The morning was short, but interesting. Light rain was present as I prepared to leave the home. Later, this would change to snow.
I crossed Cherry Run and walked about forty yards from the road when I saw a deer laying to my right. In those fleeting thoughts, I wondered if the deer was hit by a car or was shot poorly and ran down in the creek area. The very next instance, I realized the deer was a doe and just bedded at this site. Before I could get the rifle on it the deer jumped and headed deeper into the woods. The deer was bedded sixteen steps from me!
I continued on and settled in awaiting the dreary gloom to lessen. I consciously hoped a deer wouldn’t show up in the distance. I knew identifying the deer could be a problem.
The squirrels were out extra early this morning and I could hear a few turkeys across the hollow. (I would later see a turkey high in a tree.)
At eight o’clock I left to do some sneaking around. Approximately a half hour later, I was looking at a deer at thirty-eight yards. The shot was true and I, now, had venison. I had used the Remington 760 in the 30:06 caliber this day. I had a short prayer of thankfulness as per my tradition. The dark weather and open sites of my flintlock would be difficult to use in the darkened morning light, but the shot would have been great for the flintlock. The doe was a small one, but the drag would be easy.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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