Today is Jan 1, the last day of bow season…
My first bow hunt was for cottontails when I was 12 years old (1958)…that was 53 years ago. I have arrowed many critters over that span, I can think of 3 or 4 Deer that made the freezer on New Year’s Day, years past… Today is a peach of a day, 4-5 inches of fluffy new snow that would taper of later in the morning, with temps in the low 30s…
I hiked a quarter mile from my home along a hardwood ridge dropping off into the river bottom. I nearly missed my pop up covered with new snow, hunkered between two Oaks. There were already fresh “scratchings” where deer and turkey searched for leftover seeds and acorns.
Friday I had a Spikehorn less than 20 yards from me. Today I was hoping for a mature Doe or Buck.
It didn’t take long for a small band of fawns and yearlings to move through the valley before me, constantly digging, and nibbling… Then the telltale snap on the head and directional ears to alert me…
Something was coming… No, not a huge buck (wouldn’t that be nice)… A fat, solitary Doe cautiously moved into my shooting lane. I ranged ahead of her… 22.5 yds to that maple tree… and waited for her to get there and give me a good angle.
I got a mild complaint from my left shoulder as the 51# rebuilt Oneida Stealth came back to anchor, settled the bright green pin back a tad behind her shoulder crease and “thump” the arrow was on its way.
It looked perfect! She whirled and ran on her back trail and the other deer scattered… I felt elated to shoot my 1st bow kill since the onset of heart issues two years ago, resulting in surgery this year. I retreated quietly to home and called my buddy Tim for a hand (my wife made me promise!).
A blind man could have followed the blood trail from the Slick Trick Mag 125 on the snow for about 75 yards to the beautiful doe. I finally submitted my ego to the fact that 50# will kill any deer, bear or even elk with the proper set up and accurate shot…We thoroughly cleaned the cavity with snow and pulled the sled home.
Thank you Lord
For the many blessings you give us…
pic 1) Yours truly
pic 2) entry side
pic 3) My good bud Tim holding the mighty 50# bow… 
Love the Oneida’s too, I had one years ago briefly, sorry I sold it 
Don’t see many anymore 
