OUTDOOR Tales and Trails

We are in the middle of the deer gun season and I’m sitting in the woods. Next week I’ll update you on my season but for now, I’m hunkered down waiting for the “Turdy Point Buck.” I do have a pretty good deer story to tell you. Check that, it’s a remarkable story.

I was cruising south in my truck on Piety Street in Ellsworth, minding my own business, and driving a lawful 25 miles per hour. From the west side of the street a flash came from the curb and before I could even register what was going on, an adult doe raced in front of me. With no time to hit my brakes, I hit the doe at street legal speed. She slid out in front of my truck, landing in the center of the road.

I was bummed. I felt bad for the deer and then I felt bad for my truck. I haven’t owned it long enough to take it in for its first oil change. Dang, I couldn’t believe that I had hit a deer right in town.

Before I knew what was happening, a flash went by me so fast that it took me a second to register that it was an eight-point buck. He raced across to the east side of Piety Street and then stopped, turning to look at the doe. He was the reason the doe was in the neighborhood and he was the reason she ran into the path of my truck. With my phone in hand, my instinct was to take a photo.

The buck eventually moved off to the east, jumped a fence and ran behind some houses. I figured that I better pull the doe off the road and out of traffic. As I reached for her, she jumped to her feet and ran to the north and into a little finger of woods towards Main Street. She appeared to be okay, with no obvious broken bones. Aside from her hooves sliding on the pavement, she moved pretty well. With nothing to report, I jumped back into my truck and continued south on Piety Street.

I had driven about 50 yards when that eight-point buck suddenly reappeared, darting back into the street and in front of my truck. This time I was able to stop before hitting the deer. It was obvious that he was searching for the doe as he continued on his way.

Taking stock, there are three victims in this story. First and foremost, the doe that certainly got a pretty bad headache from the collision. Then there is the buck who lost out on a, let’s call it a date with that doe. Lastly there’s my truck which initially appeared unscathed, incurred $800 in damage. I hope to see that buck one more time, just not on South Piety Street.

Didn’t get enough Dave this week? Visit “Outdoor Trails and Tales with Dave Beck” on Facebook for photos and video of Dave’s adventures. You can share your own photos and video with him there as well, or by emailing him at [email protected] Also, check out OTT content on Instagram @ thepiercecountyjournal