Well what can I say!!

Hiked the long way up and around the back side of one of the bluffs over looking the small corn field behind the house. This was at 6 am yesterday. Climbed into the stand and was wishing for more clothes all most at once. The NW wind while perfect for this stand was producing a wind chill in the minus double digit range.

At 8 am Jayne left the farm house on her snow shoes ( as planned) walked around the back of the red pines, up over teepee hill and into Apple alley. From there she went thru the Gauntlet and up the trail to Inspiration point. Then up the trail to the Iron gate and on to Buddha. From there she came down the logging road to meet up with me.

About 8:30 six does filtered thru the timber just 75 yards above me into the upper food plot. They milled around for a bit, looked my way but continued moving to the east. Then about 15 minutes later a doe and her fawn came walking at a brisk walk from the food plot in my direction. They were on the logging road instead of the trail I had hoped. Going to get winded I thought. At 15 yards with no shot yet the doe stopped and sniffed the air. Busted or so I thought. She looked back over her shoulder up the logging road. Little did I know Jayne wasn't fall from the top. The pair continued on. I oozed into shooting position. At 20 yards , the doe stopped and stood. Perfect! I drew, picked a spot and missed! The arrow passed right under her arm pit!  She moved forward just a few yards and stopped again, while fumbling to get a second arrow on the string, Jayne came marching down the trail and the deer slowly made their way off down the bluff.  Well when you are wearing a balaclava, neck gator, full stocking hat face mask, and another stocking hat on top of that, I may not have come to anchor. Great excuse ey? 2009 is now in the books,until next next season, the wait begins.

Happy New year and New Decade all.

Jim

Good story Jim - misses make us stronger - at least thats what i tell myself!

All those clothes add their own special challenge.  Good you were out there.  I about froze last night, but didn't get the even get the chance to miss!  Here's to next season!

Been there, Done that!

Follower..  I must be awfully strong then..  lol
good story jim, thanks for sharing.

I too got stronger with a miss the night before last!!!

I must be Superman cause I missed a coyote last night and one this morning! I got buckbrush to blame this morning ones on though.  

Life is not about surviving the storm, but dancing in the rain. Misses are part of it! Great story!

Notice I said rain instead of snow. It was raining on me last evening and I only saw a redtailed hawk.

Don't feel to bad I missed a 10 yrd perfect shot at a 6-point just inches over the back. I rushed the shot forgot everything I was to do did not bend at the waist amoung other things. I did come to full anchor and picked a spot. I would not have been anymore excited if I had got him good thing is I did not have the work that happens after the shot. There is always next year.  Widow

looks like I am in good company!

Come on, negative weather in Minn.? :~) Sounds like good ol Marine Corp sunshine to me.LOL
It's easy to be a smarta** when your sitting in a warm house like me.
On the real, thanks for taking us along on the hunt. I was cold just listening to you. But I was also excited too. Good luck in 2010!

Mike

I'm going out in the AM. supposed to be 9 with a winchill of -5 deg.  I would definately be staying in bed but my hunting partner doesn't have a deer yet and wants to go. So I guess I'll go freeze too.

Least you got a chance to miss!  Had a nice 8 pt. the other evening come out and feed in a small food plot I was hunting. Fed in to 12 yrds and never gave me a good shot angle.  Sure is fun being close, though.  Makes us hungrier for next season, I guess.

At least you had a shot,sorry you missed,I haven't had a shot in over a month,

Kurt

I never feel bad on a clean miss!! Its the only thing better then a clean kill!

you gave it a good try and a clean miss happens to all of us cold weather hunting can be a little more of a challenge

-27 deg. This morning. Almost glad season is over so I don't have to feel gilty not being out there! Shivered just reading your post.
But had a great year!
Thanks

Great story.How did you get Jayne to do the push for ya.My wife would laugh and roll over

I found the success of never missing.. Staying inside in my lazy boy, I never miss...lol One of my bestus hunts was outta my lazy boy until the wife woke me up.

I give you folks that brave those cold conditions all the credit in the world. I did it in my younger days but not these days. I truly admire your spirit.

God bless,Mudd

It will happen if you shoot enough arrows at live animals to everyone.