This Year's Young Gun

Crossbow Hunting

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mr meat
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by mr meat »

Congrats! Can’t wait for the story!
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

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Looking forward to the story . :)
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IronNoggin
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

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I woke up yesterday morning with the feeling that something special was about to happen that day.
Put me in a right good mood to start things off with!
I busied myself cleaning up after the bear fat rendering project.
Couldn't help but notice the humid cold had that kind of bite that secrets it's way inside even layered clothing to gnaw at your very soul!
So, I sent the Young Gun's Pa a request to make damn sure the Lad got WELL bundled up for the coming eve's hunt.
Forecast says only down to 6 or 7 was his reply.
Don't believe it - layer up heavy...

As I went through the mental checklist of requirements for the hunt, I still had the strong feeling that tonight was going to be special.
Learned a hell of a long time ago not to ignore that intuition, and it has largely been right over the years.
Even so, I am always looking for something to help tip the odds in my favor, and it was with that thought I recalled a faded Talisman lurking in the far far depths of the chest of drawers. I will stray briefly from our tale here to explain this...

On my last foray to Africa, I was nine days in on quest for a particularly large and smart old Kudu Bull.
Decided to take a day down to freshen up and take stock.
A Buddy wandered by, and presented me with a T-Shirt which had been printed up in support of the Painted Dog Research going on in Zimbabwe at the time. It will bring you luck he suggested. Well... Why not?
The next day that old Kudu made a HUGE mistake, and crossed my path at 125 yards.
I was wearing the "magic" shirt, and that was it's first.
Over the years, I would wear it but occasionally - when I felt I needed a little something extra to get me where i needed to be.
And time after time, I claimed another success while it was on my back.
Eventually I became somewhat superstitious about the matter, and only spoke about it with my Lady.
She took this in stride of course, and supported my thoughts regarding it's magic. :lol:

Over time, in excess of 40 big game animals have been harvested while that shirt has been on me.
There's a reason I believe in it you see.
These days it is a tattered remnant of it's former self - as many holes as fabric, missing the lower seam, and basically ready to fall apart.
So worn in fact were it now to be washed, it would simply fall apart.
The Missuz only once toyed with the idea of getting shed of it. Once... :wink:

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So, even though my gut was saying this was probably the day, I carefully unwrapped this Talisman from it's hiding place, and ever so carefully stretched it over my ever-blossoming frame. Still fit! :lol:

Now armed with my own personal Good Luck Charm, and with fine feelings of impending success, I set off down Island while merrily singing along to the western tunes blaring from the truck's CD player...
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IronNoggin
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

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Upon arrival I indeed noted our young Lad was well prepped, and good to withstand quite the chill.
As I strode up, he informed both me & his Pa: "I have a rather strong feeling tonight is THE night"!
That brought grins from all of us, and I concurred with the Lad that I shared the exact same feeling.

As we made our way to the hunting grounds, we went over the various hand signals, the need to aim carefully with such a tight choked scattergun, and how our season had progressed thus far. Again he reiterated his instincts were suggesting we might have a chance today, and I still strongly felt the same.

Upon arrival at the blind, we settled into the task of holding perfectly still while absorbing all that nature surrounded us with.
As the time wandered by, I wasn't at first concerned - This is going to happen...
But at about 15 minutes to go to dark, without even a doe, I began to question that...
Could the Lad's & my intuition be so far off?
Has the shirt finally lost it's magic?
As I pondered these things, I began to prepare the "sometimes they simply don't show up" speech in my mind...

Then, a subtle movement in the far left corner of my eye.
A doe. Not just any doe, but the Matriarch Doe.
Her body is as big as any bucks, and she has been around more than long enough to know the ropes.
And she was right there at 30 yards - staring right at me.
Damn.
But she did not appear overly concerned, and slowly started down the path that would lead her through our shooting window, pausing only long enough to glance back behind her...
TO GLANCE BACK BEHIND HER!!!

Straining I could just make out the swaggering gait of another big body 30 yards behind and farther out than her.
Then the head cleared the brush.
HOLY CHIT!!! :wtf:
I ever so slowly leaned over and in a barely audible whisper said Get your gun ready - there is a GOOD Buck coming...

The gun went up, slowly as practiced. No noise.
When the hammer went back, the doe FREAKED!
Stiff legged walking for a few seconds, then broke into a trot.
Dammit! If the buck follows suit it will present a pretty difficult shot!
Deciding to back my Young Gun up, I eased Ol' Betsy into play.
Just then I noticed the end of the Lad's barrel was trembling a bit.
Don't blame him a bit I thought...

However as the buck strutted into the edge of our shooting window, the trembling ceased, and the gun was rock steady. :thumbup:
The Big Buck continued his strut, knowing full well he was the Kind of these parts, and royally showing that off.
Suddenly the shotgun beside me roared, to be following immediately by the sound of buckshot hitting a hard target.
WHACK!
I swung my barrel back and forth, finding no sign of the buck.
Where the hell did he go??
Then, a little flicker of a tail, right where I had last seen him!
I think I knocked him right off his feet said my little Buddy!
aYuip! Looks like!

We sat for a few minutes, while I held Betsy on him in case he tried to get up.
Wasn't happening.
I had the Young Gun reload, and hold his gun on the buck while I cleared the blind.
He ain't going to get up he suggested, but still held tight.
Then I did the same while he joined me.

During our quiet stalk over to where he lay, I stayed poised in case of a sudden recovery.
And while doing so kept wondering if there was going to be any "ground shrinkage" between what I thought I saw, and what now lay before us.
There wasn't!

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A huge dominant Roman-Nosed four by four with most excellent brow tines!
In fact one of the best Blacktails I have even been in on, and certainly better than any I have taken to date!!

