Double Down

I am still processing the events of the opening day of the 2021 PA Rifle Season. It was a day that provided a story that likely won’t ever be repeated, but you never know. Here it goes…

Following our annual tradition, our alarms went off at 4:30 AM. Rob, Robert, Ken and myself rounded out the crew making the pre-daylight trek. Vince and Aiden would be coming in at first light. Less than an hour later, we made the hike into the big woods for the first day of deer season. It’s a little under an hour trek to my spot on the First Finger if I take my time. I made it there well before light, changed into dry (non-sweaty) warm clothes, and pulled out my Thermos for some coffee. I took a deep breath of fresh air and admired the still, dark, snow-covered woods. It was a beautiful sight.

I didn’t hear many shots at first light, but it didn’t take long to get my first action of the day. Just after 7 AM, I saw a deer working through the bottom below me. It was heading directly towards the spot I shot my 2020 first day buck. I pulled up the binoculars and could easily tell it was an average sized doe.

While we had talked about whether or not we would shoot a doe on the first day, something in the back of my mind kept telling me not to. It was still early (just after daylight early) and there was still a good chance bucks could naturally be on the move.

After watching her for about 5 minutes, I thought I saw movement behind her. I pulled up my binoculars, but didn’t see anything. I went back to the doe. Thirty seconds later, I once again thought I saw movement from the thick cover behind her. Once again I pulled up my binoculars. This time, I saw a deer, accompanied by a BIG RACK.

Immediately I knew this was not only a shooter, but quite possibly the biggest buck I had ever laid eyes on in the woods. I grabbed my rifle and rested it on the tree to my right. I was already on the buck’s broadside shoulder, but his head was just covered by a tree. I contemplated the shot. “Just breathe” I thought to myself. They had no idea I was there, and I elected to let the bucks head clear the cover before shooting.

I would come to play this decision over and over in my head for the rest of the morning.

The buck finally stepped out from behind the tree, but his few quick steps caused me to lose him in my magnified scope. I pulled off and got the binoculars back out. Once again, I found him but this time his body was behind the tree. I decided that as soon as his shoulder appears, I am taking the shot.

He took a step, and I squeezed the trigger. The deer all scrambled in the bottom for a second, then stopped. I got back on the buck. He looked unfazed. He was facing directly away from me. He began to run off and I fired again before watching them all take off into the bottom.

What just happened?

I gathered my pack and gun and descended down to where the buck stood when I shot, not exactly sure what to think. I felt solid about the shot, but worthless about the buck’s reaction. I scanned the area, and couldn’t find an ounce of blood. I saw where I thought my bullet obliterated a log, but nothing else. Fearing they would soon be gone for good, I took up the trial, thankful for the few inches of fresh snow.

After tracking the group for about 15 minutes onto the next ridge, I finally caught up with them. I had just crested over the ridge when they spooked at just 50 yards. Shoot. I failed, however, to lay eyes on the rack. And believe me, it was a hard one to miss.

Beginning to contemplate if I missed the buck laying there, I decided to turn back and search the area again. This time, Ken headed over from the point of the first finger to help look. I explained the story to him, highlighting just how big this buck was. He had crazy long G2s and G3s, followed by a smaller G4s. I knew he was at least a main-frame 10, and possibly more.

We confirmed my suspicion of hitting the log that was behind the buck at the time of the shot. Seeing plenty of beech brush in front of that 10 yards away led us to believe the bullet may have deflected downward.

Drowning in thoughts and “what-ifs” I decided to work my way up the Jeep Trail Valley in hopes of catching up with the group. While I saw lots of fresh sign and bumped one doe near the Little Saddle, I never did find the group of deer from the morning.

I spent the next hour or so eating lunch on the canon range. I couldn’t see very far, but that was okay. I didn’t really have the urge to move anywhere. I was just thinking.

“You may not know it yet, but there is a reason this happened” I kept telling myself. I was repeating over and over in my head that God had something else planned, at first willing myself to believe it, but knowing it was true.

I kept trying to reach the other guys on the radio, but Ken was the only one who could seemingly hear me. He was able to check in with everyone else. Vince, Aiden, Rob and Robert were all moving about near their morning spots with not much else planned. Finally, I decided that I was just going to walk back to my spot from the morning. I felt it unlikely to see more deer there after my morning mishap, but it would be a good place to sit and enjoy the day. I was at peace with that.

