Our season in Tennessee started Saturday morning but school related volunteer work stranded me at a trash clean up with the Student Fisheries Association. It was a close call but I managed to make it home in time for an evening hunt behind my aunt and uncle's house. This is a fun place to hunt this time of year because Hamilton County has a fall turkey permit and there are a load of hens that use the area.
As I sat in the tree watching and listening to an army of grey squirrels run around and make one heck of a commotion I failed to notice a pair of hens sneak in behind me. Hen #1 flew up to roost while hen #2 busted me grabbing my bow off my lap...Almost #1.
Right around dark I could hear a deer working its way down the hill into the saddle. When he got there I realized I was looking at a small eight pointer. Having never killed a buck with my bow he was more than fair game. For some reason he was acting really spooky so I was hesitant to mouth bleat at him when he was walking by at around 15 yards. Wouldn't you know it the one place he stops in is right behind a small cedar tree. He stopped, looked around, and walked away...Almost #2.
Fast forward to Sunday night. The wind was good for one of my favorite evening sets so I hopped in the truck and drove over for a hunt before I had to go back to school. Come around 6:00 I have 3 bucks, 2 does, and a fawn come by. Only one deer comes within range...a spike in full velvet. He feeds broadside at 10 yards and stops with ONE LIMB in the way (That brown thing in the middle of the picture is what he was behind). He then proceeds to feed up to 5 yards where he busts me drawing on him...ALmost #3.
The last almost comes about 10 minutes after the deer leave. A flock of turkeys move in and spread out all around me. One hen starts my direction and gets called back by the big hen on the hill...Almost #4.
After all of this happened I just shook my head, laughed, and thanked the Lord for allowing me to see some deer and other wildlife interact with each other. Maybe next weekend will pan out better but heck I'm at least in deer so I cant complain
And just for fun I had to add the face of the beaten bow hunter in here.
