This is my 5th deer season and the first one hunting public land. What a different experience! Finding a mentor has made all the difference and I can thank him for graciously sharing what he's learned from spending years in the woods and his love for all things hunting. So glad he was there with me Wednesday afternoon when this mountain buck appeared at 50 yards. I wasn't prepared when he presented the optimal broadside shot and had to wait as he walked straight towards me, hidden from view behind a a tree. He stopped at 20 yards, quartering to, when I decided it was then or possibly never. Hit him slightly in front of the shoulder and watched him bolt off. Not sure about my shot placement, Gerald, my awesome teacher, was so calm and allowed me to put my heart back in my chest, while he looked for blood. We found none, and set off to where we'd seen him disappear over the ridge into the woods. I can't count the emotions I felt was we looked for any sign of blood. Finally at about 200 yards, Gerald saw 3 drops and said, "Well, looks like you may have hit him". Another thicket and down into a holler, the blood trail finally opened up and my very FIRST public land mountain buck was laid out. This is an experience that I will never forget and I cannot thank my mentor enough! Looking forward to the next one!
