Bow hunting was a sport that I thought I could never do. Because of the technology of the compound bows, along with the DNR lowering the weight requirements for you to draw your arrow, made me want to try the sport. I tried a few times at many sport shops to get some answers to my questions, didn’t get the sales associate to take me seriously, being that I’m a woman. Finally, while shopping a Cabela’s, a young fellow came up and asked if I had any questions about bows. I said I want to try the sport but do not know which bow would be a good starter. He knew exactly what we would need and took his time. Let us shoot different types of bows. I settled on a package for the Parker Sidekick. One of the main selling points for this bow is that you could change the limbs out for a higher pull range. I practiced all summer shooting at different targets and distances. We also practiced shooting from a deck and the ground sitting and standing. I decided to try the Rage broad head. I saw the u-tube video of the product, it just seemed to be the best choice, since there would be a blood trail that So after scouting the area and talking to the neighbors, I found a place to put up a stand.
The second weekend, after the bow season started, I got up at 5 am, showered and gather my gear and proceeded to my deer stand quietly about 6 am.
So the sun came up and the birds were singing and I’m working on calling with the can and a couple of buck grunts, softly.
The climate started to change, like it was looking like it was going to start to rain. I didn’t have my umbrella with me, so as it got darker, I climbed down my deer stand. I got have way back to the house and looked up and there were a couple of deer going back to my deer stand.
I turned right around and headed to my stand. I got up there and worked the can a couple of times and sat quietly. Hearing footsteps it the woods, I was looking around and suddenly there from out behind a big oak tree, there he was. Chewing on acorns.
I watched him for quite a while since he was a 7 to 8 inch spike in velvet. He didn’t seem to know that I was there. I didn’t want to take him at first, but he seemed to stay there as if he was a gift.
As he put his head behind an oak tree, giving me a broadside shot. I stood up and drew my bow and aimed, figuring he was about 20 yards away, and let the arrow go.
The buck jumped and the arrow stuck. He scurried down the trail where he came from. I listened for him to drop. And he did. So I waited in my deer stand for about 5 minutes.
Later, I realized that I should have waited a bit longer. The excitement got to me. I looked around and decided I would get some help finding him. It didn’t take long the blood trail from those Rage Broad Heads was amazing. After we found him, they went back to get the 4 wheelers and I decided since it was so warm out I would just field dress him right away. Get him cooled down as soon as possible by quartering up and putting into meet bags on ice.
This was my first bow hunting experience that I’ll never forget. I hope that this year will be a good one as my first time. I have been hunting since I was 12. I have hunted with a rifle and muzzle loader. I have hunted bear, elk and deer. Now being able to use a bow, I can hunt for 4 months. I will never forget this first spike with my bow. I do have a 12 pointer in my living room…but this is a trophy I will always cherish.
