Last week, I hunted a stand that I hadn't been in before. I realized I needed a couple more shooting lanes, so today I decided to get there early to give myself plenty of time to do this.
I headed into the woods around 2:00. As I was walking up a rise to where my stand is, I busted out a deer no more than 50 yards from the stand. Off to a good start.
I got my lanes trimmed, and was in my stand with what i thought was all kinds of time to kill. Checked TOO, texted a few people, just wasting time. About 4:00 I heard leaves rustling right behind me. My mind said "squirrel", but something else said "that's no squirrel".
I slowly turned my head and looked down to see a doe about 20 yards right behind me. After looking around a bit more i realized she was alone.
She was nibbling on leaves and the occasional nut from the ground, so I figured when she puts her head down again I'll see if I can get stood up with out getting busted. After i was up and got turned around so I could get a better look I realized she was a smaller doe, not a big nanny like i had joped, and I was almost hoping she would just go away.
She kept working her way directly to my stand! At one point, I was literally looking down between my feet at her as she was sniffing my steps, hoist rope, and the pruners I dropped earlier. I was like " well you're kinda dumb aren't you? maybe I should shoot you just to get your genes out of the pool." At this point i was still not sure I wanted to shoot her. But she made her way away from my stand right into a lane and turned broadside. Still quartering away a little, but offering a shot none the less.
I guessed she was about 20 yards, being at that kind of an angle I figured I would aim for 15. I drew, anchored, took aim, and as soon as the arrow left the string I said "shit"...The shot was high and I knew it long before it got to her. I was watching the red lighted nock and hoping it would either drop a little faster or sail completely over her, I definitely didn't like where it was headed.
No such luck, the arrow struck just below her spine. i was aiming for the off side shoulder, and the hit was great side to side, but way high.
She jumped and ran, not at a full sprint like you would expect, more like a labored run. She also seemed to be favoring her leg on the off side of the impact. Her tail was tucked and she gave a grunt as she took off. i watched her as she circled around behind my stand and veered off straight back. over a hill towards a creek and out of sight.
I lowered my bow and pack down, and went to inspect the shot sight. No arrow, no blood, no fur. I wanted to go look in the direction she ran, but last years experience told me to leave her be. Instead i went back to look more closely at the shot site. Still no clues. I looked at the time and realized Adam was getting off work so I sent him a quick text, responded to one from huck, and headed to the truck.
I headed into the woods around 2:00. As I was walking up a rise to where my stand is, I busted out a deer no more than 50 yards from the stand. Off to a good start.
I got my lanes trimmed, and was in my stand with what i thought was all kinds of time to kill. Checked TOO, texted a few people, just wasting time. About 4:00 I heard leaves rustling right behind me. My mind said "squirrel", but something else said "that's no squirrel".
I slowly turned my head and looked down to see a doe about 20 yards right behind me. After looking around a bit more i realized she was alone.
She was nibbling on leaves and the occasional nut from the ground, so I figured when she puts her head down again I'll see if I can get stood up with out getting busted. After i was up and got turned around so I could get a better look I realized she was a smaller doe, not a big nanny like i had joped, and I was almost hoping she would just go away.
She kept working her way directly to my stand! At one point, I was literally looking down between my feet at her as she was sniffing my steps, hoist rope, and the pruners I dropped earlier. I was like " well you're kinda dumb aren't you? maybe I should shoot you just to get your genes out of the pool." At this point i was still not sure I wanted to shoot her. But she made her way away from my stand right into a lane and turned broadside. Still quartering away a little, but offering a shot none the less.
I guessed she was about 20 yards, being at that kind of an angle I figured I would aim for 15. I drew, anchored, took aim, and as soon as the arrow left the string I said "shit"...The shot was high and I knew it long before it got to her. I was watching the red lighted nock and hoping it would either drop a little faster or sail completely over her, I definitely didn't like where it was headed.
No such luck, the arrow struck just below her spine. i was aiming for the off side shoulder, and the hit was great side to side, but way high.
She jumped and ran, not at a full sprint like you would expect, more like a labored run. She also seemed to be favoring her leg on the off side of the impact. Her tail was tucked and she gave a grunt as she took off. i watched her as she circled around behind my stand and veered off straight back. over a hill towards a creek and out of sight.
I lowered my bow and pack down, and went to inspect the shot sight. No arrow, no blood, no fur. I wanted to go look in the direction she ran, but last years experience told me to leave her be. Instead i went back to look more closely at the shot site. Still no clues. I looked at the time and realized Adam was getting off work so I sent him a quick text, responded to one from huck, and headed to the truck.