So anyway I worked myself up into the hay meadows and back down into the woods. Just before I got to my location I kicked up some deer I couldn't see on the adjacent neighbors property. I stepped quietly across the wet leaf littered ground on my way to my spot and I watched as another white flag bounce through the woods. I stopped and located my tree and crouched there for 1 1/2 hours just glassing through the trees with my binos. I heard a twig snap to my left and slowly peeked around the tree, being cautious not to reveal myself to much.
When I peeked around the side of the tree there stood the 4 pointer that I've been seeing while scouting not more than 30yd away
I slowly eased back to keep the tree between he and I and eased the .44 to my shoulder while earing back the hammer at the same time. I anxiously waited for him to turn to his left and walk down hill slightly to give me a good broad side shot. Finally he obliged me, I pressed the cross hair behind his shoulder and pressed the trigger. The little Marlin bucked and belched slamming a Hornady 240gr XTP-HP into him. However what he didn't do was stand still for me and he moved causing my shot to hit a little further back and slightly clip his paunch 
I watched him go for about 50yd and lay down. At this point I figured I would move up and administer a finishing shot with my S&W M10. However he got up and started to move further in and towards some real dense stuff and laid down again. I tried to position myself to get a good clear shot with the rifle but I was unable to. So I decided not to press him and watch him through my binos praying that he wouldn't suffer much longer. After about three more minutes he passed on to the great forest in the sky. I went back to my spot and retrieved my day pack so I could start in on the real work.
I opened the pocket for a pen to prepare the tag and some beach I forgot to ensure I had a pen
Being the quick thinker I am I pulled out the cell phone and called the Mrs. to bring the truck up and a pen. I also told her where I was and where to park the truck. I waited and waited for her wondering what could be taking her so long, I needed to get that tag filled out and the buck dressed as it was beggining to warm up. Finally she calls me asking where I am I told her and asked where she's at. She tells me back down the hill. Well long story short she thought the smart thing to do would be to drive around the horse trail looking for me instead of parking and walking to me as per my instructions While following through with this bright plan of hers she smacked my truck into a tree just missing the tail light on the passanger side of the bed
Finally I got the deer tagged, dressed and loaded up. Then back to the house for some pictures then we took it to my local processors meat locker. Sorry for the long story and here is a pic.
