fmrleatherneck
10-11-2009, 12:19 PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am getting SOOO anxious to get out there... (mostly because of my particular circumstances and not being able to get out at all for the last 9 years or so), I caught myself relaying this story on another forum last night (the "nchuntandfish" forum) [OK to mention that CP?], and I thought someone might find it interesting enough to read on here, too. I think this is the time of year that I tend to ramble on like this... (so it's only temporary, guys!!)
The subject was the "Kill Count" thread in their "Deer Hunting" section:
I started bowhunting with my Grandfathers recurve in the sixties. I have no idea how many deer I've dropped over the years. Broke my back in a fall about 9 years ago and haven't been able to hunt (or fish) at all since then. (Picked up a 45lb compound this year for the first time and still can't even get that weight to crank over... ) but I'll be out with a gun next Saturday!
There are a few deer I remember as though they were yesterday...
Probably my most memorable one was a shotgun season. I remember it was late in the gun season in Berkshire County Massachusetts. I'd knocked him down but he got back up and headed off downslope. I gathered up my gear and started out after him about 15 or 20 minutes later. He was bleeding pretty good on the snow, so tracking was easy.
He kept heading down until he crossed the frozen river and I could see where he had a tough time trying to get up the far side (only 50 yards or so away). I didn't think he'd be much further than the other bank, so I dropped most of my stuff and headed across. Sure enough, I broke through!
A little bit of tumbling around under that ice and I figured I was dead, for sure! Not nearly as far down-river as I thought I had gone, I slammed hard into a big rock and was able to break back up through. I was nearest to the further bank, so I pulled myself up on there and tried to figure out what I had broke or cut open... I was surprised to find I was fine except for my clothes weighing about 200 lbs and freezing on me as I sat there!
I should have started a fire and stripped down right there, but my survival gear was on the other side of the river and.... I guess I just didn't feel like crossing back over to get it!
Anyway, I took off back up river probably 3/4 of a mile 'til I came to the road, crossed the bridge there and headed back up the road and in the woods to where I had left my truck. I went back to my house, took a hot shower and changed clothes, then back to the bridge and back to where I left the trail.
I got the buck and dragged him back to the truck, then went back to the other side of the river and had to go back in to get my gear!!
It's no wonder to me why he sticks out.... But I'll tell yah, that 870 never looked the same after that day!
Be safe out there and best of luck to all!
The subject was the "Kill Count" thread in their "Deer Hunting" section:
I started bowhunting with my Grandfathers recurve in the sixties. I have no idea how many deer I've dropped over the years. Broke my back in a fall about 9 years ago and haven't been able to hunt (or fish) at all since then. (Picked up a 45lb compound this year for the first time and still can't even get that weight to crank over... ) but I'll be out with a gun next Saturday!
There are a few deer I remember as though they were yesterday...
Probably my most memorable one was a shotgun season. I remember it was late in the gun season in Berkshire County Massachusetts. I'd knocked him down but he got back up and headed off downslope. I gathered up my gear and started out after him about 15 or 20 minutes later. He was bleeding pretty good on the snow, so tracking was easy.
He kept heading down until he crossed the frozen river and I could see where he had a tough time trying to get up the far side (only 50 yards or so away). I didn't think he'd be much further than the other bank, so I dropped most of my stuff and headed across. Sure enough, I broke through!
A little bit of tumbling around under that ice and I figured I was dead, for sure! Not nearly as far down-river as I thought I had gone, I slammed hard into a big rock and was able to break back up through. I was nearest to the further bank, so I pulled myself up on there and tried to figure out what I had broke or cut open... I was surprised to find I was fine except for my clothes weighing about 200 lbs and freezing on me as I sat there!
I should have started a fire and stripped down right there, but my survival gear was on the other side of the river and.... I guess I just didn't feel like crossing back over to get it!
Anyway, I took off back up river probably 3/4 of a mile 'til I came to the road, crossed the bridge there and headed back up the road and in the woods to where I had left my truck. I went back to my house, took a hot shower and changed clothes, then back to the bridge and back to where I left the trail.
I got the buck and dragged him back to the truck, then went back to the other side of the river and had to go back in to get my gear!!
It's no wonder to me why he sticks out.... But I'll tell yah, that 870 never looked the same after that day!
Be safe out there and best of luck to all!