DeerHuntStories2000

Dec. 2, 2000 "It was over before it started"

Hi to all, this time I have some good news.

I arose at 5:00 am this morning anticipating a long day in the tree stand. I packed a sandwich , granola bars and a few apples and headed out to the spot in Greene Co. This is the last day of the deer gun season and anything goes down as long as it is good size. I have passed up a lot of chances looking for a good buck while bow hunting but time is running out and the freezer is low on venison.

At daybreak I headed out across the bean field towards my stand in the back of the property. The ground was covered with a skiff of snow, the trees and bushes were covered with icy snow. The temperature was in the mid 20s with a northeast wind. The frozen soil crunched as I walked. As I crossed the second bean field a deer busted me, snorted, and hightailed it down toward the pasture that adjoins the property. I figured that the deer alerted every deer in the the county and that it would be a long time before any other deer would filter my way.

As I arrived at my stand I noticed that it was covered with frozen snow. My rope was stiff and looked like a big pretzel. I untangled the rope and attached it to my shotgun and stepped into my climbing stand. I took off my gloves so that I would not get them wet and I had the top of my camo coveralls pulled down and tied around my waist. I did not want to break into a sweat while climbing the tree. The climber is a stand up-sit down type and you face the tree while using it.

As I made it to the desired position, about 20 feet up, I fastened the straps that stabilize both sections of the stand. I then reached for my strap that is on the safety harness that I was wearing and started to attach it to the strap on the tree. Before I got the snap ring unhooked I heard a sound to my left. I thought that it was just the snow and ice falling off the trees. I started for the strap again and I heard another noise coming from the same place. I hesitated a few seconds and listened.

Just then a deer's head comes into view through the snow-covered honeysuckle about 20 yards away! My gun was still on the ground attached to the rope! I eased the gun up the tree when the deer looked the other way. Then I see another deer behind the first one. I am standing in my stand facing the tree with no camo gloves or head net on with my camo coveralls pulled down to my waist! The two deer come closer but they are cautious. They sense that something is wrong.

Wait, there is another deer behind the two! Is it a buck or a doe? Should I shoot the closer one who is now only about 6-8 yards from my stand or wait until I determine what the third one is? I am going to have to do something soon, the first one is now looking up at me. I can't move the gun into position! Finally the first one looks away and I get the gun up to my shoulder. By now the third one comes into view and it is a big doe! It is now or never! Pow! She runs off behind the tree and stops, I shoot again
and she goes down. I look at my watch and it is only 7:47 am. The hunt is over, now begins the work.

Well it was fun while it lasted :) I still have one tag that I can use in southern Ohio. Maybe I can take another one with a bow or a muzzleloader during the primitive weapons season after Christmas.

Thanks for hanging in there with me,

Steve
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