Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success


VermontHunter

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After work today I finally made it to VTbowmans property at about 2:00pm to do a first ever muzzleloader hunt, I sit there all afternoon with no sign of any deer and it's getting to be close to the end of leagal light and by now I'm freezing cold do to the wind, but I talk myself into 10 more minute's when I have 3 decent doe's come running in to the apple piles so I pick out the biggest one and just as I'm about to let her rip, I hear a crash to my extreme right so I hold of and wheel around hoping it's a buck, to my dismay it's a yearly without spots but still a very small doe falling all over the place, so I hold off and watch her for a short period of time to notice she's having a real hard time staying up. Now it's decission time do I take down the small crippled doe or do I take my first option on the decent size doe ??? Needless to say I choose the injured doe, come to find out she was shot in the front leg which broke it. I was hoping for something alittle bigger for my first ever muzzleloader hunt but couldn't bring myself to let the little thing suffer. She dressed out at 65lbs. After all said and done I feel better about my choice and think it was for the best and hope my peers also agree.

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

Good choice VermontHunter. at least you won't be laying in bed tonight second guessing yourself, and thinking about a suffering deer, that you could have put out of its misery. Maybe the hunting Gods will look down kindly on you, and send a monster by you next time!!!!

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

Not many monsters here in Vermont tedicast but thanks for the thought anyhow..any decent deer would be good, I have really been trying for a nice set of antlers for rattling but no go as of yet.

I guess it will have to wait until next season I have Vermonts 3 deer limit all filled now. and yes I will sleep fine tonite no nightmare here.....

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

[ QUOTE ]

After work today I finally made it to VTbowmans property at about 2:00pm to do a first ever muzzleloader hunt, I sit there all afternoon with no sign of any deer and it's getting to be close to the end of leagal light and by now I'm freezing cold do to the wind, but I talk myself into 10 more minute's when I have 3 decent doe's come running in to the apple piles so I pick out the biggest one and just as I'm about to let her rip, I hear a crash to my extreme right so I hold of and wheel around hoping it's a buck, to my dismay it's a yearly without spots but still a very small doe falling all over the place, so I hold off and watch her for a short period of time to notice she's having a real hard time staying up. Now it's decission time do I take down the small crippled doe or do I take my first option on the decent size doe ??? Needless to say I choose the injured doe, come to find out she was shot in the front leg which broke it. I was hoping for something alittle bigger for my first ever muzzleloader hunt but couldn't bring myself to let the little thing suffer. She dressed out at 65lbs. After all said and done I feel better about my choice and think it was for the best and hope my peers also agree.

[/ QUOTE ]

my buddy did the same thing tonight. He watched the deer get hit by a car and move down a finger to him. Deer hits 50 yards and the T/C BOOMS!! gotta do it, his doe was dragging her back laeg and her tongue was hanging way out.

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

I for one appreciate the guys I allow on my property in the decissions they make for the betterment of the herd not there pride...

I was glad he took the suffering doe over one that would of yeilded 20 or 30 lbs more veni.

Its always a tough call.

Although nature would of taken care of it eventually, I still think it was the right thing to do.

Congrats to my new buddie and future long time hunting partner.

But dont feel sad, the little ones are like 40lbs of tender loins!!!

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

Thanks guys for the compliments and really does help with the decission I made. It really ticks me off as well it makes me concerned with all the poor shots that are hunting our woods. After closer inspection of this doe in daylight by myself and father we have pretty much concluded that this deer was a victim of a night poacher using a small caliber weapon from the wound size. This really angers me !!!

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Re: Half Hearted Muzzleloader Success

Part of being a true Sportsman is doing the right thing when no on else would know any different if you didn't say anything. You clearly made the right choice! Congratulations on your muzzleloader deer! The sport of hunting is better for the decision you made. It's too bad more non-hunters don't see this side of the sport. ( Oh, by the way, i would consider this a whole hearted success!) wink.gif

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