Doe kicked

Spot a buck and doe bedded in a stubble field. Spotted them before they spotted me. I’ve filled my buck tag so I’ll go after the doe. Perfect position for a hide and stalk.

Wind is perfect. Crossing between us at a strong clip. It will silence my approach.

Down low, behind the small hill, I spot the buck’s rack first.

I get close. Doe spots me, but doesn’t move. I can’t get into a kneeing position. I lose the doe to the curvature of the hill hiding me. Down low I can see the buck’s rack, but nothing to shoot at.

I slowly ease closer.

Buck is totally enamored with the doe and never looks at me even when she spots me and alerts.

She alerts but stays down.

I think I’ve pushed it as far as I can and settle in a kneeling position for a neck/head shot, which is all I can see of the doe.

Buck is still oblivious to everything but the doe.

I get down, kneel and steady. Damned wind keeps blowing me and the rifle side to side.

The wind dies down, a pause between gusts.

I aim, steady myself, and fire; 70 yards or so.

Doe stiffens and rolls over at the shot.

Buck jumps to his feet, but doesn’t run.

He doesn’t even look at me.

I stand up in full view of the buck thrilled at the shot and start walking toward him and the doe.

He still doesn’t run. Instead, he stamps his feet.

At me, at the doe.

I chamber a round and keep walking toward him.

I get close enough to get nervous about a possible encounter, nervous enough to flip the safety off.

The buck finally runs, but not very far; 50 yards. I keep a wary eye on him.

Bullet hit the doe to the left of her nose, mushroomed almost immediately, and then tore a 2 inch wide gap up the length of her face taking out a fist size chunk between her left ear and the top of her skull; 25% of her head is missing or destroyed; half her brain is missing.

A few minutes later my partner arrives in my pickup to load the doe. Home isn’t far. We’ll gut her there.

I check out the buck. He split, decided to get, so I clear the chamber and put my rifle in the cab of the truck.

Damn if the doe doesn’t come back to life. Rolls from her side to her legs like she’s going to get up and run. Half of her brain in the stubble and she’s rolled over it, and she’s trying to get up.

I go for my rifle to finish her off. I walk close behind the doe. She rolls over on her side and kicks me in the right shin. I mean like a slugger going for a home run.

I have a 3 inch by 4 inch greenish looking patch of skin on my shin.

I’m a hell of a lot smarter.

Hunting never ceases to amaze me.

And it never ceases to excite me.

A doe kicked me. A doe missing half her brain.

I hate neck and head shots, but if that’s all they offer, I’m flexible.

Sure did enjoy her back straps. ½ cup of soy sauce. ½ cup of teriyaki sauce. Liberal amount of garlic powder. Some rosemary. Dump it all into a Ziploc bag and forget it for 24 hours.

The eating was worth the kick.

I guess it's a good thing you didn't roll her over in the field and begin to gut her, she might have kicked you in the jimmy.

Very unusual for a Doe to do that after a brain shot. I shot one Doe in the occiput in MO years ago as she was looking away from me. Distance was 45 yards. It wasn't a pretty sight, but she died instantly as the bullet cleaned out the brain cavity.

I haven't done it again. Don't care for head shots but they work. I saw Larry Weishuhn (sp?) shoot a TX buck in the head on a show some years ago. He said he does it rather frequently when that is all that is presented.

quote:

I’m a hell of a lot smarter.

Good for you!

Nice story which I feel sure you will remember the rest of your life.

Man, I can't believe that....especially after a head shot. Congrats on the doe.