This year I went deer hunting on the opener with a "brand new" rifle from my Mom....
My Mom was a very avid deer and antelope hunter. She unfortunately died way early from cancer at 58 years old, back in 2008. I was deployed to Iraq when she got sick and sent home on a red cross message and she died 3 days later. It was the hardest, most emotionally painful thing I've ever been through to this day.
I inherited her guns and they have been "Safe Queens" every since. My heart is still broken of her loss but this year something clicked and I FINALLY decided to pull her prized woods rifle she used in the hills of Kentucky for whitetails out of retirement.
Not sure exactly when it was made but she bought it new back around 1980 or so, it's been the death of many a whitetail and even several antelope in Wyoming. It's a Remington 742 Woodsmaster , enough shine and gloss to blind you!! It's also without question the worst shooting rifle in my safe, a solid "minute of paper plate" at 250!!
It's a 3006 and I worked up a handload with 150gr Sierra gamekings setting on a moderate load of H4198.
I have a stand on my farm that I own that's called the "Linda" stand, named after my mother so I thought it would be appropriate to hunt in it. She wasn't alive when I acquired this farm and hasn't ever hunted it but this little piece of whitetail heaven would be right up her alley. I put a brand new condo up there this summer but it's a well proven spot since I've had the farm the last 8 years.
On opening day of rifle season this year I headed into "Mom's" stand with Moms rifle. A little after first light I had 2 does come into the food plot and was on full alert. I could tell that something else was out there. To myself I was saying "send me a decent buck mom and I'll handle the rest!" I've carried her lifetime license on me for luck every trip and to take part of her with me.
The does picked around in the Ladino clover I planted about 40 yards from the blind, the morning light was making the dew glisten on their wet noses. Taking a detailed look through my Leica 10x42s I could even see the biggest old doe had a small split in her left ear.
After awhile of watching them feed along they both alerted and I knew something was coming in hot and a nice 8 point came screaming into the plot. I snapped Mom's rifle and made a trotting 40 yard shot. As soon as I pulled the trigger I knew the hit counted, the buck tucked hi tail and ran about 50 yards and crashed.
Now for the "unbelievable" part of this whole story and I don't care if you believe this part or not but as soon as the buck fell dead, I pulled my phone to look at the time, the screen said 7:42. Coincidence??? Possibly but I think not and as I put it all together the tears dripped down my face....
This one was for you Mom, I know your still with me!
The "Linda" stand.
Mom's Remington 742 fresh out of retirement.
By far not my biggest buck but definitely the most special!!!
Mom's lifetime license along with my best friends license that died a year after mom, I carry them on every trip.
I'll meet you on the other side, until then keep sending me good karma!!
Linda Faye Motteler
My Mom was a very avid deer and antelope hunter. She unfortunately died way early from cancer at 58 years old, back in 2008. I was deployed to Iraq when she got sick and sent home on a red cross message and she died 3 days later. It was the hardest, most emotionally painful thing I've ever been through to this day.
I inherited her guns and they have been "Safe Queens" every since. My heart is still broken of her loss but this year something clicked and I FINALLY decided to pull her prized woods rifle she used in the hills of Kentucky for whitetails out of retirement.
Not sure exactly when it was made but she bought it new back around 1980 or so, it's been the death of many a whitetail and even several antelope in Wyoming. It's a Remington 742 Woodsmaster , enough shine and gloss to blind you!! It's also without question the worst shooting rifle in my safe, a solid "minute of paper plate" at 250!!
It's a 3006 and I worked up a handload with 150gr Sierra gamekings setting on a moderate load of H4198.
I have a stand on my farm that I own that's called the "Linda" stand, named after my mother so I thought it would be appropriate to hunt in it. She wasn't alive when I acquired this farm and hasn't ever hunted it but this little piece of whitetail heaven would be right up her alley. I put a brand new condo up there this summer but it's a well proven spot since I've had the farm the last 8 years.
On opening day of rifle season this year I headed into "Mom's" stand with Moms rifle. A little after first light I had 2 does come into the food plot and was on full alert. I could tell that something else was out there. To myself I was saying "send me a decent buck mom and I'll handle the rest!" I've carried her lifetime license on me for luck every trip and to take part of her with me.
The does picked around in the Ladino clover I planted about 40 yards from the blind, the morning light was making the dew glisten on their wet noses. Taking a detailed look through my Leica 10x42s I could even see the biggest old doe had a small split in her left ear.
After awhile of watching them feed along they both alerted and I knew something was coming in hot and a nice 8 point came screaming into the plot. I snapped Mom's rifle and made a trotting 40 yard shot. As soon as I pulled the trigger I knew the hit counted, the buck tucked hi tail and ran about 50 yards and crashed.
Now for the "unbelievable" part of this whole story and I don't care if you believe this part or not but as soon as the buck fell dead, I pulled my phone to look at the time, the screen said 7:42. Coincidence??? Possibly but I think not and as I put it all together the tears dripped down my face....
This one was for you Mom, I know your still with me!
The "Linda" stand.
Mom's Remington 742 fresh out of retirement.
By far not my biggest buck but definitely the most special!!!
Mom's lifetime license along with my best friends license that died a year after mom, I carry them on every trip.
I'll meet you on the other side, until then keep sending me good karma!!
Linda Faye Motteler
