It seems to be the story of my life. Those sneaky deer see me before I see them. I was hunting yesterday in an area I have never hunted before. U.S. Steel was making a lot of noise, there were cars up and down the road all morning, and there was a large water oak in front of me with squirrels and bluejays eating and dropping nuts all morning. About 8:00 I heard some dogs across the road a good ways off so I didn't pay any attention. I heard a limb break behind me so I slipped up out of my chair to see a large white flag going through the woods to a hardwood bottom. I was in good cover so I eased over to get a better look. The sun had been behind the clouds all morning until I got into view of the deer. The sun came out in full force, I stood up and there he was, a large 12 point. About 75 yards. No match for my a-bolt 7mm. I forgot to open the glass lens covers on my Lightseeker II and the sun was glaring on the dirty scope covers. I thought I had it right behind his left shoulder but I wasn't sure. Being the picky shot person I am, I finally made out that it was behind the shoulder. I started to squeeze and he leapt forward, running up the bank beside the road where a car was coming. All I could do was watch this monster slip out of my hands. The day was over for me at 8:15, but I had to wait til 11:30 for my friend to come back. The joys of deer hunting.
