The Mediocre Hunter wrote:So it only took half of a decade but it's finally happened! Shoot my first deer/buck and on public land to top it off. Almost didn't get him. There had been a doe feeding there for about 2 hours. Then I heard a grunt. I started looking around where the noise came but couldn't move much as doe was behind me. He walked out heading perpendicular to me then decided to switch where he was going and walked 7 yards parallel to me but I couldn't reposition myself because he would of seen movement. So once he walked behind me I looked slowly to make sure where they were both at. I was hoping he would hook to my left behind me so I could try for a shot but he just kept going straight further and further away. At this point I got a little bummed as I hadn't been at the right angle for his approach and lost the chance. But instead decided to keep my head in the game and reposition myself while being careful not to spook the doe. As I'm moving slowly I get a freaking cramp in my hamstring and it takes as I can to not give in to the pain. Once I get it to calm down he's already further away I just see his rear. I put my gun up to my shoulder and decide to follow him in case he turned at all. Well he decided to stop for a second and turned to look back at the doe, since he had already passed her by about 50yds and I took my second chance! Thankfully there was still 8 minutes left of shooting light. Longest minutes of my life. He's not a giant or a mature buck but, he's mine! Thank you guys for all the advice you give and info you post. It really helps out things together.IMG_20191207_174458.jpg
Man!! High fives brother! Awesome how hunts go down sometimes. Glad you were anlento pull through and get him down
Those hammey surprises seem to get ya at the very worse possible time
CONGRATULATIONS!!