Post by BPHOUND on Dec 5, 2004 16:32:40 GMT -5
Here's the scoop.This was my last trip hunting at the camp for the season.I took only one gun.I had been watching at least 10 to 12 differant Does and Calves all season long and had only 1 buck sighting.That was on September 24th,opening day of Bow Season.I think it was the same deer.
Well flashing back to the 24th of November 4:30 pm a doe and a fawn came out and started to feed.10 minutes later 4 more does came out and they were nervous and not the least bit interested in my direction at all.(some of the does were on to me at this particular stand).I was busy watchin the does mill around and as daylight faded,I catch a glimpse of another deer skirting around the edge of the ridge.The does took off apparently not wanting anything to do with this BIG BRUISER!This little fella stops and starts feeding and I'm ready and trying to find the sight picture with my open sights in the steadily fading light.He sticks his neck out a little farther and there's no chance at a vitals shot so I'm pretty confortable with this gun and know where it shoots so I take my shot at his neck.Much to my suprise the only noise is my cap going off!!!Years of hunting with muzzleloaders and my first missfire has to happen at my only buck I see for the year!!!!I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!All the deer run...except 1 calf.
Great I just buggered up my only chance aT a buck this year.Wait......there he is there......stopped at 75 or 80 yards...looking back.I change the cap and try to find a shooting lane.All I can see is his head neck and parts of the top of his back and hind quarters.The shot was sharply down hill and I thought if I could shoot him between his shoulder blades I would stand a chance at a clean kill.If the gun went off!
Well I thought I'd found the shooting lane so I let strip....whaddda you know it went off and the deer went off a stumblin.I quickly reloaded and climbed down out of my stand.Down over the hill ......millions of tracks going in all directions.I slowly started walking in the direction I'd last seen him and lookin pretty hard.It was getting pretty dusky in the tall trees.A few minutes later I see him piled up about 40 yards from where he stood when I shot.My shot was less than perfect .....I hit the deer in the top of the hind quarter and it exit at the bottom.Luckily I never hit the ponch and unlike a moder rifle there was very little meat loss.Round balls don't seem to spoil much meat.Well its the first time I've ever hit a deer in the hams and hope it's the last but I'm still glad I got him.Oh yeah THE gun is a T/C New Englander it had 100 grains of 3f and a patched .490 ball.Maybe next year I'll get on with a Flintlock.
I estimate this deers weight to be at 125 pounds.
I see you got him close to the deep freeze, should make it convient when you cut him up. LOL ;D ;D. 
