Talk about a crazy afternoon. I went hunting yesterday afternoon one some of the food plots around my area. It was a nice cool evening , about 30 degrees, fogggy with a mild breeze, perfect for a food plot.
I have hunted this plot 5 times since 2010 started. Every time I set it I have seen deer, usually about 5-7 each afternoon. Problem was that they always come in a different way, feed in the middle of the plot and leave out a different way. I have always managed to see them, but never managed a shot at these deer.
Well that all changed yesterday. I was sitting in a tree about 15' high. About an hour and a half before dark the same herd of deer walked out about 100 yards down the plot. Same old story tonight!! I thought to myself. Well I had watched them feed for 30 min or so, then I noticed something different. One of the does had started feeding right toward me. Things are looking up!
About another 30 min passes and still the doe is feeding my way, but now she has some company. 3 more have joined her. I am watching a hole at about 25 yards (there is a thin strip of trees between me and the deer)where she should pass in the next few minutes when everything exploded. There were white flags flying and deer running the woods were thrashing and poping from rampaging deer, I had no idea what was happening.
I had already prepared for a shot, slid my foot to the edge of my Windwalker so I would not hit my arm on the tree when I drew my bow, picked a spot for the shot (not on the deer yet), and started getting focused. But everything had just changed in the blink of the eye, nothing was what it should have been. I saw two of the does run about 25 yards to my right into a thicket and two were running straight to me. I shot one of the does running at me before I ever thought about it. I know I am gonna catch some heat from some of yall for a non-ethical shot, but I watched the arrow pass through her before I ever even thought about what all was happening.
The hit was perfect. She only ran about 20 more feet, yes, 20 feet before she piled up. I turned back around to see the cause of all of the disaray, a yote looking for dinner. I almost got a shot at him too, but he was not willing to try to chase down running deer and turned aroud at about 55 yards.
Even thought it was not the "perfect" hunt it is one that I will definately remember. Several firsts on this one. This was the first deer that I killed with this particular bow, a new to me Robertson from Shick here on TG. It is a 53#@28" 66" Primal Styk. This was the first deer I have ever killed in the snow, pretty hard to do in the south. Even thought I did not have to blood trail it I was pleased. I always wanted to kill one in the snow so I could bloodtrail it myself, I am color blind. This was also the first running deer I have ever shot. Although, not intentional and not what I normally do or would reccomend, it happened.
Three firsts, what a night.
John
:archer:
QuoteI was sitting in a tree about 15" high.
Are you sure it was the yote and not the fact that you were so close to the ground (HAHA)?
Congrats on the "firsts"!
Bisch
Congratulations!
I am glad it worked out! Lots of times it doesn't.
congrat brother!!! Glad it all came together for you.
Bisch, on these food plots, you have to stay low. The trees around them are pretty scrubby. If you get higher than that, you will be skylighted.
IMHO cover kills, not hight. I used to hunt 30' or higher all the time, now, usually about 20 depending on the situtation. I like to get high enough to be out of the line of sight and get my scent dispursed, but low enough for a good shot angle. I have found out that for me too high can be bad.
Congrats :clapper: Any pics??
I think he's referring to 15 INCHES.
Congrats your instinctive shooting payed off,nothing is impossible with a Robertson.
My bad, just took care of that.
I do have soem pics, but can't post them. I will get that straightened out .
Congratulations that is a very impressive shot and I don't blame ya one bit!
well I would say this "that is the purest form of instinctive shooting"
NO THOUGHT - JUST HAPPENS.
I remember Bruce Lee saying "I don't punch it punches all by itself" "I don't kick it kicks all by itself"
What he meant was you put in the practice - you make it part of you...then you just let it happen.
You see the great shooters on arials - there is no time to think too much - you must just let it happen.
I think we miss because we have WAY TO MUCH TIME to THINK and the thinking give us time to question ourselves and technique.
We need to concentrate on a spot, but if we practice PERFECT PRACTICE then that should be a second nature thing and then we just get out of it's way and do it.
How many times do you see a PROFESSIONAL baseball player over throw first base in a clutch situation...saw it during the playoffs this year actually.
A routine throw normally but there was a lot on the line - he hesitated (thought to himself - DON'T blow this) and over threw the first baseman - they ended up losing...hmmm
Jer bear
I was just making a joke becaues you had 15" (fifteen inches).
Congrats on your doe.
Bisch
Way Cool!!!! Awesome! It sounds like there could have been some adrenaline flowing..lol Congratulations!
God bless,Mudd
Well done...to bad you didn't get a crack at the yote!!
Cool story. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats! Thanks for the cool story.
Congratulations indeed! I think only someone who new you, your shooting and standing right there could legitimately comment on whether it was a non-ethical shot.
Congrats Last year I made a shot on a trotting deer,not running ,not walking but moving kinda fast.Like you the shot felt right best ever through the heart watched her fall.This year same stand standing still too far back no blood at all lucky my dog found it for me. If it feels right it usually is. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Sounds like a fantastic day in the woods, lot's of firsts. Congratulations!
Congrats on a good hunt.Jerry Wald said it,no time to think and second nature.Good shot.