As we drove and walked around, we talked to other hunters on the road; one hunter said he had seen some forked horn deer up higher so we headed that direction. We were driving up the road, John or George; I don’ t remember who, said“ Deer”! He was to the left out about 75 yards off the road. I was told that it was mine to shoot so George and I exited the truck. I was nervous, and I hadn’ t even seen the deer yet. George walked me around and through some trees for a better view, then, calmly talked me through what I was going to do next. Not being a great shot I envisioned myself sitting down to shoot as I would be steadier, but that wasn’ t going to work. I lifted my rifle, but he was standing facing us so a broadside shot was out. I aimed for where I had been told a good lung shot would be and squeezed the trigger. The deer started to take a step so I thought I had missed, he took a few more steps and dropped. I was shaking, my husband John was saying“ yes, you got him” George high fived me I think. We walked over to where he was laying. I had shot him right through the neck, a forked horn, by no means a trophy to some, but a trophy to me, and meat in my freezer that I could proudly say was mine. It was such an adrenaline rush I couldn’ t believe I had actually done it; I wanted to tell the whole world and I tried!
George and John walked me through field dressing him( after we took several pictures of course) we carried / dragged him up to the road and got him in the back of the truck. I was proud of myself for accomplishing what I didn’ t think I could. Oh, the earrings I mentioned earlier, well I ended up leaving them in, and they are now referred to as my“ lucky” earrings. I was also wearing them when my husband shot his first Elk a few weeks later that season and will wear them on every hunting trip I take.
This year I am hoping to again be able to bring home a deer and look forward to my 13 year old son hunting with us for his first time. My 10 year old daughter also looks forward to her first hunting experience. No man( or woman) should be left out of the sport of hunting, I no longer have to dread being abandoned in the fall while John takes off on a hunting trip, I can just pack up my gear, including my earrings, and tag along!!
10