After reading Tom's (KentuckyTJ) late season hunt thread I decided to grab my camera as I walked out the door early this morning.   Hope you enjoy my morning hunt.  

Here in southeastern PA we received around 4" of snow on Saturday.  Just enough to really light up the landscape.  I have a small 30 acre property about a mile from my home that really fills up with deer this time of year.   It was timbered a few years back and all the mess that comes with timbering has provided a wonderful bedding area and better yet, a safe spot for deer to yard up.  

I hunted the property on Saturday night following the storm and had a few opportunities but the deer knew I was there and just too wired to risk a shot.   I didn't plan on heading out this morning but woke early enough for a cup of coffee and the 5 minute drive.

Not long after I got settled this is what unfolded....          

   

Ten minutes later the intensity got even better!   I was so glad I rolled out of bed!

   

The first hour was pretty quiet and I was more intent on taking photos than sitting quietly.   The squirrels were moving about along with a variety of birds.  

   

A few minutes after 8 I caught some movement on my left as these 3 does move down the trail towards my stand.  I reached deep into my pocket struggling to get the camera out and turned on before they got too close.  They hung up at 30 yards, perfect for a few photo opts.  So cool.....

       

Finding good coverage late season is tough, especially in a timbered area.  Here's a photo of my stand.  A bit exposed but the best I could do.    



The 3 ladies melted away without an opportunity so I was back on photo mode trying my best to get a photo of a squirrel that was harassing me.  I was twisted hard to my right trying to focus and snap the shot without dropping my bow and/or the camera.  

Is it amazing how quiet deer can be this time of year.  A few night ago I had two does come up on me so quietly that when I finally noticed them they startled the heck out of me!  Well, it happened again....

I'm doing my best to get a photo of this simple squirrel when I here a stick snap, very very close!   I slowly twisted around to find a mini herd under my stand.  Big ones, little ones and a couple horned ones.   Sorry folks, the horned ones never posed very long.  



Yep, two of the ladies were very in tune with my intentions.    

   

All in all a wonderful morning and a beautiful young doe that will help tap off the freezer until next fall.  I'm very fortunate to live in an area with deer so close to home.  I'm also fortunate to have a wife who drove down to help with the photos and loading of the truck.    :rolleyes:

Here's a photo of my my better half.  We will be celebrating 25 years on Wednesday, hopefully we will be blessed with another 25 wonderful years!
 

Tim this is great.  Thanks for sharing with us.  God bless.

Tim,

That is great!  I was out this afternoon. Three shots, three misses!  Tomorrow is another day.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Martin

Well done Tim!! Taking a deer in the late PA season is quite an accomplishment.  I've been hunting with my Flintlock and still can't get one to give me shot.

Great hunt Tim. Congrats on the long and happy marriage. That is something we don't hear about much any more. (15 years for me). Beautiful pictures too.

 

Very nice Tim. It would have been even nicer if I was in a stand nearby!    

Martin....Martin, Martin....keep at it bud!

Are you in double digits yet? Geesh!

Congrats on both accounts!

Awesome!  Thanks for taking us along and congratulations!

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Wife and I have been married 31, and she hunts with me, gets her 2 every year nearly, we have a ball.

Nice one Tim.  I was out in the PA snow this morning and evening, just not with the great results you had.

Going out first thing tomorrow morning too.

Congrats on your Anniversary.  

Tom

That story is just great all the way around!  

nice, congrats on your 25th.

Tim, you look cold in the pic, i have one day left. Plenty of deer but the gun hunters have them nervous. Great pics of the woods.

Nice Tim!  Love those thick winter coats!

Very nice day! Enjoyed the pictures.

Thanks for takin' us along on your successful hunt Tim!

Enjoy the feast!

AND congratulations on 25 years of marriage - that is a tremendous blessing!

Celebrate a Happy New Year!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

Beautiful animal....some good eating there. congrats on a nice kill.