fly Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 (edited) I'll do my best to put what this past weekend means to me into words and pictures. Friday was the IL opener for me, my 11 year old son, and my dad. We headed down to the Shawnee National Forest to set up Deer Camp as is our family tradition for nearly 40 years. Last year the three of us scored a blank while my son and I didn't even see a deer, therefore things could only improve. My son was a real go getter - getting up at 4:30am and hitting the timber by 5am for a 45 minute hike in the dark. The Shawnee is a beautiful forest with mature hardwoods, hidden ponds, and steep bluffs. Friday morning was rainy, cold, and zero deer activity. We drove into town for a hot breakfast and then hiked to a new spot for the evening hunt. At 3:30pm we had not even finished setting up when I explained to my son where I figured the deer would come from. Maybe 2 minutes later - here he comes - a six pointer headed down the trail right for us. As he passed behind a few giant trees we were hidden so I told my son to get ready. He aimed his open sighted 20 gauge and as soon as the buck cleared the trees at 30-40 yards the deer saw us and stopped broadside! The buck stretched his head up to get a better look - I whispered take your shot because he's about to run. BOOM! The deer jumped and ran up the hill. I grabbed my ML and could see the buck limping as he ran to the top of the hill. We walked to the top quickly and I spotted him lying down on the side of the next hill. Trying to do the ethical thing and finish him I aimed and shot my scoped muzzeloader. The 70-80 yard shot did not reach its mark. Instead the deer got up and continued to run up and then over the next hill. This hill was not your normal hill. It was more like an extremely steep small mountain that goes down to a marsh. While the view was amazing following the deer down with an hour of daylight left was ill advised. Instead we looked for blood. It didn't take long to find the blood trail and with it pieces of gut matter. We called it a day and headed for camp. My son was sad, and kept apologizing for making a less than ideal shot. I did my best to lessen the effect, but I don't think it helped any. The next day brought sunshine and cold temperatures. The three of us hiked to the top of what we now call 6-point mountain and began the search for the deer. My dad stayed at the top with my son as I had to use my rock climbing skills to climb down some areas of the cliff. One I got to the bottom it only took me 15-20 minutes of searching before I found my sons first buck! I immediately thanked the Good Lord and had to figure out a way to get my son down the mountain to see his buck. Finally I found a way safe enough and will always remember his smile and watching him run once he spotted it. I had to skin and butcher the buck where he died as dragging / hoisting the deer up the mountainside wasn't going to happen. The picture below doesn't do it justice, but it's the best I have. We also took the skull and antlers for a camo dipped European mount. Saturday night was the opposite of Friday night. Camp was filled with laughs, snacks, and even a dance off between my son and my dad (LOL). I gotta hand it to my old man - at 70 years old he's still got it! Sunday morning my son and I slept in while my dad hunted on the hill right behind camp. After a couple hours he returned out of breath and out of shotgun shells. Yep, he shot all 5 of the shells he brought and came back to camp to get more. Finding only 2 additional shells he opted to use my sons gun. He wasn't sure if the deer was hit, only that it was staying put in one spot near the bottom of a box canyon. The plan was for my son and I to climb to the top and wait while my dad walked up the valley. This way if my dad scared it up the hill I would be there to meet it. Well, instead my son and I spooked it down to him. BOOM! BOOM! My dad now had his buck. My dad did shoot the deer earlier - but it wasn't a fatal wound as the bullet only hit the 8-pointers right antler. Since the deer drive worked opposite than we intended the buck was only a couple hundred yards from camp and an easy drag. Although I didn't harvest a deer, this was my favorite deer camp to date. I have no doubt that the memories from this past weekend will outlive me - and my friends, this is what it is all about! Edited November 25, 2013 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 That was very cool. Great memories for your son's first buck and your Dad's as well. You are correct, that is what it is all about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PriceRacing35 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Best Deer Camp To Date! (Pic Heavy) Awesome story. And nice deer! I remember my first. And we've all made less than perfect shot. Congrats on the deer and the memories!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Great story Frank. Awesome you are able to share hunting with your father and son in one trip. Congratulations to all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 This is awesome, sounds like a great time spent with those closest to you! Congrats to you, your son, and dad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Man, that is a great weekend. Congrats to your dad and son! Memories to last a lifetime. It was pretty slow where we hunt. I only seen one deer the entire weekend, and didn't even hear much shooting around us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 cool story and great pics..thanks for sharing congrats on the well earned bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 sounds like a great trip. congrats to both of them and to you for finding the buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 I thought you were a "Tough Mudder" Fly..... what the heck? Scoop that buck up by one leg and run up the mountain with it for heavens sake,lol All kidding aside, it sounds like a great weekend was had by everyone in your party and getting a couple nice bucks was just a bonus! Congrats to the sucessfull hunters and great pics to reflect back on your best week at camp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Sounds like a great weekend at deer camp. Congrats to your son and dad on those bucks. Great story and pictures. I think your son will be sporting that smile for quite awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 Man that's great Frank, that's what its all about, congratulations to your son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Best Deer Camp To Date! (Pic Heavy) That's a awesome story! Two deer on public land takes some work. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Fly, This is the best thread I've read in years. It's what deer hunting is all about. I'm headed to Ohio to hunt with my brother & his sons next week. Deer camp is 2nd to none. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Congratulations to your son on his first buck. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WStreblo Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Best Deer Camp To Date! (Pic Heavy) Congrats buddy... Reading this makes you go back to your own experiences and relive it one last time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Thanks again to everyone for the kind words. Wooly - I guess I need to turn in my orange Tough Mudder Head Band! (LOL). Bob - Best of luck to you and your family in Ohio! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Best Deer Camp To Date! (Pic Heavy) That's awesome fly! Congrats to both your son and your father! Been there a few times with my lil bro.... Not much beats that feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaHunter Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Awsome pix and story.Rite on little man,way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Congrats! Sounds like and awesome time and a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswtnhunt Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Awesome story.Congrats to them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thats some good stuff! Great story, great deer! You're laying the blueprint for your son, and to have your Dad as a part of that is just awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Great story Frank! Congratulations to all of you. That's a hunt you'll never forget and certainly what it's all about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireStation46 Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Memories for a lifetime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Fantastic!! What a great post, brother. This is my dream hunt. I didn't get to hunt this year, but 2014 is going to be a great year. I hope as great as this hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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