This big ole gal means a lot to me. Having missed the entire 2011 season with a broken arm, re-cutting my teeth on a mature doe is just what the doctor ordered. Let me premise that I normally don't take a doe from my hollowed grounds until after I shoot my buck but after the landowner says, "get me a deer", the green light comes on. My intent was to take one in the mornings so that I can recover her and get her out without really disturbing the property. Well, this morning it worked out like planned, for once. I was thoroughly enjoying God's beauty and playing Words w Friends on my phone when ( I wonder how many deer have escaped due to smart phones ) I looked up to see a mature doe standing in my plot. ( She entered in the far corner from the corn in the pic below) Her fawn was in the CRP field left of the plot running and playing. The mature doe seemed preoccupied with heading to her fawn so I gave her a couple bleats. This got her attention. She'd look my way, then towards her fawn. I bleated again and she relaxed and started feeding along the edge coming toward me. I pulled my phone and texted Matt / PA and Ben / PA that I had a doe feeding at 48 yards, then I texted 40 yards, 37 yards, a replay came from Matt that read " ut oh...she's in trouble LOL"... followed by, " tick tick tick tick".... At now 30 yards, she was in the tree limbs to the left of the picture. I needed her to enter that one window before she'd be out of sight/ obstructions. When she entered that window and put her head down to feed, I settled the 30 yard pin behind her shoulder. Upon touching the release and hearing that all too familiar thwack!, I quickly grabbed my binos to follow her path into the corn. I continued to glass her until I saw the corn move no more. Confident that she went down, I sent out the appropriate "BBD" to my many text co-hunters. Staying put I spotted movement at the far end of the field. Throwing the bino's up and glassing the deer I found a familiar buck, one I nicknamed the big 6, though not giant, he's a healthy 2.5 year old 6 point. When I spotted him, he was headed away. Just to see what he'd do I gave him a couple grunts...that got his attention.. a couple doe bleats and he was on his way. I texted Matt I saw him again and I had him coming. Calls are amazing when they work.. he made a bee line from 200 yards to 10 yards, with a couple extra coaxes.... After letting him move off I started glassing for my arrow but couldn't find it. I decided it was time to get down and locate it. Upon finding my arrow, my confidence shrank. I expected a very bloody arrow but hours later I found an arrow that appeared to be a flesh wound. I started second guessing all of it, did I go low? I headed to the corn field where I "knew" she went down but found no arrow as I crossed the plot... Hmmmm, confidence shrinking... I studied the corn, no sign.... she didn't go far, I'll just grid search while looking for blood but there was none to be found... did I just miss the point of entry? I went deep into the corn looking up and down the rows until I knew I was beyond the point I saw the corn stop moving... she has to be here... I moved down the corn and went back toward the plot... NADA... was she okay? Was she living? I was shaking my head.... I moved toward the wood and started back into the corn, she has to be here.... I couldn't have walked by her by 20 yards at best but with the thickness of the corn and the few weeds growing, she was exactly where I last saw the corn move... I'd like to take a moment to say don't give up, don't second guess yourself, USE your binos after the shot, in this instance, they were invaluable for me to follow her. I didn't take the time to back track and look for blood but I'm sure it was there, I just missed her entry into the corn by a bit, use your binos to make the last place you saw your quarry. Without further ado, a big mature doe. ( Entry) Credits: BowTech Destroyer 350 Easton ACC's Rocky Mt. Snypers ( yeah I had 2 left, now 1) LOL
Buckeye, so great to be back. Fitz, thanks so much Indiana Hunter, thanks, it is a great feeling. rybo, thanks bro... how's the western part of the state?
Well done Rob! Glad you're back in the saddle. Great pics from the stand as well. Makes me want to get out there and enjoy a nice cool evening in a tree.
who's jealous? me.....NICE JOB! I had a button buck under my stand last night and my knees were shaking. LOVE IT.
Congrats Rob !! Good to see you back hunting after last year's injury keeping you out of the woods. Best of luck with the rest of the season !! Tim
Congrats Rob! I'll be in the tree come morning. Btw...now don't go breaking any legs, arms, etc. :D We want you to participate the full season.
Cool post Rob and congrats. Love the photography work buddy. I will tell you how many deer are saved because of smart phones, so far, one here in Central PA (see my post) ;-)
