coach
10-10-2011, 11:21 AM
The 2011 season has been a lot of fun so far. My daughter, Kiana and I have been out several times and have seen good numbers of bucks and bears. Although she's killed a few grouse, she hasn't been able to close the deal on a deer so far. A couple of days ago, I received a call from a friend who has permission to hunt some private land here in the Okanagan. The landowner has an apple orchard and a corn field, and the mule deer have been causing havoc with his crops. As much as I've enjoyed the many hikes and drives I've been on this year, Kiana and I decided that it would be worth helping the landowner out and taking an apple stuffed, corn fed deer to start filling the freezer up. When I woke her up at 4:45, Kiana bounced out of bed - ready to go. She doesn't shoot a bow yet, but just wanted to be with me and be part of harvesting a deer.
When we arrived at the property it was still pretty dark, but we managed to spot several bucks in the corn. Two were having a pretty good sparring session that we got to enjoy through our binoculars. I left Kiana with my hunting buddy high above the field and made my way slowly toward the deer. I crept to within 30 yards of a good sized 3 point, but he never did give me an angle for a shot. At first, he looked at me straight on and when he did turn, he walked slowly away. I was at full draw for a while, but had to let him walk. As I moved a little further into the corn, there were several small bucks within range. I set my sights on the biggest of the group and ranged him at 53 yards. I made about ten steps toward him and let an arrow fly. Apparently my math was a little out, and I shot a couple inches low. He trotted a short distance away, then stopped. This time, I got to 43 yards and put a shot right through his front shoulder. He ran off a short distance, then slowed. I could see blood pouring out of his nose. When he hit the edge of the field, he stood still, did a little wobble, then keeled over. I gave him about 20 minutes, then retrieved him.
We loaded him into the truck and took him to a different part of the property where we gutted and skinned him and took a few pictures on my iphone. He's no trophy in the antler department, but had a really good sized body. I know the whole family will enjoy the steaks, roasts and sausage this winter.
Kiana really enjoyed the whole experience and is looking forward to filling my whitetail tag or taking a Region 3 buck. Here's a pic of twohappy hunters:
http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/seanandki.jpg
When we arrived at the property it was still pretty dark, but we managed to spot several bucks in the corn. Two were having a pretty good sparring session that we got to enjoy through our binoculars. I left Kiana with my hunting buddy high above the field and made my way slowly toward the deer. I crept to within 30 yards of a good sized 3 point, but he never did give me an angle for a shot. At first, he looked at me straight on and when he did turn, he walked slowly away. I was at full draw for a while, but had to let him walk. As I moved a little further into the corn, there were several small bucks within range. I set my sights on the biggest of the group and ranged him at 53 yards. I made about ten steps toward him and let an arrow fly. Apparently my math was a little out, and I shot a couple inches low. He trotted a short distance away, then stopped. This time, I got to 43 yards and put a shot right through his front shoulder. He ran off a short distance, then slowed. I could see blood pouring out of his nose. When he hit the edge of the field, he stood still, did a little wobble, then keeled over. I gave him about 20 minutes, then retrieved him.
We loaded him into the truck and took him to a different part of the property where we gutted and skinned him and took a few pictures on my iphone. He's no trophy in the antler department, but had a really good sized body. I know the whole family will enjoy the steaks, roasts and sausage this winter.
Kiana really enjoyed the whole experience and is looking forward to filling my whitetail tag or taking a Region 3 buck. Here's a pic of twohappy hunters:
http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/seanandki.jpg