My Only Deer

[jeffsmith]

Let me tell you a rather long story about paper plates and hunting

Massachusetts, where i am from
(Yes, I am not just a Yankee i am a Durn Yankee)

has a "Paraplegic Deer Hunt" for disabled hunters every fall

I went several times and enjoyed myself

One year in particular i missed two easy shots

So they took me aside and put out a paper plate to aim at,
which i easily hit

Al, one of the Volunteers said
"Well, if we can put a paper plate on the side of a Deer Smitty has it made"

The last day, late afternoon, they sent me off to a good spot
it was a place that overlooked a former Pond that was now all High weeds

I could hear a deer moving off to my left; but being a gimp there was no way i could go after it

Soon it walked out of the path on my left, a good ways away but within range

It stopped with its head behind a large tree, but its body visible for a shot

Sitting, using my knee as a brace, i took a shot

Now I had seen two misses and those deer had run like they were on fire

This one "Loped" making measured and slow effort to move

I took two more, unsuccessful, shots; but it went off into the woods

The Volunteers and state official had heard my shots and showed up en mass

I told them what happened and they trudged off to find my wounded deer

I could hear them talking and someone asked AL if they should keep looking

He replied "Not based on Smitty's track record"

All of a Sudden Al Yelled
"Look at the size of that --- Doe!!!!"

The found a 200 pound doe that lay down and died

It took four of them to carry it out

When they butchered it at the camp
there were two pellets of Buckshot in its Heart
It had slowly bled out as it ran
(I Still have those two pellets somewhere)

NOTE: This Story took place about 35 years ago

 

[Model 19 6"]

Congratulation on a successful hunt. Hope you get another chance.

 

[30-30remchester]

I think we all remember our first deer. I was 12 and convinced I was lost forever in the mountains of Colorado. I hadn't seen my dad in hours. I just knew I was never going to find my way out and nobody would ever find me. So, I shot the first buck I saw with a M1 carbine. At least now I would not starve through my long-isolated winter. As I turned it over to start gutting I was startled by the voice of my dad who was standing near me. I had been found. I asked if he was lost also. He replied with a wink and said it was hard to be lost within sight of the truck which could be seen when I turned around.

 

[IronSkillet]

Hi Jeff, great hunting story and congrats. Question did you get a rush after shooting or did it happen after the Guides confirmed you're success ?

 

[jeffsmith]

The “Rush” came when i shot it
BUT Up until they found it, I was concerned
I’d just left a Wounded Animal to suffer & wasted a deer
When they Found it I asked Al if he was “Pulling my Chain”
He replied “No, Wait until you see this deer”
I was satisfied to watch them carry it out
& then VERY Satisfied at the Accurate Clean Shot
2 Double Ought Buckshot Pellets from a Slug gun@ decent Range
Everything just came together “Shot of a Lifetime”

Hi Jeff, great hunting story and congrats. Question did you get a rush after shooting or did it happen after the Guides confirmed you're success ?

 

[shovelmike]

Thanks

Thanks for posting that, Jeff, a great hunting story.

 

[peyton]

I am so glad your able to enjoy the camaraderie of deer hunting!! I feel it's important to get out and hunt, where else can your friends verify zero, sass you on shooting ability and then have to eat crow when they carry out the 200 LB doe!
I told my children that the adventures of deer hunting take a lifetime, the time to pull the trigger takes a second.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I understand as they can be quite elusive.