So it would seem that I was the lucky one in our group this year.
Of the three of us I got the Doe tag for our Muzzle loader only hunt (WMU67).
This year we had very little time to prep for hunting. Seems we were always busy and unable to head to the hunting grounds during the summer or early fall.
So stands were install in areas that appeared to have deer from looking at Ground sign and the last years hunt.
I was setup along an old beaver dam in a ladder stand.
Everyday we were getting into stands very early.
The first two days I did not see anything, but could hear movement.
The third day I see deer. I have three come up from behind me. And area we did not think they would go through.
I only had one clear shot at one, and I passed. Very small Doe, and a left hand shot at that.
So now Thursday the 6th.
Wake up nice and early 05:30. Get ready and head out to stand for six.
Getting in as quite as possible and settle down for the long wait to legal light and load time 06:57.
At Sunrise I see two deer walking down the trail towards me.
At this time the heart rate climbs, although in the back of my head I am thinking they are not going to move infront of me at all.
Well as luck would happen they started moving towards me. Now they are only about 40 yards away at this point and I have not yet cocked the rifle.
I wait until I cannot see their eyes to ####. With just the slightest click all four ears are on me. It seems like hours before they move again.
Slowly they start to move in even closer. It this point I know I am going to shot a Doe. Just waiting for the right shot.
I had a small lane cut through the tree and she was only about three feet from it. Slow she walked towards it.
At three minutes past sunrise The shot rings out and in the cloud of smoke I see the Doe buck and run. Man did she run! Now I start to doubt myself for a couple seconds.
I let the wind push the smoke behind me and I start to breath deep. I look to the shot location and can see fur and blood. I think to myself "This is a good thing".
Still in my stand I start to rush myself, then stop. I remember that most people fall out of stands after taking the shot.
Slowly I lower the rifle down and then climb down.
Grab the rifle to reload and in doing so break the wonder jag it came with. (Cleaning just got harder for me)
With rifle reloaded I start the walk to the area I think she ran.
Well I get to the edge of the swamp! and think CRAP this is going to suck. Then look again and see no sign of anything going through it.
I turn around and start back to the shot location. This time with my eyes to the ground. I don't make it more then ten steps before I see the blood trail.
I look up then left and see an old water heater someone was kind enough to throw out years ago. Just behind it I see my Doe (Now named the Water heater Deer).
You see the exit in the pic. Shot grazed one lung and hit the heart.
With the help of my brother we field dress her and bring it into the scale. 115 pounds
Thank you Water Heater Deer you will feed my family and friends.
Of the three of us I got the Doe tag for our Muzzle loader only hunt (WMU67).
This year we had very little time to prep for hunting. Seems we were always busy and unable to head to the hunting grounds during the summer or early fall.
So stands were install in areas that appeared to have deer from looking at Ground sign and the last years hunt.
I was setup along an old beaver dam in a ladder stand.
Everyday we were getting into stands very early.
The first two days I did not see anything, but could hear movement.
The third day I see deer. I have three come up from behind me. And area we did not think they would go through.
I only had one clear shot at one, and I passed. Very small Doe, and a left hand shot at that.
So now Thursday the 6th.
Wake up nice and early 05:30. Get ready and head out to stand for six.
Getting in as quite as possible and settle down for the long wait to legal light and load time 06:57.
At Sunrise I see two deer walking down the trail towards me.
At this time the heart rate climbs, although in the back of my head I am thinking they are not going to move infront of me at all.
Well as luck would happen they started moving towards me. Now they are only about 40 yards away at this point and I have not yet cocked the rifle.
I wait until I cannot see their eyes to ####. With just the slightest click all four ears are on me. It seems like hours before they move again.
Slowly they start to move in even closer. It this point I know I am going to shot a Doe. Just waiting for the right shot.
I had a small lane cut through the tree and she was only about three feet from it. Slow she walked towards it.
At three minutes past sunrise The shot rings out and in the cloud of smoke I see the Doe buck and run. Man did she run! Now I start to doubt myself for a couple seconds.
I let the wind push the smoke behind me and I start to breath deep. I look to the shot location and can see fur and blood. I think to myself "This is a good thing".
Still in my stand I start to rush myself, then stop. I remember that most people fall out of stands after taking the shot.
Slowly I lower the rifle down and then climb down.
Grab the rifle to reload and in doing so break the wonder jag it came with. (Cleaning just got harder for me)
With rifle reloaded I start the walk to the area I think she ran.
Well I get to the edge of the swamp! and think CRAP this is going to suck. Then look again and see no sign of anything going through it.
I turn around and start back to the shot location. This time with my eyes to the ground. I don't make it more then ten steps before I see the blood trail.
I look up then left and see an old water heater someone was kind enough to throw out years ago. Just behind it I see my Doe (Now named the Water heater Deer).
You see the exit in the pic. Shot grazed one lung and hit the heart.
With the help of my brother we field dress her and bring it into the scale. 115 pounds
Thank you Water Heater Deer you will feed my family and friends.
