So for some reason I decided to take the camera with me tonight to document my hunt. So here the story goes… About 14:00 I’m leaving the beach with my pack and bow, headed across the lake to the South Beaver Dam Crossing Stand. My Old-Town, powered by a minnkota eases the commute. Got my game face on and I’m staring at the 18” waves headed my way pushed by the 25mph wind gusts. Wind slowed me down quite a bit but I made it across dry. Got the canoe tied up and I’m ready to head to the stand. I was able to slip in quick and quiet. I got situated and started to enjoy the view. Facing West, here is the beaver dam and crossing… Too bad the last rain has raised the pond and virtually cut all crossings at this point. Now here’s the view East, back toward the lake, as well as a secondary crossing that is nice and open. Behind me, to the South, is a great opening too. About 30- 35 yds across. Finally, Here’s the view North, across the crick. No shot here, but I can just see the beginning of the dam on the opposite side. Now all we have to do is wait.
At 15:05 I hear deer to the SW. A doe and two fawns Make their way, browsing, from W to E. Doe pauses @ 17yds feeding slightly 1/4d away. I elect to pass. The night is young and the possibilities are out there. So they continue E headed to the lake. After some texting, my wife says I should have shot her. Doubt starts to creep in… About 16:40 I notice a dark spot under a fallen pine across the crick to the North. Thinking it could possibly be a bear I dig through my pack and get out the binos. Nope, no bear, as pan left about 30 yds I see the Bladed 10 staring at me! Pretty sure he busted me unpacking the binoculars. This really is the deer I’d like to shoot. Yes there’s The Beast (see sig) but that photo could be a fluke. So, he stares me down for a couple minutes, then turns his head back down the path he was apparently heading on, then back to me. Two more minutes and he decides he doesn’t like what he sees. He spins and bounds back West where he came from. Bladed 10 Now I’m excited for the encounters, but bummed how it’s all replaying in my head. Sometimes the worst thing you can do in the stand is think…
17:50 and I hear movement in the tall grass to the East. It’s momma and her two fawns and they’re headed my way. They’ve come along the edge of the grass from the lake, and momma leads them around the last little bend and into my opening. 15yds, broadside, draw, settle, release. She spins and bounds back around the bend toward the lake. I hear a crash, then a second. The fawns bust up into the woods, but they don't go far, which is a good sign. Now this is the point of every hunt for me when the doubt creeps in. Every hunt. bow or gun. How good of a shot was it? Did I really see the arrow hit where I think I did? Did I really hear her crash? Yup! She made it about 40 yds towards the lake, & the canoe. Ata girl! Loaded my gear and drug her the the shore line. Got the canoe and loaded her up. As I was pulling away from shore I could see the nav lights from my dad’s Lund approaching. I declined the lift since she was loaded and a mid lake boat swap seemed a bit unnerving just to save a 25 min trip. Fresh Veni for the Family and my 4th official bow kill. I’m one Happy Hunter tonight!
Fitz, that honestly is one of the best thread documentaries of a hunt I have ever read online, very cool man! just awesome, thanks for going to all the work to make this thread, congrats on a great doe kill man! I love the story, pix, canoe, play by play .. now I can't wait for the one of yours...with antlers in the final pix! Very very cool post!
That was a freaking awesome read! The amount of work you put in just to get in your stand is probably more more than most do all year. Great job!
X2!! Very cool read, and I can't believe all that you do to get to your stand. Congrats on the well deserved doe!
Wow, that's pretty hardcore. Now I really feel like a weekend warrior hunting and having a walk of 100 yards on a dirt road. Congratulations on the harvest! Great post.
Congrats on well earned backstraps. Really cool journal entry. They need more stories like this in the magazines.
Nice job man! Cool story and great photos. Hunting the Northwoods is a whole different ballgame than most of us are used to, and shooting ANY deer with archery tackle is an accomplishment in itself. Well done indeed.
What a story. Loved the way you laid it out, very nice!! That is a really nice doe, congrats. Good luck with that 10!!!
Awesome pics and story bro! Congrats on getting it done in the big woods! Makes me wish I was back in Ontario.
