The hunt goes on...Got a deer! Sept. 24,2011

[Elksong]

[rushlush]

Great pics!

[Elksong]

The plan this morning was to find my wife an Elk. I figured with all the elk that were in the area we should have a good shot at calling one to us. Well the elk didn't follow the plan. They were GONE! Not a single elk in the whole area. So we went and glassed a couple of other area's, but only found one small herd on a piece of private.
So I fgured the best plan was to back track a see if we could catch any thing moving around. We did! At the spot I have been hunting like a dog Three big does crossed the road in front of us. I pulled into a wide spot and ran an end around play, LOL, and headed them off. The shot was 25+/- yards and I thought it was perfect.

[Elksong]

The shot that looked pefect was a little far back. I found gut material on the blood trail, so we waited a bit. There was a lot of blood so I was sure I had hit an artery somewhere as well. We headed out with my son leading the safari, and doing a great job on a very good blood trail. After about 100 yards we jumped her! My heart sank, it has never been good when I have jumped a hit animal. She was bleeding like crazy though.....

[Elksong]

I almost forgot! On our first inspection of this area earlier in the morning. We saw this buck with these same does. I am pretty sure he stayed on the private side of the road though. They always do!

[Elksong]

I decided that since she was bleeding so hard we would push her. She had only gone another 50 yards and we jumped her again. We stop for a few minutes, then snuck along the very visible blood trail. I think we jumped her four more time in an hour and only 150 yards of trail. Finally she laid down where I could see her and snuck in for a finishing shot and she only went 20 more yards. I was VERY thankful! It was so great to have my son along. He loved every second of it. He is a bright kid and seemed to be going though the same emotional roller coaster I was on his own level. He was super happy we found her and a little sad that it wasn't the cleanest kill. You and me both son.

Saying our prayer and thanking the Doe for her life and promising to do a better job as a hunter next time.

My awesome little crew.

[varmint101]

Nice! Glad you got her recovered.

[JimL]

The scenery is worth the effort.  Beautiful country

[razorsharptokill]

Good job! Glad you found her!

[Doc Nock]

Perseverance pays off in spades! And steaks!

Good job. Makes me homesick to be back in the hills of the West... amazing country!

[Bjorn]

Great recovery!!      

[Ranger75]

Great stuff. Thanks.

[GRINCH]

Nice hunt and recovery.

[Mudd]

[Thumper Dunker]

Thats super cool stuff.

[Precurve]

Cool pics!  Really cool you do that as a family.  

Dave

[Hopewell Tom]

Great pics and story.
Way to hang tough on the wounded doe. That has happened twice for me as well - pushing the gut shot animal. They can't take it and the bumps get closer until there they are down and you have a chance. Heartbreaking ordeal, but good in the end. Great to be with the family. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[jcar315]

What an absolutely awesome thread!

Great pics, family along, and determination to follow up your doe!

Congrats and what a great day to be afield it looks like!!

[LONGSTYKES]

Beautiful country and a good read. Thanks and congrats. Good recovery, she'll eat good.

[doubleo]

Beautiful pics and a big doe. Most of the deer are on private land in Wi. also.