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After my multiple misses and a mis-fire on the first Saturday, I was not feeling so confident in my flintlock prowess. Well, the new year started on a high note for me as made a fine shot on a mature doe on the first day of 2010.
We got a fresh dusting of snow here in Washington county and after a late start I hit the woods about 1:00 with falling temps, high winds and continued snow snowers. Tried still hunting a bit but after bumping some deer I soon realized with the crusty snow, sneaking wasn't a option.
Made my way to a natural funnel coming from bedding area and planned to sit tight for the rest of the afternoon. I wasn't there for 20 minutes when I catch some movement against the white background and make out three deer headed up the hill to me. With the snow camo on, I tucked myself even tighter into the blowdown and studied them intently through my Nikons. First was a female fawn, followed by a mature doe with a rack buck in tow. With my buck tagged filled in archery my focus shifted to the doe.
It became apparent as they closed the distance that they where headed straight at me but a big tree in front of me, which was my intended rest, became an obstacle. At a mere 6 steps the doe sensed danger and spun and trotted away. I stepped out enough for a clear shot and a a whistle stopped here at 20 yards, quartering away.
At the shot, deer scattered and I could see them headed downhill they way they came. A quick reload and I went over to look at the scene and found a good heavy blood trail. I found her piled up in a creek bottom but head still alert so another maxi-hunter with 90 grains of FFG out of the Firestorm capped a wonderful beginning to the new year.
Here she is. The late flintlock season is a special time of year for those of us that enjoy it. Good luck to all that are still in pursuit.
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We got a fresh dusting of snow here in Washington county and after a late start I hit the woods about 1:00 with falling temps, high winds and continued snow snowers. Tried still hunting a bit but after bumping some deer I soon realized with the crusty snow, sneaking wasn't a option.
Made my way to a natural funnel coming from bedding area and planned to sit tight for the rest of the afternoon. I wasn't there for 20 minutes when I catch some movement against the white background and make out three deer headed up the hill to me. With the snow camo on, I tucked myself even tighter into the blowdown and studied them intently through my Nikons. First was a female fawn, followed by a mature doe with a rack buck in tow. With my buck tagged filled in archery my focus shifted to the doe.
It became apparent as they closed the distance that they where headed straight at me but a big tree in front of me, which was my intended rest, became an obstacle. At a mere 6 steps the doe sensed danger and spun and trotted away. I stepped out enough for a clear shot and a a whistle stopped here at 20 yards, quartering away.
At the shot, deer scattered and I could see them headed downhill they way they came. A quick reload and I went over to look at the scene and found a good heavy blood trail. I found her piled up in a creek bottom but head still alert so another maxi-hunter with 90 grains of FFG out of the Firestorm capped a wonderful beginning to the new year.
Here she is. The late flintlock season is a special time of year for those of us that enjoy it. Good luck to all that are still in pursuit.
