Grandson Robert did what he likes to do when he gets the opportunity. That is put meat in the freezer. Sorry for the delay. Here is his story.
Saturday, October 29. On the way to our hunting lease in Hamilton County I asked Robert what area has he been thinking of hunting that morning. Robert said he would like to go where he had missed a doe during archery season. I was fine with his decision as to give him some ownership as to how the day might end up and if he needed to or not to adjust for the second day. We pegged into the area map that we were going to hunt and headed to the designated parking area. We got our gear and headed through the woods down toward the river. We were not far from the water and Robert Said "this is a good spot here." We sat on the ground with me watching one direction while Robert watched in the other.
About 8:02 I noticed movement so I glassed a deer coming our way. It was a big doe headed straight towards us. I got Robert's attention with my hand and as he turned to look he picked up on the deer milling around in our direction. Robert rolled around to get the rifle on the rest and let the doe walk until she noticed something out of the ordinary on the ground in front of her. When she stopped Robert fired hitting her where he needed to for a little stagger to pile up in front of us.
We high fived and hugged and congratulated each other for a successful day. Robert jumped right to it and field dressed her and we started the drag up hill. We got her loaded, transported, hung, quartered, as much meat cut from her, boxed and iced down before noon. Then it was time for lunch and a nap.
Sunday, October 30. Day two of our weekend started out pretty much like the first day. Only exception was that Robert wanted to study the map before deciding which area he wanted to hunt for his second day. It really didn't take long to decide where he wanted to hunt by just glancing at the map. Robert said he wanted to go somewhere he had not been on the lease before to see what the lay of the land was like. I told him it was his hunt I was along as support as he needed it.
We headed to the designated parking area and off through the woods we went with in gear in hand. We had walked a bit and once again Robert said "This is a good place to sit." We sat up and waited on day light. As the woods came alive we were looking, watching and occasionally nudging each other with our elbows smiling just being in the woods together. Hunting Buddies hanging out with Mother Nature.
It was about 9:05 when we heard something running/scooting through the woods and then stopping. A thicket to our left then produced a deer that we could see. Robert immediately shouldered his 308. I could see legs and Robert said under his breath "Buck." Then Robert said "I count six points. I'm going to take him." Robert squeezed the trigger and the deer went straight down. I told Robert that I needed to rub on him to get some of his luck rubbed off on me. We high fived, hugged, smiled and talked about what a perfect weekend.
We walked up to Robert's buck to discover that it also had brow tines. The 6 point just turned into an 8 point! What a beautiful deer! It was a basket rack 8 that was as pretty as any deer could be. Both deer made Robert so proud and I could see that his step was a little bit higher. Robert executed his hunt plan twice with a payout each time. Doesn't get any better.
It truly makes me proud to see an accomplished young man be the hunter that he has become. He is indeed making sound decisions while in the woods plus, it doesn't hurt to be lucky at times either. He has given me a wealth of lifetime memories that I cherish each and every day.
Saturday, October 29. On the way to our hunting lease in Hamilton County I asked Robert what area has he been thinking of hunting that morning. Robert said he would like to go where he had missed a doe during archery season. I was fine with his decision as to give him some ownership as to how the day might end up and if he needed to or not to adjust for the second day. We pegged into the area map that we were going to hunt and headed to the designated parking area. We got our gear and headed through the woods down toward the river. We were not far from the water and Robert Said "this is a good spot here." We sat on the ground with me watching one direction while Robert watched in the other.
About 8:02 I noticed movement so I glassed a deer coming our way. It was a big doe headed straight towards us. I got Robert's attention with my hand and as he turned to look he picked up on the deer milling around in our direction. Robert rolled around to get the rifle on the rest and let the doe walk until she noticed something out of the ordinary on the ground in front of her. When she stopped Robert fired hitting her where he needed to for a little stagger to pile up in front of us.
We high fived and hugged and congratulated each other for a successful day. Robert jumped right to it and field dressed her and we started the drag up hill. We got her loaded, transported, hung, quartered, as much meat cut from her, boxed and iced down before noon. Then it was time for lunch and a nap.
Sunday, October 30. Day two of our weekend started out pretty much like the first day. Only exception was that Robert wanted to study the map before deciding which area he wanted to hunt for his second day. It really didn't take long to decide where he wanted to hunt by just glancing at the map. Robert said he wanted to go somewhere he had not been on the lease before to see what the lay of the land was like. I told him it was his hunt I was along as support as he needed it.
We headed to the designated parking area and off through the woods we went with in gear in hand. We had walked a bit and once again Robert said "This is a good place to sit." We sat up and waited on day light. As the woods came alive we were looking, watching and occasionally nudging each other with our elbows smiling just being in the woods together. Hunting Buddies hanging out with Mother Nature.
It was about 9:05 when we heard something running/scooting through the woods and then stopping. A thicket to our left then produced a deer that we could see. Robert immediately shouldered his 308. I could see legs and Robert said under his breath "Buck." Then Robert said "I count six points. I'm going to take him." Robert squeezed the trigger and the deer went straight down. I told Robert that I needed to rub on him to get some of his luck rubbed off on me. We high fived, hugged, smiled and talked about what a perfect weekend.
We walked up to Robert's buck to discover that it also had brow tines. The 6 point just turned into an 8 point! What a beautiful deer! It was a basket rack 8 that was as pretty as any deer could be. Both deer made Robert so proud and I could see that his step was a little bit higher. Robert executed his hunt plan twice with a payout each time. Doesn't get any better.
It truly makes me proud to see an accomplished young man be the hunter that he has become. He is indeed making sound decisions while in the woods plus, it doesn't hurt to be lucky at times either. He has given me a wealth of lifetime memories that I cherish each and every day.
