It rained as one last insult as we got ready to leave. But the day was an entirely new one. Temperatures were cool and it was a bit breezy. Compared to the heat and humidity, it was splendid.
I was dropped off again on the Powell farm. Having sat in the blind several times, it was easy to get comfortably situated while being mouse-like quiet. In the dark I could just make out a large deer pop out in front of me and make its way down the lane.
As it got light, deer were filtering in and out of the area. At one point a pretty decent 8-point came in. I tried to figure out if it was the large deer Rick had told me to take if I could. But just about any deer would look large next to the very small doe it was with. And I just wasn't sure if the antlers would meet his minimum requirements.
I had the crosshairs on him twice, but just didn't think it was the right deer. I was brought back to my bear hunt only a few weeks previous when I waited to shoot until the bear started to leave. This time, I held off and watched the deer leave. As its butt disappeared behind some trees, my phone buzzed. Rick texted, "That's Him"
We chatted a bit and there were some expletives. I can't shoot something once it is gone just as I can't suck the bullet back in once it has left the barrel. I was hoping it would come back, but I also knew that was very unlikely. Rick "kindly" sent me a cell trail cam picture, pouring lemon juice on a growing open wound.
I did see several more deer through the morning. Most were small bucks. One more decent one came in which I oddly liked as it was kind of goofy with a long cow-tine on his right side. I thought this was the "busted off" deer Rick said not to shoot so I just watched it. Turns out, Rick would have been OK with this one as well based on body size...
I was beating myself up about not shooting and Rick didn't make it any easier - Rick likes to pour lemon juice on open wounds. So it goes (with apologies to Kurt Vonnegut). Other guys in camp were non-committal about whether they would have shot or not. This did make me feel just a tiny bit better. Maybe.
After another good breakfast, I had a bit of down time at the lodge. Then it was time to head out for my last hunt of the trip.
Rick dropped myself and Bradley and Denzil off and I went to the stand where he had seen the big deer while feeding two days previous. I know I've sat at this stand before, but looking back through past deer hunts, I couldn't find when.
Temperatures were nice, but it was really hot in the sun. I was glad when it clouded up a bit as the sun sank in the afternoon.
Time past slowly at first, not much was moving for me. I farted around on my phone a bit to pass the time. But I also kept a watchful eye on what was happening, seeing a small 4-point shoot across the lane at one point.
The late day presented, as I recall from the previous sit at this location, in a very similar manner. Late in the afternoon, three does came out. They fed for a bit until another deer popped out - possibly the same 4-point I had seen earlier. Two does left, but one remained, seemingly unconcerned.
As it started to get dark, the doe left and the buck walked directly toward me (I definitely recall this same behavior at this stand) as I started to pack up. It got quite close and I was curious if I could still shoot if he was close. Affirmative...
Another deer came out, but I couldn't see it well down at the corn. It followed the first buck giving me a chance to see antler, but very small antlers as it got close.
I finished packing up, my 2025 South Carolina deer hunt coming to an end.
Nobody had shot that night, but everyone had seen deer - and a few of them were just a nickel short. Dinner was the most excellent taco pie.
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I woke up really early and was able to sort of sleep a bit more before deciding I'd rather be on the road. A quick shower and I was out the door, early by even my standards.
I came exceedingly close to smacking a deer about an hour away from the lodge - and he was a big shooter of a deer too. I'm glad I didn't, but I'm not even sure how we didn't collide. Grow big and strong my friend! (and stay away from cars)
I started off listening to the book Who Ate the First Oyster. It was interesting, but I struggled at first since I really wanted a story. After I almost hit the deer, I turned it off for a few minutes to mentally put perspective on the week and going home without anything. I'll be second guessing this for a while, and while hindsight should be 20/20 (it isn't always), I can't say I'd do anything differently in the stand. And to be perfectly honest, my freezer has quite a bit of animal protein, so it isn't like I'm desperate for wild animal meat. Maybe that is just sour grapes...
After the pause, I really liked the Oyster book. It covered many "firsts" from before recorded history. While a bit of it was a little corny, it was overall written in a very entertaining style. I didn't realize it at the time, but the second book I had was written by the same author (Cody Cassidy) and it was even better. And Then You're Dead was about what really happens during very improbably ways to die - some theoretical, some not. It was just sciencey enough to keep me thinking, but also entertaining; a few parts were very funny. Some of the anecdotal and factoids were really interesting.
I ended up doing the entire drive with one and only one stop for fuel and coffee. Getting an early start meant little traffic by Columbia or Asheville. Even the I-40 construction went very smoothly and relatively quickly. Sometimes the drive home can be painful, but I guess I was in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.
Soon enough, I was home. S/O was gone helping her Mom, so I had the house to myself with two dogs who were very happy to see me.
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