By: Wes Gall
We are all in this game of life. It’s a game full of ups and downs, thrills, spills and so much more. The pursuit of happiness is what everyone is seeking. At what point is that happiness the purest? I’ve had many moments growing older that have been a pinnacle! Graduating, meeting my wife, having kids, family anniversaries, getting a promotion, hunting and fishing successes. Seems like the more effort and energy you put into an interest, the greater the rewards and happiness you get out of it.
Hunting is what makes me happy! Finally, after 10 years of pouring all of my energy into everything that I know and love, God graced me with the hunt of a lifetime. I often joked that the desire to harvest a big buck started as a “Monkey on my back” and has grown into a gorilla! Whatever type of primate it was, it is definitely off my back! I can honestly say I deserved this. This was my year. It had to be, for all the hard work had to pay off eventually.
When it comes to hunting, a huge part of me resides in the bluffs of Southeastern Minnesota with my Uncle Jay. I was fortunate to harvest some does and bucks when I was in my teens, so my interest started to turn towards harvesting a buck that would be what I wanted on my wall and in my freezer. A buck that would tell stories long after I’m gone.
My story takes place the second weekend of Deer Hunting during the 2014 Minnesota Firearms hunt. My brother Joe and I headed down Friday morning in single digit temps. It was my brothers first time hunting in many years, which made this hunt even extra special. We made it to our destination and piled on the clothes to combat the cold. We made our way up a steep bluff that we named “Heart Attack Hill.” Unfortunately, the name fits.
I got my brother setup in his stand with a ground blind setup below him to warm up if need be. I made my way up to the top of Heart Attack Hill dripping in sweat and got my ground blind set. I knew that this pinch point bowl at the top of the bluff had to produce a shooter buck! I’ve hunted this spot multiple times the past few years and had a sense that the work put in getting up the massive hill would someday pay off.
The first 2 days of battling bitterly cold temps brought us nothing but a handful of smaller fawns, does and bucks. However, the final day was anything but ordinary.
For starters, we woke up late and didn’t get to our stands until 8am. I decided to sit against a tractor-sized tree, closer to a steep ravine that I had seen the deer crossing farther down in. A light dusting of snow covered the ground. Peaceful serenity is how I would describe the woods. I took out my real rattling antlers and hit them together. Five minutes later, I found myself saying a small prayer hoping for some luck to come my way. Out of nowhere, my unheard wish smacked me in the face faster then I could even realize.
What I just asked for magically appeared into my shooting lane at 20 yards. A shooter buck, little smaller than what I fantasized about, but the biggest I’ve ever had a crack at. It was game on. I was caught off guard, he was looking right at me! My gun was pointing up. Instead of continuing on his path where I would have been given an easy chip shot, he pulled a fast one and turned downhill along the ravine into thick brush. I shifted around hopelessly trying to get a clean shot. I couldn’t twist any farther. A small hole gaped through the tangled mess of branches and BOOM! The deer ran off with a high tail. BOOM! Two shots were all I could get in before he disappeared in what all seemed like a quick flash!
I should be ecstatic, but I did not feel confident in my off balance shots. I made my way down the ravine to check out the scene. I found hair. 20 yards away I noticed a couple specs of blood. I was hopeful; that is until I saw half a rack sitting in the snow. I SHOT OFF THE ANTLER! I had a golden opportunity and blew it. My first reaction was laughter; I was disgusted, humiliated and mad. Was Mother Nature trying to teach me a lesson? "You wanted antler! I’ll give you antler!"
I hung my head and walked back to the big tree along the ravine. One more hour left, one more hour to think about the mistakes I just made. Frustration came and went. I started laughing again and thought of the monkey on my back. I felt like I learned a lesson from it. I was pondering that lesson and out of nowhere a doe came screeching into play! With the hunt coming to a close, she peeked my interest instantly! It’s the last day of the season and I’m going for it. I pulled my gun up quick and the doe spotted me. She stopped dead in her tracks! Right before I pulled the trigger I heard, “BRAA, BRAA, BRAA”. This only meant one thing. A BUCK was on her trail!
I barely held off the shot on the doe, and caught glimpse of this buck cruising the ridge. INSTANTLY I knew! I couldn’t believe the buck that was making his way right in front of me! My gun already pulled up on the doe, quickly repositioned itself on the first spot I could get my scope on this buck. He was 30 yards away and five feet away from crossing my shooting lane when with a BLINK of an eye, the doe busted me and bolted the way she came…She took the buck right with her!!
I grunted as loud as I could to get the monster to stop, but no such luck. He never skipped a beat. He was head down, nose flared and hot on doe tail. No shots fired. I was in disbelief…AGAIN. I could not believe that I just had the biggest buck of my dreams step into range at 30 yards, and I was not able to get ANY sort of shot on him. My excitement quickly dwindled to horror. My mind screamed RATTLE. I took my rattling antlers and hit them together as HARD as I possibly could. I held nothing back. I finished and put the antlers down in defeat.
Knowing that buck was not going to come back from his pursuit of happiness! I slouched against the tree, amazed again at what just took place and what took place before that. All these opportunities within one hour, I was mind boggled! The luck came and the luck went so quick!
About one minute after the rattling, I heard a twig snap to my right down the ravine. I turned to find a full rack coming my way. It was the monster! He was looking for a fight and I was beyond ready. My adrenaline kicked in full force. The buck was making his way uphill towards me. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for. I had him sighted on the front brisket. He made his way to 20 yards, stopped and looked right at me. BOOM! His knees slammed to the ground! A shock sent through my system. He got back up to his feet and scrambled downhill. I was unable to take another shot due to trees in the way. I KNEW I hit him good, but didn’t want to assume anything!
I questioned myself. “Did I just shoot a monster?” “Did I just shoot a monster?” I made a phone call to my buddy Scott, “PRAY, PRAY, just PRAY, I think I just shot a monster!” Just so happens Scott was on his way to church, “Perfect; go pray,” I told him! I sent a text to my wife “Pray, I think I just shot a monster!” The adrenaline and realization of what just happened was powerful. The presence that this buck carried with him was undeniable.
I went back to my ground blind, cranked up the heater and sat in anticipation and fear. I called my uncle Jay to make his way up the bluff, I waited 20 minutes and called him again to see his progress. Laughing came from the other end. “Where are you?” I asked. He chuckled “I’m standing by this HUGE buck on the trail. HOLY COW!”
The walk to my Uncle Jay and the giant was pure joy! It was that pinnacle of happiness I was pursuing. A memory I will treasure for the rest of my life. I had a smile on my face the whole way and I will never forget the look on my uncle’s face as well. The respect I had for this animal when I laid my hands on him was powerful. We took many pictures and savored the moment. My Uncle Jay, Brother Joe and I stood around the buck, mesmerized about the size of animal that laid before us and the story that just played out. The one that got away, led me to the one that didn't!
Best of luck in your pursuits of happiness! Thanks for reading.
