Yesterday ended up being a pretty good afternoon. It was a beautiful day outside and after lunch, I decided to go to one of my regular deer hunting spots to check some coyote snares I had put out at the request of the landowner. Once there, I proceeded to unload the calf sled and start the 1mile trek in and out on the cutline that bisects his property (landowner allows me access to hunt and trap his property but foot access only...and I'm more than happy to oblige). I only had 6 snares set on random trails as the owner didn't want any bait put out (he was concerned about his dog wandering...)
I wasn't expecting much success but was pleasantly surprised to find 4 coyotes in the 6 snares I had set. The walk out with the full calf sled was a satisfying feeling.
After getting everything loaded into the truck, it was time to head home. But because he had requested me to do so, I stopped by at the landowner's house with the intention of quickly informing him of the catch but...as so often happens...he convinced to stay a bit longer for a visit. After a few coffees, some good conversation with said landowner and his wife, and him extending my hunting/trapping privileges for next year...I finally hit the road home towards late afternoon.
What had already been a good day was made even better as I headed westward with a nice sunset in front of me...
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A few hundred yards before entering into my driveway, I happened to glance out into the field where deer had been feeding...and the dark profile of an antler stood out against the white snowy background.
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I recognized this buck, as he has been feeding in my yard since December and he is the only buck that has shed out of 12 bucks that are regularly in my yard...he dropped both sides approximately a week ago.
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I got some great mid day pics of this buck up close and personal from one of my groundblinds in mid-November but I can't seem to find those particular pics in my "too many" pics and folders...
But I did find this after-season game camera pic of him...
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I also have this buck's sheds from last year (found in Feb 2017} and other than a 4 inch kicker he grew on his left G2 this year...he is virtually the same size as last year.