A different kind of successful hunt!

BowHuntingFool · January 04, 2009, 10:16:00 PM

Well I went out for the last day of our Wisconsin season. With an ice storm last night, the temps were supposed to be dropping into the single digits and windy all day! I thought is was gonna be good! I plan on going back to an area that I haven't been to for a few weeks. On my way to find a new tree to set up in along a small river crossing I look up the trail and see some movement, at first I'm thinking coyote, no, not a Coyote, a Deer, but is it getting eatin by a Coyote, no, it fell thru the Ice and is stuck and struggling in the water. I'm like now what, I take the stand off my back, nock an arrow and sneak over to the struggling deer trying to get out of the water, it can't. As I get closer I'm thinking I'm going to get to shoot a deer on the last hunt of the year. When I get with in 20 yards the deer stops and takes a rest, tries to get out again but can't get out from the icy water. I'm like this sucks, I go over to the bank and assess the situation, all the while the deer takes another rest. I'm like come big girl you can get out. Nope she is not gonna get out. Well I start to talk to her and try to get her fired up to free herself. I yell at her louder and she almost gets out but falls back into the water. As she gives it another go, I yell a little louder and this gets her a boost of energy, almost out, I yell some more and she just barley gets up the other side. She lays there for a second, gets up, looks at me, shakes off, looks at me again and then walks off! I could of shot her when she was in the water, when she got out and was looking at me from 5 yards but she just made it thru a life threatening struggle which would of been a painful death, I bid her goodbye and see ya next year! I think she will be fine, I know I do knowing she made it out! To me... it was a successful last deer hunt of the season helping the old girl out!! Good luck!

bowhunterfrompast · January 04, 2009, 10:22:00 PM

Schultzy · January 04, 2009, 10:25:00 PM

I couldn't believe It Joe when I got that text from you!! As far as I'm concerned you did everything perfect!! I would have let her go also. Pretty dang neat Joe!!

pine nut · January 04, 2009, 10:37:00 PM

Good on ya!

RightTrailWrongTime · January 04, 2009, 10:41:00 PM

My hats off to you my friend, that I believe was what you where supposed to do. A great act on your behalf. I'm sure she was thankful and I'm sure you will see her again!

pronghorn23 · January 04, 2009, 10:43:00 PM

Awesome hunt and awesome story. And some claim that hunters don't care!

I saw a doe break through the ice on a stream a couple years ago. She struggled for a couple minutes, repeatedly falling through. Finally made it out. I was worried about her being all wet and it being so cold out as to how she was going to fair.

Turned my stomach to watch her struggle though, even though it's part of nature.

NewtoTrad2008 · January 04, 2009, 10:46:00 PM

Way to go! A truley successful day in the wods!

Ray Hammond · January 04, 2009, 10:48:00 PM

Fair chase is the only way to hunt.

Irish · January 04, 2009, 10:52:00 PM

Not much to say but

BowHuntingFool · January 04, 2009, 11:03:00 PM

Thanks for the kind words fellas, I did what everyone else here would of done, just wanted to share the experience! with ya!

Chris Surtees · January 04, 2009, 11:05:00 PM

Larry Surtees · January 04, 2009, 11:07:00 PM

KSdan · January 04, 2009, 11:12:00 PM

That is about as good as it gets. . . says something about the heart of the hunter.

vermonster13 · January 04, 2009, 11:13:00 PM

Glad you let her walk, shooting a deer in the water is illegal in Michigan. Shooting her after that struggle would have just been wrong. Go get her next year. Well done.

Rooselk · January 04, 2009, 11:16:00 PM

Excellent story...kudos to you.

Dsturgisjr · January 04, 2009, 11:20:00 PM

Thanks for sharing your encounter Joe. That is better than shooting one.

Hawkeye · January 04, 2009, 11:44:00 PM

I'm thankful to hear your story. Congratulations on the class you showed. Way to go!

BTH · January 04, 2009, 11:52:00 PM

Here's another

for you!

That was a cool thing you did. A story worth sharing with the next generation.

Jerry Wald · January 05, 2009, 12:01:00 AM

I know deep down inside of us when we see game in distress it hurts deep inside us even though we are predetors.

I watched a cow moose being taken down by wolves in ice and water once. She was struggling for her life and one of them had her by the neck and the others were attacking her flanks

I couldn't get close with my bow so I got my buddy to shoot her with his 7mm

She was going to die and the wolves needed to eat, but I just couldn't stand watching her suffer that kind of fate.

I know it's nature and if I don't see it I guess that's ok, but you see it happen it's completely different.

Good on you mate!
Jer Bear

Mary A · January 05, 2009, 12:34:00 AM

That was a great story. Thanks for sharing the experience.