We managed another small forkhorn on Friday morning. Then the cold weather came for our last day together on Saturday. We started off with a very large doe in the morning sit.
After the morning hunt we decided on one last push. About a half hour after the guys started the push, this guy walked out into the field. I was sitting at the bottom of a hydro tower and when I glanced over in his direction, he was broadside. I couldn't believe it, he just seem to show up from nowhere. I had no rest but managed to steady the 1187 on him and pulled the trigger. As I went to squeeze the trigger, he spun and headed back into the bush. After the shot I was sure I missed as his tail was up as he ran off. I quickly developed that sick feeling you feel in the bottom of my stomach.
Then came the most agonizing half hour waiting for the guys to finish the push. When they finally came out I went to where he had been standing. I saw his tracks in the fresh snow but no blood. One of the other guys came to help and we followed his trail in the woods for about 25 yards with no blood. We were just about to turn around when the guy I was with spotted him another 20 yards away. Not a drop of blood anywhere and a entrance wound at the middle of his belly. He must have kicked up his back legs as he turned. I ended up taking out his heart.
I guess it's always a good idea to have a hard look even without a blood trail.
real nice buck
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