Bad plan comes together in NC

[CoachBGriff]

Originally posted by Bisch:
Glad you got him! It sucks when things don't go as planned, but it happens occasionally. At least you did not lose him to the yotes and buzzards!!!

And IMO, you have no need to feel shame and embarrassment! You might have jacked up the shot, but that happens, and you put out maximum effort after that to make sure you got the deer in the freezer!

Bisch

Well said sir.

Way to get it done.  We started back up today here in MO, and while I didn't get to hunt, it feels good to be back in season!

[Cavscout9753]

IMO there shouldn't be a bit of shame in the entire ordeal. We all strive for a fast, painless, clean kill; we also know the odds of not getting just that are exceptionally high, using the gear that we do. I'll take a spine shot over a gut-punch any day of the season. Pitiful seeing him drag himself along, no doubt - but there are more prolonged and painful alternitives that are possible, even likely. You risked your own safety to see things through to an honorable end, no one living could expect or ask more of you. Congrats on an early season buck and a winter of a full stomach!

[Hopewell Tom]

I agree with the above. You got it done under very trying circumstances to say the least.
Staying with it speaks volumes. Way to go.

[Caughtandhobble]

That's the way to stick with it my friend!!!

[olddogrib]

I appreciate the kind words of support.  What many of you don't realize is that for some reason the mods saw fit to edit a chunk of this story.  I'm a bit at a loss as to why, as it clarifies a great deal. Perhaps it was because I carried a .22 pistol when I went back, but that is legal in NC when recovering wounded deer. I knew it would be too dark to carry my bow. As I stated, I was determined to do whatever was necessary at that point.  At any rate, it was ineffective as the red dot sight was totally useless in low light and as far as I know I missed every shot.  I ended up having to end the deer's life by more primitive means and maybe that's what they found offensive. If so, this will probably get deleted also.  But in my opinion the story is disjointed without the additional information...an explanation for the edit would have been nice, but it's not my site!

[Cavscout9753]

Ohhh.. Sounds violent, but thats the way it goes sometimes. No one (in their right mind) sets out to club a deer to death. The group of people who have made the last act with a bloody knife is large as well. We do our best. But thats all it is, our best.

[Eric Krewson]

I have finished off a bunch of deer with my knife, throat cutting isn't necessary, a couple of quick jabs to the ribs and they are done pretty quickly.

[acedoc]

better a pistol than a rock. i have seen a very stupid individual kill a pet dog after several years of service using a staff/ cudgel rather than take a gun to it.
animals deserve a quick end regardless of type.
not all people though ...

[Doc Nock]

Whatever it takes to end suffering is the least one can do for those animals we respect.

As they used to say in Montana when I live there, "if you ain't been bucked off a horse, you ain't rid much!"

I'd say that analogy of a bad shot comes to all who have been out there enough...

Doing what it takes, even at risk of personal comfort or safety is the mark of a true outdoorsman!

[olddogrib]

Hi Doc,
Either that or one whose mental capacities and judgement are starting to decline right along with his joints, lol!

[Bud B.]

Way to hang with it Richard. I have shot two while seated in the stand. I practice it alot when days end without a shot on game by picking a leaf or something to target, and during the off season when I can.

[WildmanSC]

Originally posted by olddogrib:
The amazing thing is this has been one of my most productive stands for many years.  In my younger (and more agile)days I installed a rope down said cliff and that is how I got to the stand, in order to minimize scent.  I've taken a lot of deer there and in all that time I've never had a single one try to take the "direct route" to the river.  I was just lucky the deer was more exhausted than I was in the end, because if not it would've tore my old arse up!

Richard,

In what part of NC do you live/hunt?  My son-in-law took the pastorate of a church in Southern Randolph/northern Moore county the end of June.  We'll be going to visit theem next week and I hope to be able to hunt one one of the farmers land Saturday morning!

Bill

[olddogrib]

Bill,
I live in Winston-Salem (central piedmont), but hunt in Ashe county (northwest Blue Ridge mtns), God's Country, USA!

[WildmanSC]

Richard,

I think my son-inlaw's church is about an hour and 15 minutes, or so, from Winston-Salem.  The address for the church is Seagrove, NC and the address for the parsonage is Robbins, NC.  The parsonage is about 50 yards from the church, so go figure why the addresses are for two different towns.  The church is probably a couple of miles closer to Robbins.

Bill

[Mudd]

There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said.

I appreciate that you shared your story with us because there are several things we can learn and apply if we find ourselves in a similar situation.

First and foremost is....never, never, ever give up!

Thank you!

God bless,Mudd

[WildmanSC]

I'm in Seagrove/Robbins, NC visiting my daughter, son-in-law (DJ) and their family.  DJ and I went out yesterday evening and scouted a farm with the landowner.  In the morning, Lord willing, I'll be sitting on the grond in a natural ground blind overlooking a logging road that comes off a field, has another branch of the logging road that drops straight away from me and down to another field about 50 yards away.  There are two heavily used trails that cross the logging road about 20 yards in front of me.  I'm looking forward to my first hunt of the year in the morning and my first ever in NC.

Bill

[olddogrib]

Good luck Bill.  Be careful, it's Youth Gun Day...don't get me started (see my rant in the legislative forum instead).  Wear flo-orange.

[Mjolnir]

Nice work finishing the job.

[Jakeemt]

Nothing to be ashamed that of in my book. Nice hunt and nice animal!

[BigJim]

Admitting mistakes are the best way to bless yourself with another opportuity....I believe. Honesty is always the best policy. It relieves pressure from the soul and helps to install confidence.
If we realize that we're not perfect, you'll fight less with your conscience at the moment of the next opportunity.
Congrats on fine eats.
Bigjim