Paying the Palmated Price

[Mike P]

Paying the Palmated Price


It is a beautiful morning to hunt. The temperature is 33 degrees and the wind is from the west at 10 mph. There are snow flurries as I look out my office window here at the house. Yet here I sit with a cup of tea, a box of Kleenex, a runny nose and a scratchy throat. I am paying the palmated price.

The palmated buck that was once so elusive has turned celebrity. He is being seen on a regular basis when the four of us hunt out at the farm. He is running doe's and using our Imperial whitetail clover field like a dating service. Every time you see a group of doe's enter the field it usually isn't long before a buck comes out to check them out. And the plamated buck has been anything but shy.

Doc and I didn't want to go. I knew the forecast for last night was just awful, a cold nasty rain. And as you may remember, I hate hunting the rain. But Shrader wouldn't hear of it and badgered us until we agreed to go. With me he kept using the palmated buck as bait. He knows I can't resist that bait. So the three of us took off for the farm for an afternoon hunt. Becker, the fourth partner, would not go. He would never miss an Ohio State game. He played offensive guard for Ohio State back when the helmets were still leather. Ohio State football is his religion.

Doc took a tree he likes on the edge of the clover field. He loves to have the big views; it helps with his need for constant action. Besides, he has already killed his Ohio buck and can only take doe's now. And I told him if he did that I was not lifting a hand to help. It was nasty weather and I didn't want to be out in it trying to find a doe. After some thought, he took one of the varmint rifles and was going to try for some coyotes that have been traveling the clover field edges according to the cuddies.

Shrader and I will not hunt the field edge. Sure you get to see a lot, but your chances for what we were after were much better on the trails leading to and from the field. He took the best trail (as he is prone to do as he claims some type of bogus territorial rights) and I took a spot to the far south of the field where the land beyond the field falls sharply to a creek bed below. I do like this spot a lot and it has produced well over the years. Hillside hunting is what I do best. And I thought the hillside might actually offer some protection from the winds that would be driving the rain.

We wished each other "good hunting" and Shrader and I made a pact that deep down we knew neither would honor. I told him I would not shoot "the wrestler" a huge body ten if he would pass on the palmated buck. He said "you got a deal" but we both knew he was lying. And of course, so was I. It would take every bit of self control I could ever muster not to arrow "the wrestler." And Shrader would not hesitate to put the palmated buck on the already overcrowded wall at his house. And if either happened, we would have good natured fun for many a year telling how one or the other reneged on the deal.

When I first made the climb it was tolerable. A half rain half mist was the soup de jour. But it went downhill. It got miserable. It became a rain sleet that just makes you want to say "screw it" and go back to the farm house and watch football and have a couple of drinks. But I put the effort in to get to the position I was in and didn't want to give up on my investment so easily. But I was tempted.

At 4:25 I heard the report of the 22-250 and smiled as I knew Doc was having some fun. I just didn't want it to get out of hand and blow off any doe's heading to the clover field much less the bucks that could be following.

The report of the blast had just died when the doe went flying by on the trail below my stand. She was at full stride and there was no white tail at attention. I know what this means and picked up the Phoenix. I didn't even get it half way up when he went under me matching the frantic speed of the doe. I grunted twice but there was no stopping him. He continued up the trail after the doe with no regard what so ever for his surroundings. I could have been playing a tuba when he went by and I will wager he would not have looked up.

I finally get the palmated buck to within fifteen yards of the tip of my broadhead and I don't even get the varizone on him! I sit in the climber for the next hour and a half and curse my very existence as the little ice pellets and rain pound my coat and hood.

I sit here in my office this Sunday morning with tea and tissues and wonder what the ultimate cost of this buck will be.

It seems I am paying on the installment plan.

[huntman]

Great read AGAIN Mike! cant wait to see what the buck looks like!

[Doe Master]

Thanks Mike ,that was a good read.

[wildwindom]

Thanks again mike!!

[FredBear]

That s.o.b. is going to be very rewarding to put in your truck!

[R.J.]

Great read ! .... We have a Becker , Doc , Shrader and Mike in our group !

I can relate ! ....

You have a gift / talent when it comes to the pen ! ... Keep em coming !

Thanks .... Brought a smile to an otherwise dull day !

I'm stuck at work , but hope to get in the stand later today ! ... Maybe get some cool pictures !

[hetichunter]

Mike P i have to tell you that i really am enjoying your hunt for this buck. It is sooooo kewl that you are sharing this with us.

I dont think a lot of guys would go out on a limb like you do chasing a single buck.

The absolute best part is that you make me feel like I am there every time you share your hunt.

I asked in your other thread The Trail if there was any other place I could read your stuff. Please let me know as I wouuld sure love to read more from your pen.

Once again thanks.

[crazyfarmer]

Mike, you and I think alike.. hillsides and woods. I hate fields and very seldom kill anything big on the fieldedge. Sure you see some deer and some good bucks. But they are always 150 yards or more yards off. You spend 3 hours getting teased which doesnt do well for sleep at night. In the woods if one comes by, he's 15 yards or less. Nothing like that to get the blood pumping. Had the samething happen with the Big 6 I told you about... he ran by at full blast because of pet dogs. Couldnt get him to stop at all for the bow. But that was the last crack I would get at him since he's down now from another hunter as you know. Hopefully your's doesnt end like my quest did for that one buck.

goodluck man and keep us posted...

[Pydpiper]

Great read as always Mike, thanks!
I have never met a cold that couldn't be beat with 2 cold pills followed by 2 cold beers and a goods night sleep.

[fletch]

Well Mike you are puttin forth a valiante effort on your part to kill the palmated one but maybe he is putting forth just that much more to you? Hope you feel better and succeed on your quest.
Oh and awesome reading by the way please keep posting.

[saxman]

Reading about your hunts is more exciting than being on mine.

Thanks Mike

[Mike P]

I asked in your other thread The Trail if there was any other place I could read your stuff. Please let me know as I wouuld sure love to read more from your pen.

You just might find something in the winter edition of Horizontal Bowhunter Magazine.

[mikej]

great story mike i hope it works out for you soon

[Sandman]

Great read Mike~!

[maple]

All the sweeter when he falls Mike.

You still type extremely well when you have the sniffles. This too will pass and you'll be out there again soon. Until then, keep dry and warm.

Maple