So this morning was a slow morning until other hunters started to leave the woods and pushed up some deer towards me.  A doe and a spike came my way an were angling past my stand.  When the doe cleared some brush I bleated to stop her she locked up real hard. I could see was trying to locate the sound and was ready to explode.  I've hit deer high in the past, so this time I actually aimed underneath her.  She was about 10 yds out, she dropped at the shot but the arrow punched her perfect midship.  I instantly saw blood explode out of her as she wheeled away.  I heard her run up through the mountain laurel and crash. I get down and see that I have one of the best blood trails I've ever seen. Now this is where the story really begins,I quickly decide to forget about the afternoon hunt and call to see if the kids want to help.  This trail will be a great starter for them...lots of fun!!  I live about and hour and ten minutes from my spot. I call my wife to see if she can meet me half way with my helpers.  Devyn and TJ were ready to go but Camryn had girl scouts, so my wife meets me about half way and I pick up my tracking team.
My morning spot.  Not a great tree but I had to ditch mt first two spots because of hunters in the woods so I had to hike back out grab my sticks and extra bracket and readjust into this area.
 

The team big sis Devyn and lil bro TJ


Devyn showing the first blood she found

Into the laurel we go....


TJ found some blood


Back on the track

Great Stuff !!!!  

Devyn leading the way...


about 50yds in....

Good stuff!     Nothing like young blood hounds on the trail... brings back memories for me.

Devyn yells DEER!!!!


How they found her....


Group shot

Awesome !!!!!

Awesome !!!!!

         
Great outing

great stuff for a family outing congrats

Way to go Dad!  

Great to see ya passing it on!!! Great job!!!

Cool story...thanks for sharing!

After we found her and the initial yahoo factor had warn off and I was preparing to dress her out i look and see Devyn is a little misty eyed. This is a girl who has grown up around hunting and is in the woods constantly with daddy, she also has heard me preach about the right way to hunt and to always be thankful.  This is the most important part of this hunt!!!! I ask her whats wrong and she says I'm a little sad, I tell her come her kiddo lets sit down and talk.  So there we are the three of us sitting in the leaves....first thing I tell her is that I'm glad shes sad, we just took a life and thats a serious act.  The fact that she's sad means she gets it....we then go on to talk about how taking this deer allows us to eat and take her energy as our own and the circle of life continues, even how the foxes and other critters will benefit off the gut pile.  We also touch how all of nature meets it end usually in a slow desperate way, but this doe died in what we figured to be 4-6 seconds.  After our little pow wow it was time to finish the job and get our doe home...

Happy trails
 

Almost there..
 

Thanks guys sorry for all the pics I just really wanted to show this experience.  Make the time and get your kids in the woods it comes back ten fold.  As we are driving home Devyn asks "dad next time you get one can I please come, that was alot of fun." Good luck this year.  Joe

Great hunt and great story to include the kids!  Very nice pictures also!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

One of the best deer stories on here, thanks for sharing.