My hunt this morning started late due to storms rolling through. I just sat in my suburban and waited it out. It was 8:00 and fully light by the time it cleared enough to begin the half mile walk through a huge alfalfa field and up a long wooded hillside to my stand.
As I approached the tree, line I jumped three does that proceeded to run up the hill, exactly where I was going. I hated to trail them but figured they would be long gone anyway.
As I made my way up the hill 50 yards or so, I got a glimpse of them again... tails flagging and continuing to run towards my stand. I keep moving... another 50 yards and there they are again. Same drill... tails flagging and now they finally change directions, heading west as I continue south.
I get settled into my stand and was probably there for all of 15 minutes when I spot movement to my west. Three does appear and I'm sure its the same deer I had jumped, apparently wanting to see what became of me. They seemed nervous and quickly disappeared back into the trees from which they came.
Another ten minutes go by and I catch movement straight north of me... on the trail I walked up to my stand. It's the three does again (I'm not positive it was the same three but I suspect it was)... now they are literally sniffing the ground following my sent trail, straight to my tree.
They get nervous at 15 yards and start to veer to my left. The two yearlings pass first and the momma brings up the rear. When she clears a tree I take the steep angled 8 yard shot.
The arrow hits high and she drops right there. Assuming a spine shot, I immediately get another arrow off and into her lungs. While waiting for her to breath her last, I pull out my phone to shoot a quick video. Here's a still shot from that vid...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-14%20at%202.37.36%20PM_zps9geiymrn.png) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-14%20at%202.37.36%20PM_zps9geiymrn.png.html)
Seconds later she lurches and gets to her feet...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-14%20at%202.38.06%20PM_zpsrij5piqb.png) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-14%20at%202.38.06%20PM_zpsrij5piqb.png.html)
She run/stumbles past my stand and crashes 15 yards away...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3861_zpstt9uetux.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3861_zpstt9uetux.jpg.html)
She give up the ghost here and I'm thankful for a quick death... I didn't not enjoy watching it. But... very thankful for her!
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3882_zpseajvorbi.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3882_zpseajvorbi.jpg.html)
Congrats on your doe!
A few more pics...
The tree stand from where she stood...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3865_zps9ulyvysj.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3865_zps9ulyvysj.jpg.html)
My Doug Fir arrows and grizzly broad heads both did their job beautifully...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3863_zpsudztdbsc.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3863_zpsudztdbsc.jpg.html)
As did my Cari-bow Tuktu (60@30)...
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3888_zpstz8q2clc.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3888_zpstz8q2clc.jpg.html)
And how do you haul a deer in a suburban?
BAM!
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h344/timsalters/IMG_3897_zpsazdfghay.jpg) (http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/timsalters/media/IMG_3897_zpsazdfghay.jpg.html)
Congratulations!
Congrats. I took a doe earlier in the season, but haven't seen a deer from my stand my last 16 hours there.
Sounds like they WERE curious!
congrats!
Nice Tim. I see that bow is workin out for you. Don
Congrats!!! Seems like you have found a honey hole! There is nothing like alfalfa for bringing deer from miles around!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Nice doe. Congratulations.
congrats
Congrats!
Used one of those racks one time. Found out real quick not to gut the deer before you drive away or make sure you put the back of the deer to the front. Mine got a bunch of dirt inside from the tires and the road.
Congrats
Fine work!
Congrats on a big ol' doe!
:thumbsup:
FIRE UP the BBQ.
Congrats
Nice work Tim!
Thanks for sharing!
:clapper:
Nice deer Tim
Good deer.