OT: The Outcast

[bigbore442001]

I slowly walked towards my stand this afternoon after a morning of waiting and watching, all for naught. As I approached the stand I went through the ritual of attaching my bow and day pack to the carabiner and 550 paracord that I haul up to my perch.

I settled in and prepared to wait. The wind was just right. West, facing in front of me as in the past deer have approached from that direction. As I sat there I could hear something in front of me. With expereince you're able to discern noises from that of a squirrel and that of a deer. Sometimes they are very close and those differences are subtle but the noise I heard piqued my interest. I froze and watched intently.

I noticed an odd shape. The shape was that of a deer's head. I observed more keenly. I have an antlerless tag in my wallet so I could take her if opportunity presented itself but I was hoping for a buck of some sorts. I watched more and saw the distinctive shape of a doe's head. Something else struck me as odd about the deer. This was no ordinary deer. Something stuck out . As a rule I have noticed does traveling in a small herd. Sometimes two or three others. This one was for a lack of a better term an outcast. A loner. She crossed a trail about twenty five yards in front of me but a clear shot was obscured from my position. I waited and hoped that she would present herself for an opportunity. In my mind I said a small prayer for a wish to take this deer. We're running low on meat and we need some deer badly. So far it has been poor hunting. At the begining of the season I fell ill and time was missed. Now my Dad is feeling poorly and he has been unable to get out into the field as much as he would like to do so.

I watched the doe intently and noticed something. She is half white. A piebald deer as it would be catagorized. I remember a couple of years ago kicking up a deer that was partially white. It seems that she has survived a number of years. She looked really big for a doe. I would guess that she is around 140 lbs dressed out. At least judging from the two does I shot last year. She wandered in the cover along the edge of the small clearing in the swamp that I overlook. She seemed undisturbed and quite content. I grasped my Bowtec Guardian and was prepared to draw and loose an arrow when the moment of opportunity presented itself. She seemed to stay in some sort of cover at all times. Every move seemed to place some sort of obstacle, no matter how small, between the opening and her. She browsed on some plants and the I could hear her scratch some itch with her left rear leg. Her white pattern was rather distinctive. Her legs were white up to the knee and her sides were blotched white. Her face and back were brown. She was quite distinctive and in many ways captivating to watch so closely. She began to come closer to me. I was getting ready. I could hear and feel my heart race and it seemed almost audible. As she moved she fed and looked right in my direction. I was about fifteen yards away and fifteen feet in elevation so I doubt she knew I was there. As she fed an opportunity presented itself. I began to draw back but I hesitated. There were a few twigs in the way and no matter how modern the bow it, it isn't a gun. I worried that I would wound such a creature rather than kill cleanly. So I waited for her in hopes that she would move more to the left into a clear shooting lane.

Instead, she moved further south down the edge of a small brook. Shortly afterwards I could hear more sounds. I suspect they were other deer that for some reason have shunned the white deer. The white deer was not accepted by the rest and is an outcast. She wandered alone and somewhat aloof to the rest of the world. The other deer did not emerge. I was hoping that maybe a buck would be following the white deer. But like many outcasts, they follow a lonely trail.

All in all it was an interesting experience. I will add that I had another run in with a bird of prey. Another hawk swooped down in front of me.

[mescalero1]

Let her live in peace, I suspect life has been hard enough for her.

[marlinman93]

I applaud you for not taking a shot that you didn't feel comfortable with! It's often a tough decision, but always the right one. Hope you fill those tags and the freezer soon! You earned it on that one!-Vall

[TedH]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[Doc Hudson]

Once again, you have proven yourself to be a true sportsman of the highest order!

And not to shabby as a storyteller for that matter.

[rjohns94]

great story. thanks. good luck with the rest of your season. blessings

[brucew44guns]

A guy told me once, " Deer are where you find them, and one will pop up when you least expect it. It's usually all over pretty fast". He was a sage old friend, but he's been right many times as I think of deer I've shot. Most likely you are going score soon, you're persistant.

[iceman]

Great story and the right decision. I am sure your chance will come. Best of luck.

[Boreman]

Great story and told well !!!!! You done good..........