MI Early Doe Season

So it was Wednesday night and the Michigan early doe season would start Thursday morning. I was like a kid before Christmas and getting more excited with each passing minute. I can't help myself I just love to hunt. I went through my checklist to make sure I had everything I needed. With everything crossed off my list I proceeded to set my gear at the door so I wouldn't make too much noise when I left in the early morning.

I sat down to unwind and I started thinking about all the work I have done to prepare for the season. I had definitely put in a lot of time and effort throughout the spring and summer months. All in hopes that it would make me successful when the season rolled around. Although I have to admit a little nervousness because I would be using some different products which takes me out of my comfort zone. I am using a different slug and had used a new seed for my food plot I had put in. This all made me a little uneasy because it wasn't what I was used to.

Wanting to be well rested, I made sure that I went to bed early. In bed by 9:30 and back up at 11:20! My son Drake had woke up and wasn't feeling well. Knowing my wife was overloaded with work I took Drake to the couch and tried to settle him down. We ended up staying there all night. 5:00 came quickly and Art, who would be filming the hunt called to let me know he was in the driveway and ready to go. I put Drake into bed, grabbed my coffee and gear and out the door I went.

We arrived in the blind in complete darkness and got situated. As the darkness gave way to daylight the woods started to come to life. Birds started chirping, chipmunks scurrying and squirrels started searching out breakfast. They must have all gotten full because the woods got pretty quiet. Well up until the turkeys showed up.

Art quickly got my attention and pointed them out. They were walking around and moving from left to right. We watched as they meandered through the woods and then they stopped in front of us at 50 yards. They started feeding on the food plot that I had planted with No Plow from the Whitetail Institute. It kept those turkeys in front of us for over 15 minutes. The best part of it all was I didn't need any expensive implements to plant this. The product really lived up to it's name. Just a couple of rakes and a broadcast spreader is all I needed to plant it. After seeing this I can't wait to see what it does with deer!

We started seeing a lot of activity again and started to feel good about our chances of harvesting a doe. Well it wasn't too long after the turkeys left that I heard a noise coming from the right. Then I caught a glimpse of a doe walking through the trees out in front of us from that direction. Art got the camera rolling and then 2 more does followed. I quickly decided that the first one was the one I was going to try and harvest, if and when I got an opportunity. My heart started racing. I could feel the rush of adrenaline go through my body. The doe made it about 35 yards from the front left corner of our blind and stood behind a tree and stared in our direction. I whispered to Art that I would take the shot as soon as it presented itself. She took a half step to her right and I pulled the trigger. She dropped right there.

I couldn't help but feel satisfied and thankful. Earlier I had talked about using new products and well, one of them was my slug. I was using the Hornady SST 12 ga. shotgun slug and was glad that I did. Man that slug is unbelievable and I highly recommend trying it out. The knockdown power is awesome. The proof is on the video and the venison in the freezer.

What a morning and a great start to my deer season. All my hard work and effort paid off and for that I am thankful. This was my first hunt on video and we captured a lot of footage. I thank the good Lord above for allowing me the opportunity to harvest a nice doe. My family and I will eat well and I look forward to having some tenderloins real soon.

So until my next blog, be safe, appreciate what you have and get in the great outdoors.