Father’s Day Dedication
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I hope you all can take the day and enjoy your time with the family. I for one am going to spend the day doing just that.
ALSO,
Way back near the beginning when I started THIS blog one of my first posts was a dedication to my Dad who had recently passed away and I feel it only right to re-submit that dedication now. I miss you Dad and always think of you and keep you close to my heart.
By: Rick Kratzke
“Right Place at the Right Time”
This story is dedicated to my Dad who passed away in March 2006 who always told me Rick it’s all about being in the “Right Place at the Right Time”.
One of my most memorable hunting experiences was the day after Thanksgiving. After going out on a traditional Thanksgiving morning hunt during Connecticut’s shotgun private land season I noticed on my way out to go have dinner that there was a lot of active deer sign around one of my other favorite places to sit. Thanksgiving morning was a bust but, I had a feeling about this spot.
It is a small plateau of hardwoods with two high ridges of laurel bushes on either side. The funnel in between the two ridges are scattered with small hardwood saplings and all that leads to a swamp on the other end. You could only imagine what I was thinking about all that sign coming from the swamp.
I placed my fixed position API stand at the base of the funnel and proceeded to figure out the best way in as to not spook any deer. I did not sleep much that night even though I ate more Turkey than I care to admit but, the anticipation of getting in that area was making me crazy with thoughts of a huge buck.
The next morning came and I geared up and headed out. I noticed that the wind direction was very much in my favor which made me fell better. The wind was coming out of the swamp down the funnel which is where I thought the deer would be coming from. So I got situated as quick as I could and sat comfortably and waited for the sun to rise.
The morning was perfect with a crispy temp of 32 degrees and the wind out of the southeast . I was pumped up to say the least, so I started to go over scenarios in my head of how I thought things would happen. Sunrise came about 6:15 and the forest just seemed to come alive with life. . The birds were chirping and the squirrels were running around looking for breakfast and the occasional flock of Canadian Geese flying overhead, I truly love that time of day.
All of a sudden I heard a loud crash in the funnel and it was moving, as I turned to look in the direction of the noise I saw two deer coming down the funnel from the swamp. It was a very large doe and behind her was a respectable eight point buck with his nose to the ground. By the time I stood up and turned to aim the doe had stopped right behind me broadside at twenty yards. I quickly looked over and the buck had stopped at forty yards and was acting real spook. I hadn’t filled a tag as yet and my time was running out to fill my freezer so I figured I would harvest the doe.
I aimed for the front shoulder and squeezed off a round out of my twelve gauge Mossberg and the doe jumped and ran ten yards before falling over. I quickly looked over to see where the buck was and realized he was still standing in the same spot. I noticed he was about ready to bolt out of there so I had one more tag and figured I would try to end my season on a good note. The shot area was not that great but I did not have any other option so I pumped my last round in and aimed ,squeezed and the buck turned and ran. It did not act like it was hit but I climbed down and went to check anyway, I owed it to the deer at least.
I made my way over to where the buck was standing and saw nothing but where he turned and ran. I tracked him for about fifteen yards when I started seeing blood. I went another 40 yards where I found him laying under a laurel bush. After that I had to go home and tell my Dad he was right.
Dad, I will miss you and think of you often and I always will remember It’s a matter of being in the Right Place at the Right Time.
[...] Tails and Trails dedicates a nice story for Father’s Day [...]
June 14th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Great story Rick. I wasn’t fortunate enough to read this the first time you posted it so I’m glad you re-posted it for everyone’s enjoyment.
It definitely is about being at the right place at the right time, and I think that morning you definitely accomplished that.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:50 am
That’s a good story and a nice tribute to your Dad. I’m glad you brought it out of the archives so those of us who didn’t get to read it the first time could see it.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Arthur & Kristine, I am glad you were able to catch the post this time. Your comments as usual mean a lot.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:04 pm