I took my time getting back, but didn’t see any deer on my way. After sitting for about 45 minutes, I looked to my right as I caught movement. There was a doe broadside at just 40 yards. Once again, I contemplated a shot, especially after not connecting in the morning. After a little internal deliberation, I elected to pass again. The doe moved off out the point of the finger. I was happy to see another deer from the spot.

I spent the next hour taking in the clear bluebird day and warmth of the sun occasionally hitting my back. This was the perfect opener. Suddenly, I once again caught movement to my right. This time, the deer were coming up from the bottom onto the point.

The first deer was visibly a doe, walking left to right about 50 yards away. Then, behind her, I saw a big heavy rack. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Am I really going to get another chance at a big buck?” I thought to myself. I quickly grabbed my gun and rested it against the tree I was leaning on. “I am not missing again” I said twice in my head. I saw another small buck in the group before finding the big buck in my scope.

I watched the deer go behind a tree broadside, and awaited the appearance of its shoulder on the other side. When it stepped out, I put the crosshairs firmly behind the shoulder, and pulled the trigger. I immediately moved off my scope and watched the buck tail-tuck and run straight downhill.

I grabbed my radio “I think I just got redemption on another big buck” I told the guys. I grabbed my pack and headed to follow up the shot. I didn’t make it two steps when I heard “POW!…POW!…….POW!!” from just around the ridge. “Who is shooting?!” I radioed. No one answered.

Immediately, my heart sank. I couldn’t help but think someone else we didn’t know was right around the ridge and finished off my deer, or even worse, I flat out missed…AGAIN!

My stressed alleviated a little when Ken radioed, “Well Andrew, keep following your blood trail and I think you’ll find me at the end of it.” “Was it you that shot?” I asked. “Yup” thinking he finished off my buck.

I followed the tracks downhill but didn’t make it more than a few steps before seeing bright red blood streaking across the white snow. I followed along a few yards before laying my eyes on my heavy racked old 10-point.

The conversation followed:

AP: “Nope, I’m standing over my big 10 right here”

Ken: “What?! I am standing over my big 10 right here. He has got about 12 inch tines”

AP: “You have got to be kidding me. I bet he is the buck from this morning. Where are you?”

Ken: “Let out a yell”

AP: “HEY!”

Ken: “I am right here!”

I could then see him through the timber about 150 yards away. He was standing on the Jeep Trail where his buck expired. I still don’t think I fully processed that moment. I looked down at my buck, still in shock. Ken decided to hike up to help me drag mine down to his for pictures.

When I laid my eyes on his buck, I immediately knew it was the one I missed that morning. Like I said, those tines are unforgettable.

It was even harder to believe that these two bucks were traveling in the same group. When I shot, the rest of the group ran around the point straight to Ken, who happened to be hunting his way OUT of the woods! Unbelievable. He didn’t make it two steps towards me/my shot when he saw the tall rack monster running his direction. We dropped them at 2:05 PM and 2:07 PM respectively, less than 200 yards apart. UNBELIEVABLE.

We got some great pictures to help forever etch a once in a lifetime memory. Thankfully, Vince and Aiden came along and helped with the long drag out. It has been said before, but Vince once and for all added “This is the last deer I am dragging out of these woods!” we all shared a laugh. Both of these bruisers will be headed for the taxidermist.

Aiden, undoubtedly, carried the group…oftentimes helping me drag mine before doubling back and giving Vince or Ken a hand on his. While the rack on Ken’s was surely bigger, Aiden assured mine was the heavier of the two.

“Yea, you know, I was just opting for the more mature buck” letting out a laugh and obviously joking.

Below are the two bucks “kissing” to display the uniqueness in each rack. Ken later self-scored his at 143.75″ and I scored mine at 131″. Both great mature PA mountain bucks.

We were able to accomplish our goal and make it to the top of the hill before Rob and Robert, hoping to see their reaction (not knowing exactly what we had shot). Robert was also able to shoot a nice doe as we were dragging our bucks out. Hopefully you hear that story soon as well as it involves a great shot, field de-boning and a pack-out in the dark.

Their arrival at the truck brought surprised faces, congratulations, and as always, cold beer and great stories. Surely, a day I will never forget.