Ain't it funny...?

[Sam McMichael]

Isn't it funny how some hunts that almost, but not quite, result in success can be considered so successful? Today was one of those days.

I don't shoot at, let alone kill, many deer these days. Generally, they wind up walking. With bucks, I seem to always debate with myself as to whether I should let them walk in hopes of better development next year.  However, this morning, when he came in I immediately knew I wanted to take the shot. He was of big rack and big body - a truly beautiful deer.

This was a good hunt. So far, I had only been to the woods twice this season without seeing anything. However, today I saw five, including Bullwinkle's cousin. Early on, two does came in but no shot opportunity presented itself, so not shooting was never debatable.  Later, I decided to try rattling, something I have never had much success with. Within two minutes a doe came in, and then I heard faint grunts coming from behind her.This very nice buck came in, but he was suspicious all the way. In fact every single deer that came in looked up in the tree and saw me, but apparently, did not recognize me as a threat, because none of them bolted. Another deer behind me was blowing constantly, and Big Boy was dividing his concentration between the other deer and me.

As I drew the bow, the string touched my chest before it was at full draw, so I did not shoot. I figured, incorrectly of course, that I could shift position slightly and get a full, comfortable draw. However, the old boy finally decided to back off, so the Hill Cheetah did not get to spring into action. The buck was not really scared but backed out of range to look things over. He finally circled out a bit wider and went around me. Following him was a lesser buck that, fortunately for him, took the wide route the first buck used. This guy was only in danger because the big buck had raised the blood lust in me, and in truth, I would have shot at a field mouse by this time.

So, despite some very exciting and tense moments, this hunt ended without back straps for the skillet. However, it was really, really fun. The deer were in abundance, and the weather was superb. Yeah, its really funny how the lack of success can be so successful. Maybe that's why we love the whitetailed deer so much.

[goldflinger]

Good post! I look at hunts like that and remember what might have been and celebrate not having to gut and drag a prize!

[Kingsnake]

True enough, Sam.  One of my favorite hunts involved no game animals at all.  Instead, I witnessed a hawk snatch a chipmunk off a stump.

At least ONE of the hunters in the woods was successful on that hunt!

Kingsnake

[rastaman]

Good stuff Sam!

[Sam McMichael]

Yeah, seeing a bird of prey at work is awesome. One morning many years ago, a squirrell was making a terrible fuss under my tree stand. I remember thinking, "I wish something would shut that damn squirrell up!" At that instant a hawk swooped in and took him. Then I thought, "What else has the Lord heard me say recently?"

Of couse the old hawk has to be a great hunter or she won't eat.

[Pokerdaddy]

Great post!  Every time I return to work the day after a hunt my coworkers ask "get a deer?"  When I say no they immediately assume I'm dejected.  Far from it!  Spending time in the woods with my longbow, soaking in God's creation...there's my success.  Backstraps are a bonus.

[moleman]

Success is defined differently by each individual, but for me the success ( or lack of, depending on point of view ) that you speak of, is some of the best.
On an evening hunt last weekend, while hunting from the ground intent on collecting a deer, 3 hen turkeys approached me and came within a bows length of me. They hung around for i would guess 5 minutes with no clue i was there, until they finally figured something was amiss, at this point they simply doddled off and took there business elsewhere.
For me a measure of success doesnt always end with blood on the shaft, but simply enjoying the wonders that God has provided     .

[SheltonCreeker]

Amen brothers. It ain't called killing but hunting. I enjoy the hunt itself as much as the harvest! Great post. Good reminder of why we do this. Easy to forget if you give the celebrity filled hunting show much attention. You would think everyone has to have 1000 acre spread and millions in equipment to enjoy any hunting at all!

[Oldskool2]

great story!! I cant wait for friday now!!!

[stevewills]

think im gonna have to climb into a ladder stand tonight.

[stocker56]

Sam, you are so right and that is why I love being in the bush with stick and string. Each time it's a new adventure and each time it helps to rejuvenate my soul. Good post.        

[D. Key]

Great post.  Wish I could go today but work calls.

[Kc kreger]

Well said sir!  Most of best hunts end without ever sending an arrow down range.

K.C.


K.C.

[Mudd]

One of my most memorable hunts was one that never really happened.

The story of "My Lazyboy Buck" was published in the electronic edition of TBM Magazine.(either late last year or earlier this year)

I still have it saved... on the computer but more importantly in my memory bank.

God bless,Mudd

[huntnmuleys]

sounds like a great morning for sure.

[eflanders]

I couldn't agree more with the OP!  So far (of my 50+ years) my most memorable hunts have been: My son's first turkey kill at age 12, my first archery elk hunt (no kills), my latest elk hunt (no kill for me).

Some would ask why.  Well for me it's easy.  Nothing but nothing is better than seeing the face of your own child when they, work hard, prepare properly and then are successful in what they do.  Second, the shear majesty of being in a pristine area, with all of God's creation and wrath surrounding you is quite humbling to say the least.  But then when a creature as big and beautiful as a bull elk comes in by you, screaming out his dominance and showing you who really belongs there, well it can be really  overwhelming.  So much so, that I have witnessed very experienced and talanted archers go totally numb and freeze at the moment.  It truly is memorable and it is just one of the many reasons we hunters love what we do.  As stated before, it's not about the kill.  The older I get, the more I appreciate it and it is what I have always tried to mentor others accordingly.