HunterHads
12-29-2008, 07:38 PM
Well the 2008 season proved to be the hardest I have ever had. I had big expectations coming into the season and after having my best year ever in 2007 I was hoping that 2008 would be no different. However the fall of 2008 would prove to be a true test of perseverance for me. I had 2 very unfortunate incidents during the regular bow season on a doe in early October and then an 8 point the day before the rifle opener. Gun season proved to be nothing but a disappointment and coming into the late bow season my goal was simple. Put a doe on the ground. Hunting my property in Alcona Co. I was hoping for little to no snow in the month of Dec but like the rest of my season here in Michigan I just couldn’t catch a break. The first weekend of Dec was ok with only about 6" of snow on the ground. However that would turn into about 14" by weekend two, 16" by weekend three, and about 2 feet by Christmas. Leaving the half mile walk to my stand harder and harder every weekend. Combine the deep snow with temps in the teens and high winds most of the time and it made for some hard 4 day weekends of bow hunting. My luck would continue on the same path over the weekend of Dec 13th and 14th. When I missed not one but 2 does with my bow. I would later find out this was due to the new pack of my Rage 2 blade heads deciding to fly about 2 feet higher then my field points. :bash: The next weekend would just about kill me as I spent the weekend hunting is some of the worse conditions possible. This brought us to Christmas and though the bow hunter in me really wanted to shoot one with my bow I decided to swallow my pride and pick up the gun for the late antlerless season. on the Evening of the 25, (Christmas day) I headed for one of our blinds as I had had just about enough of sitting in a cold stand for the year. The day was getting late and I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to see any deer that evening when suddenly I spotted movement out in front of me. Walking up from the river were 2 deer. I got ready when my great luck kicked in. The lead doe hung up and started to get very spooky. For 10 mins she stood facing me keeping me from getting the gun out the window. I was trying to video the hunt which is why I didn’t have the gun out already. Finally she turned and started to walk left. Finally a break! I got the gun up and took the shot. She took off which kind of surprised me and made me wonder if I had missed. But after getting down and walking to where she was standing there was no doubt in my mind she was down. I got on the trail and found here about 75yards later.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z301/HunterHads/doeforol.jpg
Let me tell you dragging a big doe up a steep hill in 2 feet of snow is a great time too. Something I recommend all of you try! :lol: But I was happy that my hard work finally paid off in the end on a big late season doe! :D
Despite everything I wasn’t able to get the shot on video as the deer walked out of frame when she turned. It’s still a good video though so ill post it up later when I get a chance.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z301/HunterHads/doeforol.jpg
Let me tell you dragging a big doe up a steep hill in 2 feet of snow is a great time too. Something I recommend all of you try! :lol: But I was happy that my hard work finally paid off in the end on a big late season doe! :D
Despite everything I wasn’t able to get the shot on video as the deer walked out of frame when she turned. It’s still a good video though so ill post it up later when I get a chance.