Yesterday's WI opener was a beautiful crisp, clear afternoon near Madison, and my Grandson and I were in our carefully chosen trees. He in a pine at 15' overlooking a small waterhole, and I, 20 ' up in the Triple Cherry at the edge of a small soybean food plot. We were about 600 yards apart.
I wanted Luke to have another opportunity at his first archery deer. His 15 year old enthusiasm was at an all time high, but victory had eluded him on three attempts last year due to classic "Buck Fever". He did manage to harvest a turkey...that was a thrill.
As it turns out, today we were both just observers.
I do not have a traditional whitetail bow kill to my credit as of yet. I've shot quite a few hogs, (wounded some too) and have been carefully working my way up the skills and confidence ladder to the point where I now feel I can take an ethical shot and not worry about wounding a nice tasty deer.
So...soon a hen turkey upped my awareness, and I let her pass. Then as often happens...I look behind me (the tree is between me and the food plot), peer around the tree and silently, there are two of Wisconsin's most gorgeous females, filling up on the soybeans.
Interestingly enough, they were no longer devouring the forage of the green leaf as Summer scouting trips had proven, but now were going for the dried stalk and actual bean even though the shaded half of the plot still offered the tender greens.
Doe fawns they were, with ribs showing...and I think, "Yes, I could easily make this 15 yard shot." But, having shot many whitetails for meat with my previous (unmentionable) archery weapon, and still in freezer possession of almost two complete deer from last year, I'm thinking these two deserve to just keep on feeding and enjoying their afternoon as much as I am.
So I take out the cell phone and shoot them...several times, till I'm sure they are well shot.
After 30 minutes of chowing down, they amble off and I am satisfied my scent control program is working as I watch them traverse my inbound trail.
They head for Luke and shortly he texts that he saw them through the trees, but could not get a shot.
It's now 6:40 PM, and anotheer field check reveals Momma Doe, a much larger, well fed girl, greyish, proud, relaxed, but also hungry.
When she poses for me, well within my effective range, I'm still not in kill mode, although here is my most perfect chance at my first trad whitetail harvest.
SO...HERE'S MY QUESTIONS.
Do I deserve to go deerless this year?
Did I just commit the most unspeakable sin?
Should I have been a "MAN" and shot her just to say I did, and earn the bragging rights with "passage"?
Am I getting soft to just wanting simply to reflect on all our hard work in property management that earned Luke and I these memories?
For those of you who will chastise me, I apologize sincerely.
I'm sure however, that at least a few of you might have "been there...done that", and to those of you I thank you for not judging me.
I know I perhaps wasted my best harvest opportunity.
I know that we may now have laid down some human scent, noise, or intrusion making our next adventure a little tougher, but I'm very grateful and pleased that the Good Lord has granted us this peaceful and rewarding day to be in the woods with his creatures.
Our ending score totals one hen turkey, 6 does and one decent buck. He was seen from a long way off.
Thanks for listening...probably not as exciting as relating a regular hunting harvest, but I wanted to share with you, none-the-less.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
Been there and done that. I still get a thrill out of just watching. If I had venison in the freezer this early in the season, I'd of probably let her walk too.
Hope you get a big-racked buck wander past and nail him proper.
Fun just being out there trying, isn't it?
Sounds like a good hunt to me... The older I get the less I feel the absolute need to kill. Thanks for sharing your hunt.
You shouldnt be forced to shoot anything, not even by yourself. A good hunt is a good hunt even if unsuccessful in killing.
Sounds like a good hunt to me too!
Bisch
One of my most memorable hunts was one where i didn't even loose an arrow.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but your Wisconsin bow season just started yesterday and runs until Jan. 5. Is that correct?
As I sit here at home watching the Detroit Tigers on TV, as they roll to the playoff's ;) :D , I think a better analogy is that you merely took the first pitch in the first inning, to get a feel for it all. There's a whole lotta game left in your season.
If your family is starving...I'd say you made a mistake.
Since I doubt they are....then my opinion is that you carry out your hunts in any fashion you like :)
I was just on a local forum where a somewhat similar situation came up, and the guy passed up a shot, and is now having second thoughts. I say, when your gut tells you to pass up the shot, pass it up, and don't question it. When everything is right, you know it, and it just happens.
Best of luck next time.
You did absolutely everything right. As I enter my 46th year of this beautiful sport I have realized for some time that I don't need to "harvest" a deer just to add to my numbers. Sometimes we need to just sit back and enjoy everything Mother nature has given us.
Since you mentioned that you already have some prime venison from last year you need not feel guilty of anything. When another deer comes by and it feels right, then you'll know that you haven't "wasted your best opportunity for harvesting a deer".
Good luck this fall!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
You are the referee, judge, and jury of your hunt. Your objectives should be your own. Obviously you agree thus the capitalization of your gender reference.
I've done it several times. Every once in a while I just don't feel like shooting one. Sounds like a great morning!
I can relate, sometimes I'm just more content watching them rather than loosing an arrow.
Like I said in other post, I have to be in the mood to shoot one. Like me, your into improving your land. That said, I would not let to many walk or you will get into my situation, to many does and they get wiser with each encounter. Tim in NC
You shouldn't have to ask that question. It's totally up to you.
No scolding coming from this person.
If it was the right thing for you then it's ok.
I didn't have a dog in your hunt.
God bless,Mudd
Hey Buddy, nothing wrong with letting them pass. If you didn't feel it, you didnt feel it!! I've seen you shoot, so theres no doubt in my mind they would have been dead deer had you chose to do so. If you left the stand that evening feeling good, then thats all there is to it!! Good luck!
It's your call...shoot or don't shoot, it's totally up to you.
