I was on stand for the second time this season and didn't think I was gonna see anything again....'til about 8:15 PM. I glanced over toward the creek and saw two deer wading through the water about 22-23 yards out, headed toward one lonely shooting lane. I could tell the first one was a young buck with a small(maybe 4 point?) velvet rack and another deer behind him that looked like a doe. As the first deer entered my only shooting lane, I went to draw on him and my arrow holder pulled my arrow nock off of the string! I didn't lose the arrow but the buck was past my opening in the trees. So, I put the arrow back on the string and here comes the doe into the opening. As I draw on her, I give a rather loud bleat with my voice and she stopped dead in her tracks. I'm already at anchor and within a second or two my arrow is on it's way. It feels real good and it looks even better as it disappears somewhere in the front half of the deer's body.
   Instantly, she turns around and heads back in the direction she came from at warp speed. I lose sight of her very quickly as it's very thick and grown up all over. After I replay the events in my head and gather my stuff and climb out of my two-man ladder stand, I go over to the creek where she stood when arrow met meat. I look in the direction she ran and I see my arrow laying in the water. The blood has washed off from the current of the flowing creek water except for the white feather....it still has some blood on it.
    Now, I have to trail her in the creek but I'm able to find blood on the muddy bottom and on rocks here and there protruding above the surface. Then I'm able to find where she leaves the water:





    I then see where she doubles back in the other direction and piles up about ten yards away for a total of about 50 yards from where I put one through her. Here's how I found her:



    Sorry I got so long winded over a doe kill, but I'm still very excited and going on adrenaline, especially since I haven't killed anything with trad equipment since I got out of trad about 11 years ago. Got back into it last fall for good though.

A few more pics taken by my wife about 10 yards from where I found the doe:







Thanks for looking and for your patience!

Doug

Cool, never apologize for a good story and clean kill. Gets me exicited for the 12th WI opener and first trad hunt in 27 years.

Good recovery Doug and now for some fine eatin'!  

Way to go!  Thanks for the story!!  

Good job! Great way to start the season.
Next time smile for one of those Pics, this should be a happy occasion!  

You guys are killing me! Oct 1st feels like it's never gonna get here.    

Congrats Doug.

What was your BH used?

Thats good stuff Doug,glad to hear it. Post it up on the club website!

You better be excited.If not go to the doctor.Good kill.  

Geez, the joy is just overflowing out of you in those pix....

Congrats!

Congrats!!  Like Davo said, "never apologize for a good story."  Now just keep practicing on that HAPPY face..       Thanks for sharing.  Joe

Way to go Doug...        I'm happy for ya bud....

Good story but the pics could use one of these.    We have to wait till Oct 3rd

Nice job!!

Great job bud,,JB

great job doug way to go woo hoooo     im happy for ya bud

Great job!

All animals taken with trad gear are trophies, I hope to be putting some of those trophy does in my freezer in 2 weeks, congratulations.