Possibly the Worst Hunter Ever

THAT'S RIGHT YOU READ IT HERE: WORST HUNTER EVER STRIKES AGAIN!

It's with a sad heart that I write this entry today. While this morning started out wonderfully enough things change as time progressed. I took the opportunity to go rifle hunting in the big woods this morning. Hoping that I could harvest a deer and be home by lunch and go to work for the later half of the day.

I programmed the coffee pot, my wife prepared my clothes and I packed my lunch last night so I could hit the ground running this morning. Coffee brewed, alarm clock rang. I was up, ate breakfast and on the road by 5:24am. I was going by myself so there was no need to hurry. I had planned on using my good friend's sweet spot, (he has taken 8 deer out of that spot). I pulled up to the gate and no one else was there I had the whole woods to myself. It was still a bit dark but by the time I got everything situated the sun started rising. It is about a mile to the sweet spot from the gate so when I got down there I could see without my headlamp. I stowed my deer hauler and went to find "the spot". I missed it. But I found a spot that was sort of open and set up my stool. I was next to a brook so hearing anything was out of the question. I had a good view across the brook and up and down my side of it so I felt good about things. Then I started questioning myself and my spot. Then I reassured myself that I was good. I had some decent woods behind me so I tried to check there every now and again. Which was a wise thing. I happened to look back and saw a buck coming my way. He was digging his nose in the ground as he came so I had a chance to get up and turn around without him seeing me. I found him in my rifle sight, he lifted his head and BOOM!!!! He jumped and did a kick like a rodeo horse! Then he staggered around a little while. I thought about shooting him again. (note to self shoot 2x if needed) He got behind a big try and I could see him swaying back and forth, back and forth he looked like he was going to fall over any second.....Then he gets a second breath and bounds off boing, boing, boing.............

So I 'm thinking AWESOME I FINALLY SMOKED A BUCK!!!!!! I take my time gathering stuff together. Not too much. He did not fall over so I was thinking I may have to put another bullet in him. I go to where he was standing..Blood! Yeah! I follow as far as it goes, basically to his bounding spot. I see some footprints ahead but no blood..... Long story short! For over three hours I roam the woods making half circles out from the last blood spot, busting through thickets and underbrush, every once in awhile I smell the musky, wet dog smell that deer have and it turns out to be a scrape. Then another scrape more foot prints, no blood.

I finally had to give-up. I was so discouraged I felt like crying. We see deer on the side of the road all the time and feel no remorse but I inflicted a mortal wound and was unable to harvest the bounty of the hunt! It is an interesting emotional whirlwind.

So, yes, I am officially the worst hunter ever! It surprises me how much I enjoy hunting even though I have little to no return on investment. I spend hours and dollars on an activity that can bring dividends. Other activities like golf, you invest time and money and there is no reward. Sure your skills get better but unless you go pro there is only time and money spent. At least with hunting the reward of a harvested animal puts food on the table. Yet, alas, I am no good; if this were another activity and I failed this miserably I would hang it up and move on, yet...I am looking forward to this weekend and going out again..To The Hunt!