dunhamt (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} dunhamt) wrote,@ 2005-02-01 16:33:00 |
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January 31st adventure
I have harvested my first big game with my bow. Yesterday was the last day of hunting season and I have been out many times this year and not seen anything. The last few days they have been coming just before sunset, I have seen up to 12 at the same time but I haven't had any success.
Whitetail deer are a worthy prey, they are very wiley and in a group they have many lookouts. Yesterday they had me pegged as something unusual in their territory.
In the short version of this story they returned to my area after me calling, etc., five times. Everytime I tried to draw my bow they scurried out of range. I was having trouble drawing it in the end due to fatigue and cold. I eventually drew back on a deer who scampered away; while at full draw I slowly turned to my left where one had remained and unaware. I lined up my sights and sent the arrow on its way. She dropped where she stood and kicked a little and soon she passed.
She was a beautiful 2 and a 1/2 year old doe of about 170lbs, she was very well fed and had a good layer of insulating fat. She has been dressed and I am looking forward to curing the hide. My wife and in-laws helped me with it, also a friend, Norm, helped me dress and prepare her. It was such a great experience.
In posting this to a open forum I know there are some who may take offence. Know that I have tremendous respect for these animals and that we will use everything we can from her so she will not be wasted. Another issue is the dangerous overpopulation of these animals and the resulting diseases that the population is prone to (Lyme disease developed here due to this) as there are very few natural predators in Connecticut. I believe in addition to being a worthy hobby, hunting is an important part of maintaining the balance of nature.
I have to say I am very happy.
Teg
I have harvested my first big game with my bow. Yesterday was the last day of hunting season and I have been out many times this year and not seen anything. The last few days they have been coming just before sunset, I have seen up to 12 at the same time but I haven't had any success.
Whitetail deer are a worthy prey, they are very wiley and in a group they have many lookouts. Yesterday they had me pegged as something unusual in their territory.
In the short version of this story they returned to my area after me calling, etc., five times. Everytime I tried to draw my bow they scurried out of range. I was having trouble drawing it in the end due to fatigue and cold. I eventually drew back on a deer who scampered away; while at full draw I slowly turned to my left where one had remained and unaware. I lined up my sights and sent the arrow on its way. She dropped where she stood and kicked a little and soon she passed.
She was a beautiful 2 and a 1/2 year old doe of about 170lbs, she was very well fed and had a good layer of insulating fat. She has been dressed and I am looking forward to curing the hide. My wife and in-laws helped me with it, also a friend, Norm, helped me dress and prepare her. It was such a great experience.
In posting this to a open forum I know there are some who may take offence. Know that I have tremendous respect for these animals and that we will use everything we can from her so she will not be wasted. Another issue is the dangerous overpopulation of these animals and the resulting diseases that the population is prone to (Lyme disease developed here due to this) as there are very few natural predators in Connecticut. I believe in addition to being a worthy hobby, hunting is an important part of maintaining the balance of nature.
I have to say I am very happy.
Teg
