With the forecast of 1 to 3 inches of snow for the North Country, Rich and I decided to return to camp to wrap up my week of deer hunting. We joked on the drive to camp about the upcoming hunt and what supplies we needed. We were in a rush to squeeze in an evening hunt but we were late hitting the road. After taking inventory of food, alcohol, and supplies, we agreed Progresso soup was adequate for camp dinner that evening. That left us with one quick stop for gas and alcohol while bypassing the grocery store. We usually splurge on lobster, shrimp, clams, steaks, or ribs for our camp menu. Neither one of us was looking forward to a canned soup dinner, so in poker fashion, I raised him two cans of soup for a fresh set of tenderloins. We laughed as he called my bet since camp fare is usually the most important item on the camp list.
I had been exploring new areas several miles from the camp. With the Adirondack Park at our doorstep, the options for exploration are endless. However, Rich had seen several deer on watch and a nice buck while walking out right above the camp. We decided that I would join him since he had a few options for me. Rich thought it would be best for me to set up overlooking a draw, and he would post up a few hundred yards above me. Since he noted more than one buck had been taken out of that draw over the years, I was looking forward to the hunt.
We pulled into the camp, unloaded the few bags we had, then rushed to put our hunting gear on. It was already approaching 3 PM. Being in a rush is something that usually never occurs at camp. However, on this occasion, we were both in a hurry to get up the mountain. For me, I had this hunt and the following morning before boarding a flight in the afternoon.
With my gear donned, I grabbed the rifle and went out the door to the end of the driveway. As I waited, I assessed the wind. I also took a minute to appreciate the moment since this would be one of my last hunts. That moment included a glance at the 3Shoes sign as I watched Rich come down the driveway. I then pressed my hand to the sign as a show of appreciation and wish for good luck. I joked with Rich to grab some mojo, so he pressed his hand on the sign and we proceeded to start our hunt.
One-half mile up the logging road, we turned into the woods. To minimize our scent and allow Rich to show me the area, we decided to walk in together and split up a few hundred yards from our planned hunting locations. We only got 100 yards into the woods when two deer exploded in front of us. Flagging tails, which is the normal description of deer sightings for me in the North Country. However, the wind was good and these were the first deer I’d seen in 3 days and miles of hunting up here. My hopes were running high.
Since we were a few hundred yards from our desired locations, we split up as Rich went high and I went low. At first I wanted to creep, but the leaves were too crunchy. I decided to move fast so I could find a set up and have over an hour of sitting time. I then noticed the draw and found a sitting rock in the vicinity below the ridge that Rich instructed me to set up. Rich would be a few hundred yards over the ridge and up the mountain.
I cleared the leaves around the rock so I could rotate quietly. I then pulled out the doe scent and doe call along with the water bottle from my pack and laid them next to the rock. It was a nice spot with several shooting lanes out to 80 yards. As I noted the shooting lanes, I spotted a deer across the draw. The deer was walking slowly through thick cover about 100 yards away. I hit the doe call a couple times then put the scope on the deer. The deer glanced in my direction but continued to walk out of sight before I was able to tell if it was a buck. The wind receded so I hit the doe call a couple more times with no results.
A few seconds passed then I heard a deer fast approaching the ridge from Rich’s direction. I could tell the deer closing the distance to me, so I rotated and got into a comfortable shooting position with my elbow resting on my knee. I also felt the wind in my face! I double-checked my shooting lanes and flipped the safety to off. With the gun snug to my shoulder, I looked over the scope and saw the deer crest the ridge at 70 yards. Immediately I saw nice antlers! He was coming fast, quartering to me, and was headed toward a wide shooting lane. I dropped my head and found him in my scope.
Note: The scope really isn’t MY scope. My other brother Gary won this Savage 243 rifle and scope in a benefit raffle. Gary brought the gun to camp so I would have something to hunt with. Thanks Brother!
As the buck entered the shooting lane, I grunted and the buck stopped abruptly 35 yards away. With the buck’s right leg extended but slightly quartering to me, I put the crosshairs behind his shoulder and squeezed. This gun did not ROAR, and did not recoil, and the buck did not drop! My 30.06 does all these on elk and deer! The buck only flinched and took off. I saw it disappear 100 yards away showing no sign of injury. Doubts entered my mind on whether I rushed the shot and hit him too far back on the given angle. Rich showed up minutes later while I was marking my location and fumbling with my emotions. Rich had jumped the buck while he was kicking leaves away from his sitting position.
Snow had started to fall with more in the forecast overnight. After struggling to find only droplets of blood, we decided to track where leaves were kicked up. Sporadic droplets of blood confirmed we were on the buck’s track, but I was not happy with the blood trail.
Upon finding the buck piled up 150 yards from the shot, I gave my brother a big hug and the celebration began! Progresso soup did not make the dinner menu that night! This is a true trophy whitetail for me since it is the first buck I’ve taken, and it’s an Adirondack buck.
Adirondack Camp Journal 