Everyone likes a happy ending. A three year bout with one smart old gal. (long read)

Prior to the 2008 season, I literally fell into the most convenient, wonderful 61 acre piece of hunting ground I have ever had the pleasure to hunt in my life. A large portion of it is a bean field, but there are some awesome pinches on the outskirts and there was a 2 acre overgrown section just ripe for food plotting. I quickly hung a few stands on the field edges and waited for the season to arrive.

I have been a big woods hunter my whole life, so there was an education to be had on the difference between killing deer and seeing deer. The very first night, I was introduced a matriarch and her posse. I affectionately named her Big B. (as in Big B****) Here she was in 2008 warily leading her group down though the bean field.




She's one of those old lead "scout" does that we hunters hate. Here's a short clip of her march that night. She was 60 yards out in front of her group.
http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/...nd Video/?action=view&current=101108does2.flv

As the year progressed, I learned valuable info on hunting this new type of terrain. I had her at 30 yards one time that year, but with two bucks in the field, I elected to pass. Later, I had a 30-06 in my hand in gun season that year and decided that I couldn't do it, not that way.

After getting schooled in 2008 by her and her crew and missing a big buck to boot, I went full at the offseason in 2009, scouting and prepping. Clearing the 2.5 acre overgrowth and planting a nice food plot. I would see her at least 2 or 3 times a week throughout the offseason as I had figured her travel route pretty good. That year, I shot a nice doe the first week and saved a tag for her, vowing that I would hunt hard the rest of the season with hopes to put it on her. I had her with in steps (hers) 4 times that year only to have her bust me once, her fawn bust me once by slipping behind me, (which they never take that route) and a dog barking 200 yards away send her skirting out to 70 yards.

Fast forward. 2010 arrived and I only applied for one tag in that WMU, it was only going on one doe, her. I never dreamed she would offer the op so soon in the season. The deer have been hammering my food plot as I planted the sunflower/bean mix later this year. It paid off. She brought her group from the far side of the property (their primary range) over to the food plot. There were two other family groups in the plot when I shot her. The video was not top shelf and I need to splice it up yet, but here is a pic of the old gal.



I had shot her a bit back, so we waited to recover her until 11:30. My fears were not necessary. She went 35 yards and was stiff when we found her.

She was a worthy adversary and will not be forgotten anytime soon. She has a "sister" who is nearly as big and almost as wary. I am sure she will fill the shoes well. Big B will live on in my memory and also in my tummy.

 

Great story, Ben ... oh, and Congrats!!! I bet there is a part of you that is gonna miss her out there ...

 

I see a lot of the same doe groups throughout the season. But, there's no way I could tell you, definitively, that I took a certain doe out (sans a body marking or another identifying mark).

Great job on the doe. How'd you know it was "the one"? How'd you distinguish "her" from yr to yr?

Just curious.

 

Wow cool story. Yea Preacher Tony, I would miss her too.

 

Great story, congrats. Those crafty old does are tough to kill.

 

Congrats, Ben. I know she has given you some fits over the past few seasons. Way to get it done, and do it so soon as well.

 

Awsome.....

 

Ben thats an awesome story man. congrats on the ole gal,,,I love it!!

 

Thanks for the kind words. I literally saw her 2 or 3 times a week since we moved in to our new house. (located within walking distance of the prop) She'll be missed, but needed to be dealt with.

Matt, lol you more than most know of my struggles with this girl.

 

Way to go great story as well as ending.

 

Excellent story Ben, awesome!! That's a big accomplishment right there!! Congratulation's big guy!!

 

Awesome Ben... simply awesome.

I've had a few does over the years that became worthy adversaries, so I know exactly what you mean. Congratulations!

 

Ben congrats buddy, did ya kill her with your 101st..??

 

Nice! I love shooting big old does.

 

Nice work teammate! Now go knock down her daddy!

 

Good read Ben. CoNgRaTs on a good mature doe!

 

Big old Does can sure be trouble, congrats on taking her out Ben.

 

Good job. Congrats.

 

Congrats and loved the story!

 

Well done Ben!

T