Skychief
69 Cal.
I stumbled across a shed antler with nary a gnaw-mark on it. Close by was a clump of Sassafras trees which looked like a fine spot for a snack and coffee. They would also provide good cover should any deer decide to visit.
In no time I had 8 does and fawns milling near me, just upwind. Minutes after they filtered through, I heard footsteps and noticed an approaching buck. He was moving down the narrow ridge toward my hide with the breeze on his backside.
The cock was thumbed back as I liked what I saw and decided to take him if presented with a good opportunity.
It came when he turned broadside at 33 yards to rub a small beech tree. The turtle sight looked good held low on his chest as my sight picture registered “squeeze!”.
Emerging from the screen of smoke, he ran so hard, you could have thought he’d been shot out of a cannon. Tail tucked, hard!
He went West off the ridge toward a 100 yard wide bottom. I thought I heard a crash preceding silence.
After taking mental notes of all things seen and heard, I took advantage of more coffee and a slow reload.
His trail was a good one. It lasted about 150 yards from that small beech tree, and ended on the far side of the bottom. I gave thanks for the clean heart shot, and thought how fortunate I was to hunt these magnificent animals somewhat like the Old Boys once did.
Good luck all and best regards, Skychief.