We'll...what a day! Finally got my first buck. Got my hunting license early October this year...so it took a whole 6 weeks to use my first tag. Took my time...haha.
Got up way too early, but last day to hunt permit season in my zone and I was itching to get out.
Half way to the spot and of course the low gas light turns on. Checked my range. 25 miles left and 5 miles to go. So I figured I'd get gas later.
Parked and rushed to get on the trail. Found a tree and got ready to climb. Last thing to do, check for release before heading up...left it in the car. Hiked the 5 minutes back out, sweated like a pig. Got back to the spot I thought I left my stuff but couldn't find it. Walked in circles a few times and finally found it. Of course it was already getting light out. So much for getting up early. Thought I'd just go home at this point.
Climbed up anyway. Pulled up my bow and bag. Got all tangled up and was really ready to throw in the towel.
Finally sat down to listen and look around. Didn't like what I saw. Branches everywhere. Only a few clear shooting lanes. Sat for an hour thinking I heard deer one way, squirrel. Then the other side, squirrel. Sat down and was loosing interest. Heard something straight ahead, downwind...couldn't be a deer...glanced up and saw that sun hit the orange brown fur. Heart started pumping fast, stood up slow. It was heading right at me, but the brush was thick. I saw two possible shots if it kept coming. Then it lifted its head...antlers!?!
Stepped too fast for me to shoot between the two pines a foot apart, I had already drawn the 1980's High Country bow and was beginning to shake. He took one more step...and clear to shoot. Let her fly. Deer took off. Figured I missed. I've taken two shots and missed this season. Listened and heard a lot of rustling a ways off and figured he was gone.
Waited 30 minutes and climbed down. Found the arrow.
Couldn't find a drop of blood. So I got on nj hunters and found bill43. He came right out. Couldn't believe the generosity. Ending his own hunt to come help. Another guy (josh) just driving by stopped to see how the morning was going. Pulled right over to lend a hand.
Got up way too early, but last day to hunt permit season in my zone and I was itching to get out.
Half way to the spot and of course the low gas light turns on. Checked my range. 25 miles left and 5 miles to go. So I figured I'd get gas later.
Parked and rushed to get on the trail. Found a tree and got ready to climb. Last thing to do, check for release before heading up...left it in the car. Hiked the 5 minutes back out, sweated like a pig. Got back to the spot I thought I left my stuff but couldn't find it. Walked in circles a few times and finally found it. Of course it was already getting light out. So much for getting up early. Thought I'd just go home at this point.
Climbed up anyway. Pulled up my bow and bag. Got all tangled up and was really ready to throw in the towel.
Finally sat down to listen and look around. Didn't like what I saw. Branches everywhere. Only a few clear shooting lanes. Sat for an hour thinking I heard deer one way, squirrel. Then the other side, squirrel. Sat down and was loosing interest. Heard something straight ahead, downwind...couldn't be a deer...glanced up and saw that sun hit the orange brown fur. Heart started pumping fast, stood up slow. It was heading right at me, but the brush was thick. I saw two possible shots if it kept coming. Then it lifted its head...antlers!?!
Stepped too fast for me to shoot between the two pines a foot apart, I had already drawn the 1980's High Country bow and was beginning to shake. He took one more step...and clear to shoot. Let her fly. Deer took off. Figured I missed. I've taken two shots and missed this season. Listened and heard a lot of rustling a ways off and figured he was gone.
Waited 30 minutes and climbed down. Found the arrow.
Couldn't find a drop of blood. So I got on nj hunters and found bill43. He came right out. Couldn't believe the generosity. Ending his own hunt to come help. Another guy (josh) just driving by stopped to see how the morning was going. Pulled right over to lend a hand.
