What a difference 10 minutes makes

[lumpy]

Out this a.m. for the opener, In the blind by 6:15, at 6:30 I had two does walk past me at 7 yards, so dark still I did not see them untill they were ight up to me. then at 6:45 I can finally glass over the field and spot two more does about 70 yards out and off they walk into the thicket. then at 6:50 I hear a grunt and look to my left and a really nice buck steps out and proceeds to walk towards me. Now mind you I can see easily with the binos , he cuts across the field and I keep looking at my watch damn not 7:00 yet 5 more minutes please, (why couldn't I have set my watch fast!!!), he fades into the thicket. Now I think to myself while he is in the field , Hey I shoot a muzzleloader who would know that I was shooting at a deer and not fouling my barrell???? I could always shoot another load in an hour to make it believable. Well I let him walk due to the desire to comply with the regulations. I hope my better judgement will be rewarded. Taking the 5 year old out with me this evening for his first hunt. (ear plugs included).
I wonder how many people would have made the same call????
Good luck to all the hunters in the woods and be safe

[NSD]

Responsiblity makes the rewards in life that much better.
Good call! Where did you say you were hunting?:lol:

[Wishn I was fishn]

Hope you werent on the eastern part of the state. Cause legal shooting starts at 6:53 am on the 15th. Hopefully yul see him again. sounds a successfull hunt regardless.

[lumpy]

Hunting right here in Eagle, (lansing area) , Local t.v. said sunrise was at 7:30 this a.m. Hunting regs say for zone B 6:53 +6 minutes so 6.59 a.m.

[Fred Bear]

let me get this straight. You are asking if you followed the law if that was right or not?

[mightywhitehunter]

Wow, you can have 10 clocks in a room and they would all be off by several minutes. My watch would have said 6:59--I envy you for having that courage not too shoot. That is unreal! Hats off to you for sure!

[FISH]

good choice.. hmmm i'm glad i leave the watch at home when i hunt

[zr800o1le]

True Sportsmanship at it's Best!
Way to Go!!!! :)

[bigg_kev]

Does anyone know what time it is?:lol:

[elvis]

yeah all my clocks are different as well, also i specifically dont carry a watch with me out in the open, i sit as long as i possibly can without looking, usually around 930 or 10 am, if i can see it i focus to much on time and not enough about staying out there as long as possible

[lumpy]

Fred bear , How could you get that thought from my post , I stand by the idea that I did it the right way and how frustrating it was to watch that big boy slide into the woods without so much as an chance. I am proud that I play by the rules and always strive to set the example not the rule. I did the right thing and in my mind I wonder how many wouldn't have.

Now on the better part of the story ,

Sat with my 5 year old last night and had the biggest deer I have seen in about 5 years step out. Took what I thought was a good shot. He ran wobbled a bit , turned and headed for the pines , It was dark and I know where he headed. Son was tired and wanted to go home and I had a 7:30 meeting last night . Now if he is down he will be found this morning . I am heading off to hopefully be rewarded for my choice. I took a quick look before we left for blood but it was getting dark and and I found no immediate signs but again it was a quick look . dead is dead and if he went down last night he will be recovered today I am positive about this.

Lumpy

[Fred Bear]

Now I think to myself while he is in the field , Hey I shoot a muzzleloader who would know that I was shooting at a deer and not fouling my barrell???? I could always shoot another load in an hour to make it believable. Well I let him walk due to the desire to comply with the regulations. I hope my better judgement will be rewarded.
I wonder how many people would have made the same call????

because of this statement. You did the right thing and your judgement will (or sounds like it allready has) be rewarded. Good call. I guess I miss-read your post. I thought you were asking if you made the right decision or not.

[devo024]

Good job Lumpy, now go find that deer and post some pics!!!;)

[Markfaz]

Well???

[lumpy]

Just got back , Found the deer where I thought Really nice 8 point very heavy massed, If I was to guess at least a 200+lb deer. I need to take a few moments to relax and hope to have pictures of the deer and Jake(my son) this evening.

Gonna have a european mount done and will hang in the boys room .

Best Birthday present I have ever had. Hunting with the son and a quality deer to boot:D .

Lumpy

[Freestone]

Boy 680 views and no one said they would have blasted him immediately? I'm shocked!:lol:

[lumpy]

I have pictures now and will post them under a new follow up heading to this.