got a deer down 1st hunt in illinois

[armybowhunter]

Well I went to Crab Orchard in Souther Illinois the 3rd through the 5th. They just opened up 750 acres of never hunted land out there. They hadnt cut the corn fields yet which would later be great for me. I went out to this cornfield and walked the cornfield and tree line. I saw so much deer crap that I knew I had to set my stand up on that cornfield edge. The only problem was that it was a small patch of trees. And of course no trees that I could find where even close to being big enough to climb up. I ended up finding one tree......but could only got 8 feet up!!!!! The wind was the only thing was helping me at this point. It was coming out of the north blowing right in my face. Which was good due to the fact that the deer would be coming from in front and to the side of me. So i got up in this massive tree lol at around 1400. At around 1700 two does come from the right side after i hit the rattle bag of all things. They came running to the sound of that bag. I made the mistake of standing up to fast with the deer not having his head down. So the doe stopped and started stomping. The other doe was going to walk right in front of my stand. However that one doe was so nervous and stomping. She was 20 feet away and was just behind some limbs and wouldnt come forward. So after tryign to hold stitll for 15 minutes i slipped a little and she ran off fast and in a hurry. She and the other deer were blowing so hard as they were running. I figured my hunt would be ruined. 15 minutes what i thought was a doe came down the same trail as the previous doe did. At 20 feet I put one arrow in the deer hitting it right in the spine dropping it in is place. The deer was still alive and no blood was coming from the wound. So I opted to put another arrow in its vitals. Some may say why do it. Yes I am a hunter, however hearing the noise that this deer was making I had to. I when i pulled the second arrow the broadhead stuck in the quiver so i had a arrow with no broadhead on it. I threw down from the stand which I shouldn't have done. I got down from my stand with plenty of daylight letft. I called my dad and he came out and helped me clean the deer. As we were walking back to the deer after I met him at the truck three very big does ran from under where my treestand was!!!!! It ended up being a button buck. It was my first deer ever. The deer wasnt the biggest in the world but just watching these animals in the wild is so great. The experiences we encounter while we are sitting in the treestand, ground blind, or truck lol jk dont do that, is what hunting is all about.

[fastetti]

Congrats on your first Deer! It sucks when you spine a deer, but if you've been hunting your whole life, it happens to the best of us. Don't worry too much about it, you did your best to put the deer down ASAP. Where'd they open up the land at Crab Orchard? Don't worry, Im not going to hunt it, but used to hunt when I was at SIU 10 years ago and pretty much knew most of that area front and back. Man, were there some big deer down there! I should be gun hunting about 20 miles east of there this fall. Hopefully those Big Southern Illnois Buck that I saw 10 years ago are still running around. I don't know how farmiliar you are to hunting Crab Orchard, but Im always open to sharing a few of spot where I use to spot a lot of deer. Just let me know.

[bowman15]

I've spined 2 of my 7 deer. It happens. You did right by finishing it off.

Congrats on your first.

[Zingnut]

How was the pressure out there? Many hunters hunting that new area. I live only a few miles from there and was going to try it out when I get a chance to go hunting. Congrats on the deer. I still remember my first deer almost as exciting as a big buck. Keep up the great hunting spirit.

~Jeff

[Rory/MO]

Congrats

[stikbow26]

Congrats on your first!!! Brings back alot memories of my first!! Walt

[BOWHUNTERCOP]

way to go dude!!!!

[ggc1962]

good job on your first deer. hope you get many more!!!

[Cougar Mag]

Congrats on getting your first deer. I am thinking of making a couple of weekend hunts in Shawnee National Forest myself. I've never hunted in Shawnee but a couple of weekends camping/bowhunting should be fun.