Saturday evening was my fourth hunt of the season. I got into the stand about 150 yards back in the woods from an AG field at 1:30 pm after taking the time to make a couple of mock scrapes down wind of my stand. Things were quiet until about 5:15 pm when a spike chased a doe within 15 yards of my tree. I had no interest in the spike and the irritated doe was moving way too fast to even consider a shot. I had yet to fill a tag this year so I sat patiently,hoping for a shot at the doe, and watched the show as he chased her around me for a good 10 minutes before they both disappeared over a hill. The next hour went by with a few more does moving past me towards the AG field but nothing coming with range. Around 6:15pm I spotted movement about 75 yards behind me. A mature doe was coming up the trail that ran within 10 yards of my stand. As I reached for my bow I noticed another head coming towards me through the trees and at a perpendicular angle to the doe. I attached release to the loop and waited as both deer continued to work towards me. As both deer were about 40 yards away the doe noticed the second deer, snort-wheezed at it, and took off back the down the trail away from me. "Excellent", I thought, hoping that a mature buck was about to turn my way. The other deer watched the doe bound off and turned down the trail towards me. This gave me the first good luck at it, showing me that it was a yearling doe, and not the stud buck I was hoping for. Disappointed, I turned to hang my bow and watch for other deer, having no intention of shooting this one. As I looked around, I came back to this yearling doe. That is when I noticed the limp. I watched yearling walk the trail and pass me. The left front leg was clearly injured. Every time the doe lifted it, it lost its natural bend in the knee and flopped out straight in front of her. Each time she put down it could barely support its weight and she stumbled. Stepping over a fallen log nearly caused her to face plant in the dirt. After she got past me on the trail, I grabbed my bow and waited for her to turn broadside. She gave an 18 yard shot. Normally, being within bow range of any deer, whether I intend to shoot or not, gets my heart racing a little bit. That did not happen this time. I felt an intense calm and peace as I settled the pin behind her shoulder. As I released the arrow, she turned to look behind her and the arrow took her in the front of the shoulder, taking out the bottom of the lung and top of the heart. She ran about 40 yards and collapsed. I waited about 20 minutes and climbed down from the tree. There was that always present mixture of emotion that accompanies killing a deer; minus the rush of excitement. The doe itself is not what some would consider a trophy. But I would disagree. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide some meat for my family. Yet, I do not feel particularly joyful or disappointed. I think I had a new experience. Is this what it feels like to hunt and kill as a caretaker of nature?
Are you implying that you did mother nature / the doe a favor because she was limping? I have seen plenty of three legged deer get along just fine, In fact I have seen plenty of them jump 5 foot tall object with ease. I have no problem either way. I just don't think this is a mercy killing and the doe would rather be alive.
That's a cool story and yes she would have more than likely made it just fine. Me personally, I'd done the same thing 100 times over. I hate seeing any animal suffer, we eat what we take so I don't hesitate for a second in that same situation. Well done!
