The Dickerson Buck

As told by Justin Dickerson

THE GLORY IS TO GOD

Genesis 3:27 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison.

What a roller coaster the last day and a half has been. I started my day at 4 am Saturday morning to get up in time to prepare myself and my equipment and make it to the woods before sunrise. I decided to hunt from the ground with the aid of a folding seat and good cover. The weather forecasted several major changes throughout the day and I was prepared to hunt all day if necessary. As it would have it that’s just what it took.

I hunted 11 hours through warm, rain, wind and dropping temperatures as the day progressed. My morning started with a lone doe sighting around 8 am then I sat and waited patiently until 6pm. I had been texting Theresa on and off throughout the day and scrolling Facebook hunting groups to see everyone else’s reports and successes from the past few days. Around 5 pm I told Theresa I needed to watch the trails diligently as the days hunt was coming to an end. I had left her last message unread as I was focused and ready for any of the fast action my 10-15 yard shots from the ground would provide.

Just before 6 pm my legs were cramping and I figured I would stand up for just a minute to stretch and respond to my last message. Both me and my phone were soaked from the rain I'd sat through earlier. I fought to unlock my phone for what felt like several minutes (wet screen protectors and fingers don’t cooperate well). After finally getting my phone unlocked and replying to Theresa I locked my phone and slipped it back into my pocket.

As I raised my eyes to return to my seat... there he was, crossing through my shooting lane. The shot was only possible from a seated position and it was too late! I knew my next shooting lane could be made from a crouching position. As the buck continued to walk towards that opening I began to crouch and rotate in preparation for the shot. He stopped at 10 yards and turned facing directly in my direction. I thought, "Oh no, have I just blew my chance on a mature buck?" He stared my way for a few seconds which felt like hours. I told myself, if I didn’t make eye contact he couldn’t bust me. He decided to continue back in the direction he had come from. That meant I would have another opportunity. The catch was I would have to get seated, draw the bow and make the shot all in about 5 seconds.

I began to lower my self searching for my seat as I sank lower and lower to the ground. Oh man was I going to find the seat or fall backwards? Just as I felt the seat touch my leg I knew I was low enough to get an arrow through my shooting lane and the contact with my seat would help me remain balanced. I immediately drew my bow and centered my pin in the shooting lane. Once my pin was over his vitals I squeezed my release and sent my arrow into its mark. I couldn’t believe what had just happen in the matter of seconds and was in shock. I immediately text Theresa, “I GOT MY BUCK!”. I checked the time it was 6 pm. Exactly right at the very end of an all day hunt.

I gained my composure and went to retrieve my arrow and look for blood. I was not able to find my arrow, but did begin to find blood. I followed it a short distance, marked last blood with a stick then returned to gather my pack that contained my flashlight that I knew I would soon need. I returned with my flashlight and other gear and continued blood trailing him in hopes of gaining some ground. The blood stopped and at about that time I jumped a deer from its bed... it was my buck. How was he still going? At this point I knew he needed some more time. I chose to leave and return four hours later.

I searched and searched for more blood without any luck. I then headed to the area where I'd last seen him. I could hear a deer moving through that area. Surely it be ny buck still alive? I didn’t pay much attention to it and continued to search for any sign. After some time, I was ready to call it and return in the morning. I walked down the trail to check one more place and, to my surprise, there he was bedded down... staring right at me! I quickly turned off my flashlight and quietly back-stepped up the way I had came from. I knew I was going to have to leave him until morning.

As I walked out all kinds of terrible scenarios played out in my mind. Coyotes bumping him out of the area or any other number of things that could go wrong leaving him overnight. As always I placed my faith in God and knew I would return in the morning to whatever the result God had planned. After a very sleepless night I returned to the place I'd left off the night before. I snuck up the trail to his last known location ready for whatever I might find. There he was expired in the last place I saw him!

I GOT MY BUCK! Immediately I thanked God for his grace and blessings! I generally spend this time of the year trapping coyotes and fox while working full time. I decided to hold off on trapping this year and bow hunt more. This is my 24th archery season and I have finally harvested my first mature buck at 14 yards from the ground after an all day sit. I was blessed to share this harvest with my family!