Opening day I was out by myself before sunrise and watched the squirrels and birds in the trees and the geese overhead. Although no deer appeared, I was grinning from ear to ear just being able to sit and enjoy.
The season has begun.
I've been helping the farmer all summer as time permitted, cutting, cleaning, hauling, mending, and now was my payback time. Hunting. And I intended to enjoy it.
Early in the season, a trio of apple trees attracts the odd buck and doe, so there I sat until 9:30 AM. Then I withdrew to the city and did household chores until my son was off work at 4:00. Then zzzzzoom back to the farm.
For his birthday last month I bought him a new Exocet and had it dialed in for him and ready to go. He had previously enjoyed using my Exomag on targets. We discussed strategies in the car during the drive out of the city; range, kill zones, wind, patience; all the things a dad might expect a young bow-hunter to need reminding of.
As we approached, a flock of turkeys scattered from under the trees leaving peck-holes in all the good apples. It was of little concern as we donned out camo at about 5:00. With a 6:59 sunset I expected a long sit before any action, but I didn't expect the unexpected!!! two deer under the apple trees.!!! and us only half dressed!!! A four and an eight point!!!
Expecting that's exactly where they wanted to be, I inched the car over in their direction to scare them away....hoping they would return.
Once my son was settled in against a cedar trunk and aware of the range markers, I sat in the willow stand 100 yards off. The deer were definitely moving early, as I shortly had a spike buck graze between 24 and 27 yards in front. I just watched, hoping for the return of the bigger quarry.
The spike was edgy as he stared to the right, to the direction of the apple tree.
Twang thwack!! Sound of a bow and impact came from over that way. Down I scramled and over to my son's location. Before I arrived I could see the white belly of a down deer in the long grass. YYYYYhaaa.
Back slapping and high fives as he told of the 4 point already in front, and him waiting and aiming and hoping for the eventual return of the 8. Should I wait, or should I shoot..... The archers' dilemma.
He waited.....and from out of the brush crept the 8, just yards to his left...without scenting him, and he let go the arrow broadside at 18 yards. The buck ran an arc to the left and fell within 40 yards. What a hunter.
That's my boy!!!
Maple
