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View Full Version : My First Deer...and an unforgettable hunt....



Toke2
10-03-2013, 10:39 AM
Sunday - took my first deer. This is my fifth year hunting. Started with gun, and once I realized I was hooked I moved to crossbow, and compound. I've had my share of heartbreak in these years... Day one- year one had a doe pushed to me by a fellow camp mate's drive - and my muzzle loader misfired - cap didn't ignite! She was 20 yds and broad side. I think she snickered at me as she ran off after my "click". Had deer run right to me on first ever day hunting and turn broadside! I thought this hunting thing is going to "easy" right? Not so. Two years later put what I thought was great shot on a decent 8pt. with my crossbow, out of a ground blind. But despite two days of tracking - we never recovered him. Still sick about it.

So, Sunday... Stand is on a hillside, halfway between a big ridge and a large lake. Doe came trotting down the ridge splitting my and one of buddies, right in the middle of us, but out of range for both. I watched her circle behind my stand and go into a thick section. Couldn't see her anymore, but did not see her come out the other side ( where the third guy in camp would have had chance at her). So, pretty much stood backwards in my stand waiting for her to come out. An hour later she did. I stopped her at 27 yds, and put what I though was a good shot on her. She ran straight and "snow-plowed" which I now know is not a good sign. She got back up and ran off. I waited about 45 mins then got out of my climber, and found the arrow. Good blood from tip to fletchings. I figured a textbook pass-through shot. I couldn't resist, and decided to try to follow the blood trail. I saw that she went toward the water instead of up the ridge which was what I wanted. Turns out she was only 60 yds from my stand I kicked her up. She jumped up and ran about 20yds on her hind legs. Didn't like that, but still thought I made a good shot. I knew she was wounded pretty bad, so I decided to back out and went back to camp where we decided to eat lunch and then the three of us would go in and look for her. My buddies ( both more experienced than me) were sure she would be dead once they saw the arrow and knew there was decent blood trail. I wasn't so sure. With arrow knocked, we went back and found her right where I saw her last. She went up on her hind legs again, and we could see her front left shoulder was bad. So I missed to the left and hit her shoulder/upper leg. She went into the edge of the water and laid down. I got to about 15 yds and tried to get a good vital shot to put her down. Hit a branch and missed completely. My buddy pointed out that she was actually a he - button buck. Next thing I know he starts swimming... ON THREE LEGS!!! As he swam away... it was obvious this deer was going to try to swim to the other side of the lake. All three of us knew he would never make it. That sick feeling slid over me as watched this little head go further and further. This is no Small lake. It was about 1,200 yards to the other bank. I told them, this is unbelievable, I'm going to lose the second deer I've shot. And he's going to Drown! But, he kept going.....and going..... and unbelievably made it to the other shore. This guy was the Michael Phelps of the deer world. We could barely see him but we knew he made it. This isn't a lake you can walk around, so we discussed options. My Aunt has a pontoon boat, so we left one guy there on the shore, to watch and see if the deer sunk, while myself and my other buddy went back to the cabin and got the boat stuff ready. Boat key, rope, bow, tarp, and yes Swim trunks ( not camo either). We were exhausted from running around the woods, but I was not going to let this deer suffer for a week or longer. I felt I owed it to this little fighter to do what ever it took to put him down as soon as possible. Got to the boat, it wouldn't start. Had a husband and wife come by our dock in a boat - I'm sure they thought we were trying to steal the boat. We had it only partially uncovered and were in full camo with faces painted and they could see we were flustered. We explained what was going on and asked them if they saw a hunter down the left bank - to let him know we were still trying to get the boat started. Thirty mins later, and after a brief thought of just giving up, we finally fired it up and pushed off! On our way to pick up our third guy... here come the husband and wife's boat. Our buddy was on it! They picked him up and went over and confirmed the deer was on the bank, still alive. Now, we had to do a mid water...Navy Seal style, deer hunter water transfer. Nobody fell in. We thanked the couple and "set sail". We found him, half in and half out of the water. I jumped off, but not too close. We discussed what to do, and agreed, that I had to try a neck shot. It was our only hope. Vitals were not exposed and we were afraid he would try to run again. I missed with my first arrow, but put the second one through the neck. It was clearly a kill shot. The problem was now we had to watch him bleed out. it wan't pretty, but I kept telling myself it was the right thing to do. He ended up back in the water and I got back on the boat. I was ready to jump in if/when started to sink. As it turned out, when he expired he floated, and we were able to get a rope around him. As my one friend said while filming this craziness with his camera phone.... "...I have never been on a hunting trip that turned into a fishing trip!!..." Most people feel good about getting a deer in the truck.... I felt blessed to get one in the BOAT! I paid my respects to this little guy... a true fighter. I didn't like how it all went down, but I feel like we did everything in our power to harvest the wounded deer, who was far from a trophy. Not to mention, the three of us agreed, this will be a hunting/fishing story that none of us will ever forget!

