Opportunity pays off for first-time deer hunter
Story by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
This story originally appeared in the Dec. 10 issue of LSON
Channing Boone loves her family but disliked that hunting was always a boys’ affair.
“I was one of two girls in an extended family with 20 cousins,” Boone said. “We took care of the horses while the boys filled the feeders and hunted. I got to go on some rabbit and coon hunts but the deer hunting was left to the boys.”
Boone and her fiancé, Michael Flanagan, began seeking opportunities to learn more about the sport and a trip with the Lone Star Outdoors News Foundation was eventually set.
On Dec. 3, the couple headed to Stonewall County to pursue deer, and Boone, a Mississippi native who lives in Dallas, got redemption with a better buck than her brother and cousins have taken.
Hunting with her female guides, Lili Keys and Mimi Sams, the group saw plenty of bucks and got to witness rutting activity.
During the evening hunt, a buck with a doe and two fawns were out before the feeder went off, but things went silent and Boone started to fall asleep. Then two bucks and several does marched out to perk her up. A few minutes later, a mature buck walked out.
After watching the buck, Keys asked her, “Do you like that deer?”
“Would you like to shoot it?”
Boone looked at the women for answers, and both were nodding their heads.
“OK, then,” Boone said.
Getting the rifle out of the blind’s window, Boone took a deep breath and got on the deer. The buck, though, wouldn’t be still, moving behind and next to the other deer in the area. For nearly 30 minutes, Boone remained patient.
Finally, the buck crossed behind some brush into an open space. Keys helped Boone reposition in the blind.
Keys said, “Channing whenever you’re ready to take ….”
Boom. She took the shot without hesitation and the buck jumped.
It was clear the shot was good, and after a short wait, the three women headed out of the blind to seek the buck, as the sun was setting.
“Wow, I felt so at peace,” Boone said. “That was so exciting.”
Heading to the spot of the shot, the women looked for blood. After a few minutes, Sams found a small amount in the grass.
“Let’s check this way,” Sams said, and within minutes Boone spotted the buck and was overjoyed.
Holding the buck for the first time, Boone said, “He’s beautiful. Look at his neck rolls. His name is turtleneck.”
The men were called for reinforcement, congratulations and a photo shoot. Back at camp, Keys helped Boone gut the deer. Later, photos were sent to her brothers.
“This is seriously the best day of my life,” she said. “Besides, of course, getting engaged to Michael.”
