I have taken off Thursday and Friday for the past two weeks in an effort to kill a deer with my bow. While I have been fortunate to see roughly 90% of the deer population in south-central Missouri, something ALWAYS went wrong when it came to taking a shot at one of them. Either the wind would switch, the deer would change their mind about their travel direction, hounds would come through to scare everything off or some other calamity would take place to rob me of my chance to be a champ.
This past Sunday, I hunted on the ridge behind our barn and could hear deer tromping around even before daylight. I was in a ladder stand at the edge of an old logging loading ground because the wind was right (at that particular moment) for that position. By 7:30, I had already called in two bucks; one a thumping Jesse, only to be foiled again by the Fates. Both deer walked straight towards me and then turned to pass me on my left at less than 15 yards. Unfortunately, I am afflicted with left-handedness and cannot shoot to my left without moving a great deal. I moved, the bucks spooked and I had a pity-party for myself once again. Oh and BTW, they both walked within a foot of my drag rag soaked in doe pee like it wasn't even there.
Another half hour goes by and I hear something behind me, again on my left side. It's a doe and a fawn heading my direction. This time, though, their vector should work in my favor because they will pass me quartering away at 15 yards. But remember the drag rag I mentioned? I had gotten down a few minutes before and threw it on the ground thinking that that might make a difference. It did, but not a good one.
The fawn came in first and went right up to the rag; sniffing on it like it was her favorite brand of ice cream. I was fixing to shoot her but Momma was standing right there scanning the area for threats. I knew that if I drew then it would be all over so I waited.
The fawn moved towards me and now it was Momma's turn to sniff the rag. Her reaction was not so positive. In fact, it was like she had been shocked with a cattle prod. I guess a little too much of me was on that rag too and she immediately pinned her ears back and started looking around. I could see they were both ready to bolt and I had already resigned myself to failure one more time.
When they did run, though, something inside of me took over and I don't even remember making a conscious decision to shoot. The doe was waaaaay out there, like 30 yards quartering away, and all I remember thinking is "aim high to arc your arrow". I drew my longbow, let go of that string and watched my arrow lob through the air. I shoot an ash arrow that looks like a log but the spirit of Howard Hill was in me that day because I could not have hit that deer any better! She turned to run down the holler and I could see my broadhead sticking out the other side of her right behind the shoulder.
After saying to myself, "I cannot believe I made that #%%@@ shot!" about a hundred times, I got down from the stand, gathered up my stuff and went to the house to get Dad. We tracked her about an 1/8 of a mile and found her piled up in a multi-flora rose thicket. I hit both lungs but I guess she just didn't want to give it up.
Darren
Here's the entry wound
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q240/dhaverstick/2012%20Hunting%20Photos/EntryWound.jpg)
Here's the exit wound
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q240/dhaverstick/2012%20Hunting%20Photos/ExitWound2.jpg)
Here's me being happy
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q240/dhaverstick/2012%20Hunting%20Photos/BowDoe1Small.jpg)
congratts! :thumbsup:
Congratulations!
way to go !
:thumbsup:
Way to go!!! :clapper:
:clapper: :clapper:
Congrats!
Bisch
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:bigsmyl: :campfire:
out standing
Great reason to be happy!!!! Congrats.......
Congratulations! You have a great way with words. I enjoyed your story and picture! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Congrats!
:archer:
Way to go sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations on a fine doe!
All right Darren. Way to go! Nice shot!
Nice write up Darren. Who's your bowyer? Thats a nice looking LB for a lefty...
:thumbsup:
Awesome hunt, congrats! :thumbsup:
Thanks, guys! I'm still trying to figure out how I made that shot. I am guessing that luck played a large part in it but since I had had nothing but bad luck with deer for most of the season I was due a little on the good side.
I used a 58" takedown ThunderStick Mag, 550 grain homemade ash arrows tipped with 200 grain Ace SuperExpress broadheads (total weight: 750).
That ThunderStick is my go-to bow. Me and it just seem to work together perfectly!
Darren
PS. When you're left-handed, you get to shoot from the children's stand.
It's a nice feeling when you find a bow that just feels right. Congratulations on your doe!
-Jay
congrats Darren :thumbsup:
Way to go Darren!! I haven't loosed an arrow yet, maybe tomorrow!
Kenny- with the animals you pass up I think you loosed your mind...
:laughing:
Congrats!!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Good job. :thumbsup:
When it feels right,good things happen... :thumbsup:
Darren congratualtions. You just proved that old saying" When it feels right, it is right". Great shot, story, and conclusion!
Keith, that is a real possibility, I have promised myself to shoot sumpin tomorrow if the opp arises... :goldtooth:
Yeah, Kenny, I have to agree with Keith. I've heard some of your stories about deer you've let walk by.
I sure hope to get back to your place again sometime soon!
Darren
Nice shooting Darren.
I'm starring to think that kenny is a vegan in disguise.
I had too many years waiting for Mr big rack and passing on does and small ones only to regret later in the year. For seven bucks I can let fly and enjoy tasty backstrap. Now I male sure my first deer of the jitters are well gone. I don't practice year round to let em walk. Again nice shooting Darren. And as for kenny, what did you sharpen them broadheads for man? Get to shootin!