The evening started off cold, but by the time I had climbed to the top of the ridge to where I had set a ground blind I was warmed up. I had set the blind a few days ago in hopes of filling another fall turkey tag. However, there was no turkey sighting this evening. I did see a doe around 4:00 that had be spooked by someone or something. She was about 75 yards up the ridge from me we I saw her heading for the top of the mountain she did look back a few times so I was holding on to hope that I may at least get to see some horns and late chasing. But whatever it was she was looking for on her back trail never showed. Latter on the sun began to set and it went from cold to COLD. At one point I remember thinking Lord either let it get dark or let me see a deer because I am really cold. Any way the moments passed and I pulled my hat a little further down on my head.
Then I thought I heard the faint steps of a deer. My eyes were straining to ascertain any movement, and then I made out the white circles that outline a deer’s eyes. I was not about to remove my warm but gloveless hands from my hand-muff. You see, I have always felt like I shot a bow better without a glove; so when it is cold I keep my hands in my muff as long as possible. As the young deer moved slowly and with carefulness down the trail I finally made myself pull my bow hand from its warm cocoon.
Now with my bow in my left hand and my tab had still tucked in the muff, I was now waiting for a good shot angle. I thought that I was not going to get a shot, because the deer was coming head on. At last, the deer turned just enough to open up the goodies; and instantly my hand was on the string. I do not remember removing it from the warmth of the muff, nor do I remember feeling cold at other time tonight. I was looking behind the shoulder and then I felt my finger in the corner of my mouth and the feather on the tip of my nose.
In a flash the arrow struck home and the deer was stumbling down the ridge. I heard the gurgle that lung hit deer sometime make as it went out of sight. I thanked the Lord for the opportunity to harvest one of his fine creatures. And then all was quiet again, all was right again. You guys know what I mean that wonderful peace that taking deer with a bow brings to our heart.
I gathered my stuff and took up the blood trail. The trail was good and somewhere around 80 yards I found my first kill of 2013. It is not a big deer and there is not a head full of horns to wrap my hands around. However, I am just as happy as I have been with any of the deer I have through the years. Why I am so happy, because I am a BOWHUNTER not a buck hunter. And while I like to take bucks just as much as the next guy, I truly find joy in anything that I kill with a bow. I hope that your 2013 is full of Bloody Good Days as well.
For those who are interested, I was using a TimberGhost Longbow 56 inches and 53# @28, a carbon express 150 and a VPA 175 3-blade.
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