a small 15 acre parcel with my uncle. It was right along a river so he can hunt the upper area in a cedar thicket and I hunt the bottom along the river. Sat in my uncles house that morning drinking coffee with him like the old times before I moved to Tennessee. We were having a good time talking about work and life in general. Lost track of time and realized it was starting to get light. I hauled butt down to the bottom and climbed up in my stand. I sat down around 6:20. Texted my uncle how it was getting light so quick. Before he even texted back I heard leaves crunching. Turned and looked and saw tines coming through the thicket and knew he was good enough. He stopped at about 60 yards and I pulled the trigger. It looked like he tucked his front shoulder and took off through the thicket along the river where I couldn't get another shot. I figured he was hit good and sat back down.
About 5 minutes later I saw a deer headed up the hill towards my uncle from a different direction I texted him to be on the lookout and the direction it was coming from. About 5 minutes later I heard him shoot. He text saying he shot a buck but it didn't go down in view. I will attach a screen shot of the text messages. It was an awesome start to the morning.
We both waited about 30 minutes to get down and check for blood. I found blood where I hit mine and tracked it to the property line, but with it being opening morning of rifle season I backed out. We have a reciprocal agreement with the neighbor that if one runs across the property you don't have to ask to follow it, but we always ask anyways.
I went up and helped my uncle with his. Got it gutted and drug back to the house. Got it hauled up on the chain hoist to let it hang. Ended up going and meeting my family for breakfast in town.
About 11 we went back down to where I stopped tracking mine at the property line. He was bleeding good and painting the leaves and trees. We didn't even have to slow down walking as we were trailing him. After about 150 yards we stopped and talked. Neither of us had seen a deer bleed this much and not be dead yet.
Ended up following him down along the river and to the edge of the gravel bar where he stepped into the river. I could use my scope and see where he had climbed out on the other side. We called the neighbor across the river and he said it was fine to cross. So I waded across this river, it gets about hip deep and 30 yards across.
Once on the other side of the freaking cold river I track this dumb deer another 30 yards then up the birm on the other side and he is laying dead right there. He was a solid 8 point and I am pretty excited about it.
But then the reality sets in. I have to drag this deer down a 15' tall birm, Across the river, up the gravel bar on the other side, then about 200 yards to a trail where I can get my deer cart to him. my uncle is in his upper 60's and I knew he wasn't helping.
Time to nut up or shut up!
I think I had 3 heart attacks and saw god twice on my way out with this beast. By the end I hated this deer with a passion. 3 hours later I had him in the back of the truck headed to the check station.
Moral of the story make a good shot! I did not. I was aiming for the shoulder and must have pulled it. It hit him in the neck and basically cut his windpipe. Also if you hunt close to a river always be prepared to swim for one!
We think this is him on trailcam a few days before hand.
About 5 minutes later I saw a deer headed up the hill towards my uncle from a different direction I texted him to be on the lookout and the direction it was coming from. About 5 minutes later I heard him shoot. He text saying he shot a buck but it didn't go down in view. I will attach a screen shot of the text messages. It was an awesome start to the morning.
We both waited about 30 minutes to get down and check for blood. I found blood where I hit mine and tracked it to the property line, but with it being opening morning of rifle season I backed out. We have a reciprocal agreement with the neighbor that if one runs across the property you don't have to ask to follow it, but we always ask anyways.
I went up and helped my uncle with his. Got it gutted and drug back to the house. Got it hauled up on the chain hoist to let it hang. Ended up going and meeting my family for breakfast in town.
About 11 we went back down to where I stopped tracking mine at the property line. He was bleeding good and painting the leaves and trees. We didn't even have to slow down walking as we were trailing him. After about 150 yards we stopped and talked. Neither of us had seen a deer bleed this much and not be dead yet.
Ended up following him down along the river and to the edge of the gravel bar where he stepped into the river. I could use my scope and see where he had climbed out on the other side. We called the neighbor across the river and he said it was fine to cross. So I waded across this river, it gets about hip deep and 30 yards across.
Once on the other side of the freaking cold river I track this dumb deer another 30 yards then up the birm on the other side and he is laying dead right there. He was a solid 8 point and I am pretty excited about it.
But then the reality sets in. I have to drag this deer down a 15' tall birm, Across the river, up the gravel bar on the other side, then about 200 yards to a trail where I can get my deer cart to him. my uncle is in his upper 60's and I knew he wasn't helping.
Time to nut up or shut up!
I think I had 3 heart attacks and saw god twice on my way out with this beast. By the end I hated this deer with a passion. 3 hours later I had him in the back of the truck headed to the check station.
Moral of the story make a good shot! I did not. I was aiming for the shoulder and must have pulled it. It hit him in the neck and basically cut his windpipe. Also if you hunt close to a river always be prepared to swim for one!
We think this is him on trailcam a few days before hand.
