Trad Gang

Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Focusource on October 11, 2008, 06:46:00 PM

Title: As the light was fading...
Post by: Focusource on October 11, 2008, 06:46:00 PM
As the light was fading, in the blink of an eye, three deer appeared before me.  

I was eight feet up an oak tree in a field that was a horse pasture until very recently.  I had been on my feet, nocked and ready for more than an hour.  The slight breeze was in a favorable direction.  A short, light rain shower got the deer moving at sunset.  

I didn’t see the deer approach even though my senses were on edge.  There they were at twenty yards, a large doe and two fawns.  My heart slammed in my chest and I told myself to stay still and breathe deeply.  I settled down quickly and looked over the situation for about thirty seconds.  The large doe was quartering towards me so there was nothing I could do with her.  I came to draw on one of the small ones that turned broadside, but I just couldn’t bring myself to take that shot and let down slowly.  Soon the small ones moved towards the doe and she turned broadside at seventeen yards.  I came to full draw, locked onto her with everything I had and pulled through the string.  The deer hit the ground, necks arcing backwards and my vision froze like a picture.  They blasted out of the field.  I composed myself and listened hard.  I knew where they ran.

My younger brother showed up about fifteen minutes later.  He found the blood trail and stayed on it like a hound.  He is an amazing outdoorsman.  My cedar arrow with a Zwickey two-blade was found at the edge of the woods completely unharmed and covered in bright red blood.  It was a double lung hit and she was spraying from both sides as she ran.  Still, she managed to run around two hundred yards and jump a creek.  She was one tough girl and I was proud of her.

She is the first animal I have ever taken.

Jeff Howell
Friday, October 10, 2008

   (http://www.focusource.com/archery/first_doe_1.jpg)
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Cory Mattson on October 11, 2008, 06:49:00 PM
Congratulations! Great hunt.
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Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Shedrock on October 11, 2008, 07:05:00 PM
Congrats on your first!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on October 11, 2008, 07:06:00 PM
Congrats   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: longbowben on October 11, 2008, 07:11:00 PM
Congrats   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: blueline on October 11, 2008, 07:12:00 PM
sweet success!!!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Butts2 on October 11, 2008, 07:16:00 PM
Your not fishing your just hooked!!!!!Congratulations!!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: joe ashton on October 11, 2008, 07:19:00 PM
Good job! The statement  of frozen vision is so perfect. Years from now and with many havests under your belt you will still be able to see this deer. The arch of the arrow, the sounds of this success. Again good job.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on October 11, 2008, 07:19:00 PM
congrats on your first.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: ron w on October 11, 2008, 07:21:00 PM
Well done.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: jimmerc on October 11, 2008, 07:21:00 PM
Congrats on your first and shes a beaut!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: yellow bow on October 11, 2008, 07:29:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Wannabe1 on October 11, 2008, 07:39:00 PM
Beautiful! Just beautiful!!!!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Blackhawk on October 11, 2008, 07:45:00 PM
You tell a story very well.  Watch out Don Thomas!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Kevin Bahr on October 11, 2008, 08:13:00 PM
Congratulations, Jeff.  You'll always remember your first one.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: bentpole on October 11, 2008, 08:33:00 PM
Outstanding! Congrats!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Gatekeeper on October 11, 2008, 08:39:00 PM
Congratulation Jeff! She is a great looking mature doe. Tan and save that hide to have as your first traditional trophy.  :clapper:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Fletcher on October 11, 2008, 09:02:00 PM
Congratulations, Jeff!!     :clapper:    May she be the first of many.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: vermonster13 on October 11, 2008, 09:07:00 PM
This has been the year for first timers!

Congratulations on a fine deer.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: MJB on October 11, 2008, 09:12:00 PM
OUTSTANDING Jeff CONGRATS   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Bonebuster on October 11, 2008, 09:40:00 PM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Great job.
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Blackhat on October 11, 2008, 09:46:00 PM
:clapper:  Congratulations on your first.  I'm still hunting for my first.  :D
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: BowHuntingFool on October 11, 2008, 10:34:00 PM
Great story and well done! CONGRATS!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: pseman on October 11, 2008, 11:19:00 PM
Great job! Congrats!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Chris Surtees on October 12, 2008, 12:10:00 AM
:thumbsup:     :archer:    :clapper:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Longbow rookie on October 12, 2008, 12:13:00 AM
Congrats!!  Great story and photo...
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on October 12, 2008, 12:14:00 AM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Hot Hap on October 12, 2008, 12:37:00 PM
Congradulations Jeff! Nice deer. Nice story. Hap
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Blasterjdh on October 12, 2008, 12:46:00 PM
Well done - always good to have a good tracker such as your bother along.. Congrads
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Focusource on October 12, 2008, 02:00:00 PM
Great to see so many responses.  The Gang has been important in my development as a hunter.  BTW, the burgers from her are wonderful.

Jeff
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: JoeM on October 12, 2008, 02:41:00 PM
Congrats on breaking the ice!!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Ybuck on October 12, 2008, 03:02:00 PM
Way to go! Great looking deer, congratulations!
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: KevinP on October 12, 2008, 03:08:00 PM
Congratulations
Title: Re: As the light was fading...
Post by: Curveman on October 12, 2008, 03:31:00 PM
Terrific!!!!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup: