First Sighting of Season

ber643 · September 21, 2010, 09:23:00 AM

Well, I finally saw my first of the season, yesterday evening. Unfortunately the nice, big doe saw me at the same time.

My young Friend, Chris, that I am in the process of converting to trad bows, and I were sitting in a "new" place. We were on opposite sides of a small, nearly dry branch (creek).

If I had stayed in the first spot I picked for my folding chair stand, I probably would have at least got a shot - she would have been closer, and facing at right angles to me. That's the danger of second guessing yourself. There was a nice nob of land just a little up to my right, so I moved (about 10 minutes after sitting down) up onto the pine nob w/mixed hardwoods. I figured that up there I could see the top of the nob as well as still watch the branch that I was there for (presumably a cooler walking/browsing place for the deer).

About 6:45 I heard a sound down near the branch, and then caught movement out of the corner of my eye, beyond a tree. I looked at the side of the tree nearer me and a doe was just emerging - coming out of a stumble (like deer are seen to do occasionally, in spite of their inborn grace). As she stretched/raised her head and neck out to come up out of the stumble, her eyes locked on mine - dead on at about 35 yards. I froze, as I am one who firmly believes in never looking a deer in the eyes. First time I've (knowingly) been busted in a long time. I didn't dare move but I averted my eyes as best I could, hoping she would turn to sneak away slowly, or decide to come on up the grade. However, she stared straight at me, head as high as she could reach. Suddenly she reared on her hind legs, doing a quarter turn, let out one scream, and leaped back towards the branch. After crossing the branch she stopped (she was covered from my actual view by the underbrush shortly after she turned), and started a "traditional" screaming series of about 6-8 blows. Then it was quiet as death in the bottom for a couple minutes. I heard noises in the brush that led me to believe she had turned and headed back towards where Chris was sitting on the far side of the branch. He later confirmed my believe - from his higher vantage point he had seen most of her antics but wasn't sure just where I was in relation to her, or if I had seen her. In no time she closed on him and as he got ready she raised her head from a check of the ground (how quickly they go into "browse mode"), and I'll be darned if she didn't do the same thing to him that she had to me. I guess she was already extra-hyper at that point. All I heard was another series of horrific screams as she busted him, and then busted out of there and back up the creek side.

When Chris and I met at the creek, on his side, about 45 minutes later, I asked with a laugh, "Did you see my "screamer?" At the same time Chris said, "Did you see that doe?" I replied with the same thing I started this tale with, "Yeah, I did, but unhappily she saw me at the same time." We both had a good laugh as we exchanged our individual views of the activity. It made for a good hunt though, and when we got out on the road, Chris father, Jimmy was just tickled that we'd both seen one. Us too, - - - - though I do wish I hadn't second-guessed my ground blind site - LOL

BTW, last night, Chris asked me to start looking for a good, hunting weight (45-50#) recurve bow that he could afford on his limited budget. He's ready to go trad. Something about being tired of fighting a "release", for one thing - says it really gets in his way all the time - now - LOL

bornagainbowhunter · September 21, 2010, 09:36:00 AM

Cool hunt, makes for some good memories.

Mudd · September 21, 2010, 10:36:00 AM

Sounds like Chris has been bitten.

I doubt there's any hope for him now!...lol

Thanks for sharing, not only with us but with Chris as well.

God bless,Mudd

ber643 · September 21, 2010, 11:18:00 AM

Thank you, guys, for the read and the good comments.
I'm sure you're right about Chris being bitten - big time, Mudd.

ber643 · September 21, 2010, 03:03:00 PM

ttt

Killdeer · September 21, 2010, 03:34:00 PM

I am getting so antsy to hunt!
Sounds like you ran into the Doe Police. No shame in your hunting tactics and skills, they are professionals, and can smell a setup from a mile away... when they are upwind!
I can't tell you how often I have gotten busted by the DP, and they are always on vacation when Bucks Only rolls around.

Your tale of rethinking hits home too. I always think myself out of whatever spot I pick. Drive myself nuts that way. You'll be in the right spot at the right time when the cosmic gears mesh, and it is your turn to receive The Gift. Those close encounters always get the juices flowing, eh?

