Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Outdoors: Remembering the gray phantom November buck
The Warren County deep woods morning broke cold and bright, an autumn snowfall illuminating forest all around. Swirling winds kicked up and brought discomfort to my hunting stand, but I hunkered down between a small boulder and a big white oak and hushed my shivering frame.
At first light I heard the yelps and wing-flaps of wild turkeys fluttering down from roosts across the hollow. I tried a few calls to coax one in, but I’m not much of a turkey hunter, and those old birds did not respond. After a while I just sat still and enjoyed being out there in the big woods all alone, on a crisp, gray November day. It was just me and the Mossberg Model 500 twelve-gauge pump gun resting across my knees, neither of us anything fancy, but both of us good enough to get the job done.
Later I grew impatient and cold, so I stood up, stretched my aching leg muscles, slung the twelve-gauge over my shoulder and headed out to explore. I began still-hunting the ridge I call Rocky Top, working slowly past tree trunks, boulders and windfall logs, hunting for turkeys and scouting for deer.
An hour later I crept down between two large rocks and peeked over the crest of the ridge. What I saw made me drop to my knees behind a small tree and freeze. Five deer cantered uphill right at me, the lead animal less than 40 yards away and closing fast.
I clutched the tree trunk and pressed my cheek against the bark. Only my eyes moved as I watched the small herd amble up and slow to a walk at 25 yards. Finally, the first deer came in so close — about 10 yards — that I could count every fiber in its thick winter coat and trace the whiskers sprouting from its muzzle. Over the next few minutes, I held still and quelled the pounding in my heart as the animals paraded by in front of me at close range, one by one.
The first two were spike bucks, but the third deer was larger and more powerful in its movements, a legal antlered deer but not an exceptional one. I counted three points on each side, but the rack was small and asymmetrical. If I spotted him early on opening day, would I take him right away or pass on him in hopes of a grander prize?
The six-point lifted his head and sniffed the air, suspicious but still unaware. The wind blew uphill from herd to hunter, much in my favor. This buck’s coat was a darker brown than those of its tan-colored companions, and as it moved, muscle rippled at the shoulder. I’d take him, I decided, if I got the chance.
The fourth deer was a little guy, short-necked, baby-faced, and a button buck. It walked up closest of all — eight yards I later paced off — and stood looking at me for a moment. It stomped the snow and bobbed its head to get me to move, as its elders and instincts had taught, but I tightened my cheekbone against the tree bark and stayed motionless, and the little deer did not spook.
Deer number five acted nervous and lagged behind the other four, nosed the air and peered back over its shoulder several times. I’d noticed its five-point rack against the snowy background early on. Regardless of antler size, I realized I was witnessing an all-male gathering of deer. A herd of young bucks in early November, not long before deer season, and all at close range, was a rare and wonderful sight to a hunter like me.
That’s when I noticed the sixth deer. Down among the rocks and twisted grapevines, camouflaged in a growth of redbrush 75 yards away, appeared the outline of a deer much larger than the others and different in color, gray, like a phantom. The big deer stood alone and declined to follow the path of its youthful herd-mates.
I waited. Buck number five slipped past me at 15 yards and looked back twice toward its greater companion before disappearing among the boulders to my left. The big deer down below did not move.
Minutes passed. My knees, sunk deep in melting snow, grew cold and stiff, and my cheekbone ached against the tree trunk. Was that a real deer down there or not? And why didn’t it move or follow the others? I thought of the things I had to do back at camp: shut the heater down, drain the well, pack the truck and start the long drive home. Maybe the big deer was only a wish from my imagination. Maybe the shape was merely stump against snow.
My patience crumbled. I stood up, and the deer leaped forward and dashed down the mountainside. I saw right then, I’m pretty sure I saw, the big, dark-colored antlers on the head of the fleeing deer. 10 points at least and a wide rack twenty inches across or more, I think I saw before the big buck disappeared.
I stood still for a minute afterwards, closed my eyes and pictured the gray ghost buck in my mind, as clearly as if I’d studied the animal from eight yards away. Then I opened my eyes and looked all around. The forest appeared empty now, just white and black and shades of gray in all directions. A shiver ran through me in the chill mountain air, and I lurched into motion, put one firm step beyond the other, and headed downhill toward camp. My legs were glad for the activity, the warmth that came from the circulation of blood.
