Well boys, I've been hunting public land along the lake here, shotgun or muzzie only. I chose my rifled Handi 20 ga, and some nice accurate sabots. Took a stand in a fallen over tree that gave me a good view of a dried up slew of water where there was a lot of sign.
First three deer passed just after first light. There is a derelict boat up ahead, that I had paced off to 200 yds. The deer were at least 30 yds. beyond. I watched the buck frolic with the does for a while until they made their way out of sight. About 10:00 am a BIG buck came out following their trail and moving like a man, (buck) with a purpose the way they went.
10:30 am, small buck comes back trotting back the way he went. In a little bit, he came back out on the trail of more does.
11:00am, Seven deer in sight. I'm doing mental calculations on bullet drop and energy from a sabot slug. I'm figuring about 6 feet of holdover and about enough energy to stun a sparrow.
12:00 noon, I took out my sterno and freeze dry and had lunch. About 30 min. later, a coyote came into the clearing and chased his lunch down, (a mouse I think), and ate it. He was about 250 yds. I had a beautiful silver colored fox next.
Sometimes thereafter I took my nap. Didn't mean to but I did. I awakened about 1:00 or so, and walked up the way the deer went. About 80 yds out were some fresh tracks, still beginning to fill with water.
Deer 1, Ben 0.
Good day in the woods. I'll go back Sat.
Ben