Congratulations to Andrew Dane on filling his buck tag for this season!
Andrew, my boyfriend, shot his second deer EVER this past Wednesday, November 24th. It is easy to say that all were proud and excited for him. The basket seven point is Andrew's first deer shot alone. The hunt was a memorable experience shared with friends and family. And it will provide for many memorable meals haha.
A beaming smile spread across Andrew's face when asking him, "well, what happened?" Like all hunters after a harvest, he was ecstatic to tell the story. So here we go …
The day before Thanksgiving most of us are preparing for the holiday ahead. Not Andrew. Determined to get a buck this season despite all circumstances. With the lack of time set aside for hunting, and an impending end of gun season approaching, opportunities were running out. Andrew woke up early the morning of the 24th with great hopes to fill his tag that day. The chances seemed strong; low temperature, front moving in, rut still strong, and the deer were moving. Keeping this hope in the back of his mind, he headed out to the shooting house at the back of the property. On his way, he waved to the trail cam "for good luck!"
Once in the shooting house, he was left alone in the quiet and darkness. The sky got brighter and brighter, but the silence never ceased. He explained how it was very quiet, nothing was moving. "Not even any squirrels or birds were making noise." Andrew said this eerie quiet was only made creepier when a raccoon started climbing up the shooting house ladder hissing at him! Way too early to fire a security shot, Andrew shooed the coon off.
Sitting in the silence, a doe made its way into Andrew's eyesight. The first deer of the morning. Far off in the field in front of him, yet still catching his attention. As the does frolicked in the distance, Andrew blew his grunt call in hope they would come closer. He leaned forward and blew it to the field. Then he turned around and blew the call behind him, creating the noise to be carried throughout the woods. It took only seconds for buck to become interested.
"Before I shot, everything slowed down. Everything."
This is how Andrew described what happened before the shot. The young, in rut buck came running into the shooting house clearing. It ran right up to the call origin point and stopped. Only 20 yards away. Andrew said his heart started pumping instantly, it was too good to be true. Reaching behind to his left, Andrew slowly grabbed his 30-30, and lifted it up to shooting position. The young buck was still standing (extremely close) range, confused yet eager to figure out the noise. Andrew flicked the safety off and fired a shot. The buck was hit and ran towards Andrew, now only at most 10 yards away! Out of excitement, adrenaline, and security, Andrew fired a second shot. This one straight through the heart. The seven-point turned and ran 30 yards and crashed amongst a fallen log. This is when the relief and excitement hit Andrew.
At this moment, it is not even 8 in the morning. Of course I am still asleep. My dad awoke me due to the sound of Andrew's gunshots. I instantly called out of excitement to hear a short summary of what happened. Andrew's breath was shaky and quiet, but there was no way of hiding that excitement. My dad and I got ready and headed out to meet Andrew to retrieve his harvest.
At the end of the morning, Andrew and everyone around him was left smiling and proud of the accomplishment. The first deer shot by oneself is a different feeling, an amazing feeling. We are all so proud of you Andrew!
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