Sure is funny how things go sometimes. I started shooting trad last Christmas and finished the end of last years archery season here in Il with a stick bow in hand. So fast forward to this year Oct. 1st arrives and Ive practiced all summer. First night out I got a shot at a fawn two turkeys and a big doe. Only shot that connected was with the doe and I hit her back. I left her lay over night and the coyotes got to her before I did. So I didn't consider that my first trad kill. I was disapointed and lost some confidence.
So work took off like crazy and I didn't get to pick up my bow until well into the rut. With confidence lacking I ran back to my wheelie and hunted with it for most of Nov. Things have slowed down and I did alright with the wheels but there has been a nagging feeling way down in my guts that I had given up a little pre mature. So with a few back yard stick flinging sessions in I decided to take out the long bow once again. Ive hunted several times without any whitetail luck. I partly think that has to do with the fact I seem to find it absolutely impossible to pass a shot at a squirrel!
Tonight felt different, I felt like it was all going to come together. Told myself no matter what walked by I was picking a spot and letting go.
I got to my stand at almost 2 and was up my tree and over looking a heavily used game trail. Condfidence restored I found myself thinking of my friend who had hung that stand and how he was one of the people who influenced me into picking up a trad bow. Luckily all the squirrels in the are had decided to do their winter foraging in other areas. I had a large doe and two fawns show up about 3:30. I immediately picked a spot on the first fawn and watched intently as she worked around eating berries. I realized she wasn't going to present a shot so I started to focus on the mature doe. She worked directly under my stand and I wasn't comfortable with the shot so I held my ground. It was at this point i realized I was shaking. I don't mean a little bit I mean I looked down and my right knee was visably moving. I actually closed my eyes and talked myself into calming before I could look down at the deer again. After I gained my composure the other fawn stepped out on the trail 8 yards from the base of my tree. Making sure all eyes were averted away from me. I picked my spot drew and released. My arrow hit right were I was looking and passed thru. She jumped and ran about 80 yards and expired. My hands went to the heavens and a prayer of thanks was said aloud. I'm not sure there is anything that feels as pure as a clean release and arrow hitting where your staring!
Shot with my Lost Creek Life Ender 45 lbs at 28"
250 Grain Abowyer
Topic: First Trad Whitetail (Read 2257 times)
