October 2010

Lorenda DayCoombs

 This month’s featured buck was shot by Lorenda DayCoombs from Southern Maine. I had the pleasure of meeting both her and her sister Janah at the 2010 Remington/Cedar Ridge bear hunt. From my experiences during that week I can tell you both are hunters, period. They have been hunting for the better part of their whole lives and they can shoot, stalk and kill anything they want. They are as dedicated to the sport as most of the fellow hunters I have met while working in this industry and I will be the first to admit I was impressed with their enthusiasm, commitment and accomplishments. I enjoyed hearing the stories of how their Dad took them out as children. Congratulations to their Dad for taking the time that he did with them. As they shared stories of their hunts during that week, I realized how strong of a bond they have with him because of the hunts they have shared throughout their lives. Lorenda’s 2009 big buck is yet another example of what persistence can do for you. She did not use the excuse of feeling a bit under the weather as a reason not to go out in the woods and it paid off. Apparently she is pretty stealthy in the woods as well because she killed that beautiful buck while stalking to her stand. The BWB team would like to congratulate Lorenda on an awesome big bodied Maine buck. 

My 2009 hunt started out like many of the hunts I have had over the past twenty years. It was my first day out and was the first Monday after opening day. I was out with two of my favorite hunting buddies who have experienced the thrills of victory and the agony of defeats with me during all my hunting seasons, my dad and my sister. Having done some duck hunting that fall in Southern Maine we had discovered some promising sign in an area we have hunted for years. Seeing buck rubs and several does we knew there was a bucks staying close. I dropped them off about a mile down the road and although I was feeling under the weather I was determined to get into the hunt. I headed into the piece with my dad's words still ringing in my ears "Lorenda, just go kill something, you'll feel better". As I was slowly making my way through some blow downs I got caught up and did a full face plant right into the sludge. To say I was irritated at this point was an understatement! Digging even deeper, I pushed forward toward my stand but less than five minutes later I caught sight of movement to my left. Halting in my tracks I could see a rack moving through the trees. Although he was moving at a slow pace when I drew my rifle he was just far enough out in the tree line that I could not get a good look at him to take a shot. I truly believed he was headed straight away down to the bog below. However, to my luck and his misfortune he turned and trotted about 70 yards from me stopping broadside. I fired off one shot from my Ruger 77 chambered in 7mm mag. Let's just say Dad was right...I did feel better! He weighed in at 192lbs. Best of luck to all the hunters out there this 2010 season and good hunting!

 

Lorenda DayCoombs