I used hay from the field to break up my outline almost like an on the spot ghillie suit. Oh how well did this work. I sat for hours not knowing when the deer would show up exactly and not knowing how they would react to the snow falling. Intense anticipation with a view like this.
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I was expecting the deer to come out right on the other side of this hay bail in front of me, but things did not quite work out like I thought they would. Around 5 p.m. I see movement in the wood line way off in the distance. I was impressed that the deer still were well blended in with the snow. I watched 4 deer work their way out of the wood line and into the backyard of an abandoned house. They seemed happy chasing each other around.
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All four made their way along the creek and toward where I passed on the deer prior. I thought for sure they were headed that way. So almost in a panic I grabbed my bow and got to my feet. As soon as the hay fell off my clothing I watched 8 deer jump the creek and make their way straight toward me. My reaction was along the line of "you idiot". I was lucky as a hay bail in the middle of the field was blocking their view while I threw hay all over myself. 20 minutes go by watching 8 deer graze and trying to control the adrenaline. 50, 40, 30, and 20 yards started to count down as they drew closer. During this time I am picking spots on every deer that I would shoot so when the time came I wouldn't forget.
The group finally made their way into 15 yards and I was ready. I had positioned my body sideways and ever so slowly lifted my bow. They were so close watching them blink and breathe was amazing. Being eye level with so many deer and them not having a clue I was there. Everything was perfect. My first trad deer, my first out of state deer, my first deer in the mountains and snow was about to happen. I draw my bow and release.
As soon as the release happened I knew something was wrong. I watched in horror as my arrow strikes the deer to far back. My distance was spot on but to far left. Gut shot deer! The bow felt really awkward on release and I have replayed this in my head a thousand times. I don't know if I was cold from the snow, if I had hay on the string from trying to camo myself in such a hurry, or if the snow collected on my limbs of the bow and that's what caused it. I do know I failed to do my job and my obligations that I owed that animal. I feel horrible about it.
All the deer run about 30 yards and stop including the one I hit. I sat motionless. The stomped and snorted walking closer to me again. My gut shot deer followed them. She is now 25 yards away from me and I had to make my first hard choice. I decide to get another arrow ready. Trying so hard to move so slow and when I removed the arrow the foam made a squeak noise and off the went again. Yet again I remain motionless. My deer decides to bed down 50 yards from me and lays there. As I watched them I was amazed the other deer were waiting for her to get up. They were separated by about 75 yards at this point.
My second hard choice, do I try to get another arrow in her. I watched for sometime and decided that I might have a chance if I can just get close enough. I stand up and slowly make my way to her. I get almost 30 yards from her and she stands up and walks off, not run. So I turned around and thought it was best to wait until morning.
In the morning I return to the scene. Hardly any sleep the night before, I knew I had along day. My first sign is where she laid down in front of me. My arrow hardly had any blood on it but did stink.
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I made my way to where I watched her cross the creek and the next 200 or so yards I did not find one drop of blood. I crossed the creek where I watched her go up through the tall grass and found a few spots like this, but now we are talking hundreds of yards away with hardly any blood.
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I followed the tracks in the snow all over the mountain and the entire way there were these tracks with the deer.
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I searched until the snow melted from the sun and I lost the trail. I went to people's homes and acquired access to their property to search. I finally went back to the house and retrieved my best friend, my wife.
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She hiked up the mountain with me as we did a grid style search. She was a good sport and could tell that I was pretty upset about the entire ordeal. The entire time I was telling her, I wished the arrow just completely missed. She did her best to make me feel better about what had occurred. We search almost until dark and we were along way off from where I shot. The only thing I can think of is the tracks (bobcat or coyote) kept pushing my deer. On the bright side I did get to spend time with her in the mountains away from everything that is a distraction. Just me and her.
Well guys, I had a lot of first on this trip including losing my first deer that I had shot. I was extremely successful at getting close and not being spotted and learned a lot by just watching them. They definitely enjoy each others company. I learned that my tracking skills are more than what I give credit for, finding drops of blood 300 yards plus away. I learned that no matter how much I practiced that in the end sometimes you just mess up. I learned how to deal with losing something you worked so hard for.
The day I couldn't find the deer I told my wife that I just wanted to go back to shooting my compound because it never happened to me. Her support and her refusing that I put down the stick and string has really brought me back to work harder. I stopped at Bass Pro on the way home and bought two new targets, one of them being a ball that I can throw and shoot at whatever distance it lands. Also squirrel season is here and I will be shooting at them to help my skill level.
By far, the best hunting experience of my life and I hope it's not the last.
Topic: My adventure in Ky (Pics) (Read 210 times)
