Opening morning success story

[supernaut]

Some of you may remember that I was lucky enough to kill a nice doe on our opening morning last season, September 17th.
I was also unlucky enough to tear my rotator cuff the very next day, September 18th. I had surgery in January to repair it and my goal was to be able to hunt this season.

With a whole lot of hard work and grace from The Lord, I was lucky enough to be sitting in a tree yesterday morning with my Bear Grizzly.

[supernaut]

It was a beautiful morning, 45 degrees which is a little chilly for this time of the year but perfect!

At around 7 am, I had a group of 4 doe come in from behind me and the lead doe must've picked up my scent and they stayed out of range.

At about 7:10 am, I had a little 6 point pass by to my left at about 15 yards. If he would've had one more point on either side, I would've tried to kill him.

I didn't see anymore deer after that and at about 9:15 I decided I would climb down at 9:30 and call it a morning.

At 9:20, I caught movement to my left and could see a nice sized deer coming my way. I got ready and sure enough the doe passed right in front of me at 15 yards.

The arrow was on it's way and the shot looked great, right where I was looking! I immediately saw that it wasn't a pass through as I could see my fletching but I also saw a lot of blood exiting her body as she took off up the hill.

It's pretty thick this time of year and I lost sight of her after she went about 15 yards and crested the little rise above me. I listened and thought I heard a pretty loud crash.

I sat in the tree for about 30 minutes and just took it easy and then slowly climbed down and gathered up my gear before I walked over to where I hit her.

[supernaut]

I put my backpack on and grabbed my bow and walked over to where she was when I shot her. I knew I was going to find blood right away because I could see it at the shot and then as she ran off.


These are the first couple drops of many to come.

[supernaut]

The blood trail was easy to follow, there was alot of it.


I broke over the crest of the hill and I could see my arrow. It came out about 20 yards into her run through the thick stuff.

[supernaut]

It looked like the arrow penetrated up to about the wrap. It took a slight bend about 6 inches up from the broadhead but I don't care, they make them everyday and this one did its job.
The Ace broadhead looked good and was still very, very sharp. Into the quiver it goes and I'm back to locating the doe. I am very glad to have such great blood as it's like a jungle and visibility is limited.

[supernaut]

I go about 10 more yards following the blood and looking ahead as much as I can and I spy a white belly. Yes sir!
Upon closer inspection her off side front leg stopped my arrow from passing through but I did have 2 holes. In this picture she is laying on the entrance side with the exit side up.

Now I have to work fast as it's really warming up and the flys and bees are already out. I get her dressed and loaded into the truck and off to the neighbors walk in.

[supernaut]

I like to eat the heart the day of the kill and you can see the damage the Ace did.
I'm one happy and blessed bow hunter!

My shoulder may not be 100% yet but it got it done.

[supernaut]

I lost some heart meat due to the shot but it was delicious!

 Olive oil, salt, pepper, hot skillet, enjoy.

[supernaut]

My set up:
70's Bear Grizzly. 45#'s at my draw. Eastons new Autumn Orange 1916's cut to 28"'s and tipped with an Ace Express that I turned into a screw on, 160 grain head. 500 grain total arrow weight, 11.1 gpi.

FPS, fast enough.


I want to thank everyone that chatted with me and offered encouragement during my shoulder recovery.


Shoot arrows and have fun!   

[kennym]

Great job Jim!! 

[huckbuck]

Alright!! Way to get the season started!

[evgb127]

Congratulations. That’s a mighty fine PA deer down! 

[stevem]

If you aren't 100%, you must be pretty close.  Nice going.

[supernaut]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Steve, they tell me it'll be 12-14 months for full recovery. I have good days and I have days that I'm pretty sore, mostly from my strength and stamina exercises. I learned to not push things and let myself heal up if I'm feeling sore.

Shooting has been great as far as pain or soreness. Packing in my climber with my gear and then climbing with my hand climber definitely caused some soreness but I hadn't really done either of those much since my surgery.

I'm just happy and blessed to be shooting and hunting!

I talked with a lot of good people here and elsewhere that encouraged me during my recovery and even gave me inspiration. I hope I can do the same for someone else.

[JR Chambers]

Congrats and nice shooting buddy

[awry]

Congrats and nice write-up. Enjoyed reading it.
Your story is an inspiration and gives me hope. Three and half months past my surgery and things are looking good. Hoping my surgeon gives me clearance in Dec. to start flinging ‘em! 

[supernaut]

Thanks for the kind words Doc and awry.

awry, just make sure you follow your doctor's and therapist's instruction to a T, no more and no less. Don't get to excited one way or the other with the good days and bad days, you're going to have both. It's a long process but you can do it if you follow instruction and are committed to putting in the work with your PT.

Best of luck and feel free to reach out if you ever need to chat. -Jim

[Stringwacker]

Congrats!!!!!!!

[rastaman]

Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.  Congratulations!  Great shot and a beautiful doe!

[doubleo]

Great shot on a nice doe! I had a Grizzly that looked just like yours! That's a fine way to start the season! Congratulations!