Post by osprey on Oct 28, 2007 20:10:24 GMT -5
The final chapter in the Legend of Freakhorn was written today. In blood!! ;D
Wasn't even going to go today, don't normally fool with it on Sundays, but Dad called and told me he'd seen several bucks moving this morning on the cold weather so I had to hunt. Had decided on this particular wind direction to hunt a spot close to the farm lane - they funnel from a clearcut, around a swale and toward neighbor's cornfields there. Stopped in the lane at 3pm next to the spot when I hit the farm, rolled down the window and stuck my finger out to check the wind. Out of the corner of my eye I see movement - it's Freakhorn! He jumps back into the thickets around the swale, I can hear him take a few leaps back, maybe 75 yards in, then quiet. Well, I picked the right spot, but my timing sure sucks.
Hmm, now what? Hunt elsewhere figuring he's spooked? Try to guess where he's headed? Nope, I'm going right there. Thought he'd either lay low for awhile and then try to come back through, or maybe another buck will be cruising the same route. In the climber, up a pine and set by 4pm. Nothing but wind for a long while after that, although it's a gorgeous, cool fall evening. Just before 6 I see movement in the phrag along the swale - there's that freaky rack in the brush. Oh crap, here come the shakes.
He's working through the brush, angling toward me, was at about 40 yards when I first saw him. Luckily he moves so slow with his messed up leg that I had time to calm down, and in 5 minutes or so he was in a tiny opening at 12 yards (pretty thick spot, guess I'm used to sika!). Quartering toward me a bit, but plenty of lung angle for a good shot, and I put it perfect where I was aiming. Pass through, he ran about 25 yards and piled. Oh boy though, then the shakes really hit ( I always get them worse just after the shot ). Had to sit down for a bit, then get that climber down on the ground - and put my hands on the old boy. 
He's a pretty wild looking 7x9 this year, with one very impressive drop/kicker and lots of palmation. 5 1/2 years old (Have pics every year, and been chasing him for all of them!). I felt sorry for him with that messed up leg, but a lot of admiration for an animal that can survive so long, and so well, with that sort of disability.
Better pics tomorrow morning when I get some daylight and my cameras, this was a quick shot with my folks camera tonight...
Wasn't even going to go today, don't normally fool with it on Sundays, but Dad called and told me he'd seen several bucks moving this morning on the cold weather so I had to hunt. Had decided on this particular wind direction to hunt a spot close to the farm lane - they funnel from a clearcut, around a swale and toward neighbor's cornfields there. Stopped in the lane at 3pm next to the spot when I hit the farm, rolled down the window and stuck my finger out to check the wind. Out of the corner of my eye I see movement - it's Freakhorn! He jumps back into the thickets around the swale, I can hear him take a few leaps back, maybe 75 yards in, then quiet. Well, I picked the right spot, but my timing sure sucks.
Hmm, now what? Hunt elsewhere figuring he's spooked? Try to guess where he's headed? Nope, I'm going right there. Thought he'd either lay low for awhile and then try to come back through, or maybe another buck will be cruising the same route. In the climber, up a pine and set by 4pm. Nothing but wind for a long while after that, although it's a gorgeous, cool fall evening. Just before 6 I see movement in the phrag along the swale - there's that freaky rack in the brush. Oh crap, here come the shakes.
He's working through the brush, angling toward me, was at about 40 yards when I first saw him. Luckily he moves so slow with his messed up leg that I had time to calm down, and in 5 minutes or so he was in a tiny opening at 12 yards (pretty thick spot, guess I'm used to sika!). Quartering toward me a bit, but plenty of lung angle for a good shot, and I put it perfect where I was aiming. Pass through, he ran about 25 yards and piled. Oh boy though, then the shakes really hit ( I always get them worse just after the shot ). Had to sit down for a bit, then get that climber down on the ground - and put my hands on the old boy. 
He's a pretty wild looking 7x9 this year, with one very impressive drop/kicker and lots of palmation. 5 1/2 years old (Have pics every year, and been chasing him for all of them!). I felt sorry for him with that messed up leg, but a lot of admiration for an animal that can survive so long, and so well, with that sort of disability.
Better pics tomorrow morning when I get some daylight and my cameras, this was a quick shot with my folks camera tonight...
) and I'll eat the next thing that falls. Here's some better pics, too.
