I had to get permits from four more landowners to even have a chance at him. I really didn’t think I’d pull that off but due to landowners that I do know sort of speaking on my behalf, permission was granted by all. I also had this guy on my radar. He’s only four, lives in a bad neighborhood on a piece we own, and I doubt very much he makes it through the season. So figuring he won’t make it another year, I figured I’d better give him a try. I hunted the other deer on opening day, saw him but did not get a shot. Mason fell completely in love with the other deer so I told him to have at it and never went back. I spent the entire bow season hoping to get a crack at the tall fella.
Mason saw him 14 times in his first 16 hunts. He finally got a shot opportunity on October 27. He fouled it up, something he has never done. I didn’t think there was any way the deer would survive.
The wound looked terrible. I quit hunting in order to watch this deer with the drone, morning and evening, thinking any time he would be dead. It was heart breaking, sickening. 9 days in a row I thought he would die. I do not hunt on days I fly just due to the appearance of not playing fair… and I couldn’t quit checking.
Eventually he started to look better and I went back to hunting my target but did check on him occasionally. He finally moved back to the property Mason was hunting and he was back in the game.
Friday after thanksgiving, Mason got another crack at him. 35 yard shot. He called me, mad as heck. Impact was good, result was not. I thought we’d better keep an eye on Mason .
Mason had to work Monday and Tuesday. We decided I’d hunt this piece. I shot him at 7:50. He ran into a thick field so I went home for the drone after not seeing blood at impact. Called my buddy to help me load him up.
All three wounds are seen here from the drone. Mason is just happy he is dead. I’m sure he would have like to finish the job but as I told him, “I shouldn’t have sent a boy to do a man’s job”. .
Don’t feel too bad for Mason. He still has a tag, and I’m relatively certain he will put another good one down this season. We make a solid team.
I still haven’t taken good pictures of my buck (formerly known as “Mason’s”. ). I hope to snap some tomorrow, in the snow, along with Mason and a deer he will shoot this afternoon. We will see.