Sunday was busy.
So much to do.
We hunted this morning. Chilly, and still. Lots of squirrels...no deer. An evening hunt was out of the question.
Saturday evening produced an encounter for my ten yr old.
He is STILL shook up about it.
Me and my two boys spread out, and covered the runways that lead from the creek bottom bedding areas to the White oaks on a piece of deer heaven I (we) have permission to bowhunt.
My ten yr old was perched in a stand about six feet from the ground, nestled in a pine. A good hide. With experience it WOULD work.
It was early yet, 5:00 p.m.. I see movement, and can see it`s a deer. Not heading towards me, it`s following the creek. My binoculars enable me to see bone above the ears. He moves out of my sight rather quickly. Heading straight for Nick.
A few minutes pass, and I see a streak of deer hide heading back from the way he came.
I smile from somewhere in the middle of me, because I can tell the buck has had a close call.
Nick has surely seen him.
Before dark, I go to help Nick get down, He is just out of my sight, maybe sixty yards away.
Still too far to attempt a whisper, I can see a gleam in his eyes.
Caught in the process of the draw, the buck did not wait to see what the movement was.
That buck left unharmed, but he is a trophy that Nick will carry forever. That buck created a BOWHUNTER.
Nick asked if it was normal for his heart to make his whole body move when it`s pounding. "Yep", I said.
Thank you god.