This year was a big year for me and for Polk County and St. Croix Falls, WI. We have so many deer that they were practically giving tags away. Just $2 would get you an additional doe tag. What a deal.
I got my first deer on opening day at 7:40 a.m. He came out of the woods after using my doe bleat can at about 30 yards. I took aim with my 1936 Marlin 30-30 and dropped him. After cleaning him and then cleaning up, our group walked the woods until lunch. No one else shot anything.
After lunch, I traded guns with my Brother-in-law so he could use the rifle. I took his 12 gauge shot gun. Walking back to a double stand with my nephew, we saw a large doe bolt out of the woods going full speed. At 75 yards I blasted her with the shot gun and she disapeard. I thought I missed her by a mile, but we walked the field to see where she went. Unbeliveably she was down only running 3-4 yards. That was the last deer of the day.
On the Saturday before the season ended, I managed to get out one more time. After a disapointing morning of freezing in a stand and walking fields, we decided to walk the woods across from our house. Nine guys - 3 posted at one end, 5 walk the 50 acre woods and 1 stand on 30 yards ahead and to the side to keep the deer from running accross the street. Get ready for WWIII.
Once everyone was in position, the walkers immediatly spotted over a dozen deer which ran right towards the posters. In a matter of 3 minutes everyone was spotting an shooting at deer. This can be dangerous, so you have to know where everyone in your party is at at all times.
At the end of the push we had shot 5 deer. I got my first Big Buck (picture below). I have to share the credit with a fellow hunter who shot it after it got back up. I was busy shooting at a doe that was following the buck. I never found the doe, which is always a bummer.
In all we shot 5 deer and havested 4 total that day. For the total season we harvested over 14 between the 9 hunters.Not only does this clear the road of all the deer, but I was able to give 3 deer away to people who struggle to provide food for their families. It is a great way to enjoy nature, take care of the enviornment, and bless others.
