Second chance buck

drahthaar

Active member
Joined
Sep 26, 2006
Messages
1,711
Location
Kalispell/Helena, MT
This morning seemed to be really active, the wind was howling, temps plummeting down to -15 with the wind chill, the bucks on the move. After seemingly walking through a desert all rifle season, I found myself out at the right time. Went to the usual spot, kept seeing pairs of does, I knew a buck had to be close. While glassing aross a small drainage to another clearcut a GIANT buck walked out, easy 170 gross. Following the tracks of two does another hunter pushed out of the clearcut. If I was some of the other folks on here with their shooting abilities and cannons, I would have just pounded him from where I was, I mean what are the odds I'm gonna bust down the hill, across the creek and up the other side and actually find this buck and have him not know I was coming. Long story short, I did find him, wind howling must have covered the noise of the crunching snow. And what did I do? I missed! I freaking farging flipping missed, no excuses, just flat out did not take my time, like a 12 year old kid, flat out missed. OH THE HUMANITY, the way things are this season, I see this pig, find the pig, and blow the shot. While sitting there, utterly dejected, sails drooping, watching the wind blow snow across the slash, wondering how I can live with myself until spring bear opens after a miss like that, the hunting gods, and the wind, blew two more does out in another small opening I could see through my grief. Wiped the snow out of my binocs, and sat there glassing, when wouldn't you know a beautiful buck, stepped out. Not anywhere as big, but I got the hint. Though it was a fair piece farther, I just rolled up on a stump, took a breath and squeezed the trigger. Dropped it right there. Still kind of hard to tape your tag on a lesser buck after blowing it on a toad, but beggers can't be choosers, especially in around here right now. Here is my second chance buck from Region 1, I am tagged out.

fall058.jpg

fall054.jpg
 
Great looking buck Draht!

I freaking farging flipping missed, no excuses, just flat out did not take my time, like a 12 year old kid, flat out missed. OH THE HUMANITY
Haha! That has to be one of the best descriptions of that... feeling I have read in a long time! Glad you pulled out a nice buck in the end though.
 
Congrats draht, it was a cold and nasty one for sure today. I never laid eyes on a buck, but I did see about 15 does.

Just as I was pulling in to my parent's driveway last night, my father was unloading one from his truck. He went out west of town yesterday and shot a respectable whitetail with split G-2s.

I'm gonna brave the cold and wind and give it another shot tomorrow.
 
Nice buck!
You've had a hell of a season. Three OTC animals anyone would be proud of.
 
Congrats draht, it was a cold and nasty one for sure today. I never laid eyes on a buck, but I did see about 15 does.

Just as I was pulling in to my parent's driveway last night, my father was unloading one from his truck. He went out west of town yesterday and shot a respectable whitetail with split G-2s.

I'm gonna brave the cold and wind and give it another shot tomorrow.

Nothing was happening until 10:30. All the does were bedded. Wind was brutal, thank god for windshear.
 
Congrats Draht. Just think, the one you missed might be 180 when you find him next year.
 
Congrats! Great story; one that I'm sure you won't forget, ever. Not too bad for a second chance buck either.
 
Dandy buck. Sounds like a good recovery, when I miss it usually happens about 3 times before I can get my head right again. Way to shake it off.
 

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