It was a pretty cool morning this morning hovering just below 40* with the wind coming in from the west just after daybreak. It wasn't the ideal wind for the stand I sat in, but I really don't have too many options down on this farm that I am hunting. I had not hunted this stand for probably 5 or 6 weeks so I knew it was only a matter of time before something would be walking within range of my Mathews Drenalin. I ended up getting in my stand WAY before first light this morning, but I got to enjoy the serenity of being alone out in the woods without a care in the world.
It didn't take long after first light for me to hear movement behind me in the stand. I slowly peaked around the poplar tree that I was situated in, only to see the one animal every deer hunter hates to see. A squirrel. Somehow he noticed me move, and began his constant annoying bark for what seemed like eternity. At one point he he was about 3 feet above my head in the poplar tree as thoughts of a crazed squirrel ran through my mind. Finally after a few minutes he decided to go about his way and I could enjoy my somewhat peaceful morning. About 30 minutes after first light, I noticed some movement in the brush to my Northwest about 80 yards out and could tell there were at least 2 deer heading off parallel to me on a trail only 30 yards away. I hadn't expected to have any deer come in that way, and of course there weren't any shooting lanes cut in that direction. I waited for what seemed like eternity, hoping for them to finally decide to head over my direction. And my prayers were answered. I had 3 does and 1 button buck all within 20 yards of my stand when I decided to take the largest one. I drew back as she walked directly away from me at only 12 yards, and the button buck behind me caught me moving causing her to turn to see what the commotion was about. I settled the pin high on her back as I concentrated on the opposite shoulder because of the severe quartering away angle, and let the Aftershock Maniac tipped Carbon Express arrow fly. I hit her perfect and she was down within sight. The other big doe in the bunch proved to be the lucky one and decided not to stick around. I chose to stick around in the stand for about another hour just to make sure nothing else was coming in my way before deciding to come down.
It had been a short hunt this morning, but it ended up exactly like I had hoped. I came out with every intention to take an animal for some food on the table. After around 25 pictures and 30 minutes later, I thought I had taken enough decent pictures to choose from to share with you guys and headed off to the processor to get her worked up. Now I just have to wait for the call when she is done
Out of all of those 25 or so pictures, there was only 1 that I thought was pretty decent where I hadn't cut part of my head or part of the deers head. It is a little harder to take pictures by yourself than I had thought it would be, but I managed to get the job done.
Thanksgiving day proved to be a very good day for my family back home. First thing in the morning, I get a call from my little sister telling me she shot her first deer with a bow (just started into archery this year). Unfortunately they didn't find my sister's doe until this afternoon and the coyotes got a hold of her first.
My dad ended up scoring on a doe later in the evening as well with his bow. Double lunged at 20 yards with a Aftershock Hypershock 100grain.
Now hopefully my little brother can get one yet this year with his longbow
