So, I tagged this nice little 7 point under my stand this AM. Normally, I'd be ecstatic, but I wasn't going for him. I had waited to let this guy pass so I could get a shot at a massive 8 point. THAT guy had antlers at least twice the size of this guy--probably a 24 inch spread with 12 inch tines. HE came under my stand after this guy. I let my arrow fly, he kicked, and then....nothing. Back to grazing. How could I have missed? He was out of range and his buddy--I had watched a sparring match earlier and this guy was the clear loser--stepped into my lane. He went down and his big buddy looked to be heading back to me. Then some Asian lady came jogging through the woods and the big'un took off like a bat out of Hades. Frustrated, I got down and found my arrow. Blood and muscle. Dang it! Went to look where he had been standing and blood everywhere! I got real excited. Trail was easy to follow.

Three hours later, I realized I had probably clipped a lung instead if hitting an artery so my pushing tactics probably weren't the right ones to use. I failed to compensated for the steep angle I was at--needed to aim maybe 4-5 inches higher and Papa Deer would have been coming home with me. After completely losing the blood trail, I crossed a creek and headed home--wife needed me. About 100 yards after I started following the creek Papa Deer jumped up on the other side and ran off.

Went back a few hours later. No blood. No sign. No nothing. I came home with a nice doe instead. Gave away 3 1/2 deer to a friend of my Dad's--he's from Africa and has a number of friends who divvy up the meat. Got one of my wife's friends coming over tomorrow to learn how to butcher. She gets the doe. Now, all I need to do is grind the 20+ pounds of meat in my fridge and get some sausage going

May head out tomorrow in the remnants of the tropical storm to see if I can find Papa Deer. Or I may just wait till the rain lets up and hope he comes back under my tree...it's a sickening feeling to waste any animal. Even worse when you know it was a once in a lifetime sort of shot

On the plus side, the War Dog made quick work of both beasties. about 1/2 an hour~45 minutes start to finish (ie quartered and in my ruck sack). The Game Warden has been taking care of it's share too, but didn't have it out of the house today Probably exercise it a little more when my oldest has another chance to get a deer in a few weeks

Congrats on your first of the season!!! I'm hoping to get a couple next month.

Congrats. It looks like a good one.

It will feed the family that took it for quite a while

They will be eating well! My favorite is backstrap marinated in McCormick marinade for a couple of days, then grilled. Hmm-hmm good!

I really like "unrolled" sirloin tip with onion and garlic powder salt and pepper and a mixture of riccotta cheese with fresh basil and spinach. Roll it up, wrap in bacon and roast on high or indirect grill with a little fruitwood smoke. Cook to medium. Slice into pinwheels and serve. Sooooooo good.

That DOES sound good!!!

Just cut out the tendons and it's melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

Now I'm hungry. Gee thanks

nice job DT




hang on i got a pic around here...........

I just don't think I would want that mounted on my wall! .................