(Published December 31, 2025)

Gary Miller
gary@outdoortruths.org

I was back in my barn during rifle season, and just before daylight several does began feeding just in front of my window. The late rut was still happening so I was hoping a buck would show up to check out the ladies. As more sun began to illuminate the area, I noticed a buck up the hill at the edge of my field. It was a respectable 8 pointer. He just stood there looking down the hill at the females in front of me. This gave me plenty of time to size him up for a shot. He was only about 125 yards away. I grabbed my old Remington, laid it on my shooting pillow, and steadied my aim. I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. The shot went off, but somehow I completely missed. I mean completely. I still don't know how I missed so badly. I mean I missed so terribly, the buck never moved. He just stood there staring down the hill at the does that had remained immovable as well. I thought to myself, "Well, let's try this again." So, I proceeded to chamber another shell, only to realize I only had one bullet in my gun, and I just shot it. I looked around to find my box of shells and realized they were in my SUV just below my perch at the back of the barn. Once again I thought, "Surely there's no way I can walk to the back of the barn, go down the ladder, open the door to my vehicle, grab my bullets, climb back up the ladder, walk back to my shooting chair, load my gun, and that deer still be there for a shot." I can remember grinning as I proceeded to give it a try. When I got back to my shooting window, the buck was still there. I loaded my gun, concentrated on one spot on the deer, and made a perfect shot. What I remember most about this hunt and the story itself was my grin. My grin gave away how I had matured over the years when it came to hunting. It revealed that I had learned that what used to be unexpected obstacles were not really unexpected and we're not actually obstacles. They were just how hunting really is. When I considered them unexpected obstacles, my response was anxiety and anger. When they became a real part of the hunt, they became a reason to grin and enjoy the challenge.
You and I are about to begin a new year. If we take a deep dive into our past years, we see that things never went as we had hoped or how we imagined. So, why do we think the coming year will be any different. It won't. So, my advice is to expect the unexpected and to see obstacles as opportunities. The results will be more grins - and maybe even more successes.

Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 23 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations.