On Labor Day, I was lazy and slept in. I got up to the mountains at about 2:00, and decided to check out one of my stand-by spots. The game trails looked pretty good, so I sat down and waited. Thunder rumbled, and after a while, it started raining on me. But I stayed, because it was still warm. When the ground was good and wet, I decided to do some still-hunting. There were large turds and good trails all over the hill. When I got around to the back side of the hill, I think the wind swirled and a deer concealed by heavy brush busted. I couldn't see it, but it was only yards away.
Fast forward to yesterday evening. I went back to the area, and since it's been raining, I still-hunted again, but went even slower this time. The wind wasn't exactly favorable, but whatever. Again, when I got around the back side of the hill, I saw 3 deer trot off. Then another! I think the first 3 winded me at quite a distance away. They were only trotting though, not thoroughly spooked. The last one didn't move very far, and I stood there watching it for a bit before it moved away. I stayed still. I got out my phone to text a friend, and saw an email from a friend. I wrote a brief reply, and thought I heard something. I put the phone away, and it's a good thing I did- here came a deer...and another! Now there are 5...now 6! The deer had circled around and come right back to the same area! I had a doe ranged at 35 yards and was about to draw down on it when they scattered all around me. They stopped in a semi-circle around me at distances from 15-40 yards. Yearling does and a spike, a couple does...and a buck! It looked like a decent forkie. The doe at 15 yards was eyeballing me hard for about 5 minutes, then rejoined the group. I ranged the buck at 35 yards, drew back when he went behind a tree, and let one go when he came out. I rushed the shot though, and missed low. They were gone. I waited for a bit, intending to check the arrow for blood, but the buck came back! He was moving somewhat quickly though, so I ranged a tree at 50, drew when he walked behind it, and rushed another shot when he came out. Missed low again! I'm still kicking myself. He was probably at 55, and I didn't take the time to make sure I had the right pin, focus on my form, etc.
It's been so long since I last took a bow shot at a deer that I can't remember when the last time was! I have been practicing lately, but it's obvious that I need more.
I'm going back Friday evening and Saturday, so maybe I'll have a better report then!
Fast forward to yesterday evening. I went back to the area, and since it's been raining, I still-hunted again, but went even slower this time. The wind wasn't exactly favorable, but whatever. Again, when I got around the back side of the hill, I saw 3 deer trot off. Then another! I think the first 3 winded me at quite a distance away. They were only trotting though, not thoroughly spooked. The last one didn't move very far, and I stood there watching it for a bit before it moved away. I stayed still. I got out my phone to text a friend, and saw an email from a friend. I wrote a brief reply, and thought I heard something. I put the phone away, and it's a good thing I did- here came a deer...and another! Now there are 5...now 6! The deer had circled around and come right back to the same area! I had a doe ranged at 35 yards and was about to draw down on it when they scattered all around me. They stopped in a semi-circle around me at distances from 15-40 yards. Yearling does and a spike, a couple does...and a buck! It looked like a decent forkie. The doe at 15 yards was eyeballing me hard for about 5 minutes, then rejoined the group. I ranged the buck at 35 yards, drew back when he went behind a tree, and let one go when he came out. I rushed the shot though, and missed low. They were gone. I waited for a bit, intending to check the arrow for blood, but the buck came back! He was moving somewhat quickly though, so I ranged a tree at 50, drew when he walked behind it, and rushed another shot when he came out. Missed low again! I'm still kicking myself. He was probably at 55, and I didn't take the time to make sure I had the right pin, focus on my form, etc.
It's been so long since I last took a bow shot at a deer that I can't remember when the last time was! I have been practicing lately, but it's obvious that I need more.
I'm going back Friday evening and Saturday, so maybe I'll have a better report then!
