The Deer Hunter

After getting asked for the last several years by my Father-in-law to go on a deer hunt, I finally gave in this year and put in for the draw in the South Hills. I was told that it was an easy hunt because we can go around on 4-wheelers and can usually find one close to the road. I drew out and we went a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday. We left at 6 am and drove about 30 miles south of Oakley. Scott and I met Travis and Kelli at about 7 am and got on the 4-wheelers and started heading out on the trails. It was cold enough that you could see your breath and we were getting on 4-wheelers. Within a few minutes I couldn't feel my fingers. Travis and Kelli had been up the week before and had seen a large herd of deer at a certain spot. We started heading in that direction, but came upon a truck full of hunters and they were heading that same direction, so we turned around and headed more to the North. After riding around for a couple of hours and only seeing a couple of does and fawns (we were hunting bucks) we decided to split up. Scott and I headed one way and Travis and Kelli the other way. Scott and I had gone about 1/2 hour up the trail when my wonderful guide spotted some dear up in the trees. I could see 2 does and Scott thought he could see a buck laying down. We decided to head up to the top of the hill and then walk back down to see what they would do. We walked down about 25 yards and then the buck stood up. My heart started pumping and Scott quietly told me to get ready. He handed me the shooting sticks and I knelt down and scoped in the buck. He was about 120 yards away and was surrounded by does and was starting to walk away from us. Luckily they all didn't take off on a run because they didn't know where we were at. Scott whispered to me to wait for him to clear away from the does and when he is to take a shot. He slowly moved away from the others for a second and turned to the side so that I had a clear shot, but I wasn't ready. It all seemed to be happening so fast and I couldn't believe that this moment was happening. I hadn't shot a gun for at least a year and I hadn't been able to go and take any practice shots this fall either. He turned his back to me and my chance was gone. I kept my scope on him and he walked a little ways and then turned back to the left and stopped. Scott whispered to aim behind his shoulder. I don't know what I was thinking, but I was aiming in front of she shoulder. I held my breath and slowly squeezed the trigger. I closed my eyes after I shot because I didn't want the scope to pop me in the eye. I heard Scott say "You got him!" When I looked back in the scope I could see him kicking around on the ground. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. I brought the 4-wheeler down and found that I had gotten a pretty nice little 3 point buck. I had shot him right through the neck and you could see where the bullet went in and where it went out. Scott then pulled out his knife and saw and handed them to me. With him talking me through it, I proceeded to gut my deer. I did ok, except for accidentally poking a hole in the bladder and having to wait for the urine to leak out. Other than that, it wasn't too bad. I was worried that it was going to stink really badly, but it didn't. After I finished gutting him, I took the heart and took a bite out of it....j/k. Nothing gross like that happened.

We then dragged him to the 4-wheeler and loaded him on the front. I have to admit that I was very sceptical about deer hunting. I actually enjoyed it because I felt like we were on a 4-wheeler ride with a purpose. I don't know if I will go every year, but I will probably go again. I know that I got pretty lucky and without Scott I would have never been able to find one on my own. I don't think I will consider myself a hunter, but I do see why people go out and do it. Being out in nature and trying to put some food on your families table is a great accomplishment.

Hunting License.......................................................$12.75

Deer Tag....................................................$19.75

Shooting your first deer at age 32.........Priceless!