Finally dry enough in Iowa to cross my creek with hip waders. That's what I did about 4 this afternoon with a ladder stand in mind that is just right in a SW wind. It overlooks some bitternut hickories and honey locusts that the deer like to browse under this time of year.

Did not take a deer with a bow last year, back in the groove about 6 PM tonight with one of my first self bows made several years ago. 51 @ 28 short recurve with sinew and snake skins, cane arrow and 125 Grizzly. Yearling doe, 20 yard shot - liver and far lung - she fell in sight.

Five minutes later the next arrow went to the fletching in the same spot (between the last ribs) into the doe as she quartered away. Marked the blood trail and will be back out at daybreak with a friend and his tracking dachshund.

Found a heavy shed near the spot this little one fell. Dreaming of antlers come November... For now its good to have fresh venison again.

 

#2 - Hit the blood trail at first light with Randy's BTT Wirehair Dachshund. She is getting pretty stove up from age, arthritis and couch sitting. She did a good job tracking to the creek but did not bale over the 12 foot bank. I thought I had seen the doe make it to this spot and disappear, but did not hear a splash of crossing. We drove around and tried all the trails on the other side of the creek to no avail.



Back home after thanking Randy and his Teckle Trina then took a break for an hour or so and headed back to do it the old fashioned way. The blood trail was too light to follow so I went over the bank of the creek and found foot tracks. A fresh set headed west and then back up on the same side. I did a thorough grid searching west and checked all the brush piles in the creek downstream in case she floated down.

Then back to the creek bank and found another set going east on the same side. All the commotion after the shot had been east, but I thought it was all the third member of this family group. As I grid searched East I was composing my "couldn't find it post" - I hate those. I was sure the shot had gone exactly where I meant it and that it should have been quickly fatal. I look under every dead fall and bush and search the distance for white. Must have found 10 white plastic jugs from flood debris in the woods this morning. Spotted one more white jug about 11:30 but this one turned into my doe as I approached.



She had flown over the creek bank at a full run and somehow managed to turn and follow the other deer.

My arrow had gone in just where I thought (actually between ribs 2 and 3) and the BH was in the lungs. She must have been down and out in less than a minute.

So, I am reading that you shot two does in a span of 5 minutes?  That's fantastic.  Tell us about your bow.

Shaun, you are making me jealous buddy.  I have had next to no time in the woods this season so far, partly my own doing as I like to wait till later in the season to hunt.

Great job, congratulations on making meat!

Yes looper, two in five minutes, though the second one is still out there - will post pics if the trail ends well.

The bow was my first from scratch. It was made by posting pictures and asking questions on TG. It was an experimental platform and started life as a longbow, then was recurved after tillering - against all advise of my mentors. At that point it gained a name "No No Nannette". I then added deer leg sinew, rattler skins and antler tip overlays. It is not a fast bow - about medium as self bows go, but it has that "feel" and puts em where I look. Two arrows 20 and 18 yards both in the exact spots I had imagined. Confidence in your gear is a great help and believing the arrow will find the mark helps make it so.

rascal, come on down this winter and make some shavings - after the season is bow making time.

Congrats  

Nice bow, arrow and deer, or is it deers!    

 Way to go Shaun, what a way to start the fall here in Iowa.

....sweet ....good job

good job buddy.sweet looking bow.keep up the good work,steve  

Nice job,beautiful bow also.
  Pappy

Way to go Shaun!!!!

Nice!

Great job Shaun.. Another fine bow. I remember your osage self bow you brought to Ohio a couple years back. That was a fine looking bow and great little shooter also. Good luck on with the second doe.

Way to go Shaun. Good looking set up.
Chuck

Well done!

Nice shooting Shaun!

Good lookin bow.

Excellent, Congrats on some great shooting!

Great job Shaun!