Michigan Sportsmen’s Web

Opening day of season was cold and rainy, but it did present an opportunity for me to see a lot of deer. As they passed under my stand my heart beat harder and faster, but I had promised myself that I wasn’t going to be one of those hunters that just shot at anything that walked into my path. As I waited out in the rain that opening day I was just shaking. All of a sudden a deer appeared out of the corner of my eye. It was a buck (4 point with a big hoop). As I drew back I tried to remember the fundamentals of shooting - zink!…..grazed the top of his back. It wasn’t until later that I found out that my bow was too fast for the expandable broadheads I was using….they had opened in mid-flight and caused my arrow to lift. That would be the last time I used the expandables.

The next day I got out later in the day and had the opportunity to sit in my stand for a while before a beautiful mature doe came walking through. She peered up toward me, certain something (me) was lurking in the trees, but then casually walked by. About 30 minutes later I gave a little playful rattle and a couple of doe bleets, all of a sudden I heard a rustle. I had awoken a deer with my call. As he walked around the tree I saw he had antlers and I prepared to draw back - I pulled back as he slowly made his way around the tree. Boy, that seemed like it took forever and I was forced to release and wait for him some more. As he continued to present I realized he was a six point and thought that was gonna be the nicest first deer - drew back - he stopped and looked away…..zink! Blow through.

He trotted about 60 yards and crashed. After about 30 minutes I got down and went over to see how big he was. As I pulled his antlers from the tall grass I saw….he wasn’t a 6 point, he was an 8; and he had beautiful big brows!

I was proud and I went and got some help to dress & drag in….my father-in-law, who’s land I was hunting was as proud as he could be of my first kill. He went on further to say that was one of the nicest bucks he’d ever seen out on his property. What a delight.

This opportunity hooked me and I am now becoming interested in quality deer management (QDM). I am hoping that others will join in the movement toward bigger, better, and more healthy deer populations.

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