Missing Grandma

[Sir Buckwheat]

Where I live in Utah we have an extended archery season that runs from the end of August until the end of the year. It gives us a great opportunity to be picky and take a mature animal. 2 years ago I got access to a farm that has about 2 dozen does that hit the fields regularly along with a handful of bucks. 2 of the bucks are hogs but they didn't get big by being dumb. Most of the time they are nocturnal however they do slip up occasionally.

 

During the last two seasons I've had 6 opportunities at these bucks but each time I have been busted by a old doe I've named "Grandma". She's a huge old doe, standing at least 6 inches taller than the other does and just as big as the old mature bucks. She has been dry for 3 years now and has been a target of opportunity but there is no fooling this old girl. Had it not been for her I would probably have two monster Mulies hanging on my wall by now.

 

Earlier this season I set up and brushed in a ground blind which I've only sat in one time. Last night I had plans to set in the blind but my plans were changed when deer started coming into the field 2 hours early. I ended up pinned down in a less than ideal spot. As the deer fed closer to me one of the big boys made an early appearance. He is a big 4-point that is pushing the 34-inch mark. He was about 100yards out and feed along with the herd of does. Thats when it happened. The wind swirled and a yearling doe caught a whiff of my scent. She wasn't sure where I was but knew she's smelled something. Her head whipped up and she snorted.

 

"Grandma" was feeding back near the big boy and immediately came trotting up to the young doe. She stood there for a few minutes looking in my general direction then turned and walked directly to my blind and sniffed it! So much for fooling them. On her way back the wind swirled again and she snorted causing the enire herd to jump. The buck immediately turned and trotted out of the field, I figured this was enough. I had decided late last season that if I had an opportunity to take "Grandma" I would. She is as great a trophy as any big buck, probably more of a trophy because of how smart she is.

 

After she caught my scent she knew exactly were I was and bore a hole through me as the rest of the deer milled around nervously. She was still 50 yards out but turned and walked straight to me. At 10 yards she stopped and snorted at me, stamping her foot. I stayed as still as a statue, not daring to even breathe. After what seemed like an eternity she turned to leave. She was still alert but looked away and turned broadside.

I raised my Zona Longbow, drew back and as my finger hit its anchor I released. The arrow flew right where I had been looking....In amazement I watched as it sailed just over her back, taking a little hair off as the 3 blade Magnus Snuffer skimmed over her.

 

I've heard of deer jumping the string, even had it happen a time or two on longer shots but I was utterly amazed at this old girl. In the time it took my arrow to go 10 yards she dropped clear to the ground! He belly litterally touched the ground so that where her vitals had been a split second before there was nothing but open air. Once again the old girl had come out on top.

 

They say a trophy is in the eye of the beholder. I can't think of a greater trophy right now than that old deer. She just moved up a notch or two on the hit list, making it to the top spot!

[stanley]

Cool story Sir!!!

 

S.

 

[izquik72]

Sounds like the old broad knows what your up to. Ha Ha

[DesertBull]

I hope you kill grandma.

 

[treemarshal]

Grandma can always learn a thing or two from Grandma

[Chef]

Great story.

Hope you end up being smarter and luckier!

[Sir Buckwheat]

I gave them last night off, but I'll be heading back out tonight since I probably won't be off work in time to get on the mountain to chase elk. They were all out last night but we had a family fun night planned. They were in the same spot just like nothing happened. You can bet Grandma went over and checked where I had been first thing though...