Off to a Great Start
October 4, 2011 by Lindsay Schmeltz
Filed under Deer Hunting, Lindsay Schmeltz, Outdoors
Here it is, October 3rd. We are three days in to what looks to be a very promising season. I spent the afternoon and evening of opening day in my stand. I cannot begin to express how much better I feel, physically and mentally. I also cannot begin to tell you how excited I was about the outcome of my first day out this year. I have a long running tradition of unsuccessful bow hunts. Normally, I just don’t see deer, and when I do, they are off in the distance, well out of range. This year started off so much better. I couldn’t have asked for better weather, cool and breezy, just beautiful. I had probably only been in my stand for an hour when the deer started coming in. The first to present themselves, a doe and fawn, out of range, but they slowly walked past about 40 yards from my stand. Next I had a small four point buck come in and linger for over thirty minutes, practically begging for an arrow, but this early in the game, I’m going to be picky about my buck tag. I had a spike walk 20-30 yards past my stand on the other side of the creek at least four times. Then saw what looked to be a decent eight point buck skirting along the edge of the cornfield about 35 yards from my stand. Once again, it’s too early in season to use a buck tag when I know what bucks run around the area. Saw a few more does and fawns slightly out of range with 30 minutes or so before it was too dark to see. I still had to get the memory card out of the trail camera, so I decided to pack up and head out so I could see what I was doing. I sent down my backpack and bow, unhooked myself from the tree, turned around, and there was a doe and fawn walking directly at me. I decided to sit and wait it out. I watched them for a few minutes before the doe came in and sniffed my backpack and finally walked off. Talk about close encounters! I could have had a shot at either one within ten yards, but it was still a great opportunity. Climbed down the tree, got the memory card, and headed back to my car. I spooked a couple does and fawns on my way through the bean field on my way out, but they went back into the woods where they came out through the waterway. I can’t wait to get back out in the stand this week.
