No this is not a political post, but I did vote early so on Tuesday instead of going to the polls after work I headed to the woods. In a highly contested race this year, the deer were definitely in the lead. Abundant acorns and persimmons were lobbying the four legged creatures away from my honey hole pear orchard tree stand perch. 7-0 was the record so far, seven trips with only a raccoon and skunk causing the all too familiar crunch in the leaves that elevates even the seasoned bow hunters heart rate. About 6pm I finally saw my first deer of the year step out into the field, eyeing the pears he was, but just out of bow range and on full alert, my heart started to thump. He stood for what seemed an eternity and slowly crossed the field to the border of the woods and started whooping up on some saplings with a nice tall set of white polished antlers.
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He is in these three pics, just hard to make out but I could see the little trees flailing like crazy from his determined actions. If you have ever hunted and witnessed a buck with one thing on his mind take out his frustrations on a poor sapling then you know what my heart and nerves were going through....all out of bow range of course. Thinking this was going to be just another deer hunting story, I readied the bow and my position in the stand just in case...and sure enough when he finished fencing the forest he turned and walked straight over in to my range. Seriously, in a matter of 2 minutes he was 20 yards and quartering.....KABOOM. The arrow went through him so fast he took about 20 steps back across the field and stopped.
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I was able to get phone out and snap a few pics, and with my binoculars I could see the fatal wound from the arrows exit path. I started down the tree when I saw him lay his head on the ground and take his last breath. A quick prayer of thanks to our Creator for his great creation and my harvest and it was time to get the necessary work done.
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Pics, field dress, loaded up, all solo, slow but deliberate. Not a monster but with a bow I am pleased and now have meat for the freezer and the family. So yes my results on Election Day are in.......the cooler and I am leading now by 9 points. Stay safe and good luck.


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