Two Weeks to wait

[ozark]

Less than ten days ago I moved my primary feeder to a distance of 24 yards from my shooting window and put 200 pounds of grain in it. I was hoping that the deer would accept the move and soon begin using it. Today I checked it out and it looked like only about fifty pounds was left. It is around two weeks (1 October) until Archery season opens here. Today I observed three fresh rubs so at least a few bucks are no longer in velvet. I came home somewhat excited and got my Horton Dakota SL crossbow out and ready to take to my hunting shack. I will use the Horton open on contact broadhead and will take a doe if it appears first. We seem to have an abundance of deer and there are very few acorns (Red Oak only) so they sure need thinning out. My Cross bow is scoped so I will confirm the zero only and be ready.

[dougedwards]

I will be right over Ozark. How much is an out of state liscence? ;D

[ozark]

In my blind at 5. yearling showed up before I got my crossbow loaded but I didn't want to take this one. I wanted a mature doe. the yearling fed about twenty minutes and wandered off. I watched another thirty minutes and a sudden urge to use the potty hit me. I was prepared with a stool made out of a chair where a five gallon plastic container with botom filled with water can sit under a seat with a hole. Out of breath, I got seated and dumped a load. Standing up and getting my cover alls back up caused me to gasp for breath so I had to take it easy. Finally my breathing got settled down enough to get my clothes on right and I seated myself behind the crossbow that was balanced on the window sill. One adult doe was standing at the feeder and a half dozen other does and yearling were wandering in toward it. I elected to try the one at the feeded that was standing facing my position but at an angle enough to expose her right side. I instantly elected the try for the right half of the breast. I fired and seen the vanes disappear into the deer on target. The deer and all the rest ran toward a dense thicket some 60 yards distance. The wounded deer broke of to the right and entered the thicked seperated from the group. I called a hunting buddy to come and check but when he got there it was dark. He hound an abundance of blood where it entered the thicked but with his light couldn't follow the deers blood trail. Now, we plan to go up early and check during daylight. I feel we will find it quickly. The meat should be fine because it is not gut shot and the night is pretty cool. The rest of this story will come later even if it ends up a failure. I have little doubts that we will find her stone dead.

[ozark]

OK, the result is bad. A friend walked the blood trail fifty yards into the thicket and it stopped bleeding. He zig zagged back and forth for another 75 yards but failed to find it. Naturally I am sad to have goofed but I have learned what I believe is a lesson. Never shoot a bolt or arrow into a deer that if facing toward you at an angle. Darn, Ozark aint feeling one bit proud of this one. Sorry that I haven't represented you crossbow hunters better. Crap..................................

[Buckrub]

Dang.

I've done that with guns. I know the feeling. I'm going to have to fight down that urge, after waiting all year, to shoot too soon. I always do that. I tell myself not to, but I do. At least others are the same, after X years of learning we always do something wrong, huh? Ain't it the way of the Deer?

I don't have a crossbow, but want one really bad. I can't imagine using it in Early Season, too many mosquitoes, but I'd love to extend my season into Jan and Feb and hunt weekends. I put some money back for one, but spent it on a Savage ML!!!

BTW, the SAME thing COULD have happened if you'd have had a perfect shot. Or even had a perfect shot AND a gun. Yes it could have. So don't beat yourself up too badly. It happens.

Have you watched for buzzards?

[ozark]

Haven't watched for buzzards yet. Been busy with medical appointments related to some minor surgury my wife had on a foot. I will be watching for them. BTW we have a new buzzard around here that they call the mexican buzzard. They are more aggressive than the turkey vulture we have always seen. Farmers claim they begin on a half born calf and wants us to kill them on sight. Their heads are brown with short feathers rather than naked like the regulars. Since you are near here keep your eyes peeled and you will see them. They are getting rather thick up here.
I can handle the disappointment with the deer but doing that is below the standard I hold for any good hunter. Thanks.

[Buckrub]

Wow. I will watch for them, for sure.

And again, if I didn't screw up many times every season, I'd have no reputation at all!!! I have done every wrong thing that can be done with a shot at deer. I sympathize, trust me.

I'm not applying this statement to THIS case necessarily, but I will tell you that deer hold 2 1/2 times the units of blood that a human does, and it is my belief that deer heal 100% from many shots that we take, where we trail lots of blood and think they're dead but we can't find them. I've found too many arrowheads or bullets in cleaned deer, that weren't mine. And I just think these are mystical creatures that heal much better than we give them credit for. That's a general statement, is all.