After reviewin’ my game cameras, I concluded the best times were going to be just prior to sunrise and just after sunset. So, I entered the blind almost an hour before sunrise and sat quietly anticipatin’ my prey. Well I spent damn near 10 hours anticipatin’, falling asleep occasionally, and saw nothing – not even those pesky squirrels that know how to spin the corn dispenser on the feeder to get fresh corn whenever they wanted some.
It was a warmer than usual winter day for Central Texas, so I thought the deer were just not movin’ in the heat. There were only 15 minutes of legal hunting left and less good light, so I was getting’ ready to pack it in with hopes the next day would bring me better luck. As I rather loudly yawned and stretched prior to leavin’ the blind, I saw her – a plump 4-year-old doe, by herself, just outside of the feeder fence givin’ me a 100-yard broadside shot!
As I took aim with my Remington .308, I couldn’t help but think of the tender backstraps, ham steaks, and breakfast sausage this doe would provide. My luck had turned! I took aim and slowly pulled on the trigger while slowly exhaling, and BAM! She fell from a heart shot and didn’t know what happened – I mean she didn’t move an inch after being shot and was right next to the lane – luck was definitely on my side!
After field dressin’ my first kill on PSL Ranch it was 8:30 PM on New Year’s Eve by the time I got cleaned up and loaded the deer in my Ford F250. I called the processor in Junction, about 45 miles from our ranch, and told them I was on my way. They were still open and would be waiting for me – luck was still on my side!
The drive down Waddell Lane [DR1] is slow and rough, but the traffic through Menard was non-existent as everyone was either home or at their party place, so I figured the drive to the processor would be a quick one. After turning the corner towards Junction on 83 South, I noticed a small vibration that seemed to be new, then only 4 miles down the Highway all hell broke loose with a fireball shootin’ out from under the carriage and the truck rollin’ to a stop just off the road. Apparently, the new 4x4 transfer case decided to crack in-two renderin’ my vehicle completely useless! Lady luck had vanished, and that was just the beginnin’.
If you know the area I just became stranded in, you would also know there is no cellular[DR2] service for a mile or so in either direction. So, without hesitation I hiked a mile to the highest point where I was able to get 2 bars of cell service and called AAA (I suggest everyone get AAA!). After asking me the routine questions, I was informed that there were no AAA contract wrecker services operating in my local area, it appeared they were already partyin’. Furthermore, because my vehicle was a full-sized, dual-cab F250, the only wrecker available was 3 to 4 hours away. It was already 9:45 PM, so I said, “OK, I’m not going anywhere”. After calling for the wrecker, I called the processor and told him I wouldn’t be there until morning. He said to make sure to completely ice-down the deer as soon as I could to ensure the meat would be OK. Walking back to the truck I noticed several things. First, there was a beautiful full moon that evening, lightin’ up the countryside. There were also large shadows of birds, vultures to be exact, circling the ground around my truck (and real ones overhead). I also noticed the unmistakable howling of coyotes…many that sounded only yards away. Lastly, I noticed that not one vehicle had passed my way in an hour and it was getting’ a bit lonely out there. Where was Cassy? Well, she was in San Antonio attendin’ a wine tastin’ event and evidently tasting every wine available!
For the next two and a half hours I spent part of my time on my truck, makin’ sure the vultures and coyotes didn’t taste my venison before me, and the other part on the hill wonderin’ where my wrecker was and lettin’ Cassy know what happened. She was three sheets to the wind but promised to pick me up once I got back into town. Finally, around midnight, the wrecker arrived, and I was finally headin’ to the repair shop in San Antonio.
The wrecker driver was a friendly chap, and I was courteous in return. After all, when the one in control of your life keeps pullin’ pistols out from different areas in his cabin, explaining how he could protect himself from a small army, it is best to smile and nod in agreement. The ride to San Antonio was 3 hours, but seemed like 10. Once I was dropped off at the repair shop, with a dead deer still in the back, I called Cassy and was picked up within a few minutes. Thank God there was no traffic, as she was in no shape to drive! Now all I had to do was take Cassy back home, load up my large cooler, and ice down the deer.
The cooler I had was a big one and the deer fit in it swimmin’ly. My first stop before sleep was to the local convenience store across from the repair shop for 10 bags of ice. The young man behind the counter was also pleasant, and in a talkative mood! He was just happy to have someone in his store at that time of night and gladly sold me the ice, which I’m sure he thought was for some wild New Year’s party! Once I put the ice in the cooler, it was apparent I needed at least 10 more bags to keep the deer cold until I could get back to the processing plant later in the day, so I re-entered the store and announced I needed 10 more bags of ice. The young man laughed and said, “that must be one hell of a party”, to which I replied, “no, I’m just tryin’ to keep a body cold”.
Well, after my last statement the young fellow never said a word, nor would he make eye contact with me. He quietly took my money; but didn’t offer to help me take the ice out this time! I was so tired at that point – since I’d been up for over 24 hours -- that it didn’t hit me until after I’d slept a bit what he must have thought!
All’s well that ends well. The deer was processed and tasted great. The truck was under warranty so I paid nothin’, and AAA paid the entire $1600 towing bill. Maybe lady luck was on my side after all!
Ice for a Body
It was December 31, 2016, and the first day I was able to hunt whitetails that season. The cabin was finished in October, and although Cassy and I spent almost every weekend there, I had not been able to hunt that season due to a hectic travel schedule. I only had two days to fill the freezer with venison, before I hit the road again. With the intensive huntin’ in my area, I wasn’t expectin’ to bag a 7-year-old 12-point buck and would have been perfectly satisfied with a good tasting doe.