Rooting for the home team,
Killdeer

ber643 · September 21, 2010, 09:44:00 PM

LOL - Ya got that right, Killie, ol' buddy - all of it. I just keep plugging away. We tried another different (beautiful) place tonight. I was by a larger creek with plenty of water. Saw 4 or 5 squirrels and 5 or 6 wood ducks. The ducks kept landing in the brook and then swimming downstream. Great night but no deer sightings.

John Dill · September 21, 2010, 09:51:00 PM

Bernie

Its gonna happen buddy. Your gonna let the air out of one very soon. Blackie's got mojo.

ber643 · September 22, 2010, 06:05:00 AM

I'll tell you this much, John, and no smoke - I really tend to feel confident with my Anneewakee Addiction bow, Blackie in my hand and/or across my knees. It's a great feeling, and probably half the battle, truth be known. (Kinda like some of the old pro bowlers wearing black shirts - "for power" they said - LOL)

I just knew I was going to have deer running all over me last night in that beautiful spot. Hated to leave the woods, when it came time to go, and "they" hadn't arrived to run me over yet -

broketooth · September 22, 2010, 06:29:00 AM

very cool read bernie. it sucks gettin busted doesn't it. i couldnt begin to tell ya how many times i was busted during last season. on one occasion, i was on my way to my blind area, i walked up on a group of does. they were between me and the blind. i stood there behind some cover, and just watched for a while. the lead doe musta winded me, i got her attention, but im not sure if she new what she was lookin at. she did the foot stomp for several minutes trying to get me to give up my position. this is where it gets funny to me.im not the type of person who jumps at unexpected loud noises but apparently when i was watching the group of does, there was another doe behind me i never knew was there. she blew so loud, it sounded like it was right in my ear.she got my attention cuz i spun around so fast i nearly snapped my own neck.never seen a group of does exit an area so fast in all my life. i just had to laugh. it something i wont forget. cant wait to get back in the woods. good luck to all this season, ruddy

ber643 · September 22, 2010, 12:43:00 PM

LOL - thanks, Rudy. I'll tell you, when a doe "screams" like that, if you aren't expecting it (looking right at her, more or less) there isn't hardly anyone who doesn't at least cringe, if not jump - no matter how many times they've heard it before - :D

ber643 · September 22, 2010, 08:03:00 PM

Was able to get a nice bow for Chris from my friend Paul Mills (kodiakkid) at a more than reasonable price. Needles to say Chris is real excited, and can't wait for it to get here.

LA Trapper · September 22, 2010, 09:17:00 PM

Great story Bernie.

It doesn't matter. Those wise old does have ESP or ESPN, one or the other(LOL). If you sit the left side of the fork, they go on the right. If you sit on the hill, they slip through the bottom. I had a big mature doe peg me one day years ago in full camo and surrounded by tree limbs on the first time I hunted a spot in a climber. She walked up on the trail, I was like a statue, she stared up at me at 40 yards out. Busted.

You sound like me!!!!!!

We open up for most of LA Oct 1 and I can't wait. Shot tonight again with broadheads and it looks like I am dialed in. It will be fun!!!!

Billy

Stiks-n-Strings · September 22, 2010, 10:51:00 PM

Glad to hear you got him a bow Bernie. Great story too.

Stiks

ber643 · September 23, 2010, 06:06:00 AM

Thanks, guys. Yep, Chris is really fired up now (about the bow and trad) and he is quite a hunter and he and his Dad spend most of their time in the woods - even in the off season. I remember when the National Forest had to (budget) cut the care of the Food Plots in our area, Jimmy and Chris took over doing about 3 of them in our immediate area for three or more years - until folks started abusing them. That was about the time I left off hunting out there - until this year. I had forgotten how many pretty places there are right close to home here. I may even keep bowhunting out there even after the gun/dog season kicks in this year, especially with Jimmy and Chris re-introducing me to little "hidden" spots - LOL.

Another good thing is that with the price Paul (kodiakkid) gave "us" on Chris' bow, he can now also afford to get his other needed items that I've been able to loan him. Not that he would have to do that right away but he hates to have to "borrow" for an extended period, as many of us do. They are good, solid folks.