For several hours, I saw nothing. Then, about 6:45, deer began filing down the mountain. Within five minutes, deer were everywhere. I had several shot opportunities at nice does but held off, as Josh had advised. But my patience was growing thin, and with three beautiful does feeding 20 yards away, and darkness fast approaching, I decided to collect some more venison.
My shot was true, and the doe fell within my sight at the edge of the field. I radioed the guys to tell them of my success, and soon Josh, Matt, Ryan, and Dad came lumbering up the nearby dirt road in the old red Hummer, which supposedly was originally owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger just after the Gulf War. How the Hummer ended up here, I don't know, but it was a perfect vehicle for the deer wars we were engaged in.
Family is everything to me, and what a thrill it was for me to have my son and my dad, three generations of O's, together in the field. That was far more exciting than shooting a big buck. I thanked God for yet another special memory and for letting us share it together. Ryan and Dad had arrowed their first deer, and my does had completed the family slam. I was very proud of what we had accomplished. I plan to get Ryan -- and my dad -- down to Potts Creek again soon. As for Ryan's missing a few days of school? He'll never get this kind of education inside a school classroom.
Author's Notes: Ryan used his Browning Micro Midas 2 bow, Carbon Express Terminator 6075 arrows, and 75-grain Muzzy heads. He wore Realtree Hardwoods camo. Dad used a Parker Ultra Lite bow, Carbon Impact Fat Shaft 6000 arrows, Rocky Mountain Titanium-100 broadheads, and wore Outfitters Ridge camo. I took my does with a Mathews Outback and Carbon Express Maxima 250 arrows tipped with Rocky Mountain Titanium-100 broadheads. I also used Nikon Monarch 10x42 binoculars, a Nikon Monarch Laser800 rangefinder, and Mossy Oak camouflage in a 3-D leafy pattern.
Potts Creek Outfitters' brochure says it will make a once-in-a-lifetime experience happen for you -- and it did just that for us. Josh Duncan and the staff went beyond the call to make our hunt a pleasant and successful experience. I can't thank Josh enough for setting up this hunt and for making sure we had the best hunt possible -- especially with a broken ankle.
We stayed at the historic Depot Lodge (www.depotlodge.com). The train depot dates back to 1909, when Paint Bank was the final stop of the Potts Valley Branch line of the Norfolk & Western Railway. This expansion was part of the mining boom of the early 1900's. The Depot was renovated and converted into a charming lodge, while maintaining much of the original architecture, including a 1929 caboose that was renovated into a single room!
To schedule your own hunt with Potts Creek Outfitters in Paint Bank, Virginia, call (540) 897-5555 or visit www.potts-creekoutfitters.com.
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