Last light of the hunt

[qvelvet]

Have you ever noticed that the last hour of shooting light on the last day of the hunt is very productive? I have been fortunate enough to harvest a couple of last hour bucks over the last several years. There is something magical about that last hour. I had been hunting the general season this year without being able to get within rifle range of any deer that had antlers. The last day of the hunt no one was willing to go with me so I headed about 3 miles into some steep back country alone. I had never hunted the area before and it was getting dark so I started heading back. About an 8th of a mile back down the same trail I noticed some tracks on top of mine so I paused and hiked 25 yards up the other side to see across the thick brush that was surrounding the trail. A tall 2 point walked up the hillside from within the trees and brush at about 75 yards. It stopped and stood broadside for a while. I decided not to take it because it was young and I didn't want to dress it and drag it two and a half steep and gnarly miles in the dark. Eventually I went noisily back to the trail where I could still see it at about 45 yards. I still did not harvest it with about ten minutes of light left. I think it is probably a matter of effort and persistence. But it may just be the deer gods that I pray to year round having a good laugh at me. However, the last hour seems to pay off. Can anybody else relate? If so lets hear your stories.

 

[huntinguy]

Any pics?

 

[NVPete]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-12-13 AT 10:01PM (MST)[p]I'll share one from long ago. I had hunted all week and missed several opportunities to tag out. It was the last afternoon of our hunt, most of the guys had packed her in and were at camp. I was determined to fill my tag, even if it was a little meat buck, so I was out hunting alone. I came to the final ridge where I could hear all the jokes and carousing going on in camp, and sadly started down the slope, when amazingly, I crossed tracks and droppings so fresh the pellets were still warm. I thought probably a doe, but what the heck. I started following through brush so thick and low I had to crawl in a few spots.Then the track met up with others, and scattered somewhat, making it difficult to follow. About then I caught glimpse of three does crashing right below me. I figured that was it, "Oh well, it was worth the try." As I turned away to head back to camp, the final discouragement starting to set in, a last glint from brush ahead of me caught my eye...there he was,not 30 yds. away, a nice little forky. In those days of youth, even a forky would would get my blood pumping in a hurry!In the fleeting moments of daylight, I managed to dress the deer, and drag him back to camp. I stopped at a creek to kind of wash the blood off and clean up a bit. When I entered the tent, I was amazed that nobody had heard the shot. They all asked me if I'd seen anything, which I kinda avoided a direct answer, They all went back to story telling,etc. BUT I ended that when I said, "Anyone up for FRESH liver & onions for dinner?" ...so the Gods were with me on this one!