After the Shot: Deer Tracking Tips  Send by email Printer-
friendly version Share this  You slipped in, quiet as the mist,
before first light. Across the meadow and upwind from your
stand, there's an active scrape line that you're counting on.
You're confident, cleverly concealed, and comfortable. It's the
perfect set up.  As the sun clears the trees, you notice
movement deep within the hardwoods. At first, it's a shadow,
tentatively advancing towards the edge. Seconds later, you catch
a flash of polished antlers as they pass under a shaft of light.
Your heart is pounding like a kettledrum; your breathing becomes
shallow. A noticeable jitter takes hold of your hands as you
watch the nicest buck you've ever seen step out to tend a
scrape.  Suddenly, all that mental rehearsal comes into play.
You wait until he's broadside, then, as the big 12-pointer
lowers his head; you raise your rifle and centre the crosshairs
behind his shoulder. You breathe, control your nerves, and
squeeze the trigger...  In a perfect wor