Well, last day, as it was getting dusk, September of 2006. Im walking back down the hill with my brother, talking about those shots we took with our bows, the bucks that got away, and what we are planning for the winter season, when i glance up and see a deer standing on the downhill side of the old logging road we are following. at first I thin its a doe, and keep walking. the deer is only about 30 yards off, looking at us. I dont make eye contact, i look down at the raod and keep going. But the image remains in my mind, the flick of the ear....was that an antler?
My brother and i pause and I motion that im going to walk back and take a second look. thinking she was probably a doe and gone by now, I stalk back up the 20 feet of raod and look back down the hill. Still there! and it IS a spike! And hes still looking right at me, broad side!
I range him at 24 yards, but theres lots of shrubbery and branches in my line of site. Thers only a small window of clear shooting area. I decide to take the shot.
Setting my stance, I draw my bow, this little spike is staring at me with a blank look on his face. his ears flick, he shakes his head and stamps his from hoof. Slowly i put pressure on the release, carefully aiming for that sweet spot just behind the elbow, all the time think im never gonna make the shot, thers just no way i can be that lucky.
The arrow flies and i watch it strike him just a little higher than i expected. The buck hunches up as I watch the fletches disappear. He kicks up throwing his rear high into the air and takes off in a huge leap. Under trees and through brush I watch as he takes off down the hill. I turn and look at my brother standing patiently on the logging road. He grins and i give him the thumbs up. I know i hit that buck!
After waiting 2 hours, we walk down the hill and search for the arrow. Blood everywhere, on trees, on the shrubs, and thers the arrow covered as though it were painted blood red. We start to follow the trail, spurt here, small drop there, but after about 30 yards it vanishes into the timber. We scan the area, searching under bushes. the hill is really steep and dangerous to walk on. I lean out over the edge, looking down at a deadfall laying next to a rock. its the same color of my buck....oh it is my buck! I spot the black spot on his tail and holler at my brother.
We carefully make our way down, and come toa small bowl whre ethe hill leveled out for ten feet. There is my buck. the shot was down hill, the entry went through the upper right lung through his heart and out through the lower left lung. perfect shot!
My brother whips out the camera and takes a shot! What an awsome day!
