My son and I returned from our annual deer hunt in Pennsylvania with some wonderful stories and a gift of a whitetail buck. The area we hunt has been the same for going on 30 years. There has been little change here and the woods are as beautiful as the first time we walked to the top of the mountain. These 69 year old legs screamed a bit but I'll never complain. This trip was a bit short, reasons numerous but I won't bore you with those details. The time was quality and pretty much that's all that matters.
It was 19 degrees when we started our 2 mile climb up the mountain. The clear sky and bright moon assured us the need for a flashlight was unnecessary, and at 4:30 in the morning it was almost well lit naturally. I was on stand long before legal shooting time. Sitting in quiet darkness your mind clears itself of all the things that are really unnecessary and you focus completely on the task at hand which is placing a tag on a deer. Over the course of seven hours I saw a total of 11 deer all of which were not legal to shoot. It was 1pm when my eye spotted 2 deer in a power line clearing. I watched for a few moments and there was a another deer in view, and that was a legal 9 point buck. They were moving through the clearing which was a 150 yards from where I stood. I made a quick decision to take a shot. I brought the scope right on the bucks shoulder and let the 243 round fly. I could see the buck stumble and knew I had him. A quick second shot brought him down. I waited a few minutes and started walking down to the deer. As I got closer to where he was hit I was startled to see he was not there. I started my search for the deer and it didn't take long to find him.
A beautiful Pennsylvania 9 point whitetail buck. Before I placed my tag on him thanks were given to those who made it possible to harvest this true gift.
It was 1:30 or so when I started to drag him out. I told my son to go back and continue hunting and he would catch up to me later. As I moved down the mountain I had hoped to hear a shot ring out and that shot would be my son taking a deer also. It turned out that didn't happen and he was with me to help drag the deer for the final leg of the. We talked and talked of the hunt and the result. These are special times between hunters, and made even more so when the hunters are father and son.
Today was the first of many dinners that we will enjoy with the gift of that deer. Jeanette made some delicious potato pancakes. They are seasoned and fried to a perfect crispness.
We had some homemade applesauce my daughter made for Thanksgiving. It went perfect with the potato pancakes. Thank you "Candy".
Everything was done to compliment venison tenderloin. The meal was simplicity with a touch of elegance.
Congrats, Alan, on bagging that nice buck along with spending time with your son hunting. It just doesn't get any better. You sure earned that buck climbing two miles uphill. That is not easy.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam hunting together for 30 seasons you have much to share, and everyone has a special thought of that year. It's a tough climb, luckily it's not straight up and there are flat sections on the various ridges where there is some rest.
Alan what a great experience, and the description of the day's events is fantastic. Love your meal! Enjoy the good food that deer graced your family with!
ReplyDeleteWill
Hibernation
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Will you can relate to some of the happenings that take place in the deer woods. Like you have said there is some wonderful natural and all organic meat that will grace our table.
All good. Love how things come together in those special experiences of life.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright
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Jim that is so true. Lots of deer hair for trout flies.
I admire that you have the stamina and fortitude to take on hunting, especially those that require uphill hikes, in order to continue to build memories with your son. That beautiful buck will live on in memory long after you have consumed the goods of your adventure..........
ReplyDeleteGramps Mel
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Mel I hopefully have a few more years on the mountain before it's time to hunt the low lands. The beauty of the hunt will stay forever.
Sounds like a fantastic and successful trip, and time well spent with your son to make some great memories. That meal looks stellar, a great job by all!
ReplyDeleteJustin Carfagnini
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Justin it was truly wonderful.
Congratulations Alan...those are the kind of days that provide great memories for years to come (and great meals for months to come!).
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher
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Jeff your right on. Got to love those meals.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a good trip spending time with your son afield!! Always enjoyable with family!
TROUTI
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Pete it was very enjoyable. It's a special feeling eating a breakfast sandwich and hot coffee at 3am with your son at Turkey Hill.
A cherished experience with your son and a successful hunt...sounds like an exceptional day.
ReplyDeleteDrew LooknFishy
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Drew an exceptional time all around.
Alan
ReplyDeleteIt's always good when one can spend time with their son, hunting or fishing. Congrats on bagging the buck, and enjoying the reward of the tenderloins afterwards. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill those times get less and less with the demands on folks these days. We do appreciate the time together.
Congratulations on a great hunt and a beautiful buck. Still trying to fill my tag with a stickbow here in WA. First time hunting big game. It's not as easy as the internet says... Haha!
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The River Dragon
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The task of taking a deer is never easy. And you have been trying to get yours using a bow which is tougher than a rifle. The internet is a wonderful resource but.......Good luck on filling your tag.