So, as many of you know my season opened up on Thursday. I had been quite anxious awaiting this day. My daily trips to cabelas and my list of pack items grew so rapidly I had to buy a new pack! I shot my bow, and my broadheads and everything was working great. I hunt about 2 hours away from where I live, and generally stay with my mom when hunting, but on this particular evening I decided to stay home and spend time with my lovely lady, and was going to wake up early to get into the woods. So, alarm set for 0400, but it turned out to not be necessary, as I work up at 0300 without assistance. Apparently my excitement couldn't even be contained by sleep. I didn't even have to shake off the sleep. I was up, ready to go, and on my way. Jumped in the shower, finished packing all my gear, and had my trunk packed and ready to go. I stopped by the store in the morning and grabbed some vanilla extract (heard it works) and then I set off on my drive. A cold front moved in the night before and it was 43 degrees. Man this was going to be a great day to be in the woods. I made the 2 hours trip in about 90 minutes. It's a good thing the cops weren't out this morning. As I get to my hometown I realized I had forgotten my deodorant! Thank god we now have a 24 hour walmart down there. I ran by walmart and grabbed my deodorant and was off. I pulled into the farm about 30 min before sunrise (legal shooting time), and booked it to the stand. I wasn't wearing much in the way of cold gear, so I didn't sweat much on my way up there. It's about 700 yards from where I park to my stand, and I think I made the jaunt in just under 10 minutes. What made it better is it had rained a lot the day before, so the leaves were very quiet. This is a double-edged sword. I get up to my stand, and light is peaking out. I'm upset at myself for getting in the stand so late, but it wasn't going to stop me from having a good morning. I get everything set up, hooks screwed in, and pull my bow up. As I sit down to post on here that I had made it to my stand, I realize I had forgotten my phone in the car. Doh! Normally it wouldn't have been an issue, but on this day I was having my wisdom teeth extracted at 1100. I had waited 14 weeks for this appt, so I wasn't about to miss it (my phone is my clock). As I sit down the rain showed its ugly face in the way of a wet seat. So, needless to say the morning wasn't starting off the greatest. So, I'm sitting there, and catch some movement to my right. Here comes a coyote walking through. Normally I would've drawn on him, but I only had 2 arrows. I wasn't about to waste one on him. So I continued to sit there quietly and watch him prance by. Shortly after this, a turkey busted me. She was 10 yards to my left. I thought, how in the hell did she get so close without me hearing her, but again the leaves were soaked. About an hour later, I hear some movement behind me, and take a look over my shoulder. Here comes two jakes. I decided I was going to put one of these down. I stood up and waited. They were almost to a clearing when one of them didn't like what they saw, and turned around and slowly walked off. Well, there goes my morning I thought. Not knowing what time it was I decided to get down, and make my way back to the car. I thought I would see if I could stalk some. So after I was down, and all packed up, I headed into the woods (the opposite way I get to my stand). I get 20 yards down the logging road and see two big ears looking straight at me. It was a little yearling doe/bb. At first I didn't even think it was a deer, but we stared at each other for about 3 minutes. She then pranced off, and I continued on my way. I got across the fence, and saw some movement behind a downed tree. I knocked an arrow, and slowly made my way around the tree. There she was, a small yearling doe. At about 25 yards. Broadside, and she hadn't noticed me yet. I drew back, put the sights on her, and couldn't pull the trigger. I don't know what happened, I just couldn't bring myself to shoot her. What's wrong with me? I think to myself, maybe it's because she was so small. I still haven't decided what went wrong, but I hope I can snap out of it. I get to the car, and it's 1000. Good timing on my part. Rush in, get my teeth pulled, and that was terrible. Originally I planned to be back in the stand afterwards, but I bled for a good 5 hours, and when the pain kicked in it was all over. Making a 2 hour drive I spit enough blood to fill a juice bottle halfway. This morning I still haven't been able to eat, and drinking is a painful experience too. Even on all the drugs. As I sit and relive what happened, all I can do is be bothered as to why I couldn't shoot the doe. I guess we'll see next week, when I go back out to the stand. All in all it was a good day until the dentist, but something went wrong that morning. Has anyone else ever experience this?
No, not at all. I've had teeth pulled, including wisdom teeth, and had the pain but I never had any problems shooting deer.
Yeah, and that is what is bothering me! I wouldn't have ever though I would've had the problem either.. FML
You were probably just worried about being late for your appt. Shooting the doe a little after ten would of been pushing you for time to get her gutted, loaded up, and stored maybe even skinned. Your subconcious was telling you that there wasn't enough time. Its early in the season too so there is lots of time. Thanks for the story. Two arrows, Really? I always carry an extra field tip for yotes.
I could not purposely shoot a fawn .... so if there is something wrong with you, then we have the.same issue
perhaps you were considering what you would do with the deer if you had a doctors appointment. A small doe isn't worth a reschedule in my book. I would have passed too, but Ninja style!
Thanks PT, that makes me feel a little better. While I'd like to say it was due to being rushed that I didn't shoot her, it wasn't. I don't think I'll have any issues with a mature deer, it was the fact it was so small that hindered my trigger finger.
I agree with CC. It was just your brain telling you that there wasn't enough time to get it done before the dentist.
The good news is, it'll probably only get better. Enjoy your next time out...and get a couple more arrows.
Maybe you're just older and wiser. Im now passing on shots i used to take, ie...small bucks, yearlings, some does...etc. Maybe others are right, you knew you had an important appointment so your better judgement kicked in. Certainly nothing to lose sleep over.