But, I'da shot mama.
Nope sounds like a good hunt, I myself would of shot one of the fawns. I love fresh loins and I prefer to shoot fawns over big does anytime. I figure if I kill a big doe I just killed 3 deer, her and the twin fawns she would have next spring. You did nothing wrong and just to kill for the sake of it is always a mistake. You will be rewarded with another chance. Shawn
"I do not have a traditional whitetail bow kill to my credit as of yet."
if a typical 210" 12 point shows up this fall - can you kill him?
seriously
do you put a true freshman QB in a ballgame with 2 second left, 4th and 40 behind by 6? sure in practice he can do - he did it in high school ....... but can he do it in a college D1 game with all the pressure ?
you got to kill animals to get use to killing animals - I fully believe that
now - you don't HAVE to shoot that doe, or the next one .......... but (A) deer meat is great to eat and (B) you ingrain in your bran and psych that you CAN do it
see what I mean ?
Irv,
Sounds like a great hunt. That is a difficult question to answer, and it is a personal choice. I've been there a few times. Passed some shots as well. You just have to do what "your comfortable" with.
You guys have a long season..... Good Luck....
:thumbsup:
Myself, my freezer has one pack of stew meat and one pack of burger left. Any doe is going down! However, in your case sounds like you did what you needed to do.
If you put yourself within 15 yards of a whitetail deer with a reasonable shot opportunity, you won the game. Choosing to pass on the shot is just fine! It is not always necessary to make the kill to have a successful hunt. Sounds like you got your head on pretty straight to me.
You did just fine imo.
In my opinion, if you question a shot, don't take it, and don't question your first instinct when it comes to a shoot-don't-shoot situation.
You questioned the shot, even if it wasn't the ability. You didn't take it. You just scored big in my books! Besides, the workload is lighter when you shoot with a camera. :clapper:
Thanks for all the kind words, guys. and I do take perfect stock in the fact that I need to shoot a few does in order to conquer the big one if and when he shows up.
I'm thinking it will happen just fine.
You guys have just reinforced what I have known for a long time...there is way more compassion in we hunters than the non-hunters realize.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
I think you should be commended. I consistently pass up shots at what I call "lesser deer" meaning most does, fawns and small bucks. I often go without taking anything because I don't need the meat, don't want to drag/clean a deer and enjoy watching them more than I do killing them. Good for you and hope you enjoy many more fun hunts.
a great day in the woods..
I totally agree with others here...it's your call, no one else's. Besides, the less they're bothered, the better chance your grandson has. Once he draws "first blood", he's likely hooked for life, therefore perpetuating the trad hunting tradition. That's a good thing in my book.
Irv, Having shot with you, any of those deer would be dead had you shot! You chose to enjoy the experience, which is admirable. Every hunter makes his or her own decisions on their harvest opportunities and no one should judge those who decide not to harvest that deer. It's a very personal decision. Congrats on a great encounter and good luck, my friend!
I think you would have had a far more memorable hunt had the doe ambled into range of your grandson and he was able to take her. For that reason alone I think you made the right choice!
hey Irv
sounds like you had a great time to me!!
Carry On and Good luck out there.
I think it's good you listened to your gut, heart, brain...or whatever body part caused you to hold up. There's no rule that says you have to take every shot presented to you.
You have meat in the freezer, I'll bet you wouldn't have hesitated if it had been a while since you had chops on the grill. I'll also be you would have been all over the shot if it was a buck.
I like what Caughtandhobble posted earlier:
QuoteOriginally posted by Caughtandhobble:
Sounds like a good hunt to me... The older I get the less I feel the absolute need to kill. Thanks for sharing your hunt.
More to hunting than killing. If it isn't right no need to pull the trigger. I do it a lot.
But, with doe proportions hugely out of balance with bucks, I prefer to bust a doe before small buck. In my case. I'll let a small 8-point walk in favor of the doe. Think long think wrong. Whatever suits you. Don't sweat it a bit partner.
If you were happy with your days hunt, then you did the right thing. I do not hunt for other people, or what they think and neither should you. I hunt for me, it is not all about killing for me, it is about just being able to get out and enjoy it all. I do not have to harvest an animal every time I go out to have a good hunt. You have meat in the freezer already, and you enjoyed time with your grandson. When the time is right to take the shot you will know. Imo, I would say you had a very successful hunt my friend, thanks for taking us along.
Tom
Couldn't have said it better TJK68!
Seems like a good Papa and all, but did you want a pat on the back for not shooting? Me personally, will have no other man "scold" me for my choices in the woods and would definietly not come here asking if I should be.
You let one walk, no big deal, nothing terrible or grand about it. I've let several walk already, my choice.
Man, you really screwed up! That may be your only chance of the....
Just kidding. Time spent in the woods with your grandson Luke is reward enough.
You will get another chance God willing and you certainly have the skill to seal the deal.
Now, if you had passed on a legal deer in south Florida I might know of a doctor you should see!
You and I have both passed on a lot of pigs, don't see how this would be any different.
Your choice. Any deer within bow range of me is a trophy and I would have taken the shot. To each their own.
No you should not be scolded.
Like I tell my sons, it is their tag to do with it what they please.
So... it is your tag to do with as you please.
Chad
Thanks again, guys, for all your responses...
I hope I don't regret not taking the shot. Only time will tell that.
I've killed quite a few deer, just not with the trad bow.
I always envision the shot before I take it, and could see the arrow flying in my mind...pretty sure I could have sealed the deal.
When I do harvest the first trad doe, I will surely get a photo on here.
Hopefully the wait will be worth it.
My first goal is to do all I can for the Grandson and his first deer.