It's been a frustrating season so far, with several misses, a wardrobe malfunction, and squirrely winds, but last night, sweet redemption finally came.
It's my first year hunting in Florida (extreme NW tip), and it is legal to hunt over feeders. Regardless of how you feel about that, I had a lot of fun scouting out my locations, hanging stands, and anticipating how the deer would act. I had been warned that they come into the feeder wired up tight, and that is certainly true. Opening weekend, I missed a doe right under my feeder when my borrowed ghillie jacket messed me up. You see, if you are left-handed as I am, and the jacket belongs to a righty, the wrong sleeve has been trimmed! :knothead: My slam dunk shot turned to disaster as my bow string raked all the way down the ghillie sleeve.
A couple of weeks ago, I was hunting from my popup blind for the first time, and I had a medium-sized (for Florida) doe come in to the feeder. She was nervous, and the feeder had not yet gone off, so she wasn't planning on sticking around long. I picked a spot, the arrow flew perfectly from my RER Retro, and I watched in slow motion as she ducked about 8 inches in under a second. Right over her back! I was really upset, but the shot had been good. Just amazing reflexes.
Fast forward to yesterday. The weather was mid 40's and a good chance of rain. The north wind was perfect for my popup, so I returned to the spot and settled in. Here is my view, about 12 yards to the feeder. (http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/johnnyk71/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1467_zps4fdc045c.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/johnnyk71/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1467_zps4fdc045c.jpg.html)
About 4:30, the same doe I had missed before came back to the same exact spot, and started eating. I was determined to make good this time. I picked a spot, got to anchor, and things felt good. It was a short shot, 10-12 yards, and I released... RIGHT OVER HER BACK! Same doe, same shot, same result. I was crushed. I picked up my phone to text my buddy and get some consolation. I had typed the words, "I just...", when I looked up and there she was! She had come right back! I nocked an arrow, came to full draw, and mentally aimed as low as I could make myself do.
The 150-grain Magnus 4 blade made the sweetest sound I've heard in a long while. I felt the hit was good, but given my recent luck and performance, I wasn't sure. I could only make myself wait about 20 minutes, because light was fading, and I realized I had forgotten my flashlight back at the truck! Man, I was acting like a rookie!
I walked over to about 5 yards past the shot, and I saw excellent blood! That was all I needed to back out and wait for my hunting buddy and some flashlights. (http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/johnnyk71/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1468_zps47f7f56e.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/johnnyk71/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1468_zps47f7f56e.jpg.html)
With the assistance of some actual light, I was greeted by one of the easiest-to-follow blood trails I have ever had. The Magnus Stinger cut through most of the very top of her front leg, and decimated her heart. She ran about 70 yards, and was there, with my arrow lying just under her.
I was a happy, happy guy! Same deer, three shots at her on two different hunts, and I finally got THAT monkey off my back! I'll put up some pictures in a little while. RER Retro 53#@ 28", Gold Tip 7595s, Magnus Stinger 150 grain heads. 250 grains up front.
And here we are. I'm still really pumped!
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/johnnyk71/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1476_zps2b4f44dd.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/johnnyk71/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1476_zps2b4f44dd.jpg.html)
Good job! :thumbsup:
Congrats!!!
Way to go.
:campfire:
That was an awesome blood trail. She sprayed on trees and shrubs on a straight path. Young, tender viddles in my future I hope, as I drug her out and took the hero shots!
Of course he did feed me some awesome deer chili today, I guess we're even now :-)
Dave
Congrats! Those Retros are good bows. Looking forward for the pics. :campfire:
I am glad you got her.
Way to go! :clapper:
i added some pics if anyone is interested. still psyched about it all coming together again for the first time this season.
Great story and end result. Congrats!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats on your Doe. I am still in awe how well the deer can duck an arrow.
Congrats!
Dude u need to post a pic of that dinner plate u put on FB
umm... back straps
Tonight's dinner:
Medallions of inner tenderloins, sautéed in olive oil for maybe a minute, with garlic, cayenne pepper flakes, and Greek seasoning. Finished with a red wine reduction (that's the red in the picture), with butter, fresh rosemary I grew on the back porch.
Served with wild rice and mushrooms, and washed down with a glass of good Old Vine Zinfandel.
So tender and good that it lasted maybe 5 minutes, and my kids ran by and stole a few bites of meat off my plate, haha!
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/johnnyk71/Mmmm_zps75cc1bad.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/johnnyk71/media/Mmmm_zps75cc1bad.jpg.html)
Looks delicious! Great job and congrats. Thanks for sharing. I'm suddenly starving.
Way to go,,,,, :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Congrats Brother!
Well, you can't go wrong with a RER!