Post by Woody Williams on Nov 26, 2006 13:02:16 GMT -5
Grandmother, 80, nails her first deer
By Phil Potter
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Gladys Schaefer is a sprightly octogenarian grandmother who recently accepted the challenge to step outside with the boys.
It was her first deer hunt, and she vowed to bring a deer home
On opening morning of Kentucky's deer season, Gladys' son-in-law took her to a deer stand and instructed her to bag the first deer that came her way.
The Evansville woman calmly replied, "If it's brown, it's down," and waited for daylight with anticipation.
Pretty soon, the opening-day crescendo of "poke and hope" shots echoed through the countryside. Usually, the initial volley prods deer to start moving.
Gladys stayed ready. Her vigilance would soon pay off.
A large doe trotted into view and stopped 60 yards from Gladys's stand. She calmly took aim and touched off a shot that dropped the deer in its tracks.
Gladys admits she doesn't know if it was she or the deer that was the most surprised.
Her doe field-dressed a little over 100 pounds. Then she posed for pictures.
"Best of all is she now had the makings for several rolls of salami that she promised to share with us," said Tom Higgs, a Lodge School counselor who relayed Gladys' success story.
Will the thrill of the hunt carry over to next season?
"She's hooked," said Higgs. "She says next year she'll hold out for a big buck. We all believe she'll get one."
Marcus Miller of Evansville has an opening-day success story to share, too.
Miller started deer hunting a few years ago when friends introduced him to the sport. This year, he was invited to hunt with Marshall Raibley and his posse.
The group camped near the Hoosier National Forest and hunted private lands. Raibley knew the land and advised everyone where to place their deer stands.
On opening morning, the area was cloaked in a light fog. This was great for the deer but hard on the hunters, so shooting didn't start until after 7 o'clock.
"I heard a shot to my right," said Raibley. "About 10 minutes later, I heard another from my left. And then I heard the war whoop."
He went to investigate. When he saw the massive buck, he was whooping, too.
After taking pictures, they took the deer to Artworks Taxidermy in Evansville. Taxidermist Danny Knight green- scored it at a whopping 183 inches and noted the antlers carry some obvious deductions.
"The caveat is whether it's officially classed as a typical or non-typical." said Raibley. "It's huge, it's impressive and it couldn't have been taken by a more deserving guy than Marcus."
After the 60-day drying period, Miller may have a "Booner" for the books.
By Phil Potter
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Gladys Schaefer is a sprightly octogenarian grandmother who recently accepted the challenge to step outside with the boys.
It was her first deer hunt, and she vowed to bring a deer home
On opening morning of Kentucky's deer season, Gladys' son-in-law took her to a deer stand and instructed her to bag the first deer that came her way.
The Evansville woman calmly replied, "If it's brown, it's down," and waited for daylight with anticipation.
Pretty soon, the opening-day crescendo of "poke and hope" shots echoed through the countryside. Usually, the initial volley prods deer to start moving.
Gladys stayed ready. Her vigilance would soon pay off.
A large doe trotted into view and stopped 60 yards from Gladys's stand. She calmly took aim and touched off a shot that dropped the deer in its tracks.
Gladys admits she doesn't know if it was she or the deer that was the most surprised.
Her doe field-dressed a little over 100 pounds. Then she posed for pictures.
"Best of all is she now had the makings for several rolls of salami that she promised to share with us," said Tom Higgs, a Lodge School counselor who relayed Gladys' success story.
Will the thrill of the hunt carry over to next season?
"She's hooked," said Higgs. "She says next year she'll hold out for a big buck. We all believe she'll get one."
Marcus Miller of Evansville has an opening-day success story to share, too.
Miller started deer hunting a few years ago when friends introduced him to the sport. This year, he was invited to hunt with Marshall Raibley and his posse.
The group camped near the Hoosier National Forest and hunted private lands. Raibley knew the land and advised everyone where to place their deer stands.
On opening morning, the area was cloaked in a light fog. This was great for the deer but hard on the hunters, so shooting didn't start until after 7 o'clock.
"I heard a shot to my right," said Raibley. "About 10 minutes later, I heard another from my left. And then I heard the war whoop."
He went to investigate. When he saw the massive buck, he was whooping, too.
After taking pictures, they took the deer to Artworks Taxidermy in Evansville. Taxidermist Danny Knight green- scored it at a whopping 183 inches and noted the antlers carry some obvious deductions.
"The caveat is whether it's officially classed as a typical or non-typical." said Raibley. "It's huge, it's impressive and it couldn't have been taken by a more deserving guy than Marcus."
After the 60-day drying period, Miller may have a "Booner" for the books.
