17 replies to this topic

[U.P. Hunter]

Well after a beautiful (snow & clouds, rain & clouds) relaxing time back home in the U.P. the wife and I have returned to P town in central IL. As the title states I did score and here is the scoop.
A few days after setting my blinds up in the woods behind the house things had settled down and the deer had started to make their morning and afternoon forays through the funnel that is between their bedding and feeding. Although I had picked up a couple of nice young bucks on the trail cam I wanted to let them go. Especially the 2 1/2 year old 8pt. who should really be sporting a dandy rack next year if he makes it.
I had yet to see the 10 pt. that had been there the last 2 years but figure it to be a bit early yet. I had my usual visitors in my permanent blind. squirrels, mice, a weasel, partridge, you name it.
On Oct. 11th it had snowed overnight and there was about 2" on the ground. I had been in the blind since noon and it was approaching 10 after 7. It would soon be dark. I was taking one last look to the south where I knew they would be traveling from and sure enough here they came.
The first was a really big doe who stopped at about 75 yds with 4 other does trailing her and looked things over. Then she circled to the east as the wind was coming out of west to see if she picked anything up before moving in under the  apple tree. Broadside at 20 yds and head down eating apples I sighted in and squeezed the trigger on the Buck Buster.
I heard a sharp crack and she buckled where she stood, struck by a 100 gr. NAP Spitfire, got up ran hard back the way she came. I left the blind and spotted a splash of blood on the snow where she stood when shot. I was confident I double lunged her.
I called my buddy Brian up and by the time he got there it was dark. We had had a bear hanging around for about a week gorging itself on apples and also knew of a few wolves in the area so wanted to get this doe right away. Tracking was a breeze with the snow on the ground. She had run about 150yds and dropped in the woods.
One thing I don't like is gutting in the dark! Next day I took her to the DNR check station and had the biologist look at her. She was all of 7 and a half years old and weighed 148 lbs. I could not believe it. I know I didn't get a buck but personally to get any deer bow hunting is a trophy. For me to get an old matriarch like this old girl, was a trophy.
I really want to thank everyone here at the Crossbow Nation where I am proud to be a member. A special thanks to Jeff (Urban Legend)! God Bless you all.
For a pic check out my album. Sorry the only one I had left. I lost the ones with my crossbow etc. SNAFU

[kmtpr]

Great story of your hunt.   Congrats taking a nice big doe!!  

[Sporty87]

Congratulations on a good hunt.  Meat is meat. All venison tastes good.  Ya did good.

[maad]

I was beginning to think the wolves got you, your three week trip was more like four. Congrats on the big old doe where's the picture.

[ryno]

Congrats on the doe. Sounds like a nice relaxing trip.

[Rockin' G Ranch]

Congrats on your doe. A 7 year old doe can be more elusive than a buck.

[Ranger]

I agree with you, anything with a bow is a trophy.  I shot a small doe one time on National Forest years ago and biologists were set up down the road checking in deer.  I took it by there and they aged her at 6 1/2 years old! They were as surprised as anyone.  

Anyway, I am glad you got out that night with your shirt tail!  Congratulations.  

[vixenmaster]

congrats on yer Doe

[U.P. Hunter]

Pics are under my profile/album. The pics right after I got her I lost some how. The other pics are looking out behind our house. I got the doe about 200 ft. from where I took the pictures.
Yes, I agree about old matriarch does like the one I got and others mentioned can be tougher than a mature buck to get.

[SEW]

:)A huge doe by Arkansas standards. Spitfires certainly can do the job(I have used them since they came out). Nice story.

[kevin k]

great job old does are very smart who teaches bucks for the first 2 years. kevin k

[mopar1969]

congrats thats a big doe

[ridgehunter]

Way to go U.P. Hunter!  I enjoyed the story and your album.  The U.P. still grows some mighty nice deer.

[Lscha]

Congratulations U.P.!!! I'm glad you were successful!

[saxman]

Enjoyed the story.
Congrats:)

[Guide Girl]

I just love success stories. Congratulations on the doe, and as they say " you can't eat horns", so good hunt! Glad your back too!

[Ky.Longbeard]

Congrats U.P. thats a big doe. I thought you had got lost up there in
the woods since I had,nt heard from ya in a while.Glad to see you had an enjoyable trip.

[U.P. Hunter]

Ky.Longbeard said:

Congrats U.P. thats a big doe. I thought you had got lost up there in
the woods since I had,nt heard from ya in a while.Glad to see you had an enjoyable trip.

Thanks my friend. Know it seemed like a long time but it sure did go by fast. If you haven't checked out my album take a look. The pics from after taking her I deleted some how. I was a bit pissed. But yes she was a grand ole girl. She really made a large circle before coming in. Know she was trying wind anything that wasn't familiar that's for sure.