Well the hog moved on, for now.
Deer, well that is a different story. Monday morning the drop point buck was at the elephant rock feeder, (see above post). I knew there was a pretty good chance he would be back to Rock creek feeder Tuesday. This is the feeder i hunt.
If you have been following my post, you know I have been watching this drop-point deer pretty close all season.
Following his general pattern I am pretty sure this deer would show up on Rock creek Tuesday.
I got out there before first light Tuesday and waited. We have that hog that has been raiding this feeder on a regular basis, so I had both rifle and bow with me. Bow for the buck, rifle for the hog.
Sun up came and no hog. I knew the deer did not come in until after 8-8:30, first some does, and then if he was going to show up, the buck.
About 8:30 and no deer I got out my phone and checked camera's and there was my buck.
From 11:45 pm to 2:30 am this deer was at the feeder. Damn! He had been there and left way before I got there.
In the picture that buck is standing directly broadside to my blind at almost exactly 20 yards.
As I looked up from my phone I see the three resident does coming in. Here is a picture of them from a previous visit.I had planned on taking the drop point and donating the meat to a poor family at the church. Since I had to head home in the afternoon, and drop point had already left, taking a deer had to be one of these does.
I don't know if they saw me move or something but they acted nervous and stayed behind the feeder at about the 40-45 yard marker. I have not practice the bow at that range, but that's okay. It is holiday antlerless rifle season.
I used my Ruger No. 1 in 450/400 3" NE and a Hornady 400 gr, DGS bullet. To much gun? Maybe, may be not. At the shot the biggest doe was knocked to her knees. She got up and ran away. An okie Whitetail Doe takes a bullet meant for Cape buffalo and Elephant and ran off. These Okie Does are BA tough.
I had a good bloodtrail.
About 40 yard away, there she lay.
Shot right through the heart. The entire top of the heart was gone. Got pictures-not posting-gruesome.
Perhaps for me the most worrisome part of the this years hunt, was taking care of the deer after it is down. At 75 years with two replaced knees and a fused lower back, I no longer have the strength and agility that I use.too. I can get down on ground, not very comfortably. Getting up is a problem. Doable but difficult.
You fellows here made a suggestion that helped me immensely. Receiver hitch hoist. It worked a charm.
I used the hoist to lift the deer to make the cuts for the field dress. Then Iused the hoist to lift her up to drain all the blood out.
There was day in my younger life that I would just lifted this deer up in the back off the mule or my pick-up and took off, no problem. Now problem. The hoist takes a bit of fussing with to assemble, but I am glad i had it.
This ends deer season for me. Drop point still has to make it through to the 15th and he should as everyone in our area have filled both their buck tags--well except me.
I am not going to kill this deer just to collect horns. I have the meat I need and one extra to donation. The other guys on the lease are convinced this is a young deer and I should pass on it. Looking at the pictures I have collected of him I am inclined to agree.
Next year,
