Shot my first deer on Sunday
Never had any opportunity to hunt when I was younger, so it has been a long time coming. I am still excited about it.
Didn't see a thing on opening day. Second morning, just after first light, something is making a huge commotion thrashing in the brush 50 yards behind me on the trail. I debate if I want to leave the blind and try for a shot but figure I would probably ruin my chances and get seen/heard. Whatever it is has already walked by the area I where I came in, so it can't be too nervous about the scent, and I have a better-than-50/50 chance it will continue on the trail past the blind. 5 minutes of silence and I hear something coming closer. Heart rate going through the roof and the adrenaline is pumping. Another minute and I see a doe stop right at the clearing to the side of the bind and look around. No shot yet as the body is too far to the side and in the brush. I am going crazy at this point as the deer is just 10 yards away. She decides to continue, and almost dissapears on the other side when I realize she isn't going to stop and take the shot. I see her fall right there, and the rest is history.
Not the best shot placement, but newbie status, low light, dissappearing deer, and buck (doe) fever were working against me.
We think there might have been a buck following her (what was making all that thrashing noise), but it might not have been a legal one, so I am satisfed with my decision to shoot. I am very pleased with it as a first deer (nice buck would have spoiled me!), and can't wait for the good eats.
I want to give a huge thanks to Derek for the invite, and all the help and knowledge he's given me about deer hunting. E. TX isn't the easiest place to hunt, and I have tried unsuccessfully before, so this deer is a true trophy for me.
Never had any opportunity to hunt when I was younger, so it has been a long time coming. I am still excited about it.
Didn't see a thing on opening day. Second morning, just after first light, something is making a huge commotion thrashing in the brush 50 yards behind me on the trail. I debate if I want to leave the blind and try for a shot but figure I would probably ruin my chances and get seen/heard. Whatever it is has already walked by the area I where I came in, so it can't be too nervous about the scent, and I have a better-than-50/50 chance it will continue on the trail past the blind. 5 minutes of silence and I hear something coming closer. Heart rate going through the roof and the adrenaline is pumping. Another minute and I see a doe stop right at the clearing to the side of the bind and look around. No shot yet as the body is too far to the side and in the brush. I am going crazy at this point as the deer is just 10 yards away. She decides to continue, and almost dissapears on the other side when I realize she isn't going to stop and take the shot. I see her fall right there, and the rest is history.
Not the best shot placement, but newbie status, low light, dissappearing deer, and buck (doe) fever were working against me.
We think there might have been a buck following her (what was making all that thrashing noise), but it might not have been a legal one, so I am satisfed with my decision to shoot. I am very pleased with it as a first deer (nice buck would have spoiled me!), and can't wait for the good eats.
I want to give a huge thanks to Derek for the invite, and all the help and knowledge he's given me about deer hunting. E. TX isn't the easiest place to hunt, and I have tried unsuccessfully before, so this deer is a true trophy for me.
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