My first hunting experience with my nephew, Jason, opening day bow season went very well. I was up from the morning before, and couldn't sleep at all waiting for him to pick me up. He came a little earlier, picked me up at 3:30 AM. He drove down to his hunting club, and got there a little before 5 AM. Saw other club members, a few other family members. We had a quick snack and all headed out to their spots.
Jason went out of his way to clear the trail into the woods to where he had his blind set up. He had 2 chairs in there and set up his digital camera on a tripod to catch some pics. Got his bow and arrow ready and we sat and waited. To his right he saw a buck and another buck coming in behind him. Both stopped and were looking in our direction. I couldn't see them, because of the angle and being way too dark. I did hear them snort--have never heard that sound before. Both turned back and took off. So, we waited some more. A lonely button buck came in. He was a nice size for a BB, and Jay was thinking about shooting him, but didn't. He did get the opportunity but, let him walk. Nothing else came in and we went back to the clubhouse a little before 9 AM.
Another nephew, Mike joined us for breakfast. Drove to a nearby place. Food was good and we enjoyed spending that time together. That was around 10 AM. Headed back to the club and BS-ed with several members who were there. A lot more members started driving in as there was a meeting scheduled for 12:00. While the guys discussed their club business, I stayed outside and walked around until I found "1" spot where my cell phone got a signal and spent that hour talking with a friend. Sun was very hot, but had a nice long chat. After the meeting, I went inside and just hung out there with the others, as it was much cooler. Most of the members had only come for that meeting, so they had left.
About 3:45 PM, Jay and I decided we would head back into the woods. Sat and waited. It was very quiet except for the birds and a couple of squirrels around. Finally, a deer was coming in from a little different direction. That was around 5:15 PM. She looked to be a nice size and she was all alone. Jay had to kill a doe before he could earn a buck tag in that zone. Jay got his bow ready and I knew he was waiting for her to turn broadside. She did, and he let the broadhead fly. Went about 10 yds and I saw that he made a good lung shot. She jumped and ran about 90 feet away, where she died in a couple of mins. He checked his arrow, recovered the deer right away and dragged her out of that area. Gutted her at the club and we went to a check station, but they had closed. So, we stopped at a nearby store where he got ice and packed the cavity. We had a quick bite driving back up north. Jay called another place closer to home to see if he could check the deer in there. Rob waited for us to get there and that was done.
By this time, Jay's truck needed gas, so he got that right before driving me home. This was around 10 PM. I had a great day. My experience will be one I will never forget. Thanks to Jason, for making this day a very good one. Was glad he filled his doe tag and I enjoyed spending that special day with him. Hoping he gets his buck next time out.