The War Cries broke forth, we hugged and did The Dance of Joy!!
The Young Gun was simply beaming, and I felt as proud of any Man I ever had for this fine young fellow's accomplishment!
WELL DONE!!! Image

A huge dominant Roman-Nosed four by four with most excellent brow tines!
In fact one of the best Blacktails I have even been in on, and certainly better than any I have taken to date!!

A few pictures had to be taken, and although darkness had now descended, the odd one turned out OK:

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I think you can tell by his expression just what the Young Gun thought of all that!!

Then it was time to call his Pa. No way the two of us could swing the bugger up onto my endgate!
And after getting the picture sent to him, Dad came a running!
More whoops of Joy, and the Pride literally burst from that Rancher's eyes!
Time to capture that moment alright:

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And of course one with the Ol' Curmudgeon that helped a little in the day's success:

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Continued...
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
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IronNoggin
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

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We loaded the buck, noting he was damn heavy for a blacktail, and set off for their homestead.
Along the way, the Lad inquired: "Is it normal to shake a little after something like that?"
You Betcha it is, and here's hoping you never lose that!
In fact I was shaking a little myself! :D

Upon arrival and a brief discussion, the Rancher asked me to properly cape the buck for mounting!
Awesome!
That buck will be adorning their home for decades to come, and what a fitting tribute to such a Monarch!!

A few more pictures of course!

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And... Tagged Out!

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I got to admit that was some of the most FUN I have had in a very long time!
Our intuition was bang on, and it seems the old Talisman still holds a little of it's fine Magic!

Upon cleaning the buck, we discovered he had taken almost the full load of 00 buck in and just behind the onside shoulder.
The lungs were basically burgerized, and it was quite apparent why he had folded so damn quickly!
Very good shot, and way to stay calm and cool under pressure! :eusa-clap:

The Young Gun stayed with me right through the whole caping and cleaning process, helping every inch of the way!
His Ma and his sister simply had to come and have a boo, and it was awesome to see their eyes bug right out!
Never seen one that big before!
Not too damn many even get any bigger was my thought!

The Lad's eyes were still beaming as he wandered off to collect his late dinner.
A VERY Firm Handshake, and a sincere Thank You before doing so!
No problem Kiddo, I likely enjoyed that just as much or even more than you did! :D

His Pa was simply beaming too!
And thanked me so much I almost felt embarrassed!
But the bond between us grew even more that eve, and I suspect both he, and his Young Man are going to feature prominently in my hunts down the road!

The drive home seemed to fly by, and I was grinning every damn inch of the way!
I was SO hoping to get this fine young man into his first.
A spike or even a deuce would have been fine.
I could not even imagine an outcome this grand!!!
Hell of a Fine "First"!
And although both his Pa & I told him he will be hard pressed to ever beat this one, he confidently replied "I am going to do just that"!
And I sincerely hope I will be right there beside him when he does!!

Cheers,
Nog

PS: One Final Note: There will be an epilogue to this adventure. Following Christmas Morning that is... Image
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Bcxbow
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by Bcxbow »

Fantastic blacktail, Congrats to the lad and thanks for sharing this Nog. :thumbup: :thumbup:
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by xcaliber »

Awesome buck, I'm not surprised Matt, you have done something that will have an impact on the young gun for the rest of his life!

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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by janesy »

Cool story, and a great trophy for the Lad.
Good work!
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by Doe Master »

Thank you for sharing .
Congratulations Young Gun . :D
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by mr meat »

Great story and Congrats to the Young Gun and you!
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by Matrix355er »

What a Great Story.
Nice to see you guys Hard work and determination pay off for you both.
Nice Buck!
Congratulations to you both.
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by robertyb »

Fantastic Blacktail. I bet you are one proud man. Congrats to the young hunter. :eusa-dance:
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IronNoggin
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

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Many Thanks to the extremely kind words folks! They certainly are Appreciated!
The Young Gun is still up in the air, as very much am I.
When Buddies call to chat about that buck, I get so damn excited you would think I took it myself! :lol:
Still pinching myself to see if it was real, and damn Happy to recognize IT IS!!

Have to head down & collect the carcass today as the folks are wandering off on holidays. I'll hang the ol' bugger a few more days before turning him into grits for their family. The Lad was just as stoked by providing that (perhaps even more so) than over the size of his buck! Likely in for a surprise when we enter it in the Big Buck thing if Cabela's runs one this year! And regardless, it is going to make one hell of a fine mount! Something I can look at when I wander though and fondly recall these precious moments.

The rut is winding down there now, most the Gals have collected up their wee ones and are rejoining their herds. Only the odd doe left to go, and it has shown in the decreasing number of antler sightings. Got Lucky on this Big Boy, but it could not have gone to a more deserving Man IMHO. And yep, he is spoiled alright. Bested my best, and that of most I know. Hell of a start! :D

Best of Luck to all all still in The Pursuit!! Image

Cheers,
Nog
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by maple »

So great to hear about your fantastic mentorship Matt. Good on you.

That is one of the cleanest symmetrical head ornaments ever. It'll be so great as a momento of the experience.

Keep up the good work.
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Re: This Year's Young Gun

Post by IronNoggin »

IronNoggin wrote:
Tue Nov 20, 2018 3:24 pm
PS: One Final Note: There will be an epilogue to this adventure. Following Christmas Morning that is... Image
Christmas Epilogue:

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One very surprised & very happy Young Gun!

After our time in the field I chatted with his Pa, and we collectively decided he is now old enough to begin his collection of hunting tools.
Proud to offer him his first shotgun (of course the one he tagged that beautiful buck with!) and a great set of binoculars.

Merry Christmas Little Buddy!

Right Looking Forward to continuing our adventures this coming fall!

Cheers,
Nog
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
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