luke's first trad kill: thanksgiving!

[the longbowkid]

I have been bowhunting(trad only!) for about a month now. I live in eastern North Carolina, which is very deer rich country, as anyone who lives here will agree!  I am hunting from a private lease wiht a fair amout of ok bucks, but the are super nocturnal, even during bow season.  
Anyway, I was learning the ropes for the first week or so, and I learned more in those days than I ever would have thought.  I spooked a few does, didn't take shot opportunities on a four point, along with many other close encounters. i saw close to 30 deer under 20 yards before making a kill, which hapened on thanksgiving morning.
we got out to the lease about 6, with plenty of time before sunrise at about 7.  I got into the stand, not expecting much for today, considering that it was pretty balmy, in the high 40's.  first light came and went, but I was really waiting for the doe that had been showing up religiosly at 8:30. she had been using a cornpile behind me to the left, on a logging trail, but had eaten all the corn, so she came to my lane today. she came in about 8:45, went straight to the corn, and started munching away. she was standing partially covered by a tree, dead broadside at 10 yards. her vitals were exposed, but she was watching me constantly and I couldn't shoot. She fed for a few more minutes, and finally started walking up the lane . I waited until she turned her head, drew, and shot. I watched the arrow sink to the fletches as she crashed into the woods. she was at 12 yards, very slightly quartering away.  She lived for 5 seconds after the shot, and after an easy track, We found her in a ditch 50 yards away.the trail looked like a leak in a wine truck, at places three feet wide!  I made a center lung shot, sliding between two ribs, and it certainly did the job!  It was awesome to finally, after all that hunting , have it come together perfectly. I was shooting a bob lee 43# at 25" recurve, easton arrows tipped with Woodsman elite 175 gr heads.
thanks for the support and guidance of a couple of great guys; John Dill and Don Batten, and also of all you other tradgangers.  couldn't have done it without you!
lm
thanks guys!    
P.S. This is Luke's dad, He did a great job and I was very proud of his tenacity and discicpline in waiting for the right opportunity.  Well done!
Joe McMillan

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/longhunter95/trad%20kills/PB263367.jpg

please resize all posted images no wider than 640 - thank you

[Hoser1268]

Congrats!!! Well done.

[Altiman94]

congrats!!! those will be some tasty backstraps!!

[Charlie Lamb]

Way to go bud!!
         

[Charles K.]

Very nice pic.....hope you get many more!

[Don Batten]

Way to go Luke. I was tickled to death when you called. I'm proud of you for sticking with the bow even during gun season. I'm sure it will be the first of many successfull hunts to come. Don

[amar911]

That's exciting! Good going, Luke.    

Allan

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Way to Go Luke. Big congrats on a Great first deer.

[The Night Stalker]

Carolina boy has it going on. Way to many deer in the North Western part of the state also. Way to many does....

[rnharris]

congrats  

[DW]

Great Job Luke! I'm sure it's the first of Many!!!          

[Benjy]

Good job Luke.      

[LV2HUNT]

Good job Luke, congrats!

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Congratulations, and many happy returns of the day!

[Brian Krebs]

It will never get old - even though you will    

Congrats !!!!

[Stone Knife]

That is awesome  

[Gator1]

That is fantastic, and a great story of patience.

     

[Izzy]

[Irish Archer]

Congrats. Nice deer.  

[turkey522]