First Time Ever

[taz3]

Well, I loaded up drove 200 km to deer hunt for the first time ever. I had 40 acres to cover, that my buddy owns. He got hurt 2 weeks ago and was unable to get any food plots started, but it is fairly common to see deer on his property. By the time I got unloaded and settled, it was 8:30 am, so I figured I'd head out for a bit. I wondered around with my Phoenix over my shoulder, just to get familiar with the lay of the land more then anything. There were too many fallen leaves to see any tracks, although I found bear scat in 2 different locations so I knew to be aware. After not seeing anything and out of food, I headed back for an early dinner, so I could get back out an evening hunt.

At 4pm I head back out and found a high point to sit tight where deer are known to frequent. I sat until 6pm and decided to head to the north end of the property on a main trail, the owner cut. Earlier in the day I dropped a pin on my iPhone GPS to give me a central reference point, as I was walking beyond this point I pulled my phone out to see where I was. For the most part I wasn't really paying attention and walking heavy footed, thinking, I can't believe I haven't ....... All the sudden, something jumps and darts 10 yards in front of me! Holy smokes, it's a pair of does, and now I'm kicking myself for not paying attention. I stop and watch where they go, but I loose sight quickly in the dense forest. I head out in the direction the ran off in and realize they're long gone, so I return to where I saw them originally to head up the trail again. I no sooner get back on the trail, walk about 20 yards and there they are eating, but they know I'm there.

I stop and slowly raise my Phoenix and put the larger of the 2 in the cross hairs. My heart is pounding through my clothes, I'm sure they could here it All I need her to do, is turn 20º or walk one step forward for a clean shot. Nope she turns to the right (the wrong way) and the kill zone is now completely blocked by a tree and she's watching for me to move. I've now held my Xbow up for 3-4 minutes (felt like an hour) so I try to put the mono stand down to support it. I successfully swung it down and was trying to slide the 2nd extension down, but it was enough movement to make her dart, and the other followed suit. I swear she was taunting me though, because she stopped in the middle of the trail 80+ yards in front of me stomping the ground and looking at me.

I could only laugh at this point, I probably had a shot when I first raised my Xbow, but the angle wasn't very good, and I would have had to rush the shot, so I held off. Maybe if I was more seasoned I may have taken the shot, but it wasn't a shot for a first timer IMO. I chalked it up as a good experience and I learnt a ton, so it wasn't a total loss, plus I'm content knowing I didn't wound a deer either.

I'll be heading up again with feeders in place next time, and we'll have a tree stand to hunt from, oh ya and a bit more experience!

[8ptbuk]

Wise choice on not shooting . If theres any doubt dont shoot . Main thing is you had fun and learned something .

[Normous]

That is a great experience and some good choices on your part. Good Luck!!

[vixenmaster]

You did well its all in the learnin

[markg1970]

Great story and great learning experience. That'.s right out of "You call the shots". Best news is is that they will be there next time you go.
Best of luck to you!!!

[Kegbelly]

Great story man, and you did the right thing by holding off on a shot you weren't sure of. You made the right decision, hats off to you.

[taz3]

Thanks guys, I figured I still have the tag to use, so no loss with plenty more time to hunt.

Hats off to those who have harvested deer with any archery, it's an art!

[strum]

sounds like my yote encounter
great job on not taking the shot you were right. even though she seen you. you didn't harm her so she will relax and live to be shot another day.

[DaveShooter]

Loved your story you made the right call about not taking the shot-Always the next time that's the great thing about hunting and fishing, and just being in the great outdoors

[maine hunter]

those little buggers come out when we least suspect there be.

[VixChix]

Good job on holding off! Some days the best you can do is just enjoy the show. Your time will come and it will feel right in every way. Until then, keep on enjoying your time in the woods.

Have to say that those "almost" hunts are usually more memorable than the hunts where you spend 1/2 the day after the shot working to get the harvested animal out of the woods.

[Fishous]

...I probably had a shot when I first raised my Xbow, but the angle wasn't very good, and I would have had to rush the shot, so I held off. Maybe if I was more seasoned I may have taken the shot, but it wasn't a shot for a first timer IMO....

Actually, no, you did good. After years of basically teaching myself bow hunting and deer hunting, I've learned that almost every bad shot was from rushing it - Either rushing the trigger pull, or not waiting for the deer to be at a good angle.

[JPjunkie]

Good move dont rush things it will come and you are a smarter hunter for this experience Thats how we all learn it can only come from hands on training Good Luck Hunting

[wabi]

If I'm not 100% sure of the shot I pass. Also if the deer is looking at you it may jump at the movement of the limbs which could easily result in a bad hit (or miss) at even close range. (experience speaking - luckily it was a miss )