Monday, October 28, 2024

   Today was raw. It was damp and chilled me to the bone. Although there wasn't much wind, the dampness settled into my core. On my walk in, I got pretty messed up due to having a light that wasn't the brightest. I didn't realize the batteries needed to be changed, so I was aimlessly wandering through the darkness and get off track more than one time. 

  However, I still made it to where I wanted to be before daylight. I could feel something today that I haven't felt in a while. I felt like I was close to succeeding. I sat on a scrape and figured the buck would visit it in the daylight. When noon rolled into view, I hadn't seen a thing yet, so I decided to do a loop to see if I could find some sign. 

  I quickly learned that the good buck has a handful of scrapes in the vicinity, and I'm hoping I catch up to him when the timing is right. 

  After covering the ground, I went to an area for the afternoon sit where I've seen a lot of does in the past. Around 5:15, I saw a doe making her way toward me through some thick stuff. She kept looking behind herself until she finally bolted and ran directly at me, stopping a mere five yard from where I sat. Then, I heard the unmistakable grunting of a buck. I knew he was coming but couldn't move. 

  When she bolted to escape his pursuit, he came in on a string. Then, I had a beautiful 8-pointer standing no more than 10 yards from me and no idea I was in his world. I never picked my gun up. I'm not sure why, but I just wasn't interested in shooting this deer today. I can't tell you why. I enjoyed every second in which I was in his presence --- or he was in mine. I could've easily ended his life... and my season, but I chose not to click the safety off and squeeze the trigger until I felt the recoil against my shoulder. 

  A few minutes later, I was packing my gear and heading to my truck. What a day! I had passed my second Adirondack buck in three days. I never imagined doing anything like that 35 years ago when I was new to this adventure after getting out of college. I also don't know any other Adirondackers who have passed an 8-pointer, let alone more 8s than I can count Sometimes the choice has paid off, and others it did not. Enjoying the journey is what it's all about, and that is exactly what I'm doing. 

  As I walked through the darkness to get to the truck, I realized that I probably should've ended my season and got back on track to find a new job. When I said that to my dad, he said, "Maybe, you just need to enjoy hunting season after everything you've been through." I never looked at it that way, and his comment brought some satisfaction into my world. 

I did get some good video of the buck I passed. It's on my cell phone so it's not great video, but at least I captures the memory.  



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