Rich Akin
Adirondack hunting camps are built and maintained by not only having, attracting, and keeping good people around, they are also built on great memories..
During the early part of 2021 hunting season at our camp in Warren County, we had a Saturday arrive where nearly everyone in the crew was in camp. Myself, brothers Gary and Tom, Boo and his two sons Garret and Connor and Dave T. We were now in our 4th year since Tom had taken a nice 9 pointer very late in that season, which was now hanging prominently on the wall in a nice euro mount. (See: “The Brothers Buck“) Folks who hunt the Adirondacks fairly, understand the opportunities for tagging a buck can be few and far between and going a season or two without is not only normal but almost expected. There are far fewer deer in the northern zone of NY than below the Saratoga line of the southern zone. Most of the guys live in the southern zone and fill their freezers each year down there. They come up to camp the opening weekend in October and during the first couple weeks of November for the camaraderie and camp brotherhood and a chance to connect with a mature Adirondack buck. We get caught up with the past year and build hopes for the approaching season. With the northern zone opening three weeks before southern, they get a chance to sight in their guns, get some woods walking in, and help get the wood stacked for November. It’s a special time for reminiscing and laughs.
Although a few have been taken, we have always let smaller bucks walk from this Adirondack camp. In fact, to my knowledge, a spike horn has never been shot. Realizing a good weekend camp memory was not only overdue, but with the crew that was in, it was needed.
When we were gearing up at noon to depart for our afternoon hunts, I proclaimed, fellas, we need to have something happen tonight. In fact, I said, if I see a buck that has at least a fork and I have a clean opportunity, I’m going to take him! As to be expected, the comment was meant with much sarcasm, raised eyeballs, ball busting and doubt by all. Gary and Tom were headed out to scout a new piece of State Land that looked promising on the topo map which was about a 20 minute drive from camp.
As I headed up the mountain, I thought how amazing of a time we would be having tonight if this actually did happen! It was a still evening in the woods with just a slight breeze and the leaves were dry and crunchy. The afternoon watch rolled on without incident and prime time would soon to be settling in. Suddenly, I heard a deer coming down the ridge off to my left and making it’s way out in front of me. It was a full grown doe, and she was acting like she was being chased or at least startled. I had hung a doe in estrus scent wick and some Tink’s 50 yards out in front of me on the ridge and another 25 yards closer to me. When she got to the first one, she stopped and came right toward me to the other wick and walked right past me 15 yards to my left. I decided to take some pictures and shot a video of her as she went about her business browsing and feeding and making her way 100 yards behind me to my left. It was now prime time, and for a few minutes I was content with the close video I had shot. Then I heard it! Another deer was approaching quick from the same place the doe had come from, following in her same tracks. I noticed right away it was buck, and indeed it had forks! The .270 was in place when he got to the first scent wick and turned quartering right at me. My mind had already been made up from earlier that day, my shot found it’s mark and he piled up right where he stood. He was a legitimate 4 pointer and I made my peace with him before starting the field dressing process, and then sent a text to the crew back at camp. It would be a great evening..
I had him dragged out to the nearest skidder trail when several of the crew arrived. High Fives and back slaps were abundant! We were just under a mile from the truck, and fortunately it was nearly all downhill. Garret, Boo’s oldest son, and a monster body builder grabbed the buck and slung it across his shoulders and proceeded to carry him down the mountain! A few of the others had gone into town for some extra beverages we would be needing. I had texted Gary and Tom, but cell service in our area is extremely limited, and I had not heard back from them.
They arrived about a half hour after we had gotten back and both were as happy as the rest of us! We had a great celebration that night and the next night we enjoyed the loins and backstraps. His horns were hung above a doorway near the bar in a place of honor, right alongside the bigger sets. He too, now has a story and had a great celebration memory that adds to the memories and the bonding of our camp. The following year of 2022, several chances were had but no bucks were taken. I looked up at him many times throughout the season, he was a great buck, that came at a great time, just like all the others up there had before him..
Adirondack Camp Journal 