One particular hunt that comes to mind on my quest to thirty is a New Year’s Eve hunt because I promised a whole group of people fresh venison for the New Year’s Eve party. I had one particular spot that I had been watching a group of doe on the camera, and I hadn’t messed with them for weeks. I got up that morning, verified the weather was good, and I was off. I got in extra early to make sure not to spook anything, and yes it was time for a nap, after I tied in first of course. As the sun started cracking through the woods, I caught movement down in the bottom as some deer were heading my way. As they got closer I could tell it was a few large doe, so I grabbed my bow and got ready for battle. The doe eased their way my direction looking and sniffing all the way, as with most deer that time of year they were on full alert. I had the perfect wind so no worries there, it just took some time before these smart ole girls got into range. I waited and waited so they would calm down, and I would be able to get a good shot. Finally after what seemed hours I had my shot, so with all their heads down I drew my bow, picked out the biggest one, and released my arrow. The arrow disappeared into the deer and buried itself in the ground before she knew what hit her. She turned and ran the direction she came, and I heard her crash not far at all. As quick as that happened, I heard some other deer running my direction, and before I knew it they were standing right under me. I was dumbfounded at how this all came about, never the less I grabbed another arrow, and repeated what I had done just a few moments before. That deer ran up the other direction and out of site but this time I heard nothing even though I know I made a good shot. Wow, had
this really happened, a double on New Year’s Eve, could this get any better. I gathered my gear, and got down to recover the first deer. As I followed the blood trail on the second I soon knew why I didn’t hear her crash, as I found her laying in my landowners front yard next to the driveway. To say the least that was an easy recovery. Now the work was ahead of me as I had to turn those deer into tenderloin for the grill. My hunt that morning, and the overwhelming gratitude for the venison at the party made it one of the best New Year’s I’ve ever had.
It was now January, one month exactly left of the season, and I had 24 deer under my belt. I kept plugging away, and the deer kept falling, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 all seemed to go down with no problem at all. So what always happens when you’re trying to accomplish a goal, you know it never comes easy, and it sure as heck didn’t come easy for me. All I needed was one deer, with almost two weeks left, and I just couldn’t get it done. My quest for thirty had brought me to the very last day of the season, and I was so nervous as I had come all this way and I truly wanted to accomplish my goal. The morning was slow that day, so I found myself in a last chance