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Public Land Witch

muddy

muddy

Well-Known Member
I've been hunting a newer smaller parcel of public land this year and I've had an issue with one doe in particular. She has busted me at least 4 times so this morning I decided to bump my stand placement 20 yards in hopes of tricking her up. Well, the morning went nicely, saw a few does and while I was messing around with my backpack I heard a slight "crunch" below me. There she was, at the base of my tree, sniffing my LoneWolf stick. Quicker than quick she spotted me, turned inside out, and charged out of there. I grabbed my bow, hollared "HEY!", and drew while popping a 180 in the tree, all at the same time. As I came around the tree I found The Witch standing there at 15 yards staring up at the weird squirrel that yelled at her, within a millisecond I had her drilled and was fist pumping. Quick search from the tree showed the arrow.

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I gave her a hour in hopes of filling another tag and during the wait two other bucks came though, nice surprise.

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Anyway, I started on a GREAT blood trail full of bubbles and after 175 yards I got worried, 25 more yards and I find the first bed with this chunk of lung in it.

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I figure that she'll be dead in another 20 yards in her second bed when all of a sudden she blows outta there on me not 10 yards away. Crap. At that point I knew I was in trouble and had a 1 lung hit. I gave her another hour so I could carry stuff out and redress and came back and followed an even better trail for another 400 yards or so at a fast walk as there was so much blood. Finally gettng into some cedars and thick stuff I jumped her yet again and as she ran a few steps she barrel rolled over and lay still. Thinking she was done I took a step and she bolted. Double Crap. After another 200 yards I spot The Witch under another cedar tree and she bolts again as I try to draw on her. Triple Crap. At this point I got mad. I saw where she went and snuck up there and luckily got another arrow in her, but she still bolted a ways and then collapsed. Just to make sure I snuck up again and finally got one into both lungs. Even so she hung on for another 10 minutes before she finally gave up. I felt bad for her but I have never felt happier to kill a hunter busting Witch.

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They dont get much tougher then an old whitetail. Persistance pays off once again. Way to keep at it Matt.
 
Hit one just about identical a couple of years ago. Jumped her and found the lung stuff, then went to town and had lunch. Came back a couple hours later and found her dead as a hammer...but it was clear that the final moments were ugly :grin:

Nicely done, and way to stay after it :way:
 
Shredder said:
So was it a one lung hit the first shot for sure?. Nice job keeping after her.
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Pretty sure. Steep down shot quartering more than I realized. Went in about 4 inches back from crease and about 2 inches over from spine and came out thru the brisket but more to the right side of it in the right armpit area. CSI revealed that the left lung was totally intact (except for 3rd arrow) and the heart was untouched. Right lung was pretty much gone, I kept stepping over chunks of it while tracking, it was gross.
 
I've got one of those that came in my first time in the stand leading four other does...experience said "she's going to be a pain all year, shoot her"...the other side of me said "i've got too much to do tonight to mess with a doe". BIG mistake!!!
 
DOR said:
Cool Mud! My only question is how do you know it was the same doe each time?:D
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Her fawn is a pipsqueak. She also comes in on the exact same trail and is the only deer that uses that trail. She also always comes thru around 0800 also. But, mostly the single dinky fawn.
 
muddy said:
Her fawn is a pipsqueak. She also comes in on the exact same trail and is the only deer that uses that trail. She also always comes thru around 0800 also. But, mostly the single dinky fawn.
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You meeany!
 
Ive hunted a farm for 3 years now with one paticular doe that is what you call the witch. she has busted me more times than I can count over the last 3 years, and in those three years I havent been able to kill her. I know its the same doe because she only has one ear. Even though shes handicapt, she has the ability to pick me off from 100 yds out everytime. I finally got the chance a week ago to end her but at full draw for some reason I couldnt let it fly. I guess she has grown on me, but im sure Ill regret it next time shes stomping a hole in the ground and blowing like shes trying to put out a forrest fire.
 
Good job Muddy. Them old does can really get on your nerves. They are smarter and more cautious than a lot of big bucks for sure.
 
Love the story Matt.Thanks for sharing it. I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one
who has said 'double crap' a few times while on a trail.
Good job.
 
Congrats on the smart one. I've got a "witch" of my own to take care of with the muzzleloader in a few weeks.
 
Congrats Matt! We had one that dealt my BIL and myself nuts for two years before he got an arrow in her. They are trouble if you have one in the area!
 
Nice doe, Muddy. Always an accomplishment to take a mature doe. I can't believe how tough they can be. Will make for some good meat for you!
 
HUSH? probably wouldn't taste worth a crap after all that stress

Way to stick with it and finish the job though.
 
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