So on Thursday afternoon, Rich and I slipped back into the spot on the river. Through the gate, park the truck, change clothes, gear up, and down the dirt road we go. Once we reach that certain point in the road, we wished each other well and took different paths. Rich stayed on the dirt road headed for the far end flat and I took the trail leading to the oak flat overlooking the river bottom. The four wheeler trail carried me through section of pines and scrub trees before bringing me out at the top of the oak flat. Crossing the oak flat, I headed towards the bench which leads to the river bottom where my loc-on is located. Walking down the bench, I notice there were several trees that were dead. They were propped up against other trees. If they didn't fall on there own, we would have work to do in January. It was really turning into a beautiful afternoon. Birds and squirrels were up and chasing on another and the air was nice and cool. Fall was setting in and this was much nicer than the hot weather of early bow season that we experience in the south. The leaves in the Carolinas are beautiful during this time. So I made my way to the loc-on. It's a North Star loc-on stand/ladder combo. I bought it a year before the company went out of business. I hate that. Probably one of the lightest combos I have ever seen. So up the ladder I go. I secure myself in the stand with my harness then I pull up my bow. Bow and bow hanger in place, pack secured on equipment hanger, deer calls in place, and I am ready for the sit. Seeing that the spot on the river is on the outskirts of town, you get a combination of sounds to entertain you while hunting. The sounds of wild life like squirrels chasing each other, hen turkeys scratching and clucking, are combined with sirens from the local fire department, the local high school band practicing, or the start of the JV football game. While in the stand, I'm taking all of this in while thinking about activities that I have for work. The tree stand is a perfect place for organizing and clearing your head. Well about 30 minutes before sun down, my planning session was interrupted by walking to my right coming up the river bottom. The sound was very different from that of squirrels running through the woods. The sound was more like people walking in a line. A constant gate and stride could be distinguished. I stood up and took the bow off its hanger. Just minutes later, I identify the first deer moving through the bottom. A doe followed by three others and they were headed for the bench that I was on. I was certain that they would make there way to the trail that past my position on the right and walk the bench from that point giving me a ten yard or closer shot. But the deer had other plans. As they approached the bench they elected to veer to their own right, staying in edge cover instead of moving into the open. They would skated my position by walking the edge and using the rougher terrain next to the smooth bench. Once above me they then moved onto the bench. At first I thought the game was over until the lead doe continued to lead the group across the bench instead of going on up. At the rate she was moving she would hit a clearing on the bench twenty yards in front of me going up the hill. This would almost put the deer at my level because they were higher up on the bench now. So when she hit that open, she looked to her right. This gave me an opportunity to shoot and I went into auto pilot. Full draw, pick a spot, and the arrow was gone. Thump! The group exploded back down the hill and the lead doe took off up the hill doing a Rudolf the red nose rain deer impersonation. Only the red dot was not on her nose, but on the crease of her side just behind the elbow.
Topic: Carolina Afternoons (Read 1000 times)
