Larry A. Smail's Blog

The three deer were hanging tight as I stalked them. I moved to about 70 yards and I could see the eyes upon me. I decided to do the shot.

The morning was dark and gloomy. It was a mixture of rain and heavy wet snowflakes. The sites seemed fuzzy as I pressed the flintlock against the tree. I shot and the three deer took off to high ground. The deer I shot at seemed to have slight difficulty with a leg as it ran. I hurried to check for signs of a hit. NOTHING! I moved quickly along the trail and never once did I see any signs. Was the deer hurt from the earlier deer season.? Did the doe receive a hit via a vehicle since the road wasn’t far?

I spent three hours zig-sagging around the hill sides and eventually on the flat on top. NOTHING! I was perplexed as I tried to go over the morning’s event. Later, I came across a deer bedded tight. Was this the deer? The doe was about thirty yards from me. However, a log of about seven to eight inches in diameter lay across the deer at about a 25 degree angle. I could see the eyes, crown of the head and ears above the log and some of the body below the log. I aimed and the hammer drifted quickly across the frizzen. Spark and smoke occurred, but no bang! Bye Deer!  The doe exited quickly and seemed 100% normal.

I placed more pan powder in the pan and tried again. Spark and smoke once again was the result. I debated to pull the ball wondering if moisture had flowed down the barrel. I decided to add more pan powder and force some through the vent hole. BANG! I moved to the jeep and cleaned the gun. I removed and dried the lock and wiped the barrel interior dry and loaded up. Off again to search for the deer. This time I crossed a road in case she traveled in that direction. I found nothing.

I would see one more deer, squirrels and a flock of turkeys before quitting due to leg pains. Tomorrow, I have the joy of going to the dentist to have, probable, implants. I broke one of my frontal teeth off almost to the gum line. The number two tooth on the right side. Fun time I am sure! By the way, for my journal notes, I am still coughing. Will this be a deer less year for me?

Winds were gusting today. Tree tops were swaying violently and limbs falling.