Entering public land I could see the one hundred plus foot Norway's and white pines swaying already in the morning breeze.At a snails pace I entered the woods and made the decision to follow yesterdays path as there was signs of activity and possibly i could jump a deer or two.
It was not long before I had my answer as a Lew came charging across my sights startled as if she did not see me until the last moment. I whistled as I was taught by my dad and she stopped in her tracks now curious and looked at me. She was only 20 yards out and would have been an easy kill if the zone area i was hunting was not doe by permit only.Pushing East than South I got onto the snowmobile trail and decided to follow it slowly East and explore some of the forest south of the trail. Fifty yards down the trail a grunt and then hoof stomps got my attention really quick to the North. This time I was busted early so I raised my rifle not at the woods but at a small opening leading out to the trail where yet another Lew was staring me down. I slowly lowered my rifle and watched as she calmly walked unto the trail before jumping off into the tall Norway's heading South.She was bigger the the first so instead of walking in the middle of the trail I hugged the South edge hoping it would improve my sight and possibly give me a chance if I was to jump a buck.
It did not take long as I was looking for signs in the woods when I noticed a large tree scrape off the trail to the South that I did not recall seeing yesterday. I inched off the trail and quietly walked 20 yards in to further inspect the scrape and decided that this was a big boy as it was scraped to near eye level on me. Taking a closer look at the area there was a major trail just East leading back to the snowmobile trail and a young grove of pine and grass. I took a picture and punched the location into my GPS so I could come back later and possibly sit and wait but for now I wanted to push on.
I walked back to the trail and was adjusting my pack and bagging my GPS when in front of me appeared the buck. He was standing in the grove of young pines in a opening just grazing and then noticed me.I was able to slowly drop the GPS and inch the rifle down off my shoulder trying to be smooth and not erratic.cold sweat was forming on my brow as i knew I got busted,let down my guard , but i was excited as this is the first time in two years I have been out and now on three days into my journey a trophy buck awaits.I slowly raised the rifle up and the deer amazingly was not moving ,maybe due to the noise of the woods. I leveled the rifle barrel down and picked up the deer in the scope,still there.There was a tree branch in the way and my arms were shaking a bit as i talked to myself asking god to help me relax.I aim just above the heart giving myself some room as I was standing and not sitting.I breathed ,released the safety and exhaled as I squeezed the trigger.
I placed the gun at my side and a smile broke across my lips as I knew it was over for the buck. I looked on in amazement as the buck was looking straight at me put its head down continuing to eat while staring at me. I raised the rifle up put the deer in the cross hairs and slowly worked the bolt action to dispense the expired Shell and put fresh ammo in the chamber.
Now nervous and shaking a little more the deer started to advance slowly but allowed me to follow in the scope. with my open eye i could see he was heading for the trail which curved just ahead of me and would not give me a good line of fire. At this moment I had nothing to lose as i started to walk as i kept the deer in the sights waiting for a better shot. The deer broke the plane of two branches and I picked up the head and dropped the sight until i saw brown and squeezed.
The deer disappeared but I was not confident of the shot at all. I reloaded and ran down the road in time to see the big bodied buck running across the trail into a mature stand of Norway with plenty of nut brush.
Don't panic I dropped the pack where i found the jump tracks and walked back to where I dropped the GPS aimed the rifle at where my first shot was placed and paced it off. Seventy five yards with some branches in the way and no sign of damage to the animal. I followed to the next spot and again nothing. WTF went through my mind as I aimed at a stump and squeezed off to see impact right where I aimed. OK,OK back to the trail, I picked up my pack re-clipped the rifle and decided to pursue, the deer headed straight south and then crossed a small trial and then a major logging road, if there was snow I would continue but at this point there was no need as I could not find any jump tracks in the moos and sand.
I walked back to the trail and sat on a stump for awhile replaying my actions and wondering what I could of done different. it was at this point I smiled and fist pumped as I was just happy that I was given this opportunity and realize how many do not get this chance. I,m back I whispered quietly and resumed my walk making note of stopping back later and set up a ground blind.
I continued my walk East and was poking around and found a few stands which I marked on the GPS and decided to sit in one for a bit. As I approached the stand another grunt and I looked thought the ladder to see yet another Lew.She stood stoically watching my every move as I froze to get a better look at her. No wonder the buck was in this area.She scampered South as every other deer had been that day and made me look smart for planning my walk this way.
Pushing on I walked and decided to take a rest on a rock I cam across. realizing that I have been out for close to four hours I figured a rest and I should start my journey back towards camp where I would try to sit in a stand for awhile.
On my Journey back I would encounter One more Lew and several grouse and see some amazing woods from some well placed portable stands. No one in the woods it was hard to believe.
Arriving at the shack I grabbed a heavier coat as the winds were really cooking now and some trees were coming down in the woods.Walking a Half mile back I sat in a stand on the edge of a swamp and reflected on my day and what I saw more than focus on the shooting lanes. The wind was strong and the stand was being lifted from the ground. I exited the stand and made my way back to camp as two more trees fell .
Sauna, Cheeseburgers , wine and stories and bed, another great day in the woods.
