This is my first year archery hunting and the first year I've hunted since 1999.
Friday afternoon, I hit the tree stand at about 2:00PM, knowing I'd only have about 2 hours of light. At 3:15, 3 does came in to 20 yards and began eating. At about 60 yards I could see 3 more does trotting in. I waited until the 3 distant does were behind bushes and drew my bow to take a shot at the largest of the 3 does in front of me. Unfortunately, one of the distant does stopped, stomped and all 6 does dashed off.
Saturday was to be my last day to hunt. I sat in the stand all morning, seeing nothing but squirrels. Took a mid-day nap in the Suburban and hit the stand again at about 1:00PM. 15 minutes after getting in the stand, two spikes walked in. At this point, for some reason I'd got it in my head that GMU 124 was 4 point minimum or doe. I'm not sure how I got this in my head as I'd known better! So, I spent about 30 minutes watching these two spikes, between 15-30 yards, taking cell phone pictures and videos for my daughter to watch. I was also texting my girlfriend, son and a close hunting buddy. All three kept responding with "SHOOT!" I explained that I couldn't shoot, they weren't legal... Eventually both spikes wandered off. A few minutes later, a doe walked in, right under me. As she quartered away from me, at about 15 yards, I started to draw my bow. She immediately busted me.
About that time, my hunting buddy texted me, asking what unit I was hunting. I told him and he corrected me, reminding me that 124 was any deer...explaining that I was an idiot for passing up a legal buck, only to be busted by a doe, on my last day to hunt...lol. Needless to say, I felt pretty dumb!
About 3:50, I texted my girlfriend, telling her my season was about to end, empty handed. While this is my first year Archery hunting, it would also be the first year I'd hunted, without harvesting a deer. I was bummed.
As soon as I sent that text, I looked up to see the two spikes returning!! At 27 yards I MISSED! I shot directly underneath it. The other buck ran off and this one looked around and continued eating. I was aiming for the heart, between 2 branches that were about 8 inches apart, one above, one right below the heart. I nocked a second arrow...MISSED AGAIN! Are you kidding me!!?? It looked around and continued eating!! I now realize those 2 branches are really causing me issues. I didn't hit either of the branches but something's going on. So, I nock my third AND LAST arrow and decide I want to buck to take a couple steps forwards, getting out from behind both branches. It's getting dark! I give a little "snick" sound, he looks up and takes a couple steps forward...another "snick" stops him. I put the my 30 yard pin at the bottom of his chest and let fly. I got a complete pass through! It ran about 20 yards and dropped dead. I waited about 15 minutes, listening for any movement. I climb down and find my 2 missed arrows, within an inch of one another. I take a couple steps and see the first spot of blood. A couple feet later, there's a steady stream of blood, about 4" wide, leading me directly to him. I didn't find my bloody arrow though...strange. I'm going back Wednesday, during the day to find it. It's gotta be sitting right there but by then, it was dark.
I was able to pull the suburban to about 20 feet of it, drag it into the headlights and gut it by headlight. As I was gutting it, the other spike returned and watched me, standing in the exhaust of the suburban...lol
Here's both spikes, earlier in the day...
As I approached him...
I was amazed at what the 100 grain Muzzy did! Here's the entrance side of the lungs. The exit side was completely obliterated. Once I got him skinned out, I was surprised to see the damage done to the rib cage. There's an 8" diameter area that's completely blood shot. I've seen that with a bullet but sure didn't expect it from an arrow. My daughter found one of my fletchings inside the exit side of the rib cage...lol
