I've been itching to hunt since the season opened and my time has been very limited for various reasons. I tried squirrel hunting for an hour this week and the location I was hunting was very different in the sense that there is heavy traffic noise in the background to where I could not hear the squirrels moving. Between the road noise, wind, and acorns dropping I couldn't hear much of anything that I could Identify as quarry. Before I turned it in I spotted a squirrel traveling through the trees headed towards me. I didn't have a safe shot resulting in me trying to work my way around the dead looking tree that I last saw movement in. I thought maybe it was trying to remain on the opposite side of the trunk, so I threw a branch towards the opposite side and got no reaction. When I worked my way around the tree to see if I could stir it, I saw no squirrel. Finally I found a small hole in the trunk that it probably entered. I packed it in happy to at least see one squirrel that day.
Yesterday evening I said that I would get out and go deer hunting this morning. I even got up around 4am (in the high 30sF). When I began reviewing my DOPE I realized that temps were 40F less (around 6:30am) than when I recorded my DOPE (it was in the 90s). I felt that it woulds be unacceptable to attempt to hunt deer without verifying and I really didn't want to do an evening hunt which would've had me in the cold cutting up a caracass if my hunt proved successful. I ended up at a loved one's home where I'd been told about a buck that was spotted about 6 weeks ago. This evening I found myself standing in a window just looking into the woods hoping that I could just see that buck. I actually contemplated bringing my deer gun and working on my DOPE here, but didn't want to disturb the household with shooting and lead hitting my steel trap. So at this window I stood just hoping to see some wildlife. There are some nice woods here. As I stood in the window conversing with a relative on the phone I caught some movement in the woods. I looked up to see if it was a glare from the inside lights or my reflection. I verified that this was highly improbable. I kept searching the area where there was a small gap between the pines. Lo and behold I saw a small doe. To be fair East Texas deer are small in general. I was watching and admiring and thought, "Ok, where is your mom?" Then another came behind her. Then another. I was thinking, "That's a good eating sized deer." Finally I saw a very small fawn that couldn't be more than a month or two old. In this moment I was like "wow! this is awsome to be able to observe a group unfamiliar to me. I cant shoot these does even if I had a rifle." So I watched the dull brown and white pass with a few shakes of their tail, but no flagging. They can't hear or see me. Now I'm thinking, "Where's this buck I've been hearing about?" I remained in this window talking and trying to figure out which direction the does went, but the woods were a bit thick to track them. I went to another window to see if I could get a better view but I saw nothing more. This was about 4:45ish pm. I walked back to the other room I was in and returned to the window I first spotted the deer. At this point I'm getting back into my conversation. After a few minutes pass, I catch some movement in the same area. Slowly emerging into the gap is the buck, MY buck. I admired his rack as his small frame became more visible. I'd say he was at least a 6 pointer and likely an 8 if he has some small tines towards the base of his antlers. However, there was something not right about his gait. He moved slowly, but he appeared to be limping. I didn't see any blood on him, but I had a feeling he'd already been shot. He even paused broadside for me, even though a few small branches with leaves obscured my would-be shot from where I stood. I didn't hear any gunshots through the walls with my one clear ear. After seeing this I figured if he hasn't been shot, I'll make it a point to wait for him on another day. I didn't want to mess up an opportunity to observe him by trying to photograph him from about 60- 70 yards through a window. Looking at the layout of the place I've already identified a couple positions to post that may permit a decent shot. Anyhow, I just kind of marveled at how much I wanted to see him and then he appeared within an hour of thinking about him. It's moments like these that I can appreciate when I am unable or unprepared to hunt. I'm hoping to baptize my M357 soon. He is the buck I'll be looking for. I just need to have the time to make in order to get after him. Just thought I'd share.
Yesterday evening I said that I would get out and go deer hunting this morning. I even got up around 4am (in the high 30sF). When I began reviewing my DOPE I realized that temps were 40F less (around 6:30am) than when I recorded my DOPE (it was in the 90s). I felt that it woulds be unacceptable to attempt to hunt deer without verifying and I really didn't want to do an evening hunt which would've had me in the cold cutting up a caracass if my hunt proved successful. I ended up at a loved one's home where I'd been told about a buck that was spotted about 6 weeks ago. This evening I found myself standing in a window just looking into the woods hoping that I could just see that buck. I actually contemplated bringing my deer gun and working on my DOPE here, but didn't want to disturb the household with shooting and lead hitting my steel trap. So at this window I stood just hoping to see some wildlife. There are some nice woods here. As I stood in the window conversing with a relative on the phone I caught some movement in the woods. I looked up to see if it was a glare from the inside lights or my reflection. I verified that this was highly improbable. I kept searching the area where there was a small gap between the pines. Lo and behold I saw a small doe. To be fair East Texas deer are small in general. I was watching and admiring and thought, "Ok, where is your mom?" Then another came behind her. Then another. I was thinking, "That's a good eating sized deer." Finally I saw a very small fawn that couldn't be more than a month or two old. In this moment I was like "wow! this is awsome to be able to observe a group unfamiliar to me. I cant shoot these does even if I had a rifle." So I watched the dull brown and white pass with a few shakes of their tail, but no flagging. They can't hear or see me. Now I'm thinking, "Where's this buck I've been hearing about?" I remained in this window talking and trying to figure out which direction the does went, but the woods were a bit thick to track them. I went to another window to see if I could get a better view but I saw nothing more. This was about 4:45ish pm. I walked back to the other room I was in and returned to the window I first spotted the deer. At this point I'm getting back into my conversation. After a few minutes pass, I catch some movement in the same area. Slowly emerging into the gap is the buck, MY buck. I admired his rack as his small frame became more visible. I'd say he was at least a 6 pointer and likely an 8 if he has some small tines towards the base of his antlers. However, there was something not right about his gait. He moved slowly, but he appeared to be limping. I didn't see any blood on him, but I had a feeling he'd already been shot. He even paused broadside for me, even though a few small branches with leaves obscured my would-be shot from where I stood. I didn't hear any gunshots through the walls with my one clear ear. After seeing this I figured if he hasn't been shot, I'll make it a point to wait for him on another day. I didn't want to mess up an opportunity to observe him by trying to photograph him from about 60- 70 yards through a window. Looking at the layout of the place I've already identified a couple positions to post that may permit a decent shot. Anyhow, I just kind of marveled at how much I wanted to see him and then he appeared within an hour of thinking about him. It's moments like these that I can appreciate when I am unable or unprepared to hunt. I'm hoping to baptize my M357 soon. He is the buck I'll be looking for. I just need to have the time to make in order to get after him. Just thought I'd share.
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