Doemasters Hunting Editorials

After swatting my way through hummingbird sized coveys of blood-sucking mosquitoes, I put my Doemaster cap back on my whelped sweat-soaked head. I was pretty sure where I was, it just didn't look familiar. It wasn't the same bottom you could see for hundreds of yards in last fall. I knew I was in the same flat though because I could see the very large white oak that caught my eye in spring turkey season. I made my way closer wading through briers up to my shoulders praying I wasn't the unfortunate 1% wearing these snake-proof chaps. When I got up to the tree I pulled out my Nikons & scoured the branches. And there they were... a beautiful sight for a bow hunter. Thousands of green little acorns just soaking a summer's worth of unusually abundant rainfall. They were getting more plump the longer I stared. I turned my attention to ground level. I have heard some 'experts' say it is easier to pattern deer in the cold months while the foliage is dormant. I have a different opinion, especially in areas like I was standing. Through the the thick underbrush of briers & honeysuckle were two massive trails. They crossed twenty yards south of the oak... just along the outside perimeter of the canopy. I found the pattern I was hoping for. I instantly turned and began looking east & north. Any bow hunter in the deep south whose worth his salt knows in early bow season to plan on a southwesterly wind. There was a young water oak fifteen yards due east of the tree, but I'm a little wary of using a climber on such hard slick trees. Then I saw a sweet gum on the north side. It was a little further than I was looking, but it seemed to be calling me. I made my way there, strapped on my Ol' Man, & began to climb. I stopped frequently using my limb saw & scanning the area. I climbed up about twenty two feet and positioned my stand for a right-handed sitting shot (my personal favorite). I broke out my trusty Bushnell range finder, & from me to the 'crossroads' was thirty eight yards. It was only eighteen to the base of the white oak. Now I know where to spend the extra rounds of practice with my PSE. There's no such thing as a sure thing, but this is as close as it gets for me. Excited doesn't cover how I feel. I can't wait until October 15th, but I have to... it's only August. I know where I'll be sitting when the sun first wakes up on opening day... do you?

Written By Donny McCaa