VA Opening Day Hunt
10-07-2002, 04:13 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: VA
Posts: 1,921
VA Opening Day Hunt
I got up at 4:30 Saturday morning, ate, showered, put on my hunting clothes and gathered my gear. On the way to my stand, I had to stop 4 times b/c it was sooo hot. I was sure that by the time I got there, I'd be soaked from sweat, but resting a few times really helped. Anyways, first thing I did was flush a pheasant at about 5:30 on the way in! Funny thing was, I'm used to seeing them out there and it didn't make me jump at all.
Anyways, I finally get to the tree I'm gonna climb and I notice I'm running late. It's still dark out, but I like to be in the tree well before light. So I start setting up my climber when I hear a few deer, no more than 30 yards away run out of the woods where I'm at. I was sort of pissed at myself that I didn't get up a little earlier. So I climb about 12 feet up the tree and get situated, right before sun-up. Just after first light, I hear a few deer off to my right and behind me a little. I think it was the same 4 I scared off a little earlier. I watch them for about 30 minutes when the small buck wanders over my way. I usually let the small ones walk, but being opening day, and not having venison in the freezer, I decide I'll take the shot if presented w/ a good oportunity.
He walks by me, almost directly under my stand and moves behind a tree, about 8 feet from the tree I'm in. I draw, and wait, and wait, and wait, but his vitals are still behind the tree, so I let the bow out. I watch him for about another minute or so, and he starts browsing like he's going to come out from behind the tree, so I draw for the 2nd time. This time he does step out and I released an arrow. He jumped a little, then took off, went about 35 yds, fell, got back up and moved another 5 yds, and was down for the count.
Now don't forget that was 88 degrees up here in Northern VA on Saturday. I don't the other 2 does and doe fawn are standing around wondering what happened. The go back to feeding, but don't leave the area. I didn't want to spook them out of the area, but I also didn't want to hang around all day while my deer spoiled. They finally left after a while, and I climbed down, tagged the buck, and headed home. It was definitely the hottest day I've ever bowunted in my life. I dressed, checked, and butchered the deer pretty quickly Sat. morning. It was a good hunt, but I almost felt like it was over before it started. We had venison backstraps and tenderloin last night for my younger bro's B-Day party, and boy was it ever good! Just thought I'd share a little.
Anyways, I finally get to the tree I'm gonna climb and I notice I'm running late. It's still dark out, but I like to be in the tree well before light. So I start setting up my climber when I hear a few deer, no more than 30 yards away run out of the woods where I'm at. I was sort of pissed at myself that I didn't get up a little earlier. So I climb about 12 feet up the tree and get situated, right before sun-up. Just after first light, I hear a few deer off to my right and behind me a little. I think it was the same 4 I scared off a little earlier. I watch them for about 30 minutes when the small buck wanders over my way. I usually let the small ones walk, but being opening day, and not having venison in the freezer, I decide I'll take the shot if presented w/ a good oportunity.
He walks by me, almost directly under my stand and moves behind a tree, about 8 feet from the tree I'm in. I draw, and wait, and wait, and wait, but his vitals are still behind the tree, so I let the bow out. I watch him for about another minute or so, and he starts browsing like he's going to come out from behind the tree, so I draw for the 2nd time. This time he does step out and I released an arrow. He jumped a little, then took off, went about 35 yds, fell, got back up and moved another 5 yds, and was down for the count.
Now don't forget that was 88 degrees up here in Northern VA on Saturday. I don't the other 2 does and doe fawn are standing around wondering what happened. The go back to feeding, but don't leave the area. I didn't want to spook them out of the area, but I also didn't want to hang around all day while my deer spoiled. They finally left after a while, and I climbed down, tagged the buck, and headed home. It was definitely the hottest day I've ever bowunted in my life. I dressed, checked, and butchered the deer pretty quickly Sat. morning. It was a good hunt, but I almost felt like it was over before it started. We had venison backstraps and tenderloin last night for my younger bro's B-Day party, and boy was it ever good! Just thought I'd share a little.
10-07-2002, 06:29 AM
#3
RE: VA Opening Day Hunt
Sounds like you had a great opening day, Coolbrze0. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
I went out to Powhatan WMA (west of Richmond) at zero-dark-thirty Saturday morning (wife got me up at 4:45 and I grabbed some coffee, my bow, pack, etc... and hauled on out there).
The WMA's should be called NWA (NON Wildlife Area). Man, I didn't see noothing!!! I don't have a tree stand (yet), but have a real cool ground blind that I "trick up" with nearby twigs, branches, etc...
I sprayed down my stuff last night with scent-free spray and hung it in my side porch for the night. I "played the wind" (which was from the west), and came to my favorite spot and quickly setup. 1/2 hour.... 45 minutes.... a full hour.... <u>NOTHING</u>!!! I gave up on deer and recalled that it was also opening Turkey season for bows. So, I reached in my pack and got my push-button yelper. I spent the rest of the morning trying to call turkeys. ...again <u>NOTHING</u>!!! <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
Man, I don't understand it. Maybe I came into the the NWA (Non-Wildlife Area) like a herd of elephants. Who knows.... But, I talked to a couple guys around lunchtime (when I gave up) back at the main parking lot, and they too gave up and said that it was too hot, too soon, and the deer aren't moving. Plus, The rut is still a month away.
I know one thing.... I will be looking into a tree stand very soon!
Butch
[img]http://members.aol.com/ammonc/hunttrail.jpg">
Edited by - ButchA on 10/07/2002 07:32:24
I went out to Powhatan WMA (west of Richmond) at zero-dark-thirty Saturday morning (wife got me up at 4:45 and I grabbed some coffee, my bow, pack, etc... and hauled on out there).
The WMA's should be called NWA (NON Wildlife Area). Man, I didn't see noothing!!! I don't have a tree stand (yet), but have a real cool ground blind that I "trick up" with nearby twigs, branches, etc...
I sprayed down my stuff last night with scent-free spray and hung it in my side porch for the night. I "played the wind" (which was from the west), and came to my favorite spot and quickly setup. 1/2 hour.... 45 minutes.... a full hour.... <u>NOTHING</u>!!! I gave up on deer and recalled that it was also opening Turkey season for bows. So, I reached in my pack and got my push-button yelper. I spent the rest of the morning trying to call turkeys. ...again <u>NOTHING</u>!!! <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
Man, I don't understand it. Maybe I came into the the NWA (Non-Wildlife Area) like a herd of elephants. Who knows.... But, I talked to a couple guys around lunchtime (when I gave up) back at the main parking lot, and they too gave up and said that it was too hot, too soon, and the deer aren't moving. Plus, The rut is still a month away.
I know one thing.... I will be looking into a tree stand very soon!
Butch
[img]http://members.aol.com/ammonc/hunttrail.jpg">
Edited by - ButchA on 10/07/2002 07:32:24
