Quarter til' Four, and I was out the door...
I was going to hunt Friday evening (10/01), but it didn't happen. We needed to go town to take care of some business, and we were late getting back. We came down the driveway at 6:45pm, and ~ OMG! There's 4 deer feeding in the South food plot, in plain sight! But wait ~ as they spooked, I saw 8 flags!!!
"That sounds about right", I thought. I swore to myself, then & there, that I will be hunting tomorrow evening...
My first bowhunt of the season, and I'm chompin' at the bit.
It was an early morning, on Saturday (10/02). I couldn't wait to get out there. I took my crossbow out in the front yard, to check the zero with my new carbon bolts my Dad gave last year. Yep ~ she's still got it...
I was thinking about heading to the blind around 3:30pm, but when time came around, it was still a bit warm outside. I figured I'd just go ahead and wait until 4:30pm to head towards the blind. No big deal...
About 15 minutes later (3:45pm), in order to kill some time, I thought I'd check the best hunting times for today, on my GPS' solunar table. It said " Excellent conditions between 3pm & 5pm". Hmmm ~ imagine that. Maybe I'd better head for the door.
By 4pm, I was in the blind. I leaned my crossbow up against the North wall, and layed the arrow (bolt) in the window. I don't like to actually seat the arrow, until I've finished getting everything else together. I'm bending over my field box, digging out my facemask & gloves, and something told me to look up.
Oh No...
Here comes 3 deer (1 doe & 2 fawns), traveling West, coming through the clearing in the treeline (where I had just come through, not 15 minutes earlier). They stop 30 yards away, broadside, and start browsing in the South food plot...
It was a classic scenario ~ me bending over with my hanging out, my crossbow leaning against the far wall, and the arrow is still laying in the window. I can't believe this!
The deer didn't mind at all ~ they just went about their business, helping themselves to the "salad bar". By the time I was able to sit up, reach my crossbow, and slowly take the arrow from the window, the deer melted into the cedars ~ on the other side of the food plot.
I finally got the arrow seated, and just as I layed the crossbow across my lap, one of the fawns came back out into the South food plot. I'd never shot my crossbow left-handed before, and I decided I didn't want to take a fawn anyways.
It browsed for a few minutes, and went back into the cedars with Momma and little brother.
As I'm sitting there trying to catch my breath, here came the momma doe, sticking her head out of the weeds on the opposite side of the cedars ~ starting to come out into the food plot that's directly in front of the blind.
I thought, "Ah-haaaa ~ a second chance!" She came out just under 30 yards in front of me, and stopped ~ staring directly at me.
Yep ~ my crossbow's still in my lap...
I didn't dare move, or she would have busted me. She was about to stomp, when the fawns came out behind her, and stood right next to her. Now I had 6 eyeballs staring at me. Then, the fawns decided to take off trotting down the food plot (heading West), and momma promptly took after 'em.
I just sat there, with my jaw on the ground. Here I am, I've been in the blind about 30 minutes, and I've already had 2 chances. That wasn't supposed to happen ~ was it?!
Sure ain't the way it's been going for me for the past 6 years, anyways. I was lucky to even see a deer, let alone 2 chances, within a half hour of being out there.
First, these deer came out at 4:15, which really shocked me. I thought they'd probably start moving around 5:30-6:00pm. I mean ~ it was still pretty warm out.
Oh well ~ it ain't like I've never been fooled before, by these sneaky critters...
Here's where I started my deep-breathing exercises. You know how it is ~ it seems like you held your breath the entire time. The deep breathing helped slow my heart rate, and believe me - I could'a pumped oil all the way from Alaska, at the rate it was going..
Now I start talking to myself:
"It ain't over, it's still early".
"Since the 3 deer didn't flag, I'm sure they weren't alarmed".
"Maybe they'll be back"...etc., etc., etc...
I get the crossbow up, with the butt-end standing on my right thigh. By God, they aren't gonna catch me with my pants down again - that's for sure...
An hour later, this ol' crossbow is getting mighty heavy. I give in ~ I'd better save some strength...
About fifteen minutes later (6pm), I see movement down towards the West end of the food plot ~ it's the same one's that came by earlier. Wait ~ there's 2 more. No ~ 3 more. No ~ there's 7, 8... OMG ~ I've got 8 deer heading straight towards me, and they're coming quick!
Somebody must of sounded the dinner bell, because these deer were be-bopping along down thru the food plot like children do when they hear the ice cream truck coming ~ ding, ding ~ ding, ding...
As soon as I finished counting the deer, I immediately thought about the fact that as they were getting closer, I was gonna have 8 pairs of eyeballs looking in all directions. I'd better pick an opportunity to get my crossbow up, and I don't mean soon ~ I mean now...
The shadows in the blind were perfect, to get my crossbow into position. Just as I got in position, the first 2 fawns passed in front of me @ just under 30 yards. If momma follows them, she'll be in my crosshairs at any second now.
And she did...and she was.
Just as she turned broadside, I grunted to try & get her to stop. She slowed, but kept on going. I grunted again ~ louder this time. She stopped briefly, and that was all that I needed. I thought, "Now or never", touched off the trigger, and TH-WHACK!
Music to my virgin ears...
I had brought along my new cellphone, so I could call the wife, when & if I needed a volunteer tracker. My old cell phone couldn't get a signal out here, but the new one has been impressing me lately.
Well ~ wouldn't you know it. No signal...
I go outside the blind, hoping that would help ~ nope...
I go up towards the South food plot ~ still no signal...
The heck with it ~ at this rate, I could already be up to the house by the time I finally get a signal. Off I go...
I roll up to the front door, and ring the doorbell. Mrs. Chairman was taking a nap, but that was OK ~ after she saw my gleaming smile plastered all over the storm door...
"Grab your boots, grab a flashlight or two, and follow me"...
She rode the ATV down to the blind, just in case I was going to send her into some knarly, nasty stuff to find my doe.
I showed her where the doe was standing when I TH-WHACKED her, and we started looking for blood. I told her to look at the tall grass, about waist-high, because I hit the doe a bit above center. I was sure it was a double-lunger, so I looked for pinkish-bubbles too.
Nothing...
I knew exactly which direction she traveled, because of all the noisy, high brush she ran through. It was too thick for me to follow, so I headed parallel along the brushy area, until I saw an area I could negotiate with my Monster Chair.
Just as I could see a bit deeper into the brush, about 30 yards West from where she had entered the brush, I thought I saw some white. It didn't look right, so I kept going.
Then I stopped and backed-up, just to be sure. I headed into the brush about 10 yards, and there she was. Not only had I just taken my first deer with a bow, I had just found my first deer by myself. Somebody usually beats me to it, because I'm a bit slower-going than most.
Oh What A Feeling....
I was going to hunt Friday evening (10/01), but it didn't happen. We needed to go town to take care of some business, and we were late getting back. We came down the driveway at 6:45pm, and ~ OMG! There's 4 deer feeding in the South food plot, in plain sight! But wait ~ as they spooked, I saw 8 flags!!!
"That sounds about right", I thought. I swore to myself, then & there, that I will be hunting tomorrow evening...
My first bowhunt of the season, and I'm chompin' at the bit.
It was an early morning, on Saturday (10/02). I couldn't wait to get out there. I took my crossbow out in the front yard, to check the zero with my new carbon bolts my Dad gave last year. Yep ~ she's still got it...
I was thinking about heading to the blind around 3:30pm, but when time came around, it was still a bit warm outside. I figured I'd just go ahead and wait until 4:30pm to head towards the blind. No big deal...
About 15 minutes later (3:45pm), in order to kill some time, I thought I'd check the best hunting times for today, on my GPS' solunar table. It said " Excellent conditions between 3pm & 5pm". Hmmm ~ imagine that. Maybe I'd better head for the door.
By 4pm, I was in the blind. I leaned my crossbow up against the North wall, and layed the arrow (bolt) in the window. I don't like to actually seat the arrow, until I've finished getting everything else together. I'm bending over my field box, digging out my facemask & gloves, and something told me to look up.
Oh No...
Here comes 3 deer (1 doe & 2 fawns), traveling West, coming through the clearing in the treeline (where I had just come through, not 15 minutes earlier). They stop 30 yards away, broadside, and start browsing in the South food plot...
It was a classic scenario ~ me bending over with my hanging out, my crossbow leaning against the far wall, and the arrow is still laying in the window. I can't believe this!
The deer didn't mind at all ~ they just went about their business, helping themselves to the "salad bar". By the time I was able to sit up, reach my crossbow, and slowly take the arrow from the window, the deer melted into the cedars ~ on the other side of the food plot.
I finally got the arrow seated, and just as I layed the crossbow across my lap, one of the fawns came back out into the South food plot. I'd never shot my crossbow left-handed before, and I decided I didn't want to take a fawn anyways.
It browsed for a few minutes, and went back into the cedars with Momma and little brother.
As I'm sitting there trying to catch my breath, here came the momma doe, sticking her head out of the weeds on the opposite side of the cedars ~ starting to come out into the food plot that's directly in front of the blind.
I thought, "Ah-haaaa ~ a second chance!" She came out just under 30 yards in front of me, and stopped ~ staring directly at me.
Yep ~ my crossbow's still in my lap...
I didn't dare move, or she would have busted me. She was about to stomp, when the fawns came out behind her, and stood right next to her. Now I had 6 eyeballs staring at me. Then, the fawns decided to take off trotting down the food plot (heading West), and momma promptly took after 'em.
I just sat there, with my jaw on the ground. Here I am, I've been in the blind about 30 minutes, and I've already had 2 chances. That wasn't supposed to happen ~ was it?!
Sure ain't the way it's been going for me for the past 6 years, anyways. I was lucky to even see a deer, let alone 2 chances, within a half hour of being out there.
First, these deer came out at 4:15, which really shocked me. I thought they'd probably start moving around 5:30-6:00pm. I mean ~ it was still pretty warm out.
Oh well ~ it ain't like I've never been fooled before, by these sneaky critters...
Here's where I started my deep-breathing exercises. You know how it is ~ it seems like you held your breath the entire time. The deep breathing helped slow my heart rate, and believe me - I could'a pumped oil all the way from Alaska, at the rate it was going..
Now I start talking to myself:
"It ain't over, it's still early".
"Since the 3 deer didn't flag, I'm sure they weren't alarmed".
"Maybe they'll be back"...etc., etc., etc...
I get the crossbow up, with the butt-end standing on my right thigh. By God, they aren't gonna catch me with my pants down again - that's for sure...
An hour later, this ol' crossbow is getting mighty heavy. I give in ~ I'd better save some strength...
About fifteen minutes later (6pm), I see movement down towards the West end of the food plot ~ it's the same one's that came by earlier. Wait ~ there's 2 more. No ~ 3 more. No ~ there's 7, 8... OMG ~ I've got 8 deer heading straight towards me, and they're coming quick!
Somebody must of sounded the dinner bell, because these deer were be-bopping along down thru the food plot like children do when they hear the ice cream truck coming ~ ding, ding ~ ding, ding...
As soon as I finished counting the deer, I immediately thought about the fact that as they were getting closer, I was gonna have 8 pairs of eyeballs looking in all directions. I'd better pick an opportunity to get my crossbow up, and I don't mean soon ~ I mean now...
The shadows in the blind were perfect, to get my crossbow into position. Just as I got in position, the first 2 fawns passed in front of me @ just under 30 yards. If momma follows them, she'll be in my crosshairs at any second now.
And she did...and she was.
Just as she turned broadside, I grunted to try & get her to stop. She slowed, but kept on going. I grunted again ~ louder this time. She stopped briefly, and that was all that I needed. I thought, "Now or never", touched off the trigger, and TH-WHACK!
Music to my virgin ears...
I had brought along my new cellphone, so I could call the wife, when & if I needed a volunteer tracker. My old cell phone couldn't get a signal out here, but the new one has been impressing me lately.
Well ~ wouldn't you know it. No signal...
I go outside the blind, hoping that would help ~ nope...
I go up towards the South food plot ~ still no signal...
The heck with it ~ at this rate, I could already be up to the house by the time I finally get a signal. Off I go...
I roll up to the front door, and ring the doorbell. Mrs. Chairman was taking a nap, but that was OK ~ after she saw my gleaming smile plastered all over the storm door...
"Grab your boots, grab a flashlight or two, and follow me"...
She rode the ATV down to the blind, just in case I was going to send her into some knarly, nasty stuff to find my doe.
I showed her where the doe was standing when I TH-WHACKED her, and we started looking for blood. I told her to look at the tall grass, about waist-high, because I hit the doe a bit above center. I was sure it was a double-lunger, so I looked for pinkish-bubbles too.
Nothing...
I knew exactly which direction she traveled, because of all the noisy, high brush she ran through. It was too thick for me to follow, so I headed parallel along the brushy area, until I saw an area I could negotiate with my Monster Chair.
Just as I could see a bit deeper into the brush, about 30 yards West from where she had entered the brush, I thought I saw some white. It didn't look right, so I kept going.
Then I stopped and backed-up, just to be sure. I headed into the brush about 10 yards, and there she was. Not only had I just taken my first deer with a bow, I had just found my first deer by myself. Somebody usually beats me to it, because I'm a bit slower-going than most.
Oh What A Feeling....
wireone577
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Hideandwatch
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Right On Chairman!
CONGRATS
Great Story Too! Nice Pics!
Never seen a chair with tires like that before....they must let ya get into hunt'n areas really good.
Great Story Too! Nice Pics!
Never seen a chair with tires like that before....they must let ya get into hunt'n areas really good.
StringShooter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2001
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Congrats Chairman! The first of many more I am sure.
ChairMan, You are an inspiration. Great story!!! and congradulations!
If I may ask, where did you get such an awesome chair?
I've got MS and the lesions are primarily in the cervical spine; so, although things are OK for now( minor numbness) it seems inevitable that I will need to find a killer chair like that in the future.
glgst
SoCal Via central MO
If I may ask, where did you get such an awesome chair?
I've got MS and the lesions are primarily in the cervical spine; so, although things are OK for now( minor numbness) it seems inevitable that I will need to find a killer chair like that in the future.
glgst
SoCal Via central MO
Matt in MO
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Great story, Chairman! Congrats!. Did you take it over to Hetherington's to be processed?
They make some mighty fine sausage sticks, etc.
They make some mighty fine sausage sticks, etc.
Since it was my first deer with my crossbow, I wanted to get the full-effect. I found it myself, needed some help field-dressing & hanging it, but I decided to butcher it myself too.
Man ~ what a job...
The wife bought me some jerky-making equipment, so I'm gonna try to do that too. Another first...
Believe me ~ if I get any more deer, they are going to Hetherington's...
