Post by: DoubleJ on September 21, 2011, 09:40:10 PM
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.
Post by: elksnout on September 21, 2011, 09:47:58 PM
Post by: Jason on September 21, 2011, 09:52:51 PM
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.:yeah: My thoughts exactly, Congrats on the harvest DoubleJ.
Post by: npaull on September 21, 2011, 09:52:55 PM
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.
Post by: halflife65 on September 21, 2011, 09:56:24 PM
Congratulations DoubleJ.
Post by: DoubleJ on September 21, 2011, 09:58:48 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 21, 2011, 10:00:46 PM
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.
Post by: high country on September 21, 2011, 10:05:09 PM
Post by: Ripper on September 21, 2011, 10:22:01 PM
Post by: BoomWhop on September 21, 2011, 10:23:39 PM
Post by: JKEEN33 on September 21, 2011, 10:26:27 PM
Post by: DoubleJ on September 21, 2011, 10:27:30 PM
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.
Post by: Fishhunt223 on September 21, 2011, 10:30:17 PM
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.
Post by: mkcj on September 21, 2011, 11:01:09 PM
Post by: 7mag. on September 22, 2011, 12:13:55 AM
Post by: kckrawler on September 22, 2011, 05:53:44 AM
I have always referred to this as a "hunters heart".
Well put! :tup:
Post by: Huntboy on September 22, 2011, 06:08:11 AM
You guys are right on the money. It's respect for the animal. If I ever loose that feeling, I'll stop hunting.:yeah:
Post by: deerslyr on September 22, 2011, 06:32:31 AM
Post by: baldopepper on September 22, 2011, 06:55:41 AM
Post by: Huntbear on September 22, 2011, 07:08:48 AM
You guys are right on the money. It's respect for the animal. If I ever loose that feeling, I'll stop hunting.
:yeah:
Could not have said it better!
Awesome story Double J. :tup:
Post by: luvz2hunt on September 22, 2011, 07:30:44 AM
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.
i totally agree! :yeah:
Post by: DoubleJ on September 22, 2011, 07:39:35 AM
I think sometimes anti hunters don't understand how much "good" hunters actually love and respect the animals we hunt. Hard to explain the concept to them.
This is my wife. I am fighting that battle right now. She is mad because my kids have "seen me glorify killing a living animal". She tried to say since we have deer in our backyard that we feed and look after, that killing a deer 10 miles away is the same as killing a dog or a cat and that I've shown the kids it's ok to kill a pet. What a wonderful day I have ahead of me :bash:
Post by: rebal69972 on September 22, 2011, 07:49:26 AM
x2You guys are right on the money. It's respect for the animal. If I ever loose that feeling, I'll stop hunting.:yeah:
Post by: GoldTip on September 22, 2011, 07:56:07 AM
Post by: quadrafire on September 22, 2011, 08:01:38 AM
Thats a tough one there. My wife isn't really into it either.I think sometimes anti hunters don't understand how much "good" hunters actually love and respect the animals we hunt. Hard to explain the concept to them.
This is my wife. I am fighting that battle right now. She is mad because my kids have "seen me glorify killing a living animal". She tried to say since we have deer in our backyard that we feed and look after, that killing a deer 10 miles away is the same as killing a dog or a cat and that I've shown the kids it's ok to kill a pet. What a wonderful day I have ahead of me :bash:
Loved your story. I think feeling that way is a good thing.
Post by: CedarPants on September 22, 2011, 08:01:45 AM
There is the highest level of respect for the animals involved that is hard to put into words, and I always feel remorse. All 3 of my boys will be raised with these same principles. Like many of you have said, the day I don't feel remorse for taking a life from the forest, I'm done hunting
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 22, 2011, 08:12:56 AM
Post by: Chesapeake on September 22, 2011, 11:37:44 AM
I think sometimes anti hunters don't understand how much "good" hunters actually love and respect the animals we hunt. Hard to explain the concept to them.
This is my wife. I am fighting that battle right now. She is mad because my kids have "seen me glorify killing a living animal". She tried to say since we have deer in our backyard that we feed and look after, that killing a deer 10 miles away is the same as killing a dog or a cat and that I've shown the kids it's ok to kill a pet. What a wonderful day I have ahead of me :bash:
Every cow ever killed was a pet. Same for chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, all the hatchery fish we catch, ect........... Just sayin.
Good job on the harvest.
Post by: Klyne3 on September 22, 2011, 12:21:40 PM
I think sometimes anti hunters don't understand how much "good" hunters actually love and respect the animals we hunt. Hard to explain the concept to them.
This is my wife. I am fighting that battle right now. She is mad because my kids have "seen me glorify killing a living animal". She tried to say since we have deer in our backyard that we feed and look after, that killing a deer 10 miles away is the same as killing a dog or a cat and that I've shown the kids it's ok to kill a pet. What a wonderful day I have ahead of me :bash:
Every cow ever killed was a pet. Same for chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, all the hatchery fish we catch, ect........... Just sayin.
Good job on the harvest.
Actually I think your wrong on basis that every animal killed was a pet. However we've raised animals for the freezer and my kids have taken to naming them - hamburger, steak, fried, sunday dinner etc. I think that kids should know where their food is actually coming from (and not think it just magically appears packaged in a grocery store) and respect the animals for providing for us. But not to threadjack. Congrats on having the opportunity to put meat in the freezer, the touching story and also having a Hunter heart to respect the animal as you did.
Post by: 724wd on September 22, 2011, 12:30:57 PM
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.
best quote i've seen in a long time.
If there was a way to catch-and-release hunt that still allowed me to have a freezer full of wild meat and some photos to remind me of the day, i'd be all over it! :'(
Post by: d-rock on September 22, 2011, 01:11:02 PM
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on September 22, 2011, 07:21:20 PM
Post by: DoubleJ on September 22, 2011, 09:32:39 PM
Post by: deerslyr on September 22, 2011, 09:38:58 PM