Well, shotgun season is over in Iowa and we can now begin the pursuit of deer with archery gear again. Except Ultra Alert doesn't even explain how these deer act. I picked up a muzzleloader tag (which allows archery harvest) and still had a doe tag that hadn't been filled. Last night I went out and had a string of five heading my way. The first three were all button bucks and the last one looked at me, but continued walking. All were straight downwind. The #4 was a big mature doe and when she hit 30 yards, I started a little tension on the string, wondering if my wind would betray me....it did! She turned inside out and left for a safer county!
I didn't see anything else close, so I was out in the cold this morning. My stand was creaking and groaning with every shift in my weight and I didn't see anything the first hour. I decided to sneak closer to the bedding area and got in a different stand. It too was groaning and I began to wonder if I was wasting my time. I was starting to see deer though and two yearling does were heading my way. They look bigger than early in the fall, but are still small in comparison to adults. But they eat and if one got too close, I may be convinced to send an arrow her way....she did! (http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r603/DonEggleston/doearrow.jpg)
She turned broadside and paused long enough to send the WW tipped vaporwood through it's chest. She started running off and at twenty yards, jumped straight into the air, dropped on her side, kicked a few times and it was over! Wow, I have never seen one die so quickly! No trailing there, but here is what the trail looked like walking to her... (http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r603/DonEggleston/doebldtrl.jpg)
I waited another half hour, got down and claimed my prize. She ain't the biggest girl in the woods, but she will be good eatin'. Nice and relaxed with a quick kill makes for good meat. (http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r603/DonEggleston/Doe2012.jpg)
Will be heading back out after a few Christmas celebrations to try and fill the last buck tag! :thumbsup: Have a Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Nice shot placement. It's always best when the blood trail is shorter than the shot taken.
PS, shot was about 8 yards from base of tree, Thunderstick Mag, 50@28. Blew right through and stuck in the dirt beneath her!! Love those Wensels, they make nice holes! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations on a nice late season trophy! Don't you just hate it when those stands creak! Nice pictures, and thanks for sharing your story! Merry Christmas from another Iowan!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Thanks Bill, that is the exit side, the entrance was just a few inches higher almost perfectly broadside.
Congrats Don! I have an antlerless tag left also. Hoping to get out some more before Jan. 10.
Great shot! Congrats! :thumbsup:
Great job! Nice looking deer, my mouth is watering
I have only till the last of Jan. but I hope to do exactly as you! Love those pics. of deer shot in the snow. :thumbsup:
Congrats! :thumbsup:
Nicely Done!
Congratulations from one Iowa guy to another! Great shot, and she will taste great! The area I hunt has gotten hit pretty hard by what we think is EHD unfortunately, and thus the deer sightings have been way down.
Congrats on a great shot on a good eater.
RAY
Good shootin and great eatin'! WAY TO GO!!!
Great shot! Man, I really want to track a deer in the snow one of these days! Problem is, I am going to have to find a new place to hunt to make that work. It just does not snow in south TX.
Congrats on your doe!
Bisch
Great stuff! :thumbsup:
Nice doe and bow!
Congrats! Man I miss hunting in the snow.
Very nice!
Very nice. Congrats!
nice shootin , congrats :thumbsup: :clapper:
Great shot! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I'm with Bisch on the tracking snow!
Congrats and Great Shot! :thumbsup: Nothing wrong with the young deer. They drag easy and eat great. I had a fawn come in a couple evenings ago but it turned out to have buttons and I let him pass. My fingers were getting itchy on the string, tho.
Great shot! Congrates on some fine table fare. :thumbsup:
Congrats. Tough hunting after gun season. Good shooting!
That first pic is pretty cool! Congrats!
Thanks guys! It was awesome just getting back in the stand. Hearing the thump of that thunderstick in action was an incredible bonus. I just love taking game with the bow- it is such a thrill watching the arrow fly. My son asked if my heart started beating fast before the shot and i gave an emphatic "heck yes"!! I still get excited...even for yearlings!
Great job. The only unfortunate part is how short the blood trail was! :rolleyes: I LOVE following blood in the snow, and don't often get an opportunity. Congrats!
Congrats, Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing story and pix.....KYArcher
great shot... Fire up the BBQ
Let's run this one back to the top for the PERFECT shot placement made by this gent..... :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Congrats, that is a nice looking Doe. Nice shot
Awesome :thumbsup: