Friday, I took the day off work to catch the leading edge of a cold front. It has been 90°+ the entire season.
I had picked out this creek crossing during early scouting. It just looked like a well-worn travel corridor. I walked over to the north east side of the creek and got up in a tree above the trails. I managed to get in and settled before legal shooting light.
Around 7:15, two does came in to my left and behind me at 15-18 yards. They just appeared out of nowhere! I probably should have seen them, but somehow, I didn't until the last possible second. I was sitting down in my saddle and didn’t have time to get to me feet. I was able to get my bow off of the hook and get set up on the lead doe without tipping them off.
Looking through the sight housing, all I can recall is seeing DEER. She was so close. It was about a 15-yard shot 20 feet below me. I aimed a little high and hit the trigger. She jumped and took off. I could not tell for sure if I hit her (makes me think I may need lighted nocks). She ran into light woods to my left 30 - 40 yards away and lay down. The other doe hung out with her. She got up once and settled right back down. The other doe cleared out. After a few seconds, I could see white hair. Turns out it was the underside of her neck. She didn't last 2 minutes after the shot.
I waited an hour and could not stand it anymore. Five deer busted me 30 yards out after I was out of the tree. Also had a 1.5-year-old velvet buck on the other creek bank while I was following the blood trail. Could easily have killed him. Nocked an arrow and drew until he moved his head from behind a tree. I saw the antlers and let down. He noticed the movement and took off.
It is such a relief and blessing to finally get it done with my bow. It has taken more than 4 seasons to make this happen.
I could not have done this one without the saddle. If I had been in the climber, she would have had the tree I was in between us.
I had picked out this creek crossing during early scouting. It just looked like a well-worn travel corridor. I walked over to the north east side of the creek and got up in a tree above the trails. I managed to get in and settled before legal shooting light.
Around 7:15, two does came in to my left and behind me at 15-18 yards. They just appeared out of nowhere! I probably should have seen them, but somehow, I didn't until the last possible second. I was sitting down in my saddle and didn’t have time to get to me feet. I was able to get my bow off of the hook and get set up on the lead doe without tipping them off.
Looking through the sight housing, all I can recall is seeing DEER. She was so close. It was about a 15-yard shot 20 feet below me. I aimed a little high and hit the trigger. She jumped and took off. I could not tell for sure if I hit her (makes me think I may need lighted nocks). She ran into light woods to my left 30 - 40 yards away and lay down. The other doe hung out with her. She got up once and settled right back down. The other doe cleared out. After a few seconds, I could see white hair. Turns out it was the underside of her neck. She didn't last 2 minutes after the shot.
I waited an hour and could not stand it anymore. Five deer busted me 30 yards out after I was out of the tree. Also had a 1.5-year-old velvet buck on the other creek bank while I was following the blood trail. Could easily have killed him. Nocked an arrow and drew until he moved his head from behind a tree. I saw the antlers and let down. He noticed the movement and took off.
It is such a relief and blessing to finally get it done with my bow. It has taken more than 4 seasons to make this happen.
I could not have done this one without the saddle. If I had been in the climber, she would have had the tree I was in between us.
