Sunday was the next to last day of deer season here in NC, and even though none of my buddies could join, I decided to make one last sit. The deer have been pretty darn nocturnal as they always are after the time change, but we did see a few by one of the stands 2 or 3 weeks ago...right at dark. My young newbie was in the stand and got busted as there are no more leaves on the trees. So I decided to hunt near that stand but with my full on stringed ghillie suit. I planned to sit in the pines and shoot out into the hardwoods. Well, when I got there the wind was not in my favor for that so I walked around a bit trying to find where the deer were coming out and where to hide. I finally settled on hiding behind a large tree near a new-ish blowdown. If the deer came up the edge of the pines they would be 10 yards away, but it was really my only option. I finally got settled around 4:00PM. Sunset was 5:07PM. My spot was near the pines and on top of a little area with a small hollow of sorts behind me. Deer could be down there and I wouldn't be able to see them, but I thought that unlikely. The ground wasn't wet like it had just rained, but it was pretty damp and soft. Pretty quiet to walk on even though there were plenty of leaves down. So I was a little surprised that at around 4:30 I thought I head deer-like footsteps behind my towards that hollow. First I was surprised I heard anything because I am pretty deaf (
) but secondly because of the conditions. I didn't move for awhile but finally turned my head enough to check. Nothing. Had to be a squirrel, but it sure didn't sound like one. Nothing more came of it, but then around 5:00PM I saw the smallest movement to my right. Right on the pine edge. Ears and legs. Awesome! They are in some brush and there is a 4" diameter log about 2 feet off the ground, parallel. They are behind that. I think 2 or 3. Can't be sure but they are RIGHT THERE! 10 yards! They are at about my 2 o'clock and I need them to get to my 12 before they are clear of the brush. One is heading that way. I slowly move my hand to get the safe off. The trailing doe must have seen that. She starts the head bobbing and stomping, but can't peg me. I have my leafy head piece on with the ghillie suit top on, and the pants just kind of draped over my legs. I'm also half behind the tree to her and she has that log in the way. Standoff. The other deer moves into the open, sees me and her and decides to walk back towards the brush...then moves off into the pines. Still 2 there. One eating in the brush and one stomping. I don't move a muscle. I even try to close my eyes half way. #3 wanders back into the picture (or it's #4. I can't tell for sure. But nobody is moving to my 12 o clock. After what seemed like 10 minutes, her stomping is getting less and less enthusiastic and she is starting to "feed". Still checking me out , but calmer. #3 is still back but #2 is close to clearing. Then turns the other way then turns back the "right" way, then just stands there eating. Finally Miss Stompy Stomp starts moving towards my 12. I get on the scope and try to twist a bit to my right. I figure she will bump #2 into an open shot but nope....it's her. She barely clears the brush. She's pretty broadside, but the front is turned towards me. She is staring me down so I figure this is it. I aim lower 3rd, right in front of the shoulder. BANG! Awesome hit. She takes off and I think I heard a crash, but she ran in the pines where all the pine needles have that feeling like a carpet. Arrow is right behind where she was. I peel off my ghillie stuff and walk over. Arrow is good. I look where she was and I have 2 great spots of lots of blood. VPA 200gr 1 1/4" 3 blade. My new go to. I go pack up, get my knives, gloves, headlamp and drag and start the search. The trail is good for 7-8 yards then I only have a small drop on a leaf. It's not real dark yet to I turn off my headlamp and do a quick search 35yards out in the direction I thought she ran. Nothing. OK, go back to the last spot and look better dummy. Ahh. That little spot was from her right side and the edge of the trail. There is more blood left of it, going right through 2 trees that are 12" apart. Well, that's a good sign. She's just running flat out. Death run. Can't be far. Tracking in pine needles is a pain. But my trail was good and beelining right for a big bunch of nasty thorns and briars. Yep. Death run. But really...into that crap? I track her straight into it and then on the other side there she is in a small depression. I must have walked within 10 yards of here earlier. Anyway, all good. My tracker says she went about 40 yards. A quick field dressing, and a short drag and I'm on my way home. So was she the last of 2022 or first of 2023? Yep.
