No, we didn’t get a deer, but that was about the most action packed 2 hours I’ve ever had while hunting. Eli and I snuck into a shooting house well before first light. Got settled and comfy and waited for dawn. Right when the sun was peeking up two big turkeys flew down right in front of us, within 50’ and dead center in front of us like it was a show. They moseyed around for awhile then in unison jerked their heads up looking back towards the woods then flew off together. Eli and I watched where they’d been looking and sure enough out pops a biiiig ol yote. Beautiful sucker. Big and copper colored. We immediately shifted to pop him and we did come close but couldn’t quite get locked in before he trotted off into the opposite tree line. Soon after he was out of sight we heard what sounded like a dozen hueys above us and here come more turkeys. This time it’s 15 of them, and they did the same thing as the others-landed right in front of us and just worked back and forth CLOSE just hanging out and messing with each other and not giving two cares about us. Watched them for an hour or so. They worked down away from us and then all together jerked their heads up and looked back our way. We turned and peeked out the opposite window and caught sight of a doe and two yearlings running across the field behind us. No time to set up for a shot. Waited another 20 minutes or so and we were mid snack (pack of sour cream and chive crackers and Gatorade) and suddenly a bunch of does (8?10?12?) bust out of the tree line at the far end of the field and start frolicking straight our direction. I’ve never seen anything like it. Normally deer will look, smell, look again, generally be super cautious and wary, but this group just pranced out without a care in the world. Unbelievable. We waited until they worked closer to us and they finally slowed down. Elijah sat on my lap and picked one that stood broadside to use, no more than 50 yards away. He took his time and squeezed the trigger and finally BOOOOMM. She jumped and spun and ran up the hill behind her into some real thick stuff. I looked at Eli and said Dude you just nailed that deer. We waited a few minutes and walked over and couldn’t find blood or hair. Nothing. Called my buddy and he and his boy came down from their spot and helped us look. Still nothing. Called Johnv who had offered his dogs assistance and they came out and sweet poor Dixie tried and tried but no luck picking up a scent. I still don’t see how he whiffed that shot, but I guess it was a clean miss. Absolutely not the ending I’d prefer but it was a dynamite sit with my boy and for my friend and his son (they also saw deer from their spot). Thanks again John for the help. It was good to meet you and we appreciate your willingness to come lend a hand. Congrats to all the young killers out there today! We’ll get ‘em next time.

Good read.

I'm just happy to get some chances to try out my dog.