cantkillathing
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I wanted to shoot something with the Muzzleloader this year, I have never killed anything using blackpowder rifle. I have done the dedicated hunter program for 18 years now and not once have I shot a deer during this season. I just got off working all night and decided at last minute to go hunt. I put on my boots, didnt change my clothes, so I was in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. I got to my trail head right at light. Walked up the hill, and spotted some bucks. I noticed one was heavy antlered so I kept sneaking up the hill up to my last set of trees before it opened up and watched 8 bucks feeding. They were too far away, and I didn't think they would make it in range, but a decided to be patient and just sit and wait. An hour went by and they were still working their way closer and closer. I started ranging different spots where they might go, and I decided if they got to this one bush on the hillside I would take the shot. I then had to make a decision either to shoot the heavy 3 point buck or shoot the traditional 4 point buck that was in the group. It should have been a simple decision, but after some debate I decided I didn't care it was a 3 point I was going to shoot him because he was massive and everything about him was big, bigger body, and bigger antlers. As luck would have it the buck made it to the bush that I had ranged. I pulled up my gun and pulled the trigger. Now everyone that knows my shooting abilities knows I am more likely to miss my first shot, I do it all the time, buck fever sets in and I missed. I always think its fair to give warning shots to animals before I shoot them. Anyhow the deer look up and look around and they couldn't decide what just happened. They are looking down my way, my pack is 10 yards behind me. I belly crawl to my pack and grab a reload, belly crawl back, hurry and reload, and the bucks moved 15 yards up the hill. I squeeze off the 2nd shot and down he goes like a ton of bricks. I reload again in case he gets up. The other bucks stand there and wouldn't move off. I then called my father in law to get his pack and bring some help to pack out my buck. I went up and didn't have a selfie stick to get good pics. I then down sized the buck thinking he is maybe a 150 class buck. a couples days went by and I needed to clean the head up. I then got curious of what he scores. I taped him and was doing the math in my head and thought no way. I then put the numbers on paper and was surprised that he scored 172 inches of bone. I guess it goes to show how sometimes dumb luck can pay off. Thanks to my father in law, and my oldest 11 year old son, my Friend and his boys, for helping with the pack out.