I have hunted as hard as my work schedule allows, seen a ton of deer, but no shot opportunity in 16 trips hunting. This past weekend was ML season, buck only, had does all around me, could not shoot. So last night I went back to the same stand, hoping some big old does I had seen the day before would stop by. Got on stand late, 6:01, 6:40 I hear leaves, and looking over my right shoulder, I see a huge, I mean huge doe, and then 3 more deer behind her. They make U off to my right, coming back towards me and a trail between the field and me, field is 14 yds away. In making this half circle, they go behind a huge brushy beech tree, gives me time to stand up and turn the angle I want for the shot. Were 2 small bucks, spikes, #100 or less, I decided I wanted the big lead doe. Problem is she is coming to fast and gets some brush between her and me, can still see her shoulders good, 8yds away, not the best angle, but I decide to try to spine her this close, have done it twice before. I lean out, she is angling forward and pull my Quinns string back,as I anchor the GT with a ACE std on my cheekbone, the arrow is gone and in slow motion she takes a step. Arrow hits her spine 6 inches back of the shoulder blades, and drops her in her tracks. She rolls over a time or two, is struggling and facing me on her front feet, back end don't work. I try to make vital shot just as she flops, and the second arrow hits her just under the throat patch, with only 8 inches sticking out, she gasps and it is over. I could not believe how big she was, no ground shrinkage and I have killed some old does with all kinds of weapons. This one is my second biggest, completely gutted she weighed #130, mud fat. She was an old barren doe, teats and sack withered up and haired over. When I skinned her, their was 3/4 inch of fat on her whole body, more on her hams. Only had to drag her 20yds to the field and load her in the pickup. I skinned and boned out all the meat, put it on ice, and tonight I stopped an got #15 of pork shoulder and mixed it with the close to same amount of deer burger and my country sausage mix I use, ended up with #34 of sausage in 1# poly freezer bags. Kept one out and had sausage, my free range eggs over easy from my hens here on the farm, and toast with some wild raspberry jam wife and I made from berries we picked this spring. Man was it good, first time I had mixed sausage like that, turned out great. We ended up with #34 country sausage, #32 hamburger, and the backstraps and tenderloins, this topped off my 2 freezers, wife and I have 2 tags left, will have to can the next 2!We have had some health issues this year, worked extra hard in the garden and on the farm, orchard and berry patch preserving, canning and freezing food in our efforts to be more self sustaining. It felt really good to eat a good meal, that is the fruit of your labors over several months and realize how blessed we are to be able to do so. Just thought I would share, KY TJ might get you to post a pic of the big girl.
Great News Sam.
Congrats on a big Ol Gal. :clapper:
You made me hungry!
Congrats
Congrats Sam! Glad you were able to get some meat in the freezer. :thumbsup:
Congrats on the big doe!
Bisch
Sustainable living is what its all about! Congrats on your doe. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats Sam! Full freezers from your own land. Awesome!
sounds like you planned well this summer and should do good thru the winter month
Congrats
That's an awesome story bro!!!! I couldn't believe the size of the midwest does I saw in Missouri. They don't get that big in LA. Sure don't have to shoot many of those to fill the freezer. Way to go!
Congrats Sam! Great story...I agree with you wholeheartedly when it comes to being able to provide food for you and your family and being self-sufficient. I always love processing my own deer, fruits, veggies etc... Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see a pic of the ole gal!
Great story Sam! Nice shooting. I'll bet that was an action packed few moments on stand!
You sure live in some beautiful country around Monticello!
I bowhunted the Cumberland State Park when we were first able to convince Parks to offer bowhunts. Drove through Monticello a few times.
Congrats.......... :clapper:
Congrats on an old nanny! :thumbsup:
Good job
Here is Sam's doe. Congrats again Brother!
(http://i44.tinypic.com/rlmh60.jpg)
Thanks TJ, for reference fellas, I weigh #280, and tend to make a normal doe look small, not so with her!
Great story, thanks for sharin & congrats on the doe!
No better meal than the one created by the sweat of your brow from the ground up.
She's what you call a 4-wheel drive doe!!!
congrats
Sam, that is one HUGE doe! Good job!
Congratulations Sam! That's a nice doe. Good work.
Sam, i am not sure, but that my be one of them there ky cow elk that wandered onto yer property ! good job man, way to provide !
Way to go Sam! Nice doe right there for sure, bro.
Congrats buddy!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats!
Way to stick with it.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Bruiser of a doe. Congrats!
Congrats Sam, nice job!
Tom
Way to go Sam! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice Deer Sam. Congrats.
Good job. Deer sausage for breakfast, bear steak for dinner!!
Congrats Sam !!! Good to see you and your success here again. Maybe I will see you again at Twin Oaks this year in May.
Congrats Sam.
Thanks Al, David and Jim. Al had some bear stew last night, melts in your mouth!
Excellent completion.