Hunter: Ralph Edwards
Points: 10 (5L, 5R)
County: Jackson
Season: 2015-2016
Hunt Story
Earl is his name....had him on trail-cam video back on 10/21/2015 @ 3:30 AM. Had not seen him from stand. I always check in with my wife at certain times to let her know I am OK, and to make sure she is OK at home. Had just finished talking to her, and was putting phone back into my jacket. He had walked from cut-over into hardwoods where I was in my climber (Without my noticing it....duh!). As I looked up from getting phone back in my jacket, I saw him walking down the trail he was traveling. I knew it was Earl! Grunted at him once, he stopped and looked in my direction. I shot and he started trotting on down trail, then slowed to a walk and went up side of ridge across from me. He got almost to top of ridge and stopped. I shot again (through some very thick brush) and he started walking again. I saw him flick his tail, but then I lost sight of him. Texted my son who was hunting about 450 yards away. He told me to sit tight for at least an hour and a half (long wait!). Got down at 10:00 and walked to the spot of first shot. Found bright red, frothy (lung shot!!) blood where he was standing at first shot. Looked around and saw more blood alongside trail and on a tree. Also saw where my bullet had hit the tree. Looked out the path he took and saw blood on some blown down trees, then beyond them on leaves. Knew he was hit hard, so I began following the blood trail. Found him laying at top of ridge where I had last seen his tail flick!
