tree_ghost
Well-Known Member
10 years ago I was fortunate enough to have to love of my life become my wife. Well since day one she has wanted to deer hunt like me. Early on she decided that she wanted to bow hunt and Just like every one of us who has choosen to be humbled by the craft of bowhunting, she learned quickly it is a game that involves a lot of variables that can go against a hunter while in the field. However she stayed the course and progressed as a hunter and a bowman(bowwoman?). She was able to harvest several deer, both bucks and does, in the next 4 seasons and we made a lifetime of memories together doing it. Well as she developed on her journey of bowhunting she set a goal for herself that she wanted to try and kill a "big buck". I told her that it was going to require a lot of effort and patience on her part in order to achieve that goal. She was dead set on it and I was willing and able to help. That conversation happened 6 deer seasons ago and she has been grinding her butt off ever since trying to attain the goal that she set for herself. Hunting a mature buck with a bow and arrow is not the easiest of tasks, trust me I know from experience. More often than not that old buck beats even the most seasoned of killers. For a less experienced hunter it can, at times, seem impossible. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into seasons and those old ghosts that you've chased for months on end stay in the forefront of your mind, so vivid, almost challenging your primal instincts. In the off-season you relive each hunt and dissect every mistake made in the prior season trying to improve your skill set. If anyone has found themselves in a situation like that then you understand the mental roadblocks you have to work through when things just aren't coming together. When you get close to the target, but in a game of inches close doesn't count. In my opinion it may be one of the most difficult things to overcome as a hunter. Well last night we decided to go out together and hunt a spot I had a good one patterned in a pinch point coming back and forth. At last light we laid eyes on a huge body. He was at 60 yards and walking our way at a steady pace but not quickly. She stood up slowly and grabbed her bow worked in to 23 yards slightly quartering to us. She slowly drew the bow and came to anchor at 21 yards she touched in off and hit him tight to the shoulder. He tore out in a dead sprint until we couldn't see him anymore. We erupted with adrenaline and emotions sharing that moment together. We climbed down and went to the shot. After about 20 yards we picked up lung blood. We took our stands and gear back to the truck in order to give him plenty of time to expire and to lighten our load. We quickly returned to the blood trail and took it up. As we slowly progressed through the tall grass the amount of blood increased. Another 30 yards along with my wife leading the way she walked up on an awesome awesome deer! For as long as I live I will cherish that moment with her...she's been through a lot this past year outside of hunting, she has endured some extremely difficult situations with absolute grace and poise, and I could not be more proud of this girl!!! She dedicated this accomplishment to her brother "Nick" who went to be with the Lord in April 2020.
11-14-20
11-14-20
