So its been an interesting season to say the least. Started off for me on September 14th, one hour into my 2013 season had meat on the ground, the first kill of the year. That was followed by a good sit on my food plot in Georgia where I had 3 does come in and stay out of range until shooting light had expired. So I was pretty optimistic of what was to come. However, the deer didn't get the memo. Football season was now in full swing and I was basically a weekend warrior. Nothing. Fast forward to November 9th, football was over time to head to Ohio. I left here pumped that the rut was in full swing and I was going to be covered up with deer. The only thing covered up was the small piece of public ground I had hunted and got to know fairly well the season prior. So now what? I had researched some more public land and decided what the heck, I'm going to try it. The first morning I made the 1.5 hour drive to the land, forgot my maps at home but had a good idea of where I wanted to go. Went in looked around hunted from 10-dark two days with 3 hours of drive time round trip. My final day in Ohio, I went to the closer public land spot. All in all nothing, but I had a great time, stayed with some fantastic people, and ate some amazing food. The book end. I rushed home today got changed for a dreary 63* sit for possibly the last of the year, as rifle season comes in Monday. One hour in I have two does (so I think) come in, I got focused watched behind them for a bit one was right in front of me broad side at 18 yards, and I botched the shot right off of her back, saw her mow-hawk as she ran off. Mad, uh yes! So I stand there in disbelief, unknowing the second "doe" hung around just out of sight. Started making her way back toward me, took a hard left, my right and was heading out of there. I ranged a bush where she was heading, 25 yards, adjust my HHA, waited for the opening mehhhh twhack... wheww what a relief. I thought I heard her crash, was about to get down 30 minutes later just before dark. When I had 2 more deer come in looking around one had me pegged the other made it to below where I shot and smelled and walked off looking down the hill. I get down, and of course forgot my flashlight as normal, go back to the truck give her another 30 minutes. She laid exactly where I thought....only she was a he, a button buck. All in all a pretty neat 2013 archery season, with book end kills, oh yeah....out if the same tree.
Can, but I will spend most of it either hunting with my uncle, or with some friends up here on some deep woods hunts. Its only a 3 week season here.
Now that all of my kids are grown and gone, deer hunting is such an important part of my life that I think I'd seriously consider moving if my season were only three weeks long. :D Where I'm at now (hunting multiple states) I get to start hunting in mid-September and don't have to stop until the end of February. Anyway, congratulations on the kills and enjoy the venison!