Action-packed opening morning

[jjnapp]

#5055

Wisconsin’s archery opener was last Saturday and I had an interesting morning. There is some public land in northwestern Wisconsin that isn’t too far from where I live. My buddy gave me some directions to an area that has always held a good number of deer. I got into my tree a little late Saturday morning and I was worried that would ruin my chances. However after about 15 minutes of getting settled in a doe passed behind me at about 30 yards…the woods are very thick behind my stand so I didn’t come close to getting a chance. About 10 minutes later 2 does came in straight at me. They managed to stay behind the only pine tree I had positioned in front of me for cover. One got as close as 10 yards but was directly behind the tree so I had no shot. She finally busted me and both of the deer backed out.

I was very encouraged and excited about the opportunities to come. I’d already seen 3 deer at pretty close range and I’d only been in the stand an hour.

It had been about 20 minutes since the 2 does had left the area and I started to hear some dogs in the distance. They sounded as if they were getting closer and closer. I kept my bow ready because I thought there was a good chance they could push a deer my way. As the howling from the hounds intensified I saw a burst of black come out of the bushes in front of me. I positioned myself for a shot but then I realized this was a black bear in a dead sprint. He skirted the tree I was in by about 20 yards and disappeared behind me. 30 seconds later a dog came crashing through on the same course, followed by another and then another. I finally realized that bear hunting season was in full swing and dogs seem to be the preferred method for scoring your “trophy” bear in this part of Wisconsin. It was pretty amazing how the dogs, who didn’t have a visual on the bear followed the bears trail step for step…..at the same it definitely isn’t my idea of hunting. Needless to say my chances of shooting a deer dropped significantly that morning…I went back that evening and didn’t see anything.

I think by next weekend things will have calmed down and hopefully I’ll get another chance.

[Troy Breeding]

#36685

Where I come from (AL) dog hunting for deer is the norm. It’s both good and bad. The good part is, it keeps the deer moving all day. The bad is, it never fails that the one that comes the closest is the one the dogs are trailing and they push it by as warp speed.

Troy

[FUBAR]

#37683

I always find it cool to see a bear. Even if it messes up my hunt8)

[Author]

Posts