The Hunt 2001

Well this year it was just dad and I, we hunted primarily during bow season, since our rifle season was uneventful. Dad and I saw over 30 deer. Dad had the chance at a couple deer, but passed them up so I might get a chance at them, but they didn't come to my tree stand. We had wireless walki-talkies, which worked great. Hunting was so much more exciting when you can tell each other of a deer heading their way.

One morning I was up in the garden tower, with my crossbow, it was around 10, dad had just checked in, he was in the back 40's, and said he saw one, and was looking for a doe he shot at the night before but didn't find anything. Not 10 minutes later, I see something move below my stand (60 yards or so). I got into position with my bow overtop of the railing, I was looking through the scope at this deer, while it kept moving closer, then it stopped looked directly up at me and I froze. It watched me for a minute or so (which seemed like eternity) then finally flicked its tail and headed up the hill closer to me. I looked and realized that if I shot the limb of the bow would have hit the side of the stand, so I was trying to move when the deer looked at me again, and again I froze, watching it through the scope. It finally looked down and continued up the hill which gave me a chance to move. But before I did, I thought I saw and antler (could this be a buck? or was it that hawberry bush which was behind the deer.) I repositioned myself looking out the doorway of the stand and centered the bow so that the limbs would not hit the side when I shot. The deer kept walking now away from me, all I could see was the back end of him, it turned slightly and I took the shot. I saw from the corner of my eye that the deer was passing the 40-yard marker when I squeezed the trigger.

At that instant everything went black, I found out later my contact fell out just after I shot, I remember hearing this "Thunk" which I thought ment I hit it! I could see this deer running away from me but it was very blury. I put in a new contact and after 1/2 an hour left the stand to see if I could see anything. I found a bloody arrow and fur. Dad called and I told him I got one, to come and help me. Dad and I tracked for 2 hours and finally Kip found the trail and Dad called me over and their about 300 yards from where I shot just inside the tree line was my first 8 point BUCK!!

What a hunt!! It was awesome, lots of deer around, warm weather, I just wish Mark was there with us. Next year eh Mark!! Till next year!
Here are some pictures of the 2001 hunt.