Finally got to do some bow hunting this year. I really didn't understand the excitement that come with traditional bow hunt because up until this year, i have been a football coach and did not have to to do any bow hunting.
Went for a morning sit and it was not the type of hunt I was hoping for. i was sitting between a food source and a bedding area and saw nothing but squirrels. Yes I understand this happens a lot but I didn't waste another evening watching squirrels. So, I went on a scouting mission. I tend to enjoy exploring new country anyway.
I knew there was private land close that I haven't had a chance to look at yet. Instead of wasting more time, I got down to find some active sign and get ready for the evening hunt. When I got to the land I start easing down the pasture fence and i see beat down trails going everywhere. Within those trails, I start noticing a lot of old rubs until I notice a very fresh rub on a small pine. It is definitely the freshest rub I have seen so far this year. Probably a day or two old. I continue easing down the fence until I get to the very back of the pasture, where I find a cluster of rubs right in a funnel made by a deep drainage ditch and the pasture. I see this area and realize I am done scouting, so, I get out of there to get some lunch and run some errands.
I decided at lunch a I am going to get in there early to keep from messing anything up. About 1:00, I am walking through the pasture. Knew there wasn't much reason to take the long way, since I new where I was going. When I get to the back of the pasture, I start slowly working through a small finger of trees that extends out into the pasture. When I make it to the end of that finger I see the funnel off to west about 50 yards. On my way to the funnel I start scanning for the right tree to climb, which is tough because most the trees are mature hardwoods until I get into the funnel. Once I get into the area where I wanted to be there is one tree the seems to be put there just for me. it was just the right size and there several small trees and ciders sort of surrounding it, with good back cover from the canopy.
Go ahead an tell you the first 1 1/2 hours of the sit wast just like the morning hunt. Squirrels going crazy everywhere. All of the sudden ate about 4:00 I notice something moving behind a thicket 40 yards to the west. After about 5 mins I see the head of a doe peaking out from behind. So, in my head I scream DEER!!!!! I am already excited and I haven't even gotten close to having a shot opportunity yet. It turned out to to be two doe just easing around and feeding on what acorns are left. It seemed like it took them another hour to start working my way but it was more like 10 to 15 mins. Once, they start moving my direction, its like they was on a mission but I could not have drawn it up any better. The first walks in front of me at 12 yards, perfectly broadside. I draw back, hit my anchor and then start to shake worse the the leaves in the wind. Shaking so hard, that there is no way I could not pick a spot. So, I let down and she moves on through the funnel. Now doe #2 is moving in front of me at 18 yards and I draw. Again every thing feels good until I hit anchor and then the shaking starts again. I have never gotten buck fever like that and now I have done everything right, but I cannot shoot. I have now blown 2 opportunities.
Luckily I still have while before dark. I am so disappointed in myself at this point and just cant understand why i got so excited of a freaking doe. So I settle myself down and enjoy the rest of the sit, just hoping another one comes by. At 5:00 I am thinking that I am not going to get another chance today. At 5:10 I look to right (west) there she is at about 25 yards walking straight at my tree and not presenting me with any opportunity. She continues to work through the small trees and cedars right next to my stand. She actually gets to my tree and sniffs when I climbed up and then bounce back the direction that she came from and I draw. She stops at 7 yards and looks back and I release. I don't remember hitting my anchor or anything about my shot process. My next memory is seeing half of my fletching disappear high into her chest cavity. Then I really start to shake. I have never in my life felt anything close to this.
Now the tracking was difficult because the ground was still wet because of the light rain from earlier. I follow her trail as best I could until I found my arrow that had worked its way all the way through. Saw 3 spots of blood after that. Because I got a good bearing on her direction of travel I was able to zig zag in that direction and found her (120 lbs) about 125 yards away. I am hooked forever. There is nothing better than a successful traditional bow hunt.
Topic: Finally sucessful (Read 7596 times)
