Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

 

  Today was opening day of rifle season in northern New York. Before the season started, I made sure to shoot my gun one last time a few days before heading into the woods. I was happy when I put both bullets inside the same hole while shooting freehand. Hopefully, I get a chance to shoot at a deer this year to see if I do the same thing under pressure. 

  I couldn't have asked for a better day to sit today. When I headed into the woods, it was 30 degrees and calm. I would be able to hear deer coming through the leaves. Around 9:00 a.m., I heard leaves rustling. Then, I spotted a spikehorn trying to sneak past me on the shelf below me. He appeared to be smart for a year-and-half-old deer. Eventually, he made his way past me and disappeared into he maze of trees. Although he was just a spike, my hear rate went into overdrive. The first few deer I see every year have a tendency to give me the same type of reaction. I love the feeling of adrenalin coursing through my veins. 

  After he disappeared, there wasn't much action the rest of the day. Jimmy and I had planned on meeting in the early afternoon to check out another spot, so that's what we did. Near the end of the day, I began getting tight in the hamstring. It might have been from all the miles I put on over the course of the last two days. I've never had hamstring issues, and the issue didn't seem to last long after we got out of the woods. 

  Near the end of the day, as we began heading back toward the road, Jimmy spotted a bear and got two shots off but didn't connect. The bullet must've hit some twigs on its way toward the bear. We had a great day today and saw some incredible scenery. Today was very similar to yesterday. I only saw one deer, but this day ranked high on my list of memorable days in the woods. I can't wait for tomorrow.  Here's a shot of Jimmy on one of the many mountaintops we crossed. 



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