Laptop is flaking out on me, so I will try post this with what power I have left.
I got up early and the weather was as bad as forecasted. I drug my tired a$$ out of the bed, got a cup of coffee and drove to the parking spot. I sat there in the truck, waiting for daylight to get near and praying the wind would die down.
I actually was falling asleep, but the truck would shake in the wind gusts, waking me from my quick nap.
My plan was to go to the middle of this section where I knew two creeks joined in a thick plumb thicket with a lot of other timber. My thinking was that if a buck was to be moving, he wouldn't be out in the open with the wind howling like it was.
I walked in while it was still too dark to shoot, but I did see four deer on the neighboring property running like crazed rabbits. Seeing deer was a good sign, but not to see deer running like fools.
I thought about going back to the truck, as we all know there is no deer that would be moving in this weather, without the benefit of the rut. My thoughts kept going back to Miller's comment that you can't shoot one sitting on the couch. Well, the same applies to sitting in the truck.
I settled in under a small tree that gave me small viewing spots in front and to my right, where two trails connected. Since the wind was blowing to my left, I wasn't too concerned about anything coming from that direction.
I was freezing in that wind. I told myself I would give it until nine o'clock. At eight o'clock, I decided I couldn't make it much longer in that wind, so I changed my departure time to 8:30.
No more than I had looked at my watch at 8:15, and I noticed something to my right. Here is a buck looking at me from 40 yards. I didn't dare move my head. I just watched out the corner of my eye.
We stared each other down for at least three minutes. Finally, he disappeared in some brush in front of me. I readied my rifle in the event he showed up in one of the opening farther out in front of me.
All of a sudden, I see his antlers coming out of creek bottom about 30 yards from me, almost straight in front. When he fully emerged, he stopped and turned straight at me. He bobbed his head around as if he knew something was wrong, but was not sure what I was.
Too bad for him, I had set up the bipod and when he stopped, I was on him with the crosshairs. I saw nothing but the chest patch where the front shoulders come together. I pulled the trigger and when I recovered from the recoil, I heard a lot of thrashing going through the brush up the hill side.
I stood up an watched him fall 100 yards from where I was standing. I scrambled through the brush to make sure he was dead.
Amazing that seven days of hunting without an opportunity on a mature buck comes to a conclusion in five minutes of extreme excitement. I guess that is why we hunt.
He is not the biggest buck, and many bucks I saw on private grounds and those taken by others made this guy look small. But, my goal was to see if I could do it on a publicly accessible property. I succeeded in taking a deer, and having one hell of a great time.
I can say with certainty, that I worked harder for this deer than any deer I have ever shot. That will make it a sweet memory.
Kansas is a great place. Things are changing fast, but I learned so much about how/when/where I will hunt next time I am here. The people are some of the nicest you will find. The locals love hunters, as you are like a second harvest season for them, and they want you to know they appreciate you. And, I appreciate them.
A few pics to share. Better get off, as the loptop is telling me it is trying to die on me. Damn it!
Not the biggest buck I have ever shot, but very memorable.
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When you aren't a good hunter, you have to make up for it with persistence, determination, and the occassional stroke of good luck.
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Already thinking about when I can return.
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No, that is not a sunburn.
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The wind blew the snot sickles off my nose.
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If I can get this computer fixed, I will post the details of the Iowa hunt that starts on Saturday. Will be scouting for the next three days.