Just thought I'd share pictures and the story behind my first archery deer hunt success. Last year I traded a safe queen rifle that I had for a compound bow. The idea was that I'd use the bow for casual grouse hunts and target shooting on my property. I hadn't seriously considered how much I would enjoy the sport, and I certainly didn't anticipate being able to hunt big game with it for another few years. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I put in for archery deer and elk when I bought my license, but it turns out that there's no better motivation than an depleting meat supply in the freezer and an archery tag in the wallet. I practiced daily and as the season approached I felt more and more comfortable with the bow and with what my ethical shooting distance was. I have permission to hunt on some private land on Vashon island and as luck would have it I drew a doe tag for that area for the second time in as many years. The season approached and I set aside a weekend to spend hunting and hopefully filling my tag. As I pulled into the property late Friday evening I spooked a massive bodied 4 point that was feeding under a pear tree in the driveway, and I began fantasizing about the possibility of filling both of my tags in one weekend. I set up on the edge of a field adjacent to some fruit trees the next morning and waited. Not long after the sun popped over the tree line, a group of two does and five fawns made their way over to the fruit trees to feed on the fallen. I selected the largest doe in the group, pulled back and let my arrow fly. The doe spun and ran 50yds or so, stopped, swayed and tipped over. I always feel a little more emotional when I harvest a doe and with a new son at home, this time was no exception. It's difficult for me not to see myself in the animals I hunt and in this case their orphaned offspring, but I also think that that is what makes hunting such a powerful experience for me. I processed the deer quickly, put her in the cooler in my truck and headed for the ferry. Back at home any remaining feelings of remorse were quickly erased when I was able to feed my kids and niece deer heart that night around our table. One deer down, one to go in the late season (I hope), and a little bit of meat in the freezer. Thanks for reading (that big 4pt never showed up again and I didn't want to take another doe btw).
