Opening day I arrowed a doe at 35 yards and that got me really pumped for the season... I continued to work hard with scouting, shooting, hunting and ended up getting up some really nice bucks coming into my mockscrapes. On October 6 at last light, about 10 minutes before legal shooting time ended I had one of my hitlist bucks that we call, "Ghost." Never ended up getting a shot. On halloween I had a 160" ++ come through that i have no history with three times chasing a doe but he never presented a shot. November 6, I had a late start for school so i hit the woods for a couple hours and let out a few grunts early that morning.. couple minutes after sunrise here came the buck I had an encounter with exactly 1 month earlier. He walked perfectly into 30 yards, i drew back and he stopped behind a tree right before my lane. I stayed drawn back for a good 1 1/2 minutes and he finally started walking agin and presented me a shot. I took my time and stopped him.. i stuck him right in the front shoulder and only ended up getting about 2 inches of penetration. Very little blood and 99% positive he is still living. I hunted hard for a couple more days and never had any more shooters come in.. at the time i didnt know that it would be my last chance for the year. November 14, I was playing in a hockey game in Warroad, MN, I was hit by another players hip in my stomach causing my small bowel to be pushed into my spine, which caused a rupture/hole in my bowel. 1 surgery, 8 days in the hospital, 24 staples in my stomach and no more hunting this year. I cannot pull my bow back for 2-3 months. I guess i shouldve have capitalized on my opportunities given.. just thought i would share this with you guys!! Not looking for attention or anyone to feel bad for me just wanted to share and let everyone know they should be thankful for their health and enjoy your time in the woods!! Goodluck everyone!! (Below is the only picture of the buck named Ghost...)
That sucks, I tore an Achilles last summer and it was hunting that inspired me to do PT to get back in the woods. Good luck with the recovery.
Good Lord willing you will have many more years of bowhunting. You did kill a doe and you did see some nice bucks. I have not killed a deer this year. First time since 1998. I will gladly take a doe right now if I get the chance and be very happy for the blessing. The injury will heal and you be back at it next year. I know it sucks not be in the woods, but think about the many who can't be in the woods. Those serving in our military. Those dealing with cancer. Those who lost a job and are doing everything they can to make ends meet and can't hunt..Don't take this as a bashing friend, just take the advice of a veteran who has been where you are and has grown to understand how precious the time in a stand is, whether blood is drawn or not. You look back on this in 15-20 years and completely understand.
Way to go on the doe. Sorry you got hurt. But you have still been out more and saw more deer then I have this season and last. Hope you get better do what the Doc. says and you will get out again. Best of luck.
Sounds like a good reason not to play hockey but I'm from CA. We have to freeze things on purpose out here! HAHA! You've had a rough go but I'd say your season was successful. You got a doe and sounds like you had some good encounters with great bucks. There's a new season next year and hopefully all your bucks will make it through the winter. Just think of it as letting them get one year bigger. Hope you have a full recovery!
Hang in there. By the way it sounds you're still fairly young. You've already been blessed this year. You're alive, had success in the stand, and you're healing. I gave up baseball after 30+years. It didn't pay the bills or support the family. Did I love it? More than you could imagine. Did I get inured doing it. Yep. One day I finally realized that it just wasn't worth it. But, I did give up hockey first. That's a short version.
