After such a miserable season last year, I promised myself to be more upbeat and optimistic this year.
Opening day before shooting time:
A dozen or so deer ram beneath me in my sanctuary as the pumpkin patch was growing in the public access land adjoining me. From various directions, shots ringing out nearly a half hour early.
3 fawns and a doe leave the sanctuary and head down food plot towards public. Moment out of sight, 10 or 11 shots bark out. Over next 2 hours pass on 3 little bucks. Each goes into neighboring land and Bullets are blazing. Another doe and 2 fawns leave sanctuary and are shot at immediately on neighbors land. 10 am. Pass a decent 8 chasing a doe, buddy takes the buck when it goes by him. Monster 8 comes out in my field and I miss. Not thing till about closing and a fawn comes out of sanctuary into my cut corn
Sunday- shots ring out about 45 minutes early in the dark. At legal light, 1 doe and fawn cross my food plot and exit into neighboring land. Gates of hell open up and about 15-18 shots. Hear people yelling “got them”. Nothing more until about 15 minutes left in day. Very small young 10 walks across my field – I passed
Monday 7am missed monster 8 again – saw dirt fly up well short of deer. Walked back to house and swapped rifles. Nothing rest of day
Ties, wed, Thursday, Friday – nothing but few squirrels and a skunk.
Saturday- 530am to 12:30 nothing – had to quit and take care of dad. 1:30 dove atv out to stands to recover cushions, trash,…. Doe and baby 8 eating in food plot. Drive atv around back side of my tree planting found small dead buck, 2 dead young does and couple gut piles. Went to pull trail cams at southern end of property to find 3 (three) have been stolen and another gut pile. Then like a kick in the sack, I see that I’m missing a two man tree stand and a portable blind I had set up along the side of my property on a hay wagon. I drove over by the hay wagon and I have slashed tires. In disbelief, I idle along the neighboring land that is in public access and see all my no trespassing signs are gone.
Said screw it and left- ran to pharmacy for dad. Came back and had Godzilla walk in front of my truck crossing the road into my sanctuary. After months of vague sightings, got a perfect view of him. 3 main beams, was able to count 15 pints, plus all kinds of extra junk he had. Hopefully he survives.
Threw a few things in my truck and went home to see my wife for a couple days before going back up.
Muzzle loader is trashed and waiting on replacement barrel. So no ML season for me.
So, I tell myself that if I say “I’m happy” about 10000 times I might believe it………..I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy
Today I set a target at 100ytds and shot 3 rounds from my short mag. About 12” low and 8 “ to right. Let cool and shot 1 more. 1 ragged hole from 4 rounds. No freaking clue on what how why. Had a range day a month ago and was 100% spot on perfect. Rifle remained loyal coed in a safe at my farm. So dumbfounded as to what it could be. Bases/rings….perfect. Deal with it another day
I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy