Well, I was hoping that 3 afternoons in the woods back to back would turn up some positive results.. Tuesday I headed back out to Loch Raven to one of my normal stops that is a great rut location, just hoping maybe the deer had started some pre-rut activity and maybe some of those bucks would be up and moving. I was also looking for a nice close shot at a doe for the freezer, either would have made me very happy. I sat, and I sat and I did not see anything Tuesday evening... Until, I had already lowered my bow down and was about to start climbing down, I had a spike come down off the hill right to me, it was pretty much dark and no longer legal shooting light so it didn't matter.. But I was frustrated that 1 that was all I saw all evening, and 2 that when I did finally see something it was too late. So, that was my Tuesday evening in the woods. Wednesday evening, headed back out to Loch Raven to a different location yet from the past two evenings... Got in nice and early and had high hopes... I heard some stuff, but again I sat, and sat, good thing I like sitting in a treestand enjoying the outdoors and the birds.. Growing a dislike for squirrels but only because they can sometimes sound like deer at a distance and I have seen a lot of squirrels this week. Well, finally, at about 6:30 I saw doe standing on the edge of the clearing, she had no idea I was there and she starts walking out. I quickly got ready, grabbed my bow and was about to draw.... She had already walked past my shooting window as she must of been in a hurry. At this point I was even more frustrated with myself for not being more alert and ready knowing with the moon the deer had been moving real late. I waited a few more minutes and it was getting to be 6:40 I still had about 10 minutes of legal shooting light left, but where I was with the clouds it was getting too dark to shoot. So, I started packing stuff up and I look over and see another doe coming out into the clearing the same place the last one did.
I quickly spun around and grabbed my bow, she walked even closer than the last and again had no clue I was there. She started feeding and was moving a lot slower.. But, I had in the back of my mind, its getting real late and the car is a long, long way away and if I shoot her this late I will never get home... Nevertheless, as she walked I got ready, she walked into my opening and stopped and I drew back on her and looked. It was an easy 19 yard shot, perfect broadside. But, I had the voice in my head reminding me of all of life's tasks that evening and that it was pretty late. I looked at the shot and could just barely make out an outline of the deer and could easily see my pins.. I thought about it and followed her as she kept feeding.. Finally, she walked out of my shooting window and I let down, will I regret not taking the shot, maybe but I did get my honey-do list done and to bed before midnight so I guess I should just be happy and take the shot next time....
I just hope there is a next time the way this season has been going for me.. But with rut coming and over 3 months left to the season, I have faith that all will work out.
Anyone get out this week and do any better?? Anyone Muzzleloader hunting this weekend? Let us know how you are doing!
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