Idaho Deer Hunter Magazine Fall 2012, Issue #2 | Page 15

When I got to Dusty , he was as white as a ghost . He thought for sure I was lion food . We were both very excited about the buck but very nervous about leaving him there with the lion .
When we pulled into camp my two good friend Tim and Mike were there waiting for us to return . They had just dropped by to see how the hunt was going . I think Tim knew something big had happened the minute he saw me .. I told him I had just shot the buck of my dreams but had to give him some time .
Later we picked up the blood trail and excitedly went down the hill . My heart began to sink as I saw the blood trail thinned to almost nothing . The wound had clotted closed ! My
I don ’ t think Tim and Mike were prepared for the story we told them because they just sat there with their mouths open in awe . As I sat there listening to them talk about what had happened the “ what ifs ” began to set in . I just knew that lion was feeding on my deer . They all assured me that we were going to find my buck in one piece .
. mind wasn ’ t 100 %. I was starting to only assume the worst . Tim pulled us all together and told us to stay close and let ’ s stay on this blood trail . We did just that and we started finding drops here and there . As we were going down a steep hill Mike found some really good blood . Lots of it ! The downhill walk must have opened the wound up again . Tim didn ’ t want to say anything at first but I don ’ t think he could hold it in any longer . He said , “ What is that ?” “ Give me your binoculars .” Before I could get them off , Dusty saw the buck and said “ It ’ s HIM !”
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