LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
Location: Boone County, WV, Age: 16 years old, Date: October 2013, Weather: Sunny with light wind 50 degrees, Time of Day: 6:20 PM.
There is nothing quite like harvesting your first ever deer; especially with a bow. Here is one young ladies tale of becoming a bowhunter.
Q: Tell me a little about what happened when you harvested the deer?
A: It was a beautiful day in the mountains of WV. My dad and I decided that it would be a good day to go for a hunt on some reclaimed strip mine property that we have access to. We had not been out long before we saw 2 deer about 75 yards ahead of us grazing in the tall grass. As we sat as still as possible Dad told me the best way that I could sneak up on the Doe, using the terrain to keep my movements hidden. I began my stalk but with every movement I made sure I could see my dad. I knew if I started to go the wrong way he would let me know. The stalk seemed like it took forever. With every step the anticipation grew and my heart seemed to pound harder in my chest. I could now see that I was 20 yards away.
One of the deer had made its way up a small bank on the hillside but the other deer was still grazing with no idea I was closing in. I looked back at my Dad to see if I should shoot, and he was shaking his head yes. I slowly stood and brought my Mathews to full draw. As I tried to settle my pin on the doe I realized how nervous I was. I took a deep breath and let the arrow fly. I lost track of the arrow as it flew through the air but I heard a loud smack and watched as the doe bolted up the hill about 20 yards and stopped.
Lexie is one proud hunter as she poses with her first ever bow kill; a beautiful doe.
As I focused on the deer, I could hear Dad running through the tall grass to get to my position. We sat there watching the deer for a long time. We knew that it was hurt badly and it was losing a lot of blood, but my shot was a little far back. Dad told me to get ready to try to take another shot. The beautiful, yellow and red leaves had not fallen off of the trees yet and it made it very difficult to get a second shot. Dad said it would be a hard shot, but we needed to try. I was at full draw waiting for my opportunity. Slowly, she moved into a very small opening. I said a quick prayer and then released the arrow. This time I watched the arrow glide through the air like a missile and strike the deer right where I wanted it to go. It kicked both legs back and ran off as fast as it could. I heard my dad laughing and he was so surprised I made the shot. I told him that is what a prayer could do for you. I could see in his face how proud he was of me.
Slowly, we eased out of the area to give the deer time to expire. After about 30 minutes in the truck I could not wait any longer. As we slowly tracked the deer my Dad taught me how to follow a blood trail. We had tracked the deer about 50 yards when we noticed that the blood trail took a hard left turn. Dad told me to go ahead and start tracking it. I had not followed the blood more than 30 yards when I saw her laying there. It was my first deer with a bow and it was a perfect ending to a great day with my dad in the mountains of West Virginia.
Bow: Mission Craze
Arrows: Beman Bone Collector Jr.
Broadhead: Muzzy 3 Blade 100 Grain
