iphone scope buck photo

Today’s great blog comes from Maryland hunter and longtime Big Deer blogger Danny Myers:

Mike: Maryland had its 3-day early muzzleloader season last weekend. I had taken my nephew on Thursday and Friday with no luck. We were a bit discouraged with the lack of deer sightings, so we decided not to go Saturday morning.

I texted his dad around 4:00 Saturday afternoon to see if he wanted to give it one more try and he said no.  I told him that if he didn’t go a buck would probably come out. Sure enough within 15 minutes of sitting down this young 8-point came out.

It took me awhile to get the scope and iPhone lined up, but I was able to get this pic. I sent the pic to his dad and he said my nephew could only shake his head in disappointment.  I watched the deer for about 30 minutes, giving him updates of all the shot opportunities he was missing by not coming with me. Eventually the deer fed back into the woods.

Later in the evening I was surprised by the sight of a 130-class deer.  I would love to have attached a picture of me holding that deer, but I somehow clean missed…100 yards, broadside, and I was kneeling with a sturdy rest. Took my time, the deer had no idea I was there.  Squeezed the trigger.  When the smoke cleared the deer was gone.  I followed his tracks in the mud till they reached the woods.  Not a drop of blood or clump of hair.  Found where the bullet hit the dirt.  I somehow must have shot under him.  I went again the next day to search for a couple hours and came up empty.  I even shot my gun again to verify it was accurate.  And, it was.

It’s been a long time since I missed a deer.  And, the ribbing I’m getting from my buddies is pretty bad.

I have been sitting up on my high horse since I killed my big buck last year.  And with the squeeze of a trigger I have been brought back down to reality.

I told my nephew I was glad that it happened to me instead of him.  And that I would have felt even worse if he had missed that deer.

Without hesitation he looked me right in the eye and said, “Uncle Danny.  I wouldn’t have missed.”