I have been using a crossbow for a few years now (shoulder injury) and decided this year I have finally built up enough strength to go back to a compound. Opening day here in VA I missed twice, a doe then a buck, but did not let theat get me discouraged. On Columbus day I headed out to the woods and sat in my stand waaaaaaay early (0500ish). Coming down the hill infront of me at about 0830 I see what I am after, DEER, four doe. I learned from opening day to not try to stand up when they are that close or you will get busted, especialy with 8 eyes to see you. Good thing I practiced sitting down. I came to full draw and the first doe made the shooting lane, at 12 yards, and I shot her. Again a learning experience, I did not stop her first like I should have, nor did I lead her and hit her way back. I was kind of mad at my self. She took off and the arrow came out the other side 5 yards into her run. The other three took off back the way they came and then one by one came running thru. I thought I saw the doe that had been shot standing about 35 yards behind my stand. Then the one I saw started walking without a limp. One by one the other three were coming back up the hill. From what I could see from my stand I had bright red blood on my arrow. After about 20 minutes I climbed down to check and sure enough, BRIGHT red blood on the arrow and the ground, it didn't look gut shot!!! I started tracking the blood trail, massive blood loss, how could this be? I know I shot her right infront of the back hip. Anyways, 35 yards later, one doe piled up by/on a log!!! This is my first deer with a vertical bow. Nothing fancy, 55lbs PSE Silverhawk (on sale at walmart 6 years ago), Cabelas carbon arrow, blazer vaines, nockturnal lighted nock (that she broke) and a 100gr Muzzy three blade. I call my loveing wife and have her bring the boys out, they love seeing daddy's deer and can't wait untill they are big enough to hunt. I took this chance, knowing where the deer was, to teach them how to track a blood trail. The 4 year old did better, he is shorter and can't move as fast, than the 5 year old, but they found the deer. That was the BEST part of the hunt, passing on the knowledge and watching them get excited and jump to the next spot of blood along the trail.They helped me dress her out and took lots of pictures with mommy's phone. Ok, the older one helped me dress her out, the younger one took pictures. They both have an obsession with the lungs and wanted pics of the lungs, at least they know the kill spot. I didn't gut shot her, I did clip the femoral artery and the inferior vena cava. This is a picture of my first bow deer, and my first doe since I moved to VA. 5 year old back left side, 4 year old is left front and me on the right. the lovely wife took the picture.
Congrats! Also great that you're getting your kids involved. I always appreciate my dad for getting me involved in hunting!
