huntingmotherearth

The post was originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/lictoth/2013/04/01/edie-ott-buck-of-a-lifetime/

For several years I have tried to get drawn for one of the most coveted hunting tags.  Each year I knew this is it; I will finally be going on one of my bucket list hunts!  No such luck, until now!  This would be my once in a lifetime hunt!

When they contacted me that I had finally been drawn, a thousand questions popped into my mind.  I needed to know; what is the best time of year, what type of weather, best caliber, and of course the best person to guide me.  As luck would have it, my loving husband knew exactly who should guide me on this history making trip.  He is awesome that way!  When he realized I would be hunting this famed animal, he did everything in his power to make it happen.  And so arrangements were made, and off I went.

I didn’t realize how hard the hunt would be, both physically and mentally.  I sat in tree stands, blinds and stalked the meadows.  I would scrutinize every small sound or movement.  I was beginning to think they didn’t exist.  I had never hunted this hard or long for anything, without seeing at least one.  But I don’t give up!

The last morning of the hunt, I was feeling deflated, but I can’t shoot one in camp.  So off I went, once more.  This day started off much like the rest of them-nothing!  Then just before I was going to call it quits, I saw movement off to the left.  It wasn’t much; in fact the movement was so slight you could have almost imagined it.  I kept watching and wishing.

Finally I could see a small amount of antler.  Something was there!  It really was!  Slowly I made my way into a position to make out the animal clearly.  This was an extremely time consuming process, since I had to belly crawl over briars, rocks and poison ivy.  You try belly crawling when you don’t want to touch anything below you!  Eventually I was able to see the whole animal.  He was of mythical proportions!  I had found a Boone and Crocket to be sure!

I slowly slid the safety off of my .22 and tried to get my nerves to settle down.  This was an epic moment for me!  My heart was racing!  I took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger.  Never have I heard a .22 bark like that, it echoed in the silence.  I saw the buck hunch up and take off.  I knew I got him good!  I waited for what seemed an eternity and went to find the blood trail.  There was a good trail and some fur, this should be easy.  I followed the trail for 20 yards more or less, and there, laid out in some ferns was my trophy buck!!!

I sent a text to my guide and husband.  Of course they thought I was joking, so I sent them a picture.  I am the only hunter that I know of that has actually tagged an elusive legendary jackalope!  I apologize for the picture, but my husband was so impressed, he couldn’t stop laughing while he took this.

I like to challenge myself, so next up on my bucket list:  a Snipe Hunt!

Happy April Fool’s Day Everyone!

Photo Credit:  Photo Shop and a little Imagination