You just never know what’s going to transpire on any given hunting trip. The only thing that’s for dead certain is you don’t have a chance for success if you stay at home. It’s a given: you have to show up and hunt to expect anything good to happen. Simply put, you can’t kill them at the house. If you go often enough and hunt smart, eventually the worm will turn.
Buck Stacy shoots; he scores!
Local all-around sportsman Gus “Buck” Stacy has paid his dues. He’s spent more than a few hours hunkered down on a deer stand. He’s enjoyed his fair share of nice deer. But he longed for a better buck. Sound familiar?
Stacy struggled through a few lean years, partly due to some questionable behavior. But once he finally put down the alleged X-rated material, his success rate zoomed. It was just a matter of time.
It happened in Brady, Texas, when, very appropriately, his brother John was along on the trip. Gus pulled the trigger on his personal best — a mature eight point, and the rest is history!
This mature buck made it all worthwhile. The effort that’s expended in search of a trophy deer, which is considerable, is all suddenly negligible.
Bro John also took an eight point that was slightly better. But Gus couldn’t have cared in the least.
Local waterfowlers have suffered through a rough first split. The balmy, summer-like weather has been the culprit. Also, high water from earlier downpours has scattered the few birds that have migrated down south.
Hunters are desperate for a few hard freezes to push the big bodies of birds to the marshes and rice fields of sweet Louisiana. Most are anxiously awaiting a new and improved second split.
It was the Tate family’s annual sojourn to Kansas deer country. Troy and his better half, wife Jill, and 12-year-old Trey were psyched and sighted-in. The rut was on. These were blessed times.
Troy, chief scout and buck spotter, was beginning to feel somewhat snake-bit. Jill, who’s taken her fair share of bucks, was smitten. She basically went to pieces when a monster eight point stepped out. She was palpitating heavily, and visibly shaken; buck fever had set in. She consequently missed, and still couldn’t shake the shakes.
Trey with his 6 by 6 Kansas monster buck.
Trey watched as another Kansas bruiser approached into the kill zone. The buck was partially obscured behind brush as the youngster waited for the green light from Dad. Suddenly, the deer changed its route of travel and disappeared, leaving the Tates shaking their heads.
This was quickly becoming a nightmare trip. Down to the last day and late in the fourth quarter, a 6 by 6 Kansas giant entered the field. Trey went on point as the buck walked in stiff-legged. He waited patiently and tried to control his breathing as Dad hyperventilated!
At 140 yards, the 12-year-old put down the hammer on a shot he’d practiced many times. He pulled off a stone-cold, drop-him-in-his-tracks dream shot.
This buck had it all, with heavy symmetrical horns and a bowed-up thick body to match. It was quite an accomplishment for a 12-year-old who was no longer wet behind the ears.
A shout goes out, recognizing a great effort by the McNeese Cowboys football team. A 10-win season is rare to come by, and we appreciate the fruits of the team’s labor.
This team was fun to watch, and it put on a show well worth the price of admission. Keep up the good work and carry it over into spring practice. Go McNeese!
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