I left camp just before 6am. Walked up into the woods to the spot I picked out back in October during the small game hunt. Snow had fallen yesterday but warmed up during the day making it crunchy this morning from the overnight drop to 22*. There was no "sneaking" into the spot. about 6:50 there was just a hint of snowflakes in the air. At 7:20 I heard a twig snap on the ridge across from mine (60 yards) and here comes a lone deer. I didn't have a scoped rifle but instead the Henry 45-70 with Tru-Glo sights loaded with a Lee 340gr FN. I watched as this doe came down across the lower flat to the creek below and got a drink.
While the head was down, I slowly pulled up the rifle and positioned myself for her to cross the creek and up on my side. She stepped out from behind a big pine tree and I took my shot. DRT.
Now...to my surprise, it turned out to be a spike buck. He had his ears up over the antlers the whole time. Hidden from my view. Without a scope there was no seeing them. I'm VERY glad there are no antler restrictions in NH.
anyway...meat for the freezer...I'm happy.
redhawk