As the sky and hillsides lightened, we saw 14 deer across the canyon and spotted a pretty decent buck. I anxiously awaited it to get lighter. There was other hunters near by and I was sure they were all looking at my buck. It clouded up then started to rain. I was shivering from the cold and my nerves. I had my gun loaded and was aimed, supported by my knees, just right where I thought I needed to aim. I hear another hunters gun echo in our canyon. My buck wasn't down, so I took my first shot. Missed. I took a second and third shot. Missed. Brad and his dad couldn't tell where I was hitting, but kept telling me where to aim. Missed the forth shot. Brad handed me his gun, which was much much bigger. I shot. The gun scoped me right in the forehead. I shot again, same thing. I definitely earned the goose egg on my forehead. Missed both shots. Switched back to my gun and shot three more times. Missed. Missed. Missed! On my tenth shot, my buck (who was going back and forth in the trees wondering what the heck was going on) turned and looked right at me 450 yards away. I went with my gut instinct as to where to aim. I held my breath and pulled the trigger. That shot hit him right in his heart and he went down. My first buck went down!
I was so excited and thought of all the yummy food I would learn to cook with him and having the food for my family! We worked our way over to him all in the rain and then thick fog started to sink in. There was an incredibly strong cross wind, which probably explained my many missed shots. Then there he was!
I walked closer to the buck I had shot, overwhelmed with gratitude for all that this animal was going to provide for my family. And he was a beauty!
Paul started me a fire while he and Brad cut him up.
I was amazed at Brad's ability to know how to gut and bone out an animal.
On our hike back to camp, hail, snow and rain was pounding us and it stung so bad all over my face! The wind was miserable. We crossed steep ridges without trails and kept slipping.
I had three layers on my legs and 7 over the top of me and we were still drenched. We made it back to our soppy camp totally wet and cold. Hours went by with piercing winds and precipitation. I crawled into the tent and just tried to stay warm in my sleeping bag. Brad got a fire going after an hour. I finally left the tent and tried to get warmed up and dried out around the fire. I was warming my tush when I noticed a bear!
It was probably 50 yards away barreling down the hill! I pointed and Paul and Brad both looked. I can't believe I didn't freak out. The bear stopped and looked us over for a number of minutes. He has NO fear of us. I was pretty glad when it left.
The rain started to let up. We packed up and started down the mountain. The sun came out and the mountain was brilliant with fall colors!
The whole 6 miles, I kept thinking how much fun the trail was!
Well, besides the freaking heavy pack and mud, it was perfect! I carried my own crap except for my gun, even though I was very concerned about my back. Paul and Brad were way too kind and carried out the horns and meat from my buck. Paul even had my gun. I am so grateful for their help and also for the harvest of a deer. What a great hunt!
No comments:
Post a Comment