Freezer is full (well, almost) and with a slightly heavy heart

[DoubleJ]

Sitting in my spot tonight.  Been hitting this spot hard for a week and a half.  In the past 10 days, my sons and I have seen a bigger 2x2, a spike, 2 does each with 2 fawns and a lone doe.  The freezer is empty so, I would have been happy with the lone doe, the spike, or the 2x2. 

The spike was actually last on that list.  He was the smallest of the 3 deer, and lively.  The spirit in this deer made my heart jump a bit.  3 times we have seen him sparring with the scotch broom.  Sticking his head into a bush, swinging it like he was an ancient warrior fighting with a fierce dragon.  Then he'd jump back, jump about 5 feet into the air, rush forward and stab at the bush again.  In the past 10 days, we have literally lost a few hours watching this young boy. 

Well, guess who showed his face tonight.  He was the only deer I saw tonight and the only deer I've seen at this spot within bow range in 10 days.  He got my attention by sparring with another bush.  As I steadied my bow and went to full draw, he cleared the corner where he was at.  Light was dimming fast.  I could literally see the pin losing it's grasp on the light.  12 yards away, the young buck stared at me almost head on.  He only took one step giving me a very poor quartering towards shot.  I hate that angle.  As the very last seconds of light slipped away, he lost interest in me and turned his head to the left, giving me a very clear and open 12 yard neck shot.  I squeezed the release.  The arrow flew true, piercing his neck and stabbing deep into his spine.  He fell where he stood, let out a very quiet moan, and expired completely withing 15 seconds.  This was the 4th deer I have killed but the first with a bow and honestly the quickest death of any of them.

I was happy as I realized the freezer would have some good eats in it in a few days.  I had that adrenaline rush we all crave.  Not quite Stan Potts level but, excited none the less.  As I approached him, I was hit with an emotion I had never had with a kill before.  I was a bit sad.  This deer, while doing his duty to feed my family, had more life and spirit than any deer I have ever seen, and I just put an end to that.  As I processed him, my mind was filled the entire time with his jumping and playing.  I will NEVER forget this deer as long as I live.

On a side note, I now have a severely pulled back muscle as a result of putting this boy in my garage fridge.  One might say, it was his final revenge.

[elksnout]

To be honest I always feel some remorse after taking an animal. Always thought it would be cool to snap my fingers and have him get up and do it all over again. Kinda silly, huh? But I give thanks, snap a few pictures, maybe a handshake or a hug from my boy, put the tag on and get to work.... But I damn well love the meat and the hunting experience for sure. I have always referred to this as a "hunters heart". I think I read that once years ago. Your story is one of the best on here DoubleJ.

[Jason]

To be honest I always feel some remorse after taking an animal. Always thought it would be cool to snap my fingers and have him get up and do it all over again. Kinda silly, huh? But I give thanks, snap a few pictures, maybe a handshake or a hug from my boy, put the tag on and get to work.... But I damn well love the meat and the hunting experience for sure. I have always referred to this as a "hunters heart". I think I read that once years ago. Your story is one of the best on here DoubleJ.

My thoughts exactly,  Congrats on the harvest DoubleJ.

[npaull]

It's always a mix of emotions, at least, it is if you're an ethical hunter. I'm sure there some yahoos out there who don't give it an extra thought.

It's a weird mix that's hard to describe, but I just think it means your head's in the right place as a hunter. Sounds like the deer died well and fast, which is about the best thing any deer can hope for.

Congratulations on a successful season.

[halflife65]

Well said, npaull.

Congratulations DoubleJ.

[DoubleJ]

Thanks guys

[7mmfan]

I was told by my dad when I was young that if you didn't feel bad killing an animal, then you had no place hunting. I have never killed an animal that I didn't feel remorse for. The last buck I killed ran about 100 yards on a double lung hit with my rifle, coughing blood the whole way. When I got to him he was just expiring and it was a very tough moment.

It must have been particularly tough for you shooting him after spending so much time watching him, honestly I may have made the choice to let him walk just because of that. But good job on a clean kill and feeding your family. You did what man has been doing for eons now and did it very well.

[high country]

Friend, its ugly watching death take place of your own actions, but god put him there just for you.....enjoy you meals and be thankful.

[Ripper]

You guys are right on the money. It's respect for the animal. If I ever loose that feeling, I'll stop hunting.

[BoomWhop]

 

[JKEEN33]

On my nephews first big game hunt we got an elk and after gutting it and dragging it out we loaded it in the truck. As we were driving out with all of us in the back with the elk, my nephew kept looking at it trying not to start crying. He wasn't very old, but I told him it was a good thing to feel bad. We had killed something that wanted to live as bad as we did. We should be respectful and not wasteful. I love to hunt and I eat what I kill so I enjoy being successful, but it's not about the actual kill that does it for me.

[DoubleJ]

I was told by my dad when I was young that if you didn't feel bad killing an animal, then you had no place hunting. I have never killed an animal that I didn't feel remorse for. The last buck I killed ran about 100 yards on a double lung hit with my rifle, coughing blood the whole way. When I got to him he was just expiring and it was a very tough moment.

It must have been particularly tough for you shooting him after spending so much time watching him, honestly I may have made the choice to let him walk just because of that. But good job on a clean kill and feeding your family. You did what man has been doing for eons now and did it very well.

The hardest part is knowing that 10 seconds later and I would have let him walk.  And I would have had no hard feelings about it.  I look back, just a few hours ago now and wonder if I should have let him go.

[Fishhunt223]

You guys are right on the money. It's respect for the animal. If I ever loose that feeling, I'll stop hunting.

That is exactly how I feel. I have way more respect for the animals I take than any man.

[mkcj]

 

[7mag.]

I'm glad you wrote this. I always get buck fever and a little sad. If I ever get numb to the taking of life, I'm going to stop hunting. Good for you. This may be your most prized trophy, regardless of antler size.