I finally heard a shot at 10:00 yesterday morning.
Saw four does at 8:00 on the neighbor’s across the creek. Nothing pursuing them (that is the word around this area — no bucks chasing anything with all photos still after dark). At 10, I see a lone deer bounding through the woods. At one point I can make out it is a tank doe — we have 3-4 really d does in the immediate area that haven’t had fawns in the last two years — through the trees.
The the words of she who must be obeyed ring in my head — we are out of deer meat, so shoot something. After last year’s trip to Africa, I wrongly deemed myself a Great White Hunter, and went all in for a trophy buck at home or nothing. Of course, the result was nothing. I’ve have heard the end of the lack of venison since.
So when she stopped between my 30 and 40 yard markers in the shooting lane, I centered the 30 and 40 yard crosshairs and let the bolt fly.
I could see the luminock enter perfectly and hear the hit. The deer went back the way it came until I lost sight of it.
I went to where I shot and could not find the bolt — really looked about 30 seconds. Went up to the house and took care of the dogs and got out of the cold weather gear (25 degrees).
Took my wife with me (so she would be as insistent on this any deer thing). Of course, she found the bolt right away — the luminock was switched off. Using her to mark last blood, we trailed it for 60 yards before finding it.
So with meat in the cooler, the pressure is off and I can hunt horns for the rest of the season.
Of course, this morning while out with the dogs, I see a dandy buck, could clearly see antlers at 175 yards as cut from the neighbor’s field to our woods. Hopefully Tuesday we get to meet. Or is that meat?