I had some great luck hunting a new to me property last year, but haven't had as much time to get out this fall. I missed the first two weeks of season while on a moose hunt in Newfoundland (a good reason to miss in my book haha). My wife and I are also in the process of moving into a new house, so that's cut into things a bit. Either way, last Friday was only the third time I was able to get in a tree so far this fall. With a freezer full of moose, I'm not exactly hurting for meat, but I was craving some venison sausage.
I was able to pack my climber in and get settled before first light without much issue. I was about 12 feet up in a poplar that sits on the edge of a very small clearing with mowed trails on either side and numerous deer trails going to and from a bedding area about 150 yards behind me.
View looking straight out from my stand into the clearing:
I settled in for the morning sit, but just after shooting time, I could hear leaves crunching on the ridge to my left. I eventually made out two does heading towards the clearing from left to right. They worked my way for a few minutes, but then out of nowhere 5 more does came running down from the ridge heading towards the bedding area behind me. Behind them came what must've been a little spike buck because I couldn't even make out any antlers on him, letting out these tiny little young sounding grunts the whole way. I honestly had to stifle a laugh at his attempt the corral the girls.
After they ran through, the two original does were a little on edge, but continued my way. Eventually, the lead doe circled out through the clearing and started heading straight for my tree. She made it to about ten yards and was still facing straight on.
I was in a bit of a pickle because I was still sitting ( I prefer to set up my stands so that my most likely shot areas allow me to stay seated), and the doe was directly in front of me. If she headed to the right I'd have to try and stand.
Luckily she decided to turn to my left and put her head down to feed. I came to full draw unnoticed, picked my spot, and watched the lighted nock disappear right behind her shoulder.
The doe jumped slightly and trotted about 20 yards behind my tree and then stopped to look behind her. A second later she toppled over, regained her feet once, and then fell over for good. All of this within the span of a few seconds.
The 185 grain Grizzly in front of a heavy arrow zipped right through her. She had no idea she'd even been hit:
I don't claim to be the best shot in the world, but I do ok at 10 yards :D
And here she is all cleaned up:
Thanks for reading everyone & good hunting!
Topic: 2014 Ohio Doe (Read 957 times)
