Yep, within a half hour or so they were out. I was fairly disappointed because I told them they needed to take first watch so I could nap. I thought they’d take a short nap but they just continued to sleep and sleep. Every so often they’d stir and I’d look over to see if they were waking up - nope.
So I sat and I watched. Nothing. I listened to the interstate din. Then some goose hunters started volleying again - I wished them luck. Five o’clock rolled past. Nothing. This time last year we were covered in does and fawns and the field was already plowed! Of course this time last year there was only one subdivision under construction within a quarter mile or so, not two. So that, along with the other hunter’s activity, had me worried.
We’re coming up on six o’clock and now they’re waking up. Per usual they have a hard time believing they were really sleeping and there’s NO WAY they were out for almost two hours. I assure them that was the case and now we need to be super vigilant. I tell them we sit here for hours on end for the last half hour to an hour of daylight. Usually this time of year if it’s goi g to happen, this is when it happens.
But we just woke up and we want fruit snacks. I tell them it’s too noisy. Nope, not having it. I open the packs and dump them in their hand to try and eliminate as much noise as possible.
At around 6:20 pm I look left. Finally, a deer. I get the kid’s attention directed there and they see it. Its head is down feeding in the stubble. Then the head comes up - it’s a buck. Not big - but not a forkie either. I ask my daughter if she wants to shoot it. No hesitation - yes.
The tripod is not in position and neither is she. So the rodeo begins. She and her brother have to switch places. I have to move the gun and tripod. I get everything and everyone in position as quickly and quietly as possible with one eye on the buck the whole time.
