It was really hot, and they were all resting on stones at the bottom of this waterfall feature, since shadows were rolling in. When I circled over to the other side of the trail on other side of the ravine/draw... in the last bits of light I thought I saw a coyote, but then the Mama Doe's ears and head came up... and then I realized it was a Mama Doe and her Fawn at the top of the waterfall feature (which was dry since it was summer). So then my brain put two-and-two together and realized that's why there were 7 Lions at bottom of falls... that they probably smelled 'em up there and were waiting for dark before making a stalk perhaps.
So I was like "C-Ya! Wouldn't Wanna Be Ya!" and proceeded to continue on up my trail. Nervously putting distance between us, checking my 6 very frequently. (Since I was sporting a freshly bloodied backpack!) Meanwhile... about 1/2 mile further up the trail... the dang flashlight I was carrying (my headlamp was back at the tent, which I was hiking back in to fetch) started to flicker like the batteries were gonna tap-out!
Man... you talk about terror! And Pucker-Factor!! It was basically my 2nd year hunting. So anyhoo, I hurried up and cut the flashlight to conserve whatever juice it had left. Looked around... and it was Half-Moon night, so the line of the trail was sorta decently visible... so I figured I'd just use it to briefly illuminate parts of the trail I couldn't readily see well enough into. Eventually get back to the tent, and let out a sigh of relief as I slipped on the headlamp and checked to make sure I had the extra batteries for the flashlight as well, which I did.
Never forget that night as long as I live. Hunting is cool!
So I was like "C-Ya! Wouldn't Wanna Be Ya!" and proceeded to continue on up my trail. Nervously putting distance between us, checking my 6 very frequently. (Since I was sporting a freshly bloodied backpack!) Meanwhile... about 1/2 mile further up the trail... the dang flashlight I was carrying (my headlamp was back at the tent, which I was hiking back in to fetch) started to flicker like the batteries were gonna tap-out!
Man... you talk about terror! And Pucker-Factor!! It was basically my 2nd year hunting. So anyhoo, I hurried up and cut the flashlight to conserve whatever juice it had left. Looked around... and it was Half-Moon night, so the line of the trail was sorta decently visible... so I figured I'd just use it to briefly illuminate parts of the trail I couldn't readily see well enough into. Eventually get back to the tent, and let out a sigh of relief as I slipped on the headlamp and checked to make sure I had the extra batteries for the flashlight as well, which I did.
Never forget that night as long as I live. Hunting is cool!
