My last experience muzzleloader deer hunting this year was one of those "close calls". We were on a smaller lot in the eastern townships in Quebec. Most of the land in this region is privately owned consisting of farms and patches of forest/woodlots. We were new to the area, only having gone only once before last year, and still very unfamiliar with the surroundings.
I was sitting higher up on a hill on the edge of bush and open timber, hoping a doe would come romping by. Suddenly, a fellow comes walking by wearing dark blue (no blaze orange) asking what I was doing on his land. I apologized believing I was on my friends property which was exactly 30 feet over. I moved my stuff over and continued to hunt. I thought to myself what a STICKLER, but hey no biggy it's not my land and some people are very particular about their property. Later, I decided to join my father to talk to him about the incident. I decided to post myself at the back end of an old hay field sparsely covered in bushes in the middle of the forest. My dad was sitting at the top end of the same field. It started to get darker as the afternoon progressed and with the heavy clouds came a good down pour!
All of a sudden I spot old "Mr. Stickler" in his dark blue jacket romping through the thickest thickets heading towards my dad. I thought to myself what an idiot! Old Mr. Stickler is now on my friends property and spoiling our hunt!
Little did I know, until later when I was speaking to my dad, that my dad had spotted movement in the thickets and a flash of white. My dad thought to himself "a deer". This was happening during a dark, cold, almost gloomy afternoon, with a heavy down pour in progress. He kept looking at the spot and was getting ready to raise his gun and then thought to himself something doesn't seem quite right?!! He couldn't positively identify his target so he waited. And Lord it was good that he did! Low and behold here comes old Mr. Stickler in his dark blue coat!
Thank God that my dad had the dicipline, maturity, and experience to wait and properly identify his target! Who the heck thinks some idiot will pass by in the middle of a forest through the thickest bushes, on my friends property, in pouring rain, and not wearing orange during deer hunting season!
![Mad :x](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
My dad was very angry at the stupidity demonstrated by this fellow. My dad could no longer hunt as he felt really upset at what may have happened. We both decided to call it a day and went home!
Be real careful out there! Always clearly identify your target before you raise your weapon!