Post by HighCotton on Dec 22, 2009 10:12:14 GMT -5
Like many of us on here, it's been a bit tough this year. All in all, I've had a great year - possibly because I simply love being outdoors. This was my 13th year in a row to pop a deer with my Encore muzzleloader. This was also my longest shot ever on this doe taken in LaPorte county, Indiana near the dairy farm on which I grew up. Last Wednesday, when I shot this deer, it was 7 degrees. A little after 9 A.M. deer started busting out of the woods and as I saw them break into the cattle pasture, I whistled to get them to stop. The lead doe looped back toward me, continued on away from me then stopped for a second or two. I had previously ranged spots from 100 to 200 yards so I felt comfortable with an open window. In the second the doe stopped, at 178 yards, I busted her. She bolted out with the rest of the group (about 10 deer) and I lost her in the crowd. About 200 yards later, I saw a deer near a clump of trees in the pasture do a small circle and flipover into a backwards somersault - white belly up - a double lung shot!
The doe was not the biggest in the group. I guessed her around 120# field dressed before I dressed her. I was off and a bit fooled as she weighed 108# dressed (but that's cool by me - make some good loins).
I'll get out a few more times in late archery - if simply to enjoy the outdoor experience again.
I thank the Good Lord and Good Friends (whitetail1 and whitetailchaser22...) for such a great privilege and opportunity.
