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My first traditional deer from yesterday:
I was hunting a coastal WMA just down from the office this morning. I found a spot on the edge of the marsh where deer were feeding on water oaks, and there were quite a few rubs. I had seen a buck a few days ago, but it never got close enough.
The woods were wet and quiet this morning, but the squirrels were active. I was only 15 feet up an oak with very little cover around me, so I was taking care to be still, which the mosquitoes appreciated. Around 8:10 I heard the slightest noise to my right, and there was the buck with his nose to the ground at 10 yards. I never thought I’d be able to get to my feet before he moved out of sight (or without spooking him), but he suddenly turned and walked directly under my tree. I was looking straight down at him unable to shoot….and wondering when he was going to smell me and take off……he never did.
I almost shot him at 3 yds., but it was nearly straight down and there were limbs…..he was going directly away at 5 yds. when he turned slightly to the right and exposed his vitals. It was now or never……I picked a spot, hit anchor, and watched the arrow sink in his side. As he ran off the arrow was sticking out the bottom of his chest. It fell out and was sticking in the ground 20 yds. from where he was standing at the shot. I felt confident about the hit, and had good blood. BUT….after losing one opening weekend, I backed out and decided to wait until lunch to take up the trail.
I followed blood to the edge of the marsh, where I lost it in the spartina grass. I was slowly following tracks in the mud when I saw a buzzard shadow cross the grass in front of me. I watched it circle low out in front of me for several minutes and then heard wings flapping in the marsh cedars. A sign! I walked straight toward the buzzard and the buck was laying 60 yds from where I lost blood. He fell in the water in the wide open marsh…..those buzzards could likely see him a few miles away. I would have found him anyway, but like the Beatles say….I get by with a little help from my friends.
I sat down on a fallen cedar and savored everything about the morning, and how good it feels to do it right. Following a little ritual celebration and some quiet thanks, we started slowly up the hill together….
Cheers.:D
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