I took this deer on October 27th, I hung a tree stand in an old black spruce with a wide trunk and heavy thick bows right on the edge of a wet meadow. There is a thick bedding area in close proximity of my stand.
At 5:20pm I stood to stretch, that’s when I heard “snap” I can here the deer coming from the bedding areas for quite a ways before they come to the meadows. I got myself situated and this young buck popped out at 15 yards, he fed facing me for the next 10 minutes. This was good because although I have taken much bigger deer and several with a compound this meant a lot and I was rattled.
When he finally took a few steps to broadside he was at 17-18 yards, still within my comfort zone, I had to work my feet a bit to shoot, my stand creaked an he was on high alert. When his body language changed I picked my spot and let fly.
Thump! He dropped at my shot just a bit, I had spined him I had to take a couple breaths but I followed up with a well placed shot and he quickly expired.
As I sat there shaking I thought about the road to get there, other deer, other hunts one that I did not recover two years earlier that I shouldered. I thanked God and said a prayer for that little buck that meant so much to me.
I took a few minutes and enjoyed it, soaked it all up and hopefully this is the first of many.
Again thanks to all for the cheers! I am excited to be a member of this community I have watched this site as a guest for a few months, I have learned a lot already!!!
-Ryan