This is a multipart series about the 2018 deer camp.

Rudy Lopez and I were checking some hunting land outside of our home hunting area when we noticed a buck in a small clearing. Those critters will remain stationary for many minutes. The deer was looking at us, so the number of points were impossible to determine.

There comes a point when a hunter must make a move. Rudy was out of the Ram and across the fence while I drove ahead 100 yards. The buck bolted when Rudy was within 30 yards of his position. Two does were a part of his herd, but we didn’t know they were with him until they were pushed. He was a 2-point on both sides and, therefore, not a legal buck.

Dr. Thomas Steffens joined us in the afternoon. We checked our home area for bucks, but couldn’t find one, not even a doe, but I wanted to stay in the area. The others didn’t. We had a deep discussion at this point, taking time away from the few hours left to hunt. Finally, I gave in and we left to search some other spots.

Sometimes fate happens, it just happens. The three of us were driving and arguing about where to hunt next when we noticed two does in land to the right of a county road. We did not have permission to hunt this land.

Wheat stubble occupied the land to the left, where we did have permission to hunt. We were a couple of hundred yards down the road when a large, 3-by-3-point buck walked over the hill headed for the does.

The Ram picked-up speed a bit and the deer kept coming, we pulled to a stop and I loaded one round and stepped off the road, aimed and fired. He dropped, kicked a couple of times and was still.

My buddies were reminded about fate, such as being at the right place at the right time, but they were having nothing to do with my version of events.

Think about it; if we were five minutes earlier the deer would have been behind the hill and not visible. If we were five minutes later, the deer would have been with the does across the road and in a spot we couldn’t hunt.

Yes, sometimes fate, destiny or just plain luck favors a hunter.

Next week: More about 2018 deer camp.