An old fat fart shoots a doe

[Charlie Lamb]

Ok guys this will be a short one.

I haven't been hitting the woods very hard so far this year. Mostly because I've got two knees that hurt so bad I'm on the verge of tears every time I stand up. Couple that with the back injury I sustained last year when my tree stand dumped me (and which still bothers me), and you've got the ingredients for sleeping late and spending lots of time in the easy chair.

Needless to say it's been eating me up. I've been out twice so far this season and the walk from 4 wheeler to stand (about 200 yds) is almost unbearable.

Some time in the next month I'll start the process of having both knees replaced. I'm so ready for it that I'll commit the rest of the winter to rehab and getting stronger.

I'd do it sooner, but I have a hunt scheduled with my good buddies, Terry Green, Curt Cabrera, Kenny McKenzie and Tracy Potter. I leave for that this coming Thursday.
It will be an epic hunt and wild horses couldn't stop me from going.

If you are new here, you might not understand what a nightmare crew this will be for the deer population. There's going to be some critters hitten' the ground... no doubt.

I've got enough pain killers on hand (my VA doc finally came through with something effective)so I'll be able to make it.  

Anyway, I finally got off my duff last night and went out. The acorns are hitting the ground, the nights are getting cooler and I have a great spot. All I had to do was get to my stand without tripping over something and breaking my freakin neck.

Well I got through the walk in and even handled climbing the ladder to my perch. A steady west wind made this location perfect for the movement I expected. I clipped my safety harness to the tree and settled in for the wait.

Not a leaf was stirring nor a squirrel anywhere to be seen. Even the birds seemed non-existent.
Normally I start each hunt with a short prayer but had forgotten when I first arrived.
When I remembered I immediately bowed my head and gave thanks for my life, the day and a successful hunt.

I guess it was only ten or fifteen minutes before I looked up and saw a gray squirrel fiddling around in the spot where I'd placed a mineral block in the spring. The block was long gone but from the tracks in the muddy hole (we've gotten a lot of rain lately) I could tell it was still being used.

As a matter of fact I'd seen more sign walking in than had been there the last time I'd come here... almost three weeks now.
The trail on the other side of the clearing to my right front was easily visible now and though I couldn't see the old logging road that entered the clearing from my left, I knew that it was being used.
More than likely the deer would come from that direction.

My J.D.Berry Vixen, "Foxy", hung from a small limb I'd cut just for that purpose. The arrow tipped with a Magnus I w/bleeder sat ready on the string. It was held in place by a toothpick and rubber band...my favorite arrow holder for longbows.

I was straining my ears trying to hear anything that might give away the presence of game. Up the hill to my right a gray squirrel chattered his displeasure with something so I focused my attention in that direction. You know you can tell the difference between the bark of a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel...right?

I could only see a few spots of open ground over that way about 30 yards. It's still very thick and leafy here.

When I finally turned my head back toward the clearing my eyes were immediately drawn to movement just a few yards from the base of my tree.
A doe was walking by without a care in the world. I was able to get my bow in hand and ease to my feet without being seen.

Instead of going across the clearing which would have showed me her butt, she turned the corner to head down a wide corridor my farmer friend had brush hogged.
He's a great guy and does this to help, but he never tells me he's going to do it. It seems that every year he goes down there late in the summer and basically changes EVERYTHING! He means well.

As she walked clear of the trees and brush between us she was at 10 yards... I can handle that. Then just as I was putting pressure on the string she suddenly trotted forward about ten yards. As she slowed to a walk again I swiveled at the waist and started the shot process again.
Once more she trotted forward taking away the broadside angle as she went and adding too much distance.

She wasn't spooked, just carefree and headed someplace where the acorns were sweet.

[rwbowman]

[23feetupandhappy]

[wooddamon1]

[steadman]

Good to hear bud! Have fun with the boys next week!!

[4dogs]

[Warden609]

The old fart must be napping.

[Mudd]

I love your yarns buddy...

especially the "A-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n" !!!!!

     

[centaur]

Old farts of the world, Unite! I thought you old Jarheads were supposed to be tough, and now something like a little knee problem is keeping you out of the woods? Blasphemy!

[Bernie B.]

Looking forward to this Charlie!    

Bernie

[Charlie Lamb]

As you can imagine, I wasn't real happy with myself at that moment. I watch longingly down at the bend in the trail where I saw her last hoping maybe she'd turn around and come back. Isn't it funny the things we think?

Mentally kicking myself for letting a slam dunk opportunity slip by I finally turned my attention back to the clearing.

[Charlie Lamb]

Pat... I am still tough as nails. The definition of that is I don't let people see me cry when it hurts real bad.
 

[Charlie Lamb]

Well guess what? I turned around to see a second doe already half way across the clearing. No shot angle appeared as she finally walked off into the brush.
POOPY!!!

How can this be? And why hadn't I been paying attention behind me. Does are seldom alone this time of year. If my knees weren't so damn stiff I'd have kicked myself in the butt right then and there.

Now I was really dejected. I'd been given two great opportunities and muffed both of them. There was a lesson for me here and I filed it away for future reference. I was supposed to be better than this.
I should just get down and go home. How many chances does one guy get in an evening.

It was during this little spell of self abuse that the third doe stepped out of the logging road into the clearing.

[Brianlocal3]

And it typical Charlie fashion. A great story that keeps us wanting

[don kauss]

 

Charlie; those arrows (w/ blunts) you sent me a while back have instigated the demise of 8 pigeons and several barn rats!

Can't wait to hear the rest of this story...

[DaveT1963]

Good stuff - waiting to hear "Foxy" bark

[Jim Brennen]

Very interesting,cant wait for the rest

[ron w]

I'm going to keep this short.......yea right!!

[JEFF B]

I'm with you on that one Ron  

[KentuckyTJ]

Charlie, the benefit to having bad knees when you kill one is you get a free pass from dragging detail!  Keep it coming Brother we are not worthy of your yarn spinning abilities.