Monday, after lunch, I packed my gear up and headed up to Ocmulgee WMA to hunt for a few days. I hoped to get there just after the rain moved out and make an afternoon hunt. After about an hour and a half ride, I pulled into the campground. As I glanced around the site trying to decide where to pitch my tent, I spotted a deer at the lower end. It was a doe, and she was staring at the truck. I just stopped and watched her. Expecting her to split any minute, I was surprised when she put her head down and started browsing. In a moment she disappeared behind some pine trees and low brush.
I decided I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, so I threw the truck in park, left it running, grabbed my bow, and jumped out. I left the driver door open and slipped around the front of the truck to begin my stalk. The odds were against me, as they always are when bow hunting, but even more so this time. I had a marginal wind, was in the wide open, and was wearing a faded pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. I got into a low crouch and started closing the distance.
What had started out as about a 60 yard stalk quickly shrunk to 45. Suddenly I noticed her eyes and ears were up and looking in my direction. I froze, and was amazed when she dropped her head again. I got even lower, and maneuvered to get some trees between us. As soon as I got a good line, I went straight at her. Now I was within 25 yards. I was tucked in behind a pine, and knew this was as close as I was going to get.
I peeped out around the tree and surveyed the situation. She was headed to my left and would give me a shot as soon as she cleared some brush. As I watched, she did an about face and was now headed back to my right. I prepared to take a shot as soon as she hit an opening. Just as she got there, I drew my bow to anchor while behind the pine, then leaned out to take the shot. As soon as I could see her, I noticed she had turned and was now head on to me, and looking right at me. I was in a tight spot. I held at full draw until she put her head down, then started easing the bow back down. When I got it about halfway down, she looked up again, and I tried to turn to stone. My arms were dying. She finally looked away again, and I was able to get some relief.
I kept one eye on her, with a skimming view along the edge of the pine bark. If she didn’t turn, she was going to be in my lap! Suddenly, she turned, and started walking broadside to my right. As her head went in behind the last pine, I once again drew my bow. She stepped out into the wide open at 15 yards. I was in shock. This couldn't be happening! The next thing I know, I see my arrow disappear into her side. Though a bit further back than I would like, the shot looked solid. I watched her cover 60 yards in a flash, and then lost sight of her. After I started breathing again, I checked my watch. It was 2:55PM. I walked back to my truck, parked it, and set up my camp.
I gave her about 30 minutes before I took up the trail. The ground was wet, but the blood trail was HEAVY. I kept expecting to find her just up ahead, but she just kept going. The last 150 yards of the trail was straight downhill towards a creek, where I found her floating. Massive blood all the way. I stepped it off, and was stunned at the distance. 375 yards. I have no idea how she made it that far bleeding the way she did.
After doing a little video show and tell, I fieldquartered her and packed her out. This deer was in great shape and was covered with fat. She's gonna eat good.
I got to feeling bad this afternoon, decided to cut my hunt short, and headed on back home. It's a shame too. I found a couple of hot food trees that I hated to leave.
Pittsley Predator 64# @ 28”
GT3555 100 gr. brass insert
200 gr. Simmons Treeshark
Entrance Wound
Chris
Topic: Public Land Deer #4 (Read 890 times)
