The reality of deer hunting......
I have been out bow hunting regularly since season opened this year.
I did not apply for a doe tag because I was unsure if I would be hunting this year at all, ......had leg surgery.
So only looking for that ever evasive Buck and totally enjoying being out in the bush and fresh air.
Seen lots of scrapes and rubs...and Does. Played peek a boo with 1 buck in particular but evening wind changed on me and he laughed at me as he ran across an open field about 60 yds away. No way for an ethical shot and he knew it!
Well yesterday and that crisp frosty morning changed all that.
East wind had me setting up my pop up blind at a small clearing beside a wind down popular tree.
I got a great deal buying this from Eastlake Charlie....from the forum. He teased me when I bought it saying it "hadn't put any meat in his freezer"!
I have fun laughing at every doe that sees this set up. They are very stand offish. Doing their stare down and stomping their hooves at it...
But I don't move an inch or take a breath and they eventually accept it as is , but never take their eyes off it while they mill around.
The zippers are loud as all get out, but have to open up the door to get in and windows to see out.
So in that crisp cool clear morning I'm setting it up in just early dawn thinking I probably scared anything around the area away.
I get quickly set up inside moving leaves to the sides so as to minimize any noise. I reach over and pick up my bow, look out the window and see a beautiful 8 pointer walk directly around that laying popular 30 yds away and swing his head directly at me ....frozen! Both of us! I know if I lift my bow he will bolt.
He does not like what he sees and I can tell. Then with a quick glance back he jumps and is gone.
I look out the side window to where he looked and see another cute spike buck about 20 yds away and he bolts away after his big brother.....
I'm in disbelief! How did this happen so quickly after making so much noise? Oh well. I sit back thinking I lost another....I wait and about another 45 minutes goes by and here comes a cute little Lady, big eyes, Ears all attentive at me ( the blind) and proceeds to put on a side show that was unbelievable......She does the hoof stomp not once, not twice but 5 times. She snorts and jumps and runs about 10 yds away, stops, and comes running right back at me to about 15 yds and does her stomp dance again. What a show! She then gives it away with a slight glance to her left....and out of the corner of my eye I see ears and horns! A nice 4 point set of horns. But no body. I sit motionless for about 20 - 30 min and finally she calms down and starts to browse but always looking up at me. Well Mr 4 pointer slowly walks along another windfall only showing me his head no body. Finally at 30 yds he is broadside but only for a second as he walks away .....showing me his ass.....or was it me he was laughing at....the ass in the blind. No shot! Well they mused about for an hour as 3 other does joined them and then they all walked away into the bush.
So I sit and wait .....thinking again this is unbelievable. What a gorgeous morning!
Well all of a sudden I see movement! Huh! Some blond long haired Dude walking in the bush....then I see his buddy who is all camo and carrying a bow. They walk about 50' across about 65 yds in front then stop. They see the blind. They quickly re asset and walk back the way they came in.
I sit and wait. I give it another 30 min and figure that's it. I'll pack up, head home for a quick lunch and come back early afternoon for the evening hunt as clearly the deer are moving big time.
I get out and sound off all the zippers again, fold the blind up and pack it into the carry bag.
I stand up and get set to hoist the bag on my back. As i look up .......yup! another buck! A nice 6 pointer and he is walking directly to me 25' feet away wind at his back! And yup my bow is sitting 6' away from me!
He suddenly stops as if he is now just realizing what he is looking at. Boom! he bolts. I reach down to grab my bow.....no shot!
I'm completely pissed! I can't believe myself. But wait! I look back to where he was standing and ....yup his brother is looking directly at me and he bolts! No shot!!
5 Bucks and 4 does in 4 hours!
And yes Charlie....my freezer is still empty!
sorry for the long winded narrative.......just had to tell my story to those that understand what the hunt is all about.
cheers!