That first deer with a bow is special!!! I remember it like it was yesterday. My uncle “sold” me an old bear compound bow that was old. I think I paid $10.00 for it, it came with 6 arrows, which I promply lost in practice. I shot almost everyday all summer in anticipation of our first hunt. We planned a camping trip up north of Pierre to spot and stalk mule deer. Needless to say I missed a big fat mule doe that weekend, but had a passion installed in me that will never die.
Later that season, after many hours in the tree stand and many close encounters, I finally got a shot at a nice mature doe at 20 yards. I drew, picked my spot and released. I was shaking so bad, and it happened so fast, I lost track of what really happened. I sat and waited my 30 minutes and got down. I looked for my arrow, couldn’t find it and decided to go get my uncle. I of course was a little excited when we found the blood trail. Big read bubbly blood. Wow, my first deer and a lung shot to boot I thought. We trailed her for about 200 yards and there she was. Lucky for me, I missed so badly that I sent the arrow right through her hind quarters, severing the main artery to that area. You would have sworn it was a perfect shot. All and all it turned out to be “perfect”. After that, I was hooked and for many years bought both east and west river archery tags.
I’ve been out of the sport for about 3 years now, and I miss it like you wouldn’t believe. I started getting geared up again this Xmas and I can’t wait to start punching holes in the “Block”.
There is definitley