One less deer at Hagerman

[2050z]

Hunting the Hagerman is becoming my favorite place to hunt. This place challenges your bowhunting skills. You scout and then scout some more. You count on 69 other hunters finding the exact same rub, scrape, trail, and perfect spot.

The weather for this hunt was going to be perfect. Cool mornings with the wind out of the south the first day. Then the wind changes again from the north for the rest of the weekend. I was lucky and got my first stand location with one other hunter hunting south of me at 125 yards away.

No big deal and I stay positive that I have the best spot. Here is my stand and the view.

[bowhuntntxn]

Great view Timm, but it seems like there is something missing based on the title?!?! Hope this ends well!!

[2050z]

Most of you know that I had a lot of challenges to make this hunt. With the death of Christy's grandmother and grandfather it didn't look like I was going to make this hunt.

Two very special friends agreed to watch Lauren and Jenna while I went on this hunt. I put some miles on my Envoy driving to Hagerman to setup and then driving back to get the girls and drop them off at Jessie and Denise's house.

The Friday morning orientation is pretty standard. Do the following and your hunt is over. Treat the other hunters as you would like to be treated. Hunter Start your engines and the green flag is dropped. My hunting buddy Beau Davis was first to leave the parking lot and I was second. We race to the designated parking lot and get our gear and walk or bike to our stand.

The game plan is the same for everybody get a doe. Well my first day hunt produced a ugly cull buck and a small eight point. The ugly cull walk right up to my tree and stood next to my rapid rail. I wish I could have gotten a picture of this buck. He walked off and was never seen by me again. The eight point came by in the evening followed by the sweet music of coyotes howling all around me.
The second day hunts produce some serious action. I had a buck tending a doe around my stand at 5:45AM. He grunted and chased her around my stand. I can see movement but could not tell how big or small. Let just say it was the next world record and he will be back at 7:15AM. At leasts that was what I was praying for in the dark of the morning. Well the buck does stay around until 7:00, but he kept the doe in the thick stuff. I never did get a good look at him. I saw a few more doe that morning, but they were not in bow range.

The evening hunt was a total bust for me. This is one of thirteen coyotes I had visit my stand. I actually got to watch them howl away at 4:30 in the afternoon. Beau text paged me with BDD. He got his hall pass for next year. Congrats to him. Now talk about pressure I just had to get a doe. I got down after the coyotes stopped howling and walked about before sunset. I was not in a good mood.

I helped Beau get his doe loaded up on the cart and gave him a high five for getting the pass. Now I only have one day left to get it done. I did not sleep well Saturday night.
I woke up at 3:45 and took a shower. The alarm was set for 4:00 because we had to get our gear out of the room and check out.

I told myself I was in a good mood and we drove the Hagerman. One of my good friends told me to go back to my stand and hunt. Those coyotes won't ruin your hunt. I said okay and hunted my stand.

Right before sun up I heard something moving out in front of me. I could just make it the shape of deer. I was excited. Just as I could see my first pin I picked up movement again. DANG it looked like coyotes again. Well I calmed down when I realized it was three big doe walking right to me. Now my heart starts racing and my right leg will not quit shaking. Two bigger doe move down the trail and will come into my shooting lane at 25 yard.

They move through my shooting lane with no time for me to drawn and shoot. The third doe continues to walk right to me. She gets within five yards broadside and I drawn. I put the pin on her heart, but then I realize there is that branch I did not cut. AAHHHH!!!! No shot and she moves out of my shooting lane.

I was not happy, but I told myself there was plenty of hunting left. With the sun rising and critters moving all around me I felt I needed to talk to God. It certainly helped. At around 7:30 I saw another doe moving down the same trail the first two doe took. I was not about to let this one get away. I drew and held my 30 yard pin just below the chest. She stopped in my shooting lane and I let go!!!!! WHACK!!!! She did not even jump my string. I watched her run about 30 yards and I could see my trail marker being laid on the ground.

I watched her look around and then look up. She fell over and I could see her white belly from the stand.

[2050z]

I got down from my stand and pickup the best looking arrow sticking in the dirt. I walked over to my doe and tagged her. I used the deer drag from my safety vest and dragged her to an opening. I got my game cart and loaded her up. My Steelforce 100gr marked the spot!!!

What a way to end a great Hagerman hunt. I elected not to hunting the evening because Christy was home from Florida and I wanted to see her and the kids.

Again there are no deer at Hagerman..........

Okay there is one less deer at Hagerman.

[bowhuntntxn]

That is what I was looking for!! Great job on getting a pass for next year.

[NateYJ]

Great recap. And nice DOE thanks for sharing!!

[2050z]

Man, I still excited about this hunt. I have my pass sitting on the table and Christy says Oh great now I have to hear about hunting the Hagerman for another year. Oops she just walked in! Gotta go!!!

[bowmansdad]

Nice writeup and congratulations on the doe!

[Mary]

Congrats Timm.... nice shot!

[skeeter]

congrats on the backstrap!

[Deer Tracks]

Congrats, Timm!

[spur]

Good 4 U Timm! Thanks awesome dude.

[Rsatt]

Congrats, Timm

Public Hunting is TUFF

Great Shot

[Pat Miller]

NOt only is Public Hunting tough but also hunting Hagerman is tougher ----and tougher than usual because of the added pressure to get & set your stand along with 70 others at the same time in close proximity.
Congratulations on a job well done!

[Ricky T]

Great story. Great shot. Great deer.