Earlier in the week the temps were in the mid 90's-nothing further in mind than hunting in the heat. BUT a cold front was promised for Friday evening and really did come in on a gentle wind. No matter how many opening days I've experienced (more than a few) I still have restless nights before. Up at 4:30 with light still hours away, showered and drank a gallon of coffee-yes I knew that would be a later problem. The property I have permission to bowhunt is doe only as the owner hunts for big bucks and he wants them to himself-who can blame him as he maintains the property year round. Being out of recipes for antler soup this creates no problem for me. So out to the woods I go with first light still an hour away, gosh the cool feels wonderful. Where I set my tree seat is a pine screened by cedars near a grass field, no crops of any kind,but surrounded by woods. Sitting down on the seat in the dark I was listening to acorns dropping all around me and just enjoying being out again.
Around 7:00 I noticed a vertical body moving south of me about 50 yards south of me-straining in the gray light I finally could make out 5 deer feeding on the acorns. They were moving towards me at an angle but if they kept present course they would hit my scent stream soon. Suddenly the only buck in the group, a little spike, butt ended a doe who sprinted into the field which turned four of the deer in that direction. One big doe held back at the edge and just watched. Finally she committed to the frivolity of the younger deer. Standing broadside at 15 yards framed by two small trees was what I was waiting for.
Drew back and focused on her elbow-the arrow was gone in a flash. Hollow thump and five white flags scattered in all directions. I lost track of "my" doe but just sat and listened, heard some blowing and the deer moving away. But then I heard some leaves being scuffed in an area directly across from . Sitting with my knees shaking I tried to calm down. When full light came through the trees I got up, bow in hand, and took up the direction she traveled.
Forty yards into the woods she was stretched out in her final bed-the arrow had taken her cleanly through the heart. I thanked her for the meals to come and took her home with me. No matter how old I am it is still an absolute thrill to experience this life of bowhunting.
Topic: Virginia opening day (Read 1046 times)
