A welcome break from political topics - for the moment

This was originally released in the Fall of 2007:

I just wanted to share with y’all my hunting experience from this past weekend.

My personal best is a 9 point buck, so naturally I want something bigger. This season I have let perfectly good bucks walk by in the hope of seeing something I’d be proud to hang over my fireplace.

Long before sunup Saturday morning I slipped into a promising spot in an area that I have consistently seen deer. I had a perfect stalk to get into position. There was just enough wind and traffic noise to cover the sound of me climbing the tree. It was a perfect morning for deer hunting: cool temperatures, steady predictable breeze. I positioned myself 40’ up a large pine on the edge a hillside that sloped down into a very thick swamp. Across my front, from left to right, ran an old logging road that showed lots of recent deer sign.

I watched a gorgeous sunrise over the far ridgeline with a mist hanging over the swamp that glowed almost magically.

At 8:30 a.m. I was silently scanning my whole field of fire from left to right. A moment before the logging road to my left was empty. Now there was a new shape there. I watched closely and saw the flick of an ear, and then the swish of a white tail. Instantly, but quietly and carefully, I brought the rifle up to my shoulder.

Now in my scope I could see more clearly the large 10 point rack decorating the animal’s head. I could also see several other smaller bucks slowly amble into the trail behind their “leader”. In absolute stillness and silence I watched them as they slowly made their way along the old road directly towards me.

With great care I took off the safety and made ready for the shot. At a distance of about 50 yards, the 10 point I was eyeing turned broadside and stood stock still, in essence giving me a perfect shot opportunity. I paused in breathing and gently squeezed the trigger while holding the cross hairs over the animal’s heart.

The next sound I heard was “CLICK”! Not “BOOM” but “CLICK”.

In total amazement the thought ran thru my mind “What the …” and THEN I hear “BOOM”! There was more than enough time between the click and the boom for me to completely lose both my concentration AND my point of aim! The bullet and the deer all went to parts unknown.

I sat there, mouth agape, and watched as my quarry and his buddies all melted hurriedly back into the swamp from whence they came. To say that I was sick at my stomach does not begin to describe how I felt at that precise moment.

Everything perfect - all the way through - right up until the moment that I pulled the trigger, and then it all went to hell in a handbasket!

Other than that….I had a great hunting weekend!