I went into one of my bow only spots in hopes to see the 6 pointer that has been making his appearance on camera now and then. He’s been showing in daylight and scent checking and harassing some does.

I had punched my rifle tag on opening day on a “doe”, or so I thought, that turned out to be a spike buck with one side broken off and the other side was a 2” point. I’m not really upset, but the law states that an either sex tag must be used if there is “visible” antler.
He was a great eating size deer and I was happy to tag him accordingly.
This is what brought me back to the bow only spots that I hunt.

I climbed 20 feet up in a white oak with my climber and was set by 2:00 along a raised funnel area with lots of oaks, surrounded by swampy thick cover.
The SW wind was good for this spot if any deer came out of the wet and briar tangled swamp behind, to my left, or in front of me. I would sacrifice the open hardwood to my right.
It was warmer than I had expected it to be, and I was still somewhat overheated from my walk in and my accent up the tree. I made a few quick texts to Greg S and Jighead to let them know where I was at and got settled in for the afternoon.

I hadn’t been hunting for 15 minutes when I noticed the head of a deer coming straight at me from out of the swamp about 40 yards away. She slowly fed to me and I could see that she was alone.
When her head went behind a big oak I positioned myself to hopefully get the shot at her. The thought of passing her up, as I had done earlier in the year, had been erased and I instinctively went into harvest mode. I can’t explain it, only a hunter will understand why one day you will pass up a deer in hopes for another, and other days, that’s the one. Today, she was the one!

She walked up through a grove of pines at the edge of the hardwoods and presented me with a 25 yard opportunity.
At the shot, she mule kicked and headed back where she came from towards the swamp. I was able to watch her for 40 yards before losing sight of her in the brambles.
I felt my shot was where it needed to go and the distinctive hollow impact sounded good.
I looked at my phone and it was only 2:20 pm, I sat silently for 15 minutes then gathered my gear, climbed down as quietly as possible and snuck out back to my truck to shed layers and grab the deer cart.
45 minutes later, I found first blood and slowly followed it on the course that I had seen her take. The blood trail was excellent and my 3 bladed Grim Reaper expandable head had done its part.
She had only traveled 40-50 yards and was down. She was a nice, mature dry doe and a great deer to harvest.
I took my time with getting her cleaned and bringing her out, and just soaked it all in. I truly still love the chance to pursue, and out smart these magnificent animals.

I have to admit that being home in time for dinner with a deer in the truck was a beautiful thing!
I celebrated her life with a glass of fine barrel proof bourbon.