Yesterday was the last day for regular gun hunting in my region. I had returned to work last week and we went to her sons yesterday. I worked on the tractors, this time making sure they all had the antifreeze in range and topped off. After that, if she wasn't back from taking the dog out, I was planning on cutting back the path from the step son's property to the neighbor's. It was 90 minutes until sunset of the last day, but that was when I was there and when I could work. As there was always a chance I could see a deer when I wasn't hunting, I had my 686 6" in a shoulder holster. As I started out with the lopers, two close shots range out across the road. I went back and put my blaze orange vest on. Often drives are put on during the last day around here. I wanted to be seen while working. Both properties are private and we are the only ones hunting them, but you never know. As I got to the area where I wanted to cut back the brush, where his woods open to her field, I set the lopers down and took out the magnum. I figured there weren't any deer there all season, but I would pop my head out and take a look in the field andmaybe........ Yup, but by the time I was finished getting through the noisy brush, all I saw was a white flag bobbing out of the goldenrod and then into the woods 40 yds down. As I returned to get started with the lopers, I heard movement and saw a white flag go up. It was out of sight in 2 seconds. Some of his woods are so thick and overgrown. I hadn't seen that deer 10 yds from me and it hadn't seen me on the path.
He had been out with his girlfriend delivering venison to the property owners where he had gotten deer on their properties. I called him and said they were headed for his house. I'd start walking down if he was home. He was. By the time I made it down to him, he said they had come out in a spot where it wasn't safe to shoot not knowing where I was. We've hunted together enough to know what each other would be doing. The deer made the perfect move. Had they waited a bit longer to break out, they were his, had they turned shorter, they would have been mine.
Oh well, I returned to get the lopers and cut down the noisy brush at the area I wanted to.
There is always next year. The property is getting groomed more and more. This year it was much more huntable than last year. I cut two trails, one which will be passable by a small diesel tractor I bought on the opening day of gun season this year. It will be able to tow the tiller purchased this past summer to the fields reclaimed. For now, as bandit1250 is also looking forward to rabbit hunting, I am looking forward to some rabbit, squirrel and grouse hunting.
But, it pays to remember, it's not over till it's over. At least these deer weren't bouncing off the hood of the car. Next year they will be lined up in the sights of the 686.
