Ok, I have been hunting all my lefe and just took up bowhunting. I am addicted. I had been waiting all year for a big buck, I had settled in on getting a doe. Well, since I decided that 3 weeks ago, I couldn't get anything to walk within 35 yards of me. This is only my second year bowhunting and I don't feel comfortable shooting past about 25 yards right now.

Today was the day. I snuck in perfect and was in the stand 45 minutes before shooting time. The wind was blowing a about 25 mph, which wasn't ideal, but I was committed. After sitting quitely with no action for 2 1/2 hours, I heard crashing behind me and to my left and 4 does and 3 fawns stopped exactly in my opening at my previously ranged spot (20yds). One of them saw me draw and I settled in on the one in the back. I let the arrow fly and hit her a little low and a little far back. The arrow made a loud WHACK!. I almost fell out of the tree I was so excited. I watched her run off with the others and retreated to let he lie down. I waited for about 1 1/2 hours and then came back with my father to track her down. I found my arrow down the trail where she ran. It had blood covering the arrow about 5 inches from where it had broken off. She must have had 3 inches and the broadhead stuck in her. We tracked her for about 250 yards weaving in and out of the trees. Mostly drips of blood and several splotches where she stopped. I followed her trail to where my property ends and my Dad saw her and two of the other does run across the corn field (not my property). She was obviously laboring to run, but maded it across the 500 yard field. Unfortunately, the property she entered is extremely off limits. The lady that owns it will not let us or any other hunter on the property. I am devastated, needless to say. Now, I am just hoping the shot wasn't fatal. The deer always migrate back to my land, so I am hoping to got back out tomorrow after work to see if she wandered back across.

notsoLuckyone...