...but I'm sure he'll be mighty tasty!
After two uneventful hunts Saturday morning and evening, I wasn't able to hunt at all on Sunday. My in-laws showed up on Sunday evening and stayed until Wednesday morning, so I didn't get a chance to hunt early in the week. Yesterday evening was spent shooting bows...with the men's group at the church we've been considering joining.
I had intended to sit on stand a little this evening, but I didn't get away from work until 5:40, so I wasn't sure how much time I'd have. I decided to shower and go spend some time sitting in a Gametamers treestand, even if it was only little more than an hour.
It was around 6:45 before I spotted a couple of deer to the east walking through the woods toward my stand. I looked at them through the binoculars and they appeared to be a couple of yearling doe. I lost sight of them in the thicket for several minutes before I saw them again to the north, still working toward my setup. One of the does scampered off nervously, while the other kept walking my way. I then spotted a spike behind them that was coming in as well.
My hunting philosophy has changed significantly this year because I'm unsure of how much hunting time I'll be afforded this season. I didn't see a single deer last season on this property while on stand. I decided last week that I was going to take advantage of the first opportunity to put meat in the freezer by taking the first legal deer.
I decided quickly to take the spike if given the opportunity. He was somewhat cautious with his approach, but eventually worked his way toward the feeder and offered a broadside shot at 20 yards. I took it. The arrow slammed hard, but a little high, into the deer's side. As the deer ran under the tree I could see a bright, crimson trail streaming down it's shoulder. I watched it circle around and crash into the brush. In a matter of moments, all was silent!
I called my wife to tell her the good news. She and Hannah brought the Mule around. We took a few LDP's before loading the deer up and heading back to the shop.
It's my smallest buck ever, but there's a sense of satisfaction and excitment in that it's my first deer taken from behind our property, where hopefully I'll have years to enjoy the pleasures of an afternoon hunt after work.
Michael
After two uneventful hunts Saturday morning and evening, I wasn't able to hunt at all on Sunday. My in-laws showed up on Sunday evening and stayed until Wednesday morning, so I didn't get a chance to hunt early in the week. Yesterday evening was spent shooting bows...with the men's group at the church we've been considering joining.
I had intended to sit on stand a little this evening, but I didn't get away from work until 5:40, so I wasn't sure how much time I'd have. I decided to shower and go spend some time sitting in a Gametamers treestand, even if it was only little more than an hour.
It was around 6:45 before I spotted a couple of deer to the east walking through the woods toward my stand. I looked at them through the binoculars and they appeared to be a couple of yearling doe. I lost sight of them in the thicket for several minutes before I saw them again to the north, still working toward my setup. One of the does scampered off nervously, while the other kept walking my way. I then spotted a spike behind them that was coming in as well.
My hunting philosophy has changed significantly this year because I'm unsure of how much hunting time I'll be afforded this season. I didn't see a single deer last season on this property while on stand. I decided last week that I was going to take advantage of the first opportunity to put meat in the freezer by taking the first legal deer.
I decided quickly to take the spike if given the opportunity. He was somewhat cautious with his approach, but eventually worked his way toward the feeder and offered a broadside shot at 20 yards. I took it. The arrow slammed hard, but a little high, into the deer's side. As the deer ran under the tree I could see a bright, crimson trail streaming down it's shoulder. I watched it circle around and crash into the brush. In a matter of moments, all was silent!
I called my wife to tell her the good news. She and Hannah brought the Mule around. We took a few LDP's before loading the deer up and heading back to the shop.
It's my smallest buck ever, but there's a sense of satisfaction and excitment in that it's my first deer taken from behind our property, where hopefully I'll have years to enjoy the pleasures of an afternoon hunt after work.
Michael
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