Another first in my life occurred over the last week. I went hunting for deer. I had never before had a hunting license, much less gone out with the intention of killing some creature for meat.
Earlier this year my brother- and sister-in-law purchased some land down in southern Iowa, and for weeks he had told me I need to go get my license and a tag and come deer hunting with him. I was already intending to take some time off for a family Christmas which just happened to coincide with the first half of the 2nd shotgun season here in Iowa. The family gathering was cancelled for a variety of reasons, so it worked out well that I could go with him.
My first Great Hunt....or as I have learned this years tagline should be, "5 days of bonding, freezing my ass off, and no meat or trophy to show for it."
Day 1 was very exciting, partially due to this being a brand new experience for me, but also because that is the day we saw plenty of deer. Unfortunately for us the big push that came our way managed to pass through far enough away from our position for us to get a clean shot. A little while later, my brother-in-law went to move the truck up towards the gate from the bottom of the property when luck struck. I was positioned near the southeast corner of the property and witnessed our first fortune. As he pulled up close, a young button buck invaded the property from the west. Mr. Buttons, as we called him, froze up. Phil, however, did not. He popped from the truck, grab his gun and level it out over the opened door. At this point I had not seen the deer just inside the fence line. I followed the direction of his pointed gun and saw the deer standing there just staring at him. Then I heard the Boom and no more deer. A shout of "Woo-Hoo!" came from Phil. Mere hours into our first day, and we were doing well. Phil with his newest pal pictured below:
Day 2 found only 1 deer on the property, literally as it was jumping the fence to leave, and about 100 yards out, mooning Phil as she left.
Day 3, I went out on my own to some public hunting land near the metro. Any other time of the year I could look out there and see plenty. I think they had been spooked over the past couple weeks of hunting and saw none.
Day 4, back to the property. Only 1 buck and a couple of does seen, none of them on the property.
I kicked myself for giving in to the cold. Had I waited another 10 to 15 minutes, that buck would literally have presented himself to me as a gift. If only I would've just listened to my Uncle George's words of hunker down in one spot and wait to see if a deer or the end of the day comes first. I never did listen too well, and have a tendency to be impatient. This time it bit me in the ass. I have spent the last couple weeks watching friends and family posting pictures from successful hunts, and I wanted so badly to be able to do the same. I HATE, and I mean absolutely hate, not being successful at something the first time out. I didn't care if I got some massive trophy buck or some small doe, I just wanted something worth taking a picture of while being able to fill my freezer with meat. Obviously, the arcade game Big Buck Hunter, where they present me with prey to shoot, is clearly more my speed, and completely different from the realities of being out in the countryside waiting on targets to come through.
I have received wishes of luck, reminders not to shoot myself or anyone else (especially my brother-in-law), and a few requests for deer meat from people who clearly had more faith in my hunting abilities than reality has shown. I was told a few times not to get discouraged if I don't shoot anything. I am frustrated, to say the least, and not looking forward to going back to work without having killed something. Discouraged, however, I am not. I intend to go out hunting again (and maybe listen to advice a little better), and hopefully have better outings where I will get to show off pictures of my own.
