Deer Hunt 2004
PA Deer Hunt 2004
11.27.04
Arrived at camp at 1200, noted the mileage as 155, never checked before. After unloading I set about doing a few camp chores and planned a relaxing evening with a nice fire and some reading accompanied by a few cold brews. Around 1500, I was bringing in firewood from the porch and managed to pull the door hard shut behind me, successfully locking myself out as my keys were strewn on the kitchen table. Through sheer serendipity I had stuck a spare car key in my pocket and with cell phone and wallet drove up the road and called Cousin Bill. No, there are not any other keys, no, JimC does not have a key either
.after some feeble attempts at forced entry my wilderness experience and survival instincts kicked in
driving to State College and booking a motel room next to a good restaurant/tavern soon alleviated the momentary panic and I set camp for the night.
11.28.04
Awaking with the sunrise at 0800, the cable TV channel gave me fair weather predictions for my trek back to camp. The motel outfitter provided a frugal breakfast (non-toasted bagel) and I prepared to break camp. Bill called at 1000 to inform me of an early departure and expected arrival by 1230 barring unforeseen difficulties. 1100, Bill called with unforeseen difficulties involving forgotten license, expected arrival 1430. After brief conversation our planned rendezvous became the next door tavern so to see the end of the Steeler game. 1500, Bill arrived and over several local lagers we discussed the misfortune of the trip to date. Obviously this pointed to a turn of luck in the coming hunt.
11.29.04
Set my alarm for 0500, never needed it. Feet hit the floor by 0450, made coffee and breakfast and woke Bill at 0545. As always the opening day excitement got the best of me and I headed out for the 10 minute hike to the power-line tree stand. The ascent to the stand coupled with arrangement of gear, weapon and provisions had me set and vigilant by 0630. 0645, deer coming from the pines
..too dark
no ID
.heart thumping
.
0700, same deer (I think), crosses from behind and across the power-line. Its a buck! Damn, nice 4 point but no brow tine that I can see. Elephant squirrels are running rampant, one crawls into the tree stand with me and then screams his protest that Ive taken his abode. 0845, two deer are moving through the pines, second is a buck but looks to be a spike. Keeping them in view as they circle toward the creek, they cross the power-line and the buck has a fork on the right antler. They cross behind and as I hang half my body out of the stand I think a third point is evident on the right side. Approximately 3 hours later, my view through the scope confirms the third point and as the scope reticle bounces from my pulse I squeeze the trigger. With a rotten angle on the deer I managed a decent shot and tagged the deer by 0900. The buck managed to fall close to the NE property line and about 5 yards from the lane that is right of way to the neighboring camps. Generally the deer Ive killed tend to be far from any reasonable access so this was a pleasant surprise. Bill had showed me a new gadget that he and Cousin Steve had acquired; this was a two-wheeled cart for loading and hauling deer from the woods. Although a motorized vehicle would have been quite adequate, I decided the new cart MUST be used simply because it was there. The walk back to camp where I deposited my excess gear and rifle was brief. I then wheeled the buggy back to the lane and strapped the deer to it. The buggy worked very well though the up-hill portion reminded me of the availability of the motorized vehicles.
By 1100 the deer was cleaned up and hanging in the deer shed. I was cleaning up the residual tools when Bill came from the woods. This was curious as he had not brought a deer with him. After inspection of my trophy Bill divulged that he had had a malfunction of the rifle whilst taking aim on a doe. His claim was a mis-fire and though I have no dispute I wonder if there was some residual effect from the previous nights imbuement. That issue aside, I suggested he take my rifle and wed deal with his mechanical difficulty later in the day.
11.30.04
After a complete walk around of the property with Bill in the central stand I headed for the camp to make certain of a proper dinner for the hungry hunters. That night Bill and I worked over his rifle and determined it to be serviceable. Taking no chances we decided that Bill would take my rifle in the morning and I would test fire his at some point through the day.
I spent the day sneaking through the wood and could have bagged several doe and buck that seemed oblivious to my approach. With no success for Bill throughout the remainder of the day, we retired to a crock-pot of beef stew and a few frosty barley-pops. I suspect the deer had heard of our foibles in the days leading up to the season and bedded down with a chuckle and simple grin on their faces.
12.1.04
Wednesday morning brought pelting rain and the promise of high wind. I woke and prepared breakfast before waking my hunting partner. After wishing him luck I went back for a few more Zs . Feet on the floor by 0730 and I began to pack and clean the camp all the while listening for the report from Bills 300 mag. By 1000 I had packed, loaded and cleaned up with no indication of a shot from the pine bottom. After leaving a note I decided to head home and drop the buck at the processors before too late in the day.
Ill leave the rest of the report to Bills email for Wednesdays hunt.
Hi Wes,
This my help you finish your notes.
I stayed in the power line tree stand until 10:00 and started to walk towards Dads tree stand. I saw 1 big white flag take a couple of bounces and disappear. I stayed in that stand until 11:15 and went up to camp to find out that you had left. After lunch I walked up the road to line and followed the path by Croyles. I went down over the ridge to the bottom and worked my way back up to Dads stand. From the stand, I saw 4 legs with a belly walking to my right. About 3:45 I saw a buck with a huge rack on the upper side of the maple grove. I had 1 opportunity to shoot while the deer was stopped, but all I could see was the hind quarters and I did not want to take that shot. When I got another opportunity to shoot, he was running straight for the camp and I didnt want to take any chances. Of course if I did accidentally hit the camp, I am sure Steve could have repaired the damage. Any way, I slowly made my way into the big oak in hopes that the big buck would come back. I waited for him to return until quitting time and finally shot a button buck in the middle of the maple grove. I didnt realize he was a buck until I started to gut him and discovered his outdoor plumbing.
