severtecher said:
jhiggins, my guess is that deer did not fall down cause his legs was up to his arse in bull shiite!! I'd sure hate to have to dig him out. But hey, could happen.
Well since you asked!
One time there was this hella mast year and the deers was munchin on acorns everywhere! I already had one in the freezer from bow season, but now it was muzzleloader season and was time to try for another before all them idgits from Massachusetts invade our state and shoot anything that moves.
Anyway! I took my old flinter off the mantle and stoked up a big charge and head on down the river to Smedley's tree stand. I was tired, and figured that if nothing else I could catch a nice nap high up in that oak. Turned out I did just that, the tree was swaying in the gentle breeze and my eyelids were so heavy...
Then about dusk, I was startled awake by some rustling noises. There about 40 yards off was a nice young buck. Healthy and spry, munching on some spruce buds. I raised the ol' Pennsylvania to my shoulder, took aim and click-BAM! When the smoke cleared, the deer was still standing!
I looked at the deer and he didn't move! I'm thinking to myself I hit him, but there alone in the woods at the dimming light sometimes I get to double-guessing and maybe I didn't hit him. But why didn't he move? He didn't even appear startled. Was he deaf?
Should I chance another shot?
Quickly... feverishly... I jittered another patch and ball down the bore and rammed it home. Tap-tap-tapping some primer into the pan and cocked the hammer and click-BOOM!
By now the light was fading fast. It looked to me like the buck had turned slightly looking my way now. I was furious! How could I miss like that? I'm such a loser! Oh, the words I called myself. Now throwing caution to the wind, I unholstered the .45 Ruger from my side (I always carry backup in ML season). I stood in the stand and popped off two quick rounds. The smokeless powder did its job, and I could see in the encroaching twilight the bullets moved the deer's body this time.
AND STILL HE STOOD!
I scrambled down the tree and ran to within 20 yards of the beast. IN a frenzy of adrenalin and anger, I slammed the next four bullets into the deer. Each time the deer swayed backward and appeared to stumble but did not drop!
I holstered my gun and screamed a primal scream of fury and rage at the deer. I found myself walking deliberately toward the deer and drawing my knife - intent on butchering it on the spot.
...but when I got to the poor hapless creature, I learned this: My first shot killed it. Shot right through the heart, it fell dead, but died standing up - leaning against a sapling.
Of course by now, the buck looked like swiss cheese with a total of five bullet holes in his carcass. Yeah... I did miss a couple...