I hiked downhill and thought about that sixth deer, that phantom prize, that buck of my dreams. Did I really see antlers from 75 yards away or only imagine them? I saw them, I decided. I’m pretty sure I saw them.
Don Feigert is the outdoors writer for THE HERALD and the ALLIED NEWS. His latest book, The F-Troop Camp Chronicles, and his earlier books are available by contacting Don at 724-931-1699 or dfeigert@verizon.net. Visit his Website at www.donfeigert.com.
- Sports
-
-
COLLEGIATE NOTEBOOK: Woods has banner year throwing shot
KRISTY WOODS of the University of Buffalo boasted a banner 2010 season for the Bulls’ track & field team.
The former Grove City High standout and multiple PIAA placewinner and gold-medalist improved as the season progressed in Mid-American Conference, NCAA and ultimately, national-caliber competition.
-
Landino, Gramley qualify for Kings finals
Hickory High student-athlete Olivia Landino and Sharon resident Brendan Gramley have qualified for the annual Kings Family Restaurants/Tri-State PGA’s Junior golf tourney player of the year championships.
-
AUTO RACING NOTEBOOK: Mike Lutz is chip off the old (engine) block
A FEW WEEKS ago I wrote about racing legend Lou Blaney and his sons, Dave and Dale, who followed him into the sport.
Another local legend is Andy Lutz — and his son is also making his mark on area dirt tracks. Mike Lutz, 40, who was born in Hermitage and currently lives in Mercer, has been around racing his whole life and has racked up 87 career wins in 24 years of racing. -
Grove City Senior LL All-Stars earn berth in state tourney
Grove City Senior Division Little League All-Stars are headed back to the state championships for the second straight year.
The locals scored 10 runs in the 4th inning and went on to defeat Woodland Hills, 13-9, in the Section 2 title game Sunday at Grove City.
The state senior tournament is being held for a 35th straight year in Emporium. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Grove City will play Section 1 winner DuBois. -
Outdoors: Paddling into the Allegheny River headwind
The deep gorge of the Middle Allegheny River evolved from glacial action thousands of years ago, but Mother Nature still plays tricks out there today. Such as the surprising and powerful upstream headwinds that five of us encountered last Saturday in Warren County during a 10-mile float for smallmouth bass.
-
SPORTVIEW: Greenville B&I Day features long-drive event as part of 60th anniversary
THE USUAL COMMENT about golf is: “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Then again there are those who drive for show and dough.
And local golf fans will have a chance to see them up close and personal on Aug. 2 during the 1st Northwest Pennsylvania Long Drive Classic which marks the 60th anniversary of Greenville Business & Industry Day.
-
Donofrio heads up Kennedy Catholic football
Rumors circulating about Kennedy Catholic High not being able to field a football team this fall are unfounded.
“This is not only about a program, but for the school to have a strong football program so that everybody in the whole school will have pride in that football program,” explained new head coach Archie Donofrio. -
Little League All-Star action
Sharpsville All-Stars will open play in the Section Senior/Junior (14-under) tournament in Swissvale today.
In Major Division (11-12) sectional action recently, Hermitage was eliminated by two close losses, falling to Bullskin Township, 7-6, and West Point-Greensburg, 2-1.
-
Necastro golf event will continue 1 more year for the kids
THEY SAY that “All good things must come to an end.” Even so the annual Nicky Necastro Memorial Fund Golf Tournament.
Tony Necastro, who founded the benefit event in behalf of his late wife Nicky 14 years ago, made a sad announcement at the conclusion of this year’s tourney at Avalon Golf and Country Club’s Squaw Creek layout Friday: “One more time!” -
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK: Cleveland fans need to realize about LeGone: It's not a tragedy!
FANS of the Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams need to put their love of the sport back into perspective.
There was far too much hoopla this week over the announcement by LeBron James that he is leaving the Cavs to play for the Miami Heat.
Understandably, Youngs-town-area TV stations interviewed fans after LeBron’s hour-long special on ESPN Thursday night.
One woman actually shed tears.
Another fan said it was “the worst thing that ever happened” in his life.
Really? I’m glad he’s never been injured or ill or jobless or hungry or grieved for a loved one. - More Sports Headlines
-
