Guys:  Bear with me - this is my first harvest thread.  I promise I won't draw it out too far.  But, please, join me and enjoy what I'm about to share.

   

November in the Iowa Deer woods can really be a sight to be seen.  It just seems like things magically start to happen and deer come out from all their hiding spots.  

I wasn't able to start hunting until the 3rd weekend in October due to an annual golf tournament with some out of town buddies and my wife's birthday the next weekend.

I did hang a trail camera this year and had a few smaller 8pt bucks on them, some does, turkeys, and of course a coon or two.  But nothing to really get my blood boiling.  I have a 'spot' in November that I absolutely love to hunt as it's a perfect funnel between a bedding area and a water source but that's off limits in October.

My October spot is a ridge of oak trees and the acorns seem to really attract the deer.  I was seeing deer, but hadn't seen a buck and hadn't had a doe in range.  So, come November it's off to 'the spot'.  

Yesterday AM I slept in and ran errands with the wife.  I felt really guilty that I should be in the woods but we accomplished quite a bit - not to mention some ingredients for beef stew (all my deer meat from last year is gone)...can't wait!      

The evening sit yielded sightings of 4 does (two were fawns) but nothing in range.  I have a doe permit and a state-wide/buck tag to fill during archery this season.  I was patiently awaiting a doe in range....but a flock of turkeys came down the hill.  I swear those things know when you even think about drawing your bow and they bust out there.  I guess I'll keep these areas in mind when spring turkey comes because I've only sat 1 time (out of 5) and not seen a group of turkeys.

I climbed down but decided to leave my stand up.  The 'ole' lone wolf alpha and 3 sticks have been oh so good to me the past 9 years I've owned her but shes a pain to set in the dark so it's easier to leave it up if I'll be back in the morning.

I was able to wake up early enough to be in the stand by first light.  Man, 5:15 AM comes early anymore!  I had been planning to sit until at least lunch time to hopefully see a buck cruising.  This funnel has yielded a lot of buck sightings for me in the past 3 years - so I knew at anytime that 'it could happen'.        But I had a good idea of where she went.  After a few searches, I saw some hair in a blow down and after looking through the binos at about 30y - decided it was my deer!

I said a quick 'thank you' to the man above, then got to work.  I tagged her quick, then took some pics, and of course some celebratory text messages sent out!

 

I had told my wife to meet me at the parking area in 15 minutes after I finally had the deer field dressed and cleaned up.  She was there waiting for me when I arrive so I could get a few 'hero pics'.  

 

I'm so excited to share this story with the forum.  I love reading all the harvest threads and was really hoping my own would come together.

With some help of a forum member/co-worker/friend (KAZ) I was able to get myself over the hump and finally get my first harvest.  He helped me set up my bow, tune arrows, and of course pushing me mentally to finally commit to traditional archery...to say I am pumped is an understatement!

Hopefully - I can add this to this thread...still have a buck tag to fill!

Awesome!! Congrats!

Way to go!!!    

I know some will ask, so I'll explain my traditional bow set up.  It's a 56" 50# @ 28" Don Dow 'stik'.  My arrows are 35/55 gold tip traditionals with a 100gr brass insert.  I'm shooting 150gr 3 blade woodsman heads.  Total arrow weight is 530gr.

Don passed away in January of this year - but this bow has lived on to hunt.  So, this harvest is for myself, food for the table, and a tribute to Don's great work.  

Congrats!!

One of my favorite things about the bow (other than being quiet, smooth, and plenty quick) is the saying I had Don print on the top limb.  'Aim Small Miss Small' is probably an over used saying but it rings true for me.  If I pick a spot - I can hit it (to 15y of course )  

Very nice.... Congrats

Congrats!!  

   

Congrats!

Well done!!

Congrats Josh!

hell yeah!  cant wait to see the big buck conclusion.

Golf tournament!? Where are you're priorit!! Lol
Great job!!

Good job !!

       

Well done..!.....congrats..

QuoteOriginally posted by Matty:
Golf tournament!? Where are you're priorit!! Lol
Great job!!

I always say - my golf handicap is a 2 - but my deer hunting handicap is more like a 15!        It was actually really cold that weekend - but the only weekend of the year I get to see the 2 buddies...so it's worth it!

Congrats good job