I was the lucky benefactor of a good friends generosity yesterday afternoon. I got an invite from Big Bird to join him on a hunt on a place he has permission. He was gracious enough to take me to the same farm during ML season where I saw a nice buck but couldn't get a shot and then killed a nice doe at last light. I knew the conditions should be good so I squared away my stuff at work and met him at the farm.
He told me where he thought I should hunt with the wind direction and he slipped off towards the back of the farm. The wind was howling and it was pretty freakin' cold. As soon as I got settled I started seeing deer. Small bucks, small does, big does and even some turkeys. The critters were moving!
At a little after 5:00 I heard a gun shot and with the wind it sounded like it was miles away. The deer in the field never even raised their head. The deer continued to filter in and out of the field and as light was fading a group of 7 does and fawns started getting nervous and trotting through the field close to my position. Behind the herd of does I could hear leaves cruching in the woods and then grunting. I was able to get the binos on the deer and thought he looked like a good buck. Light was fading fast and he was chasing the does all over the field and it was hard to keep up with him. I decided he was big enough to shoot and got the rifle but couldn't find him in all the deer. I got the binos back up and was able to find him again and then got the rifle back on him at a low power. He wouldn't stop for a shot so I tried to grunt, whistle, and finally just said "Hey!". He stopped and looked my direction and I settled the crosshairs and pulled the trigger. Deer ran everywhere and then I heard that unmistakable crashing... he was down!
Big Bird called me on the phone and asked if I got him and I said I think so. He said he had shot to and also had a nice buck down. I couldn't believe it was him that shot... it sounded WAY too far off. Anyway, Big Bird met me with the truck and we picked up the trail of my deer and found him pretty easy. We were both pretty shocked when we got to the deer that he was as big and massive. I knew he was decent but didn't think he was quite this nice. What a great buck!
We got some pics, drug him out, and headed to get Big Bird's buck. Big Bird will have to give you the story on his but it was another great looking 7 pointer! Congrats again man!!!
But... this story is not about the deer as much as it is Big Bird's generosity. This is Big Bird's buck as much as mine. I was just the benefactor of a friends' GIFT. Big Bird... Thanks isn't enough... but "Thank You!"
As we were draggin Big Bird's buck out of a hollow close to where this friendship really started David made some comment about his first buck 6 years ago... 6 years ago this month I was able to help out a new friend... http://www.vaturkey.com/discus/messages/115/1084.html
We've shared some great hunts over the last 6 years. Whether it be waterfowl, deer, turkeys, doves, or squirrels we have a good time and we've SHARED many great adventures... Isn't that what hunting is all about?!?!
Here's a few pics of our bucks...
And one with my little girl...
