The best and the worst of 2017
- Bob Hanna: Someday
- December 29, 2017
- 1602
Well, was 2017 anything like you thought it would be? I hope there were a few surprises (for the better) along the way. I, myself, think life would be so hum drum if you planned every day, every week, every month in advance with little, if any, variation.
“Someday” revolves around chasing your dreams now, even though you still have one foot on the ground for stability.
As for us, both good and bad, we went back to Kentucky in January to try and fill Taryn’s tag for an archery cow elk without success. Even though it was hard to string three good drying days in a row, we still managed to harvest a decent hay crop this year. We added a few chickens to our daily routine along with the Chicken Hilton, which has proved to be a plus. In September we traveled to the northeast, stopping in Maine, where Taryn took a nice black bear.
I did end up harvesting three whitetail deer during the gun season, the first of which I’ve already told about. The other two, well, that’s where the best and the worst come in. The second deer surprised me on late Saturday afternoon of the first gun season, Dec. 2. As the sun started to set, so did my aspirations of seeing any deer that day. I was in my tree stand thinking of packing up when I turned around to see a deer coming toward me at about 20 yards.
It still amazes me how stealthy they can be. Nice-size deer, no horns, so I thought I would just shoot it in the head to save the meat. I raised my 45/70 Marlin, put the crosshairs on the head and boom! It looked around and just kept coming up behind me, still on a walk. I was shocked. I don’t miss.
So I cocked another round in (that lever action is awesome) and lowered the crosshairs on its shoulder. Boom! No reaction from the deer. I thought, “This is nuts!”
I figured I must be shooting high, due to the steep down angle, so I aimed below the underline and fired again. This time it ran, but as it went over the hill, I noticed a good portion of its insides were on the outside. Yeah, the dreaded gut shot.
I know it’s kinda gross, but it does happen. And when it does, what happens next may determine whether you recover the deer or not. The deer will usually find a hiding place within 100 yards or so. Before pursuing it, I texted my nephews (father and son) to come with bright flashlights. Quietly following a trickle blood trail, we were able to get within about 70 yards when they saw it down but with its head up. I finished it off from there.
I was upset, but one must learn from their mistakes. I did get to redeem myself on Dec. 16, the Saturday of the second gun weekend. I left work at noon and went home for lunch when Taryn asked me what my plans were. (Wives do that.)
I said I needed to rest a bit first, and then we’d see. She reminded me (wives do that too) that Christmas was only a week away and I had toys to build in my workshop. When I was done “resting,” I headed out the door with my rifle.
She asked me, “Where are you going?” Which I thought was kinda unnecessary as it was obvious as to my intended destination. I answered, “To get my buck.” My wife is the greatest, and she understood completely.
As I walked toward the woods, I noticed fresh tracks already crossing where I expected them to cross. So I carefully stepped into the woods and saw a nice buck and two does eating acorns at about 120 yards. I knew it wasn’t the big buck, but I wasn’t going to pass him up. I leaned against the nearest tree, lined up the crosshairs and squeezed the trigger.
This time the 45/70 proved true as it split the heart of the buck. He still managed to make it to the ravine and of course fell to the bottom. Once again, I summoned my young nephew, J.D., who is gaining fame, to help me drag him out.
I did get my buck, and I did get the toys built. We had a wonderful Christmas with family. (And my wife did forgive me.)
We pray that God will grant the best for the new year for you and your family.