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It was opening day of general firearm season for deer. It was unusual that the hunt club had not run dogs through "my block" all day, and it was a perfect day to climb into one of my stands that evening. I have several physical problems relating to my spine and joints, but couldn't resist the temptation of a relaxing, seasonably comfortable afternoon hunt. I decided to get in one of my stands near the edge of a swamp, in mature oak trees. I didn't climb into my stand until 3:45 or so, and the comfort of the stand made me "doze off". I know that this is not a good thing to do, but I was secured. At 4:30, something woke me, and I looked down toward the swamp, and there was a nice buck about 35 yards away, looking right up at me, while I had my shotgun (870 Ultra-mag) across my lap. Well, I felt like I had been caught with my pants down! I didn't move a muscle, figuring he would do one of two things... either turn and bolt away, or come on up my way (if he hadn't recognized my presence). He started easing up toward me, and as he went behind a big red oak, I eased the gun up, and slowly followed him with a "bead on". When he got within 10 steps of my tree stand, I blasted him with a 'point-blank' load of #1 buck shot. He hit the ground with the impact, and then got up and bolted closer to my trail that I came in on. He did me a favor by decreasing the "drag" distance.
I walked over to be amazed at his antler configuration, and then drove my golf cart home to get the wife. She helped me retrieve the deer. Folks around here call it a 14-pointer, but I'm not sure the small points around the base count? Anyway, I was happy!
This successful hunt was in southern Virginia on November 19, 2005.
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