JUSTINL

So it's in the 80's.

Rain - T'storms forcasted.

Mosquitoes to make a Minnesotan proud.

I go out this Am to hunt. Everything is ready. I'm in the stand for an hour with nothing going on (I did get to donate at least a few ounces of blood to the mosquito corps). Then voices and the sound of an edger being used on the road near me, next a loud leaf blower. What could be next? - Oh how about the rank smell of TAR! Ah a blown opening morning.

Shoot off to the office - get some work done.

Leave early - get home - re showered and go out to go hunting. I'll try a pop-up blind this afternoon near some hay rolls.

In the blind and an hour or so goes buy, and here she comes. A huge beautiful doe. I get set - pull back - and clank. The arrow came off the darn string. Couldn't believe it. The doe bolts about 15 yards away and turns to face me. She starts to browse again. Quarters away, I draw back and a mosquito flies right in my eye. I blink, shake my head and look up - I no longer have her quartering away. Nothin but butt showing. She just browses away from me. No decent shot available.

I'm sick of the skeeters, and decide to stalk her. I'm hunting a semi rural/suburban area with lots of hedges and windbreaks.

I leave the blind and stay down-wind. I try to cut her off but I spot another doe moving ahead of me around a corner. I ease around the corner.......it's a yearling.

Beautiful little thing. She looks right through me. Couldn't determine friend-or-foe. We play hide 'n seek around the hedges. What a great workout (you guys that only ground pound - I'm impressed - you guys must be in great shape). I make a little squeeking sound and get her to come within 3 yards. Couldn't believe it. There she is - broadside to me at 3 yards.

I couldn't shoot her. Way too little for me I guess (bet she would have tasted great though <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>).

I have yet to take a deer - this is the start of my second year hunting. I've had the best time and this board has provided me with some great help. Thanks!

Mistakes - 1. Forgot my Cardeer Necklace! <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> 2. Did not fully nock my arrow <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle> . 3. Did not put on any bug repellant

Positives - 1. Great pop-up placement (I hunt the in-laws property - the pop-up will stay where it is 24/7). 2. Great Cammo. 3. Great stalking experience.

&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;

ruttnbuck

sounds like an exciting afternoon Justin, i too went this morning(illlinois opener) and boy did the skeeters bug the s--- out of me also, i saw couple does but culdn't shoot because i am in one of those five counties(PIATT} that you can't take a doe until nov. 1st. Anyway looks like cooler weather after fri. and lets hope for a frost to kill off them darn ole skeeters<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle> Good luck and happy hunting.

IL_BOW_MAN

That just isn't right. Not only did you get to go out in the morning, but you seen deer last night. I sat there all night and didn't see a darn thing except for a pheasant that wouldn't quit cackling. He stayed around and made noise for about 20 minutes. Then later I could still hear him way out in the beans making noise.
Hopefully tonight I will see something with the front moving in and all.

My Web Page
www.geocities.com/hfpmad

Rob/PA Bowyer

JustinL, great story and I like your attitude. Just cause we don't bring home the meat doesn't make an unsuccessful hunt as you showed us all. I envy all of you who have the experience up to this point. My opener isn't until this Saturday the 5th.

Yearlings can be some of the best entertainment can't they.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

cillinoisbowman

Hey everybody.

I went out for the evening opener and was having a really good time. I hade about 10 deer in the field in front of me and had a doe and two fawns directly under my stand for about 1/2 an hour. I hunt in one of the buck only counties also. (Macon) With all the does in the field I was feeling really positive that a buck might come out at sunset since I had seen two nice bucks just 5 days ago while scouting. All of a sudden two dogs come running the deer through the field and they all scatter. I was really, really mad. If this continues to happen what would you do. Should I try and find the dogs owner and politly ask them to keep the dogs from running in the evenings and mornings. These are not the property owners dogs!

Help

Tazman

All you folks telling these hunting stories are starting to upset me!!!! Man I can not wait until this Saturday! BTW justin good story.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

JUSTINL

Hey Taz,

I feel for ya.

The weather is not cooperating here. I can't wait for that first good frost - kill off some of those little bloodsucking bas@#$ !

Watching the weather. Don't know if I'll go out this PM or not. Don't want to &quot;overwork&quot; the property. I want the does to keep comming by - get a nice buck to follow some day and BAM! We've got until January 17th in my area for bow season. Lots of time.

I've got another property that I am a &quot;participant&quot; on that we may hunt this weekend. May put up a stand or go to ground out back of my residence this evening. Only a couple of acres, but it doesn't take much. Just enought to get away from the house, and in the thickets.

Never know.

At the very least I'll be shooting at targets. Amazing how the consistant & frequent practice regimine makes you more confident.

Good luck.

&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;