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"The Experience Effect"

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by rockinchair, Oct 19, 2009.

  1. rockinchair

    rockinchair Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Bear with me this might be a long read.

    We've all heard and know that hunting is far more than harvesting an animal. It's "the expiernece" the entire string of events that may or may not even manifest itself in a shot opportunity, but regardless at the end of the hunt, we feel satisfied.

    The last two sits have been frustrating for me, no doubt. It was a slow first week of the season. I had seen some younger bucks, but nothing to get worked up about and no does came within in bowrange. Last week it rained all week and couple that with midterms and school bruhaha and I didn't get out much.

    This past Saturday, however, I was pumped and I knew it was going to be a great sit with highs around 45, overcast and damp. I was sitting in a newly hung on hang on that really hugs a bedding area and also doubles as a pinchpoint. Ready for action, at 8:00 I here a doe blow, really close too. She's under a HUFE American beech and I didnt even know she was there until she took off, but she did. Why? She was upwind, I'm 22 feet up and she was under the beech there's no way she could've saw me. Bummed, I settle down and notice the source of the commotion- a gorgeous black bear (250#) behind me, 30 yards, downwind at that. Relieved I didn't spook the deer I watch the bear meander around out of sight.

    Fast forward an hour and a half and I have two old does that I call "Bottom Deer." I call them that because they live at the bottom of our property in a series of steep, steep ridges, a creek bottom and some thick habitat. These does are old, smart and a true trophy if harvested. Accompanied with a heckuva yearling 6 (I mean this dude's gonna be horse one day) one of the old does wanders to within 20 yards under another big beech tree. I ready myself for the shot and when she finally steps from underneath the huge crown of the beech shes at 14 yards. I wait till she looks the other way, draw and she's gone! It was a quiet, smooth draw, she was looking the other way, wind was in my favor, but she still spooked. I now believe in the theory that deer can "feel" themselves being watched.

    I have a trail cam located about 50 yards from my stand, and as silly as this sounds, I had an old doe and her fawn patterened and was looking forward to seeing this doe. Every morning between 9-10 she and her little utilize a natural funnel that woud lead them 25 yards passed my stand. A true "bottom deer" this deer is super old (6yrs. +) and HUGE. Well around 10 or so I hear a commotion behind me, see this old gal and her little on a full speed ramp through the timber. Looking back I see a 'yote and a dog chasing them both! Talk about frustrating! I was 0-3!

    Synopsis of Saturday: Frustrating to have two old matriarchs within 30 yards and have outside influences run them out. Also hate to have a yote and dog running another lady that was on the hit list. But it was still a GREAT hunt, I didn't feel bummed one bit, I saw a gorgeous black bear, two close encounters and it was a great day to be deer hunting!

    Now about today: I'm in a stand off a food plot about 15 yards back in the timber, as soon as I get in the stand I spot a spike (spikes were less than 2") and three does browsing in some thick brushy stuff. Positive they are going to eventually enter the food plot I have plenty of time to prepare mentally. Well after 45 minutes of them bee boppin along, the oldest doe is within 25 yards and I draw once, twice finally three times before I get shot! Each time I drew she decided to lick her back, browse the wrong way, anything to prevent from being shot! Well, she eventually enters the plot at 20 yards, I draw settle down and squeeze and miss! I was shooting into the sun and at first couldn't tell of the shot. After seeing her trot off and look back I realize I miss and see my clear white arrow wraps sticking the ground. Well, she settles down and begins feeding again in the food plot and I'm sure I'm going to get another crack at her, and just as she makes her way to my 30 yard marker, a tree collapses back in the timber and they are gone for good!

    I just had to laugh at myself for missing such a slam dunk shot, and just the overall bad luck I had the last two sits. The thing is though, in the past this would get me uber frustrated and irritated. But now, I guess I've matured and can just thank the Lord for the humbling experience!

    Again, sorry for the long read. Just thought I'd share my "experience effect" with you guys!
     
  2. Dubbya

    Dubbya Moderator

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    Well hopefully mother nature gets all her tricks out of the way before the big boy comes by!! :D
     
  3. Finch

    Finch Grizzled Veteran

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    Yep....sometimes it seems that it's just not meant to be.

    Did you have a shot on the bear?
     
  4. rockinchair

    rockinchair Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Dubbya- That's what I'm countin' on! I'm tryin to squeeze out all this bad luck before it starts to get funn!

    Finch- If I had spotted him earlier I would have had a shot at about 35 yards. I just can't believe he came in downwind, that surprised me. I shot a bear with a rifle when I was 10 or 12 and said I'd never shoot another for along time unless he was just an absolute monster. But seeing this ole boy sneak through the woods and thinking an archery kill could be made made me think differently.

    It would have to be a slam dunk shot for me to take a shot on a bear, though, but I think it would be a hard experience to pass up. But then again, those slam dunks aren't exactly such!
     
  5. Finch

    Finch Grizzled Veteran

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    Yeah...guess you just learned slam dunks are easier said than done. :D I know I have.

    I forget...which part of VA are you in? I just read an article in VA Game & Fish that the bear population is twice as much as it was 10 years ago. Interesting for sure and glad to hear it!
     
  6. rockinchair

    rockinchair Die Hard Bowhunter

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    I live up 220 aways from you, Bath County.

    Our little town of Millboro has been a prime example of the bear numbers skyrocketing. I remember when you saw a bear period, not even in a treestand deer hunting, but just driving home- then that was a big deal. Now there are bears everywhere, so much to the point that the farmers can get crop damage and nuisance tags for them.

    Last year on our 260 acre property we had 7 different bears utilizing the property. Granted 4 of them were a sow and her three cubs, but the bear population in Bath County is getting to where we NEED to start shooting bears.
     
  7. Iamyourhuckleberry

    Iamyourhuckleberry Die Hard Bowhunter

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    I've cursed Mr. Murphy more times than I care to count. It 's stories like yours that makes hunting such a fun endeavor. Can you image how boring it would be if every cast were to yeild a catch? Stay positve, your moment will come!

    Thanks for sharing!
     
  8. Finch

    Finch Grizzled Veteran

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    I'm initially from Rockbridge County which ranked 8th last year in the bear harvests. Bath County ranked 5th.

    Here in Franklin county, haven't seen any bears yet. Maybe I'll get lucky. Good luck this season!
     
  9. MUDSHARK

    MUDSHARK Grizzled Veteran

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    close but no cigar, your time is coming, i bet within a week. My prediction is prior to the 29th of Oct. or on the 29th.
    :cool:
    Good Luck
     

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