After planning, trying, screwing it up a few times i think I’m finally starting understand open country hunting a little more. Certainly not get good at it but understanding it some more. The other night I sat upon a knoll and was able to watch a group of does get out of their beds about 250-275yds away. I was able to skirt the edge of the knoll into a small depression and get within 35-40 yds. Long story short she busted me when the wind which was parallel swirled a bit. Oh well, it was awesome experience.
Then tonight the wind shifted and I had to come from the other direction. This time I came from the lake shore and snuck into position to cut off the travel route. And it almost worked exactly as planned. I’m guessing that because of the cooler temps the deer started getting out of their beds halfway through getting there. I was able to keep making my way whenever the small spike I could see wasn’t looking my way. Finally I couldn’t see him inside the cospe of trees and figured he’d bedded back down.
I’d snuck another 50-75yds when I saw those same does again on the other side of the trees, still another 100ish from me. While they milled around under a bois d’ arc tree I was able to cut the distance in half. Unfortunately, I’d also lost sight of them. Like the spike I figured they’d also gone back to sleep. It couldn’t be further from what happened.
Some how they were able sneak out from under a wide open tree flat out vanish only to reappear exactly where I needed to be. I was 30yds from my final firing point when they appeared 10yds in the open from it. I tried to sneak closer by hugging the shoreline a little tighter and going a little slower. I hoped they would stay in the nice green open grass.
They didn’t. I was getting into the bushes that were my last spot when they again reappeared 40yds out in the middle of a patch of sunflowers moving off into the sunset. Well CRAP!!!
They moved off, mossying along and out of sight. I decided to sit tight and wait it out. There’s a couple bucks in the area & I hadn’t seen the spike I watched bed down 45min earlier. At sundown a rustling sound came from a patch of sunflowers between me and the aforementioned bois d’ arc tree. In a flash that spike was closing the distance straight at me. I had only seconds to react and made the shot as he passed by.
I’d love to have a link to a bloody Grizz Sick but, alas, he ducked and I missed high by an inch or 3. Ahhhhh! I can’t believe I missed a 12yd shot! Oh well, he wasn’t very spooked and only trotted off about 40yds and offered a perfect broadside at a lasered 41yds exactly. Way too far for my abilities. A school of grass carp splashed and he bounded off down the shore.
Neither groups seemed to be scared off so hopefully they will be back in their usual haunts by the time I get back from my next rotation at work.
Topic: Close call (Read 349 times)
