Heartbreaker!

Awesome Deer

You just don’t see too many 14 pt typical bucks like this!  This is a trail camera pic from a cousin of mine.

Now for the heartbreaking news.  He was hunting with his muzzleloader a few days ago up in north MO when this brute walked out in front of him.  He made what he thought was a good shot and the buck dropped like a sack of potatoes.  He was talking to one of his buddies on the phone as he walked up to the deer and his buddy had just told him that he’d better go ahead and put another one in him to be sure.

Well you can guess the rest of the story – the deer jumped up right in front of him and ran off!  I don’t know a lot of the details at this point, I can just imagine the sleepless nights!  He’s looked for him the past couple of days, and he might be looking again today – I sure hope he finds him – what a beautiful deer!

Now is the time to be hunting over a good food source.  Young does can be key right now as well as some of them are coming in to estrous which can potentially lead a buck such as this one right into your life!

Best of luck and I’ll keep you posted on this deer!

UPDATE:  I thought I’d give you the promised update on this deer.  Unfortunately I have to report the bad news that this deer was never found.  After posting this story and talking with many blackpowder hunters, I’ve heard many, many stories just like this one where the deer drops in his tracks then jumps up and runs off with little or no blood.  I guess the lesson to learn here is to pack plenty of powder behind your sabot/ball, practice (even if it takes longer), and reload as soon as you shoot your deer just in case!