During the hunt, we did see a couple small 2 points that were close, but never within bow range. Hunting right now with my kids is not focused on killing a trophy, although I'd love that opportunity. I went up 2 times with Aiden, Alena, Zach and Parker. It was a very rousing experience. The first night was so cold that all the kids were shivering and complaining the entire time. Aiden doesn't seem prone to enjoying this activity.
It was the last day of the hunt. Turpin took us to his uncle's farm because we hadn't seen many animals. Then, as the shadows were cast over the hills above fairview, the Junipers started coming alive with animals. The deer decided to come down, almost in single file. Mostly does, but a few small bucks. Each taking the route to the north, away from us. Then a group of about 6-8 does crossed the fence and the small sagebrush flat above us and crossed the canal headed down the hill towards CJ. As we waited we saw one small two point that was slowly coming down the same route. He stopped up high and went very slowly. As we waited, the boys started to get really excited. It was early enough that there was plenty of light. We were posted on a small outcropped area that was a result of the dredging for the canal on a steep hillside. We had sage brush behind us to help us blend in, but were pretty much out in the open.
Once the deer crossed the fence and headed to the sage brush flat in front of us, I started prepping. Spidey face on. Arrow knocked and ready to go. As I was going through the routine, Parker quietly says..."there's the buck". Down the canal around 55 yards to our left, the 2 point came out of the sage brush flat and was standing broadside staring at us. I pull up the range finder and get the distance...54 yards. I double check. 54 yards. Then I slowly come to a full draw on the deer, find my 50 yard pin, make my adjustment and let it fly. It was a clean release and the deer does the kick that I love to see. I know I hit him...or did I? We watched and waited for the buck to come in front of us, across the sage brush flat. It seems like 5 minutes (more like 5-10 seconds), but the buck moves over to the fence it had crossed 10 minutes earlier. This time he doesn't jump, he just stands next to the fence. I glass him and notice that as he moves, he is lifting his chest, and I think I see blood dripping down his legs. As we watch him, I know he's hit, but not how bad. We watch him for 20 minutes. He's not doing much. Actually he goes up to the cliff face (never crossing the fence) and beds down. I tell Zach he needs to sit there and watch him while I go and get the arrow. Crossing the canal was painful...but finally we made it to the other side, found the arrow and YES...there was blood. Uh-oh...the blades are the kind that open on impact and I notice that they are still closed. I realize that this is probably not going to turn out good for us, so I get back to Zach and tell him to watch the deer. We are going to try and get another arrow into him...
The stock is short...the deer is watching us the entire time, at 100 yards he gets up and moves to the North across the fence and darts away. Zach watched him and 10 minutes later we found him bedded next to a large rock about 50 yards across the fence. I'm bummed. I don't think this deer is going to die if there wasn't enough cutting surface to go through his body. Luckily CJ knew that we had hit a deer and is up and agrees to circle in front of the deer and try and push him back towards me. As he approaches, he gets within 15 yards of the deer, and takes a shot. Sparks, he missed. The deer jumps up and runs full speed to the west, not towards me, but away from me and CJ. I am now sure that he didn't have a big hole in his chest because he didn't look too injured.
Now it's dark. We pull out our lights. We realize that the odds for success have diminished. The way that deer ran, and the minuscule amounts of blood we were finding told us what we were already fearing...we would have little hope to find that deer. Jeff's trying to keep the kids from jumping into the canal...they seem to be driving him crazy. We discussed options, these included going home. Going to town, eating and returning later that evening. Nothing sounded good. The boys were very upset. Then, CJ decided to go follow the blood one more time. As we got back on the path, we followed the blood for another 50 yards and then there was a huge pool of blood (2-3 foot in diameter). The hope returned. Maybe we might find this deer. Not 2 seconds after this thought, we got a glimpse of the body from the rays of our flashlights....FINALLY, success. MONSTER SPIKES NO MORE BABY...
I have counted...6 deer that I have hit with my arrows (that weren't spikes). Finally we found one. Hopefully this will remove the curse and something a little nicer will find it's way in front of us for another opportunity.
It was a great time. We had the deer in the cooler (Mostly because Jeff is an animal) in about 2 hours and were headed home (around 11:30pm). It was fun for all of us.
Oh yea...Look at that HUGE NON-TYPICAL 2 POINT...
