I'm excited to say that I filled my mule deer tag on Saturday night with a beautiful doe. I have been privileged with permission to hunt this piece of property for four years now. It's close to home and fairly accessible, which makes it a great solo hunt for me. It's a lot easier to be stealthy and quiet when you are only one.
The last few days there were two herds of at least 50 animals each on two of the neighboring properties, neither of which I had permission to hunt. I was feeling a little dejected and calling it a night as thunder rolled in the distance and lightening lit the early evening sky. On my walk back to my truck, I spotted a small herd of does. The hunt was back on!
Luckily, the wind was in my favor. I was able to stalk closer by staying low and connecting the largest sage brush bushes. I saw the animal I wanted and I closed the distance. I placed my sites squarely on the deer as she turned broadside for what I knew was my last opportunity. I let off my shot and watched as the deer jumped in the air and then ran off with the rest of the herd into the neighboring scrub oaks.
As I searched for the animal I feared the worst, but in short order, and with the help of my headlamp, I located the blood trail and soon found my deer. It was dark and raining, but I couldn't have been happier. I had made a perfect clean shot in the vitals. I had one bar of cell service and was able to text message Glenn, "I got one." By the time Glenn was there to help me, I had her cleaned and we were ready to get her out of the field.
The cleaning and processing gets easier for Glenn and me every time. Make no mistake, it's still work. But I feel good about filling my freezer with healthy, organic, grass fed venison. We try to cut as many steaks as possible and the rest goes to stew meat or ground meat. I am even going to try making jerky this year.
I like to trim the steaks well. Then I vacuum seal them, two per pack, into servings that can be taken out of the freezer for nightly meals. It's a great feeling to experience the whole process from shot to grill!
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