hortontoter
10-03-2013, 11:29 AM
Congrats on your first deer. Sounds like that was quite an adventure. Shot placement is the key to a quick recovery. But, we've all made shots that weren't what we hoped they would be.

By the way we are practically neighbors, I live in the Chapel Hill mall area.

89trackerpro17
10-03-2013, 11:42 AM
Congrats on a intense kill and recovery

bds9
10-03-2013, 12:00 PM
Well you went above and beyond what a lot of others would have done! I know too many people that think they are "hunters" that would have given up after it went into the lake. Remember the trophy is in the hunt, not the size of the antlers! Although big antlers do make it a little better! Congrats to you for earning your first deer!

NGonzo0208
10-03-2013, 12:08 PM
sounds like a first kill you will never forget. congrats.

mneal
10-03-2013, 02:21 PM
Congratulations... I had to put three arrows in my first bow killed deer... it definitely taught me the importance of shot placement!! Thanks for sharing your story... I am sure your buddies will remind you of it frequently.

Toke2
10-03-2013, 02:36 PM
Congratulations... I had to put three arrows in my first bow killed deer... it definitely taught me the importance of shot placement!! Thanks for sharing your story... I am sure your buddies will remind you of it frequently.

Thanks everyone... four years of tag sandwiches coming to halt, feels great. Despite all the drama. BDS you are right, I hope to shoot a few "trophies" in my time, but none may match the drama I experienced with this little button buck. Mneal - the texts have been flying since we left camp from my pals... most of which center around whether or not I had my "fishing license" on me at the time of harvest and how I was lucky that my first deer drag ended up being a mid-day cruise on the lake. They are, and will continue to bust my stones about it.... but truth be told, I would have never recovered the deer without their help! Good friends sacrifice their own time in the stand to help others! All things considered - I am pumped about getting my first one on the ground (err in the water)!

Strother23
10-03-2013, 02:50 PM
Wow.. That is a crazy story. Sounds like you guys did the right thing in expiring the deer. Shot placement is very important. Congrats on your kill.

00buck
10-03-2013, 05:33 PM
you should post some pics or maybe the video from your friends phone and congrats on the first deer i remeber mine like it was yesterday

Stonegod
10-03-2013, 09:20 PM
Congrats on your first deer!! Good job on sticking with it and retrieving your deer!

mrbb
10-03-2013, 11:58 PM
well congrats and that will be one you never foregt I bet
and rewards and always best when you earn them!

Toke2
10-06-2013, 09:06 PM
Thanks Man. Yes you are very close. Question for you.... Do you process your own deer or take them somewhere? I gutted and skinned mine ( with help/coaching from a buddy) got him in the cooler. But as for processing I decided to take him to Dumas in Mogadore. A couple of guys had mentioned they were legit, and you get YOUR meat back. I was very impressed when I took it in on Tuesday - they called on Saturday and said everything but the smoked meat was vacuum packed and ready to be picked up. We'll see when I pick it up. Was easy that's for sure ( dropped it off at (9:30 p.m.). Just wondering if you have a recommendation for "future" deer. Eventually I will learn to process myself, but now, i barely have time to get in the woods with work. Any feedback is appreciated!


Congrats on your first deer. Sounds like that was quite an adventure. Shot placement is the key to a quick recovery. But, we've all made shots that weren't what we hoped they would be.

By the way we are practically neighbors, I live in the Chapel Hill mall area.

hortontoter
10-07-2013, 08:07 AM
Actually I give all the deer I shoot away. I give them to family and friends. I do have a lady that works with my wife that I have given a couple deer to. She had them processed at Dumas at seemed to be pleased with the results.

I shoot very few deer though. I hunt quite a bit, but am definately a horn hunter. The meat means nothing to me. About the only time I shoot a doe is if my stepson is at my cabin hunting with me.