This is the buck BIG MIKE and I tagged - no ground shrinkage and a great hunt (Note: for the whole story, see the previous pic - #12) ! The shot was made at a [later] ranged 168 yards (we still haven't learned that, a range-finder, stowed in the day-pack, is of little use!) - straight into the 25+ MPH daily zeypher, thus, hold-off was not of much concern. Further, for all but the first few yards, we reckoned that the bullet path was probably sheltered from the worst of it, which, as demonstrated by the shot placement proved a correct judgement - benchrest shootin' isn't a COMPLETE waste of time. ;) For the curious, the inside spread measures 20 & 5/8ths", with a maximum outside span of 23.5": the gross B&C type score is 140 - not bad for a 3x3! :) Though not a "gummer", this buck appears to have been at least 6.5 years old - maybe older. I'm beginning to believe that the prairie deer wear their teeth out faster than deer which get to eat more green (soft) forage through the summer! ;)
During this hunt, my alter ego, BIG MIKE, and I "re-merged" - we're not so different after all - on future hunts, I'll trust HIS judgement more; every buck can't be HUGE! ;) If fact, here at home, HE's going to do ALL of the archery hunting this season - it could be a dandy! ;) Maybe I'm not as uppity as HE believed! ;)
Hopefully, people have enjoyed the pics and stories behind them, as much as I enjoyed reliving the hunts. As usual, I returned home fully charged and ready to get back to work . . . and, beginning next week, to enjoy some late afternoon 'till dark archery hunts, in pursuit of the local white-tailed bucks!
I am thankful to live, free to pursue my inconsequential dreams, express my thoughts, and enjoy security: God Bless America, and especially, those who defend us! :) RG