Larry A. Smail's Blog

I was a little late entering the woods this morning. We had a fresh coating of snow, but not very much. On top of the snow some light freezing rain had fallen over the nighttime hours. I cleaned off the drive and decided to head off to the woods to hunt for an antlerless deer. Our venison supply was extremely low.

I entered the woods after 8:00 A.M. and immediately saw fresh deer and turkey tracks.  I later saw 10 turkeys at two different times over the next hour or so. I saw two deer before I was 50 yards from the road. My still hunting approach allowed more sightings.

Old Jacob and the deer

My 50 caliber flintlock, affectionately named “Old Jacob” was itching for a hunt. (The muzzleloader’s name was given in honor of Delaware War Chief, Captain Jacobs who lived in Kit-Han-Ne in the 18th century.)

Thoughts of my friend’s passing surfaced from time to time. He would have loved this story!

I had hunted for about sixty minutes when I spotted a deer stand up among the fallen tree tops. The deer was 40 yards or so and allowed me a limited, but doable, target. Somehow my shot went low and entered in the brisket area. A non-fatal shot. Never-the -less, I owed the deer a complete follow-up.(This is one of those unfortunate scenarios that occasionally happens while hunting, especially with a flintlock. I may have had bullet deflection from a limb.)

I trailed the deer for about another hour seeing it once. I encircled a very brushy area and spotted a deer laying. When I felt confident it was the same deer I cocked the flintlock and the deer jumped up and took off. Obviously, this deer was in good shape!

Later, I circled around in the direction to where I had watched the deer go. I walked an old gas well road to try to catch a view of the deer. I looked to my left and saw a bedded deer about 15 yards from the road’s edge. The site was very thick with tree tops and briars. I couldn’t shoot because I wasn’t sure if this was the same deer. I continued moving quietly along until I spotted the deer’s tracks crossing the road. I knew this was the same deer now.

I eased back and once I had spotted the deer again I picked an opening and shot. The time was 10:15. What a chore removing the deer onto the road where dragging would be easy.

I had about 12 deer sightings and saw several squirrels in the short time of my hunt. A great morning indeed.

Tomorrow I will be butchering. Randy this one is for you!