Not too many times in life do you get a do over...but I was blessed enough to get one on Friday evening. Here is the story:
Two weeks ago Sunday, I decided to go hunting before church (probably a bad idea, looking back). As the woods begin wake up, my feeder spun and the deer immediately began to feed. One particular doe came in being pushed around by a very nice buck, one I had never seen on camera. He was a shooter for sure. In the meantime, 5 other bucks of various sizes came in and started pushing her all over the place. Instead of waiting for my excitement and nerves to settle and wait for the best possible shot, for some reason I quickly drew, found the big buck, punched the release, and made a poor shot. I saw him run off with my 95% of my arrow hanging out, high and forward. It was a disgusting feeling, I hope to never repeat. I waited an hour then followed exactly where he went. About 40 yards away, I found my arrow laying in the trail and exactly zero blood anywhere. After seeing the lack of penetration, I could only hope that this deer would survive and I would maybe get a second chance at him. I had a wedding last weekend so I was unable to hunt. Almost 2 full weeks had passed since I had wounded the buck. I was excited to get back to the woods Friday afternoon, but after checking my camera cards, I had no sightings of him, so did not have high expectations of the hunt.
Friday afternoon I get climb in my tree stand with wind from NE. About 15 minutes after feeder throws, I hear rustling from the cedar thicket to my right. A young high horned 8 point walks out slowly and heads in the direction of my downwind, directly behind him is the big heavy horned buck I was after. I could see the wound where I hit him 2 weeks prior, but he was not limping and it didn't slow him down in the least. As the two bucks continued to circle to my down wind side, the second they got to my scent line. The big buck stopped, slowly turned around and then walked away the exact same path he came in on. The young buck followed suit about 15 seconds later. I thought for sure that would be the last time I would see them that hunt. However bummed I was, I was very excited that the buck was still out there and was not just buzzard bait. The next 45 minutes had zero activity at feeder. Then, a young doe with a slight limp, I am familiar with came in to feed. This time she was acting a little funny, that was because she was being followed by the buck I had seen before. She lead him by my shooting lane at 14yards. This time I calmly, drew, took aim, breathed out, and slowly squeeze my release. He only went about 30 yards and I heard him crash. After shaking like crazy for a few minutes, I climbed down, picked up my bloody arrow, and walked over to this second chance buck, I decided his name would be, "Redemption."
The Lord has provided me with a beautiful wife and family, an awesome place to hunt, great friends, and a wealth of other material possessions. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I also know that none of those things matter. But, because of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice we all are given a do over, in Life, one that actually matters. Thank you Lord.
Two weeks ago Sunday, I decided to go hunting before church (probably a bad idea, looking back). As the woods begin wake up, my feeder spun and the deer immediately began to feed. One particular doe came in being pushed around by a very nice buck, one I had never seen on camera. He was a shooter for sure. In the meantime, 5 other bucks of various sizes came in and started pushing her all over the place. Instead of waiting for my excitement and nerves to settle and wait for the best possible shot, for some reason I quickly drew, found the big buck, punched the release, and made a poor shot. I saw him run off with my 95% of my arrow hanging out, high and forward. It was a disgusting feeling, I hope to never repeat. I waited an hour then followed exactly where he went. About 40 yards away, I found my arrow laying in the trail and exactly zero blood anywhere. After seeing the lack of penetration, I could only hope that this deer would survive and I would maybe get a second chance at him. I had a wedding last weekend so I was unable to hunt. Almost 2 full weeks had passed since I had wounded the buck. I was excited to get back to the woods Friday afternoon, but after checking my camera cards, I had no sightings of him, so did not have high expectations of the hunt.
Friday afternoon I get climb in my tree stand with wind from NE. About 15 minutes after feeder throws, I hear rustling from the cedar thicket to my right. A young high horned 8 point walks out slowly and heads in the direction of my downwind, directly behind him is the big heavy horned buck I was after. I could see the wound where I hit him 2 weeks prior, but he was not limping and it didn't slow him down in the least. As the two bucks continued to circle to my down wind side, the second they got to my scent line. The big buck stopped, slowly turned around and then walked away the exact same path he came in on. The young buck followed suit about 15 seconds later. I thought for sure that would be the last time I would see them that hunt. However bummed I was, I was very excited that the buck was still out there and was not just buzzard bait. The next 45 minutes had zero activity at feeder. Then, a young doe with a slight limp, I am familiar with came in to feed. This time she was acting a little funny, that was because she was being followed by the buck I had seen before. She lead him by my shooting lane at 14yards. This time I calmly, drew, took aim, breathed out, and slowly squeeze my release. He only went about 30 yards and I heard him crash. After shaking like crazy for a few minutes, I climbed down, picked up my bloody arrow, and walked over to this second chance buck, I decided his name would be, "Redemption."
The Lord has provided me with a beautiful wife and family, an awesome place to hunt, great friends, and a wealth of other material possessions. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I also know that none of those things matter. But, because of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice we all are given a do over, in Life, one that actually matters. Thank you Lord.
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.. Smile look ecstatic....Your last paragraph and your picture do not match up....
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