Yesterday, opening morning, what a wonderful day. Get up into my tree with plenty of time until light, and with minimal lapses in my routine (which is rare for opening day ). Not seeing much of anything, I was just sitting there enjoying being back in the woods. 8:15 rolls around and I noticed movement to my left. AH! A doe! She stayed about 60 yds. to my south and headed down into a ravine. It's always nice to see that first deer of the year. 10:00 rolls around and I decide it's time to pack it in so I can catch a cat nap before the evening hunt. I climb down the tree, pack all my gear up, throw my climber on my back and my fanny pack around my waist. I begin a ho hum walk out to the field edge, looking down at the trail for tracks and trying to avoid rubbing on too much brush, when I hear the distinct sound of a deer busting out. I look up and there's a doe running away. Great, first sit of the year and Im busting stuff on the way out. As I watch her walk away I noticed movement where she had been bedded. Another doe! Just standing there munching on leaves! God bless unpressured deer. 2 weeks into the season and she would have been on the tail of the first doe that bolted. Now I am in a pickle. She is 40 yds. away, looking in my direction....eating. I have my climber on my back, pack around my waist, bow and quiver in my hand. I slowly drop my quiver down so I can pop an arrow out. Nock the arrow and decided that I can draw and shoot with my climber and pack on, too much risk trying to take it off. She continued eating for another 10 minutes, the whole time I am saying to myself "this isn't going to happen, you have seen this enough times to know you wont get a shot." Finally, she steps into a clearing at 40 yds. I draw, settle my pin and touch the release. *thump*......*Thwack!* I know that sound. She bolted and I watched her pile up about 80 yds. away. I couldn't believe that I actually shot a deer on my walk out. I thought that stuff was all tall tales :p. I didn't take any pictures, sorry .
I know, I know. I was by myself and by the time I got her gutted and drug out ( which included lifting her over a 3' woven wire fence) I was done.
LOL, I know the feeling. Sometimes you get done and realize, crap, I didn't take pictures...and you're sweating and just want a shower and a beer.
Thanks! Still cant believe it happened. All those years of walking out of the woods with an arrow nocked and ready to go.....nothing. Quit doing that several years ago and bam, opportunity knocks.
