Hunter: Taylor McClain Gaines
Points: 9 (5L, 4R)
County: Elbert
Season: 2021-2022
Hunt Story
Potentially could have been the most heartbreaking hunt of my life. I’ve put in a lot of work hanging stands, trimming, fighting cows to go hunting, and trying to pattern him. Two does came in feeding on acorns, then another small buck ran them off. I could see another deer coming behind him but didn’t know what it was. Finally he stepped out, I put it on him and was waiting for a perfect shot, safety off, squeeze the trigger… ”CLICK.” This is Georgia muzzleloader season, and I couldn’t just rack another one in the chamber. While the deer is 40 yards in front of me, I’m trying to put another primer in. I thought they busted me, as they could hear my fingernail trying to pull the primer out. About 15 minutes go by, and couple intense stare downs. Finally, I was able to slide the bolt back forward and pull off the shot. - If you’ve been hunting long enough, you know the feeling